As I look at and study the lives around me I realise how much there is to learn from others simply by observing their lives. We are all experiencing periods of pain, hardship, difficulty, EXTREME difficulty, adjustments, periods of content, happiness, excitement and JOY in life. We are influenced by these emotions and experiences daily. If we are not, we should become vigilantly aware and wake up from our sleep, because these periods and emotions in our lives is what gives us zest and courage to continue and carry on.
I am now in my own personal phase of spring. Winter has passed.
Winter has truly been a dormant, long, cold period on many different levels for me. It feels like it has been winter for 15 months!!!
I am ecstatic that spring has arrived!!! There is a scent in the air of a new and fresh phase. And I am eager to take on the challenges I am faced with. At the same time I am feeling somewhat overwhelmed and at times uncertain about the future, but there is a soft yet confident voice inside of me that assures me that all will be well.
My biggest challenge in this summer phase of my life is finances. Money makes the world go round!!! And at the same time, money can’t buy you love!!!! Money can’t make things happen for you!!! But lack of money does not make things easier either. Our finances are a bit tight and we have major planning and goals happening currently. My biggest challenge will be to sustain my healthy eating habits. Some statistics to point out my concern.
American Statistics (SA is not far off, I think if we had statistics they would be worse or similar on this subject):
“We tend to blame the obesity epidemic in the United States on people making the wrong lifestyle choices -- for example, eating a Big Mac instead of carrot sticks or Twinkies instead of an apple.
New research shows, however, that the price of healthy food may be too high for many low-income families to afford, and experts say the government needs to step in.”
http://abcnews.go.com/Health/Diet/story?id=3807128&page=1
“That’s what University of Washington researchers found when they compared the prices of 370 foods sold at supermarkets in the Seattle area. Calorie for calorie, junk foods not only cost less than fruits and vegetables, but junk food prices also are less likely to rise as a result of inflation. The findings, reported in the current issue of the Journal of the American Dietetic Association, may help explain why the highest rates of obesity are seen among people in lower-income groups.”
http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2007/12/05/a-high-price-for-healthy-food/
Fruit & Veg is becoming increasingly expensive by the month in South Africa. It is also becoming more of a challenge to source organic or at least just good quality fruit and vegetables too.
To add onto the price factor the challenge of getting through detox no 2 since I started this project (Project My Body). I will be tackling that soon. Thank goodness for this blog as I will have to check all my notes on the first bloggings to see recipes and ways that I did things, just to make sure all is on track.
Secondly I am faced with a bit of chaos at home and a regularly find my thoughts wondering off, thinking of money and how more of it will solve my chaos problem. IT WILL NOT!!! Only elbow grease, time and lots of effort will resolve half the chaos problems I have. It is simply oversight due to a lack of time.
I will be meditating and concentrating on focusing my thoughts rather on organising, working hard, putting in effort than on buying items that will so called “help me to be more organised”.
EXCUSES ARE CRUTCHES FOR TH UNCOMMITTED.
*sigh*
But spring is in the air, the mood is changing and there is a scent in the air of change and fresh beginnings!
Will keep you posted!
Wednesday, September 21, 2011
Monday, September 19, 2011
Life . . .
Life. . . . It’s this and it’s that, it’s up and it’s down, it’s black and it’s white, it’s right or wrong . . .
Sometimes we get so caught up in life that we lose focus on our overall goals, after all we have goals in every aspect of our lives which we work towards daily, weekly, monthly, annually; We have businesses/career goals that we are working on daily, we have goals to spend X amount of time with our family, we must keep a balance between work and play and attend social events and spend time with friends, then we have our very personal goals that we are working on such as weight management, time with our creator, working on our character and daily behaviours, our children and how we raise them, moral dilemmas and support – and the list goes on forever!!!!
So, yes, my conclusion is that it is absolutely normal to wonder off and to get side tracked from time to time as there are just so many things to concentrate on – BUT – there is a big difference between wondering off and losing hope, losing faith and losing courage.
On an emotional level I have some friends and family who want to give up on goals, they are just so tired of trying and so tired of doing that they just cannot continue, but yet, what other options are there, life goes on and regardless; we continue to eat and put food into our mouths and nourish OR clog up our bodies. It is a choice to either change or lifestyle, yes, the accent on LIFESTYLE – OR – to diet and through lack of nutrition or adequate energy levels, headaches and severe tiredness run yourself into the ground because you cannot sustain it and continue with dieting long term. Yet I know people personally that diet on and off for a lifetime – they are still overweight. You will feel like you are just chasing wind and you will take strain from putting your body under pressure constantly to do things that are taking a toll and not a natural, easy lifestyle to live.
These are just things that I am encountering in my daily life. I try and encourage, support and help by sharing of knowledge, but yet most people that I talk to still prefer their pill, drop, shake and what ever else their diet book says they must do.
During the course of my project (which has been running for 10 months now) I have had times that I have felt tired, mostly due to overwork and not a result of my eating habits. In fact during the busiest time of work I performed best when I made time to still eat my nutritious, healthy and raw foods. The times that I started eating “normal” food, I felt strain. Thus I do not feel like my body has taken any strain with the lifestyle choices I have made and implemented into my life since December 2010, I have truly reaped the reward of weight loss, sustained energy throughout each day, major achievements in my personal life on various levels both emotionally and physically due to the lifestyle change with regards to the food I take into my body.
But, I too am only human and have had so many ups and downs in this period. So many things have happened in my life on a work, business and personal level, so many changes and so many additions and so much growing that I almost feel overwhelmed.
I have most definitely wondered off a little in the last month (Aug-Sept 2011). When I say wondered off I am specifically referring to my project (PROJECT MY BODY) and lifestyle. To mention some examples: I have not been eating raw for most of the day, there has been bread, starches and all sorts of food in my diet. I have had cravings that I have given in to. I have not started exercising again, although I theoretically have the time in the mornings to do my yoga now, I just feel like I do not have the energy (I am sure it is due to the bad eating habits). I feel disorganised and it just feels like life is a bit chaotic, with too many things happening at once and I just do not find the time to sort things out. We have moved and the house is still partially in boxes and we are on month 2 in the new house, going onto month 3!
Adding everything in life, I feel like a higher power is talking to me and giving me guidance to go in a healthier more organised direction, but at the same time I feel frustrated as I am not too sure how to go about doing it. One step at a time, but I am going to get on top of this, one step at a time.
STEP 1: DETOX DETOX DETOX
I know that the seasons are changing and so the foods are changing that is naturally available and I should at this point do another detox, 10 months after my first. This should clean out my digestive system of any unwanted waste and will kick start a faster metabolic pace and allow my digestive system to accept the summer foods and pull all nutrients out of it.
My preferred method of detox is natural and include raw foods and juices for a 7 day period – refer to Dec2010/Jan2011 on how I did it previously. But I will cover it again once I start the detox. This is however very challenging at the moment as the new house have really taken quite a chunk from my budget! Organic fruit and veg is very expensive and I will need lots of it for a 7 day detox, especially for the juicing. I will probably go the alternative root, normal fruit and veg, lots of it and lots of scrubbing to ensure no toxins backpack into my body.
STEP 2: RISE UP MY CHILD, RISE UP
I need to rise at least 1 hour earlier in the morning and retire at the end of each day 1 hour earlier.
If I can get into a habit of doing this, I should have enough time to have 15 minutes for waking up properly, 30 minutes for Yoga light exercising and another 15 minutes for devotion.
I believe that if I can achieve this my mind and emotions will feel less rushed in the morning and I will feel like I have a head start on my day.
They say it takes only 21 days to break a bad habit or 21 days to learn a new habit / lifestlyle. So I need about a months’ worth of working days to do this.
If it doesn’t work, I have an alternative plan B, and this is to change my working hours. I can go into work one hour later than what I am currently working, which will give me the time to get up at the same time as usuall and just go into work 1 hour later and leave work one hour later. But this is not first prize for me, because if I get up at this hour, so does the rest of the household! Husband, doggy, beardie and it may not end up being me time or feel like I am having me time, it will be interruption after interruption. So this is really plan B, it is not the optimal solution, but if the first fail, this could save the day and is still a better option than no exercise time and no devotion time.
STEP 3: ORGANISE THE HOUSE
I feel like the fact that the house is not getting sorted out is also causing chaos in my mind… does this make any sense?
In this sense, I truly believe I am an extravert, I am drawing on the energy around me and the boxes and undone things in our new home is really starting to work on my nerves.
There’s only 1 way to sort this out and that is a lot of “elbow grease” and with that “time”. I do not have plenty of time, but I have elbow grease. So I will take on the challenge to make some time and to start sorting things out.
I am also contracting a Malawian man who is already working in our garden 1 day a week to help me in the house as soon as a second day becomes available, and this will be in the next month somewhere. I will again have to make myself available to train him on how I like to have things done, but this will help as my husband and I spend most of our time and work and just do not have the time to get to everything at the end of each day.
So there’s my plan. 3 simple steps????
I am not going to make a mountain out of a moles heap, things will get better and will get sorted out and I will certainly again get back onto track!!!!
I am grateful for the patience I have with my body. I do not want to rush any further weight loss. The weight I have lost so far has been absolutely natural weigh loss that has stayed off (10kg)!!!! Wow, what a difference it makes!!!! And I am not going to go into a frenzy to force my body to lose more if it does not want to or can not.
So if anybody wants to join me on the detox – contact me and we’ll do it together and support each other. I think it will be much easier if one can share your emotions and feelings daily.
I will try and make time to check in regularly to make a record of how things are going.
Sometimes we get so caught up in life that we lose focus on our overall goals, after all we have goals in every aspect of our lives which we work towards daily, weekly, monthly, annually; We have businesses/career goals that we are working on daily, we have goals to spend X amount of time with our family, we must keep a balance between work and play and attend social events and spend time with friends, then we have our very personal goals that we are working on such as weight management, time with our creator, working on our character and daily behaviours, our children and how we raise them, moral dilemmas and support – and the list goes on forever!!!!
So, yes, my conclusion is that it is absolutely normal to wonder off and to get side tracked from time to time as there are just so many things to concentrate on – BUT – there is a big difference between wondering off and losing hope, losing faith and losing courage.
On an emotional level I have some friends and family who want to give up on goals, they are just so tired of trying and so tired of doing that they just cannot continue, but yet, what other options are there, life goes on and regardless; we continue to eat and put food into our mouths and nourish OR clog up our bodies. It is a choice to either change or lifestyle, yes, the accent on LIFESTYLE – OR – to diet and through lack of nutrition or adequate energy levels, headaches and severe tiredness run yourself into the ground because you cannot sustain it and continue with dieting long term. Yet I know people personally that diet on and off for a lifetime – they are still overweight. You will feel like you are just chasing wind and you will take strain from putting your body under pressure constantly to do things that are taking a toll and not a natural, easy lifestyle to live.
These are just things that I am encountering in my daily life. I try and encourage, support and help by sharing of knowledge, but yet most people that I talk to still prefer their pill, drop, shake and what ever else their diet book says they must do.
During the course of my project (which has been running for 10 months now) I have had times that I have felt tired, mostly due to overwork and not a result of my eating habits. In fact during the busiest time of work I performed best when I made time to still eat my nutritious, healthy and raw foods. The times that I started eating “normal” food, I felt strain. Thus I do not feel like my body has taken any strain with the lifestyle choices I have made and implemented into my life since December 2010, I have truly reaped the reward of weight loss, sustained energy throughout each day, major achievements in my personal life on various levels both emotionally and physically due to the lifestyle change with regards to the food I take into my body.
But, I too am only human and have had so many ups and downs in this period. So many things have happened in my life on a work, business and personal level, so many changes and so many additions and so much growing that I almost feel overwhelmed.
I have most definitely wondered off a little in the last month (Aug-Sept 2011). When I say wondered off I am specifically referring to my project (PROJECT MY BODY) and lifestyle. To mention some examples: I have not been eating raw for most of the day, there has been bread, starches and all sorts of food in my diet. I have had cravings that I have given in to. I have not started exercising again, although I theoretically have the time in the mornings to do my yoga now, I just feel like I do not have the energy (I am sure it is due to the bad eating habits). I feel disorganised and it just feels like life is a bit chaotic, with too many things happening at once and I just do not find the time to sort things out. We have moved and the house is still partially in boxes and we are on month 2 in the new house, going onto month 3!
Adding everything in life, I feel like a higher power is talking to me and giving me guidance to go in a healthier more organised direction, but at the same time I feel frustrated as I am not too sure how to go about doing it. One step at a time, but I am going to get on top of this, one step at a time.
STEP 1: DETOX DETOX DETOX
I know that the seasons are changing and so the foods are changing that is naturally available and I should at this point do another detox, 10 months after my first. This should clean out my digestive system of any unwanted waste and will kick start a faster metabolic pace and allow my digestive system to accept the summer foods and pull all nutrients out of it.
My preferred method of detox is natural and include raw foods and juices for a 7 day period – refer to Dec2010/Jan2011 on how I did it previously. But I will cover it again once I start the detox. This is however very challenging at the moment as the new house have really taken quite a chunk from my budget! Organic fruit and veg is very expensive and I will need lots of it for a 7 day detox, especially for the juicing. I will probably go the alternative root, normal fruit and veg, lots of it and lots of scrubbing to ensure no toxins backpack into my body.
STEP 2: RISE UP MY CHILD, RISE UP
I need to rise at least 1 hour earlier in the morning and retire at the end of each day 1 hour earlier.
If I can get into a habit of doing this, I should have enough time to have 15 minutes for waking up properly, 30 minutes for Yoga light exercising and another 15 minutes for devotion.
I believe that if I can achieve this my mind and emotions will feel less rushed in the morning and I will feel like I have a head start on my day.
They say it takes only 21 days to break a bad habit or 21 days to learn a new habit / lifestlyle. So I need about a months’ worth of working days to do this.
If it doesn’t work, I have an alternative plan B, and this is to change my working hours. I can go into work one hour later than what I am currently working, which will give me the time to get up at the same time as usuall and just go into work 1 hour later and leave work one hour later. But this is not first prize for me, because if I get up at this hour, so does the rest of the household! Husband, doggy, beardie and it may not end up being me time or feel like I am having me time, it will be interruption after interruption. So this is really plan B, it is not the optimal solution, but if the first fail, this could save the day and is still a better option than no exercise time and no devotion time.
STEP 3: ORGANISE THE HOUSE
I feel like the fact that the house is not getting sorted out is also causing chaos in my mind… does this make any sense?
In this sense, I truly believe I am an extravert, I am drawing on the energy around me and the boxes and undone things in our new home is really starting to work on my nerves.
There’s only 1 way to sort this out and that is a lot of “elbow grease” and with that “time”. I do not have plenty of time, but I have elbow grease. So I will take on the challenge to make some time and to start sorting things out.
I am also contracting a Malawian man who is already working in our garden 1 day a week to help me in the house as soon as a second day becomes available, and this will be in the next month somewhere. I will again have to make myself available to train him on how I like to have things done, but this will help as my husband and I spend most of our time and work and just do not have the time to get to everything at the end of each day.
So there’s my plan. 3 simple steps????
I am not going to make a mountain out of a moles heap, things will get better and will get sorted out and I will certainly again get back onto track!!!!
I am grateful for the patience I have with my body. I do not want to rush any further weight loss. The weight I have lost so far has been absolutely natural weigh loss that has stayed off (10kg)!!!! Wow, what a difference it makes!!!! And I am not going to go into a frenzy to force my body to lose more if it does not want to or can not.
So if anybody wants to join me on the detox – contact me and we’ll do it together and support each other. I think it will be much easier if one can share your emotions and feelings daily.
I will try and make time to check in regularly to make a record of how things are going.
Sunday, August 14, 2011
Getting closer to my target, but am I reaching my goal?
I have hit the 63 marker and now way 63.7!!! I have + - 3 kg’s to go and then I am there.
I ask myself – how do you feel about that? And I am not too sure… I still feel pretty fat sometimes and sometimes it feels unreal that I have actually lost 10kg since I started PROJECT MY BODY! I am however very EXCITED.
Tonight I looked at the photo’s I took on the day I started my project and committed to changing my lifestyle. Not all too pretty. I am not really comfortable for putting the photos on the web. But looking at them I realised that I have to get into my bikini and take the same photos again and then compare the photos! That is the only way that I would be able to see the difference.
I am getting closer to hitting my target weight, but am I reaching my goal?
I think back on my reasons and desires that I had for setting out on this journey of discovery, of moulding and shaving away of fat, bad habits and bitter things in my life
And I remember this…
… I want to be healthy …
…I want to be FIT…
…I want more energy …
… I want to weigh a healthy weight…
…I want to be more…
I am NOT yet there!
I realise my short comings. Although I celebrate and am happy for the weight lost, I also realise that I need to work on my fitness levels and I need to tone up. Currently one can almost see where fat has fallen away and no muscle have replaced it or jumped up and then there are other lumps of fat that still remain.
*sigh*
It has been a hard winter… long…. And cold….. but there are signs everywhere that buds are pushing out, greenery will come soon and spring is on our door steps!
This spring, I will dedicate at least 30 minutes in the mornings to yoga and I am committed to carry this through into the summer and I am hoping into the next winter to come brrrrr – don’t even want to think about next winter, but I have to exercise more!
So, you ask, what else have you been doing? My reply is simple: Discipline, dedication – I found something that worked for me and I just kept on doing it.
Lots of raw fruit and veg up until 15:00 weekdays. Healthy cooked meals at night, weekdays. Moderation above all things and little junk food every now and again to keep me normal – whatever that word normal means.
So if you’re thinking about doing it. Stop thinking and rather make a decision to either take that step or to continue thinking about it until you are ready. There is no fence sitting and no easy way out. Weight loss is hard work, commitment and dedication.
I ask myself – how do you feel about that? And I am not too sure… I still feel pretty fat sometimes and sometimes it feels unreal that I have actually lost 10kg since I started PROJECT MY BODY! I am however very EXCITED.
Tonight I looked at the photo’s I took on the day I started my project and committed to changing my lifestyle. Not all too pretty. I am not really comfortable for putting the photos on the web. But looking at them I realised that I have to get into my bikini and take the same photos again and then compare the photos! That is the only way that I would be able to see the difference.
I am getting closer to hitting my target weight, but am I reaching my goal?
I think back on my reasons and desires that I had for setting out on this journey of discovery, of moulding and shaving away of fat, bad habits and bitter things in my life
And I remember this…
… I want to be healthy …
…I want to be FIT…
…I want more energy …
… I want to weigh a healthy weight…
…I want to be more…
I am NOT yet there!
I realise my short comings. Although I celebrate and am happy for the weight lost, I also realise that I need to work on my fitness levels and I need to tone up. Currently one can almost see where fat has fallen away and no muscle have replaced it or jumped up and then there are other lumps of fat that still remain.
*sigh*
It has been a hard winter… long…. And cold….. but there are signs everywhere that buds are pushing out, greenery will come soon and spring is on our door steps!
This spring, I will dedicate at least 30 minutes in the mornings to yoga and I am committed to carry this through into the summer and I am hoping into the next winter to come brrrrr – don’t even want to think about next winter, but I have to exercise more!
So, you ask, what else have you been doing? My reply is simple: Discipline, dedication – I found something that worked for me and I just kept on doing it.
Lots of raw fruit and veg up until 15:00 weekdays. Healthy cooked meals at night, weekdays. Moderation above all things and little junk food every now and again to keep me normal – whatever that word normal means.
So if you’re thinking about doing it. Stop thinking and rather make a decision to either take that step or to continue thinking about it until you are ready. There is no fence sitting and no easy way out. Weight loss is hard work, commitment and dedication.
Tuesday, June 14, 2011
Weight loss TRICKS that really work
The subject of this post is some what misleading. The fact is that the "TRICKS" below will help you change your lifestyle, your bad eating habits and any other obsessions you may have with food!!!
Enjoy your food
Food that is eaten mindlessly is neglected food. When you pay attention, you are satisfied in a deeper way.
Keep away from junk food -- It's Addictive
Junk food can affect your brain in ways similar to drug abuse.
Structure meal times
Long stretches without food make people crave energy-dense snacks, which can make healthy choices difficult.
Satisfy your body -- especially at breakfast
A protein-rich breakfast leaves you less hungry for the rest of the day. Some fat in the meal can help, too.
Favor foods closer to nature
Favoring whole fresh foods over processed ones will naturally optimize the healthiness of your food choices.
Change your environment
Altering your food environment -- whether this means using smaller plates or keeping seconds out of immediate reach -- can help you lose weight.
Avoid or Minimise Sugar
Sugar, sugary foods and especially soft drinks, processed fruit juices and beer. The carbohydrates in most sugary foods and drinks are called empty carbohydrates, and are stored as fat.
Enjoy your food
Food that is eaten mindlessly is neglected food. When you pay attention, you are satisfied in a deeper way.
Keep away from junk food -- It's Addictive
Junk food can affect your brain in ways similar to drug abuse.
Structure meal times
Long stretches without food make people crave energy-dense snacks, which can make healthy choices difficult.
Satisfy your body -- especially at breakfast
A protein-rich breakfast leaves you less hungry for the rest of the day. Some fat in the meal can help, too.
Favor foods closer to nature
Favoring whole fresh foods over processed ones will naturally optimize the healthiness of your food choices.
Change your environment
Altering your food environment -- whether this means using smaller plates or keeping seconds out of immediate reach -- can help you lose weight.
Avoid or Minimise Sugar
Sugar, sugary foods and especially soft drinks, processed fruit juices and beer. The carbohydrates in most sugary foods and drinks are called empty carbohydrates, and are stored as fat.
Sunday, June 5, 2011
I am down to 65.7kg (144.5 pounds). From December 2010 till now, June 2011, I have lost 8 kg (approximately 16 pounds).
It really is not a substantial amount of weight when you think about it, but to ME it is a huge amount of weight. I can honestly feel a big difference on every level in my daily life.
I am no longer getting onto the scale every day. When I started this journey I sometimes use to get onto the scale twice a day. It was almost like an obsession. But I believe a healthy obsession. Because when I got onto the scale this morning, I felt so overwhelmed – I couldn’t believe that I am still losing weight. It is a slow process, but a totally safe, healthy and natural way that I am going about it. And suddenly it hit me!!!!
A revelation…
I AM NO LONGER EMOTIONALLY CONNECTED TO FOOD the way that I use to be.
I was never obese, just a little over weight. But how do you get to being obese? You firstly become a little bit over weight, then more over weight and more. And eventually one day when you see yourself on a photograph you just won’t recognise yourself.
And I may be on a wild goose chase, but I think the number 1 reason woman get obese or even just a little overweight is their emotional relationship with food. Food that makes us feel better, but that is not at all good for us.
The best way to test yourself is to keep a diary. A record of when you eat and your emotion when you eat and before and after you eat and what you eat. I did this when I started out my journey and I really just needed to do it for a week or two. Once I could see and analyse my eating patterns and behaviours I quickly realised that I have bad habits that I have to break before I will be in charge and in control of what goes into my mouth. And then it takes a lot of discipline to change habits. Research shows that it takes approximately 21 days to undo a bad habit or even to learn a new habit (a good one), bad ones can be learnt overnight! So, just stick it out for 21 days, after that it will come naturally!!!!
Hold thumbs for me. I have another 5 kg to go to get to my goal weight!
It really is not a substantial amount of weight when you think about it, but to ME it is a huge amount of weight. I can honestly feel a big difference on every level in my daily life.
I am no longer getting onto the scale every day. When I started this journey I sometimes use to get onto the scale twice a day. It was almost like an obsession. But I believe a healthy obsession. Because when I got onto the scale this morning, I felt so overwhelmed – I couldn’t believe that I am still losing weight. It is a slow process, but a totally safe, healthy and natural way that I am going about it. And suddenly it hit me!!!!
A revelation…
I AM NO LONGER EMOTIONALLY CONNECTED TO FOOD the way that I use to be.
I was never obese, just a little over weight. But how do you get to being obese? You firstly become a little bit over weight, then more over weight and more. And eventually one day when you see yourself on a photograph you just won’t recognise yourself.
And I may be on a wild goose chase, but I think the number 1 reason woman get obese or even just a little overweight is their emotional relationship with food. Food that makes us feel better, but that is not at all good for us.
The best way to test yourself is to keep a diary. A record of when you eat and your emotion when you eat and before and after you eat and what you eat. I did this when I started out my journey and I really just needed to do it for a week or two. Once I could see and analyse my eating patterns and behaviours I quickly realised that I have bad habits that I have to break before I will be in charge and in control of what goes into my mouth. And then it takes a lot of discipline to change habits. Research shows that it takes approximately 21 days to undo a bad habit or even to learn a new habit (a good one), bad ones can be learnt overnight! So, just stick it out for 21 days, after that it will come naturally!!!!
Hold thumbs for me. I have another 5 kg to go to get to my goal weight!
Wednesday, May 25, 2011
Hitting your weight ceiling
So, is there really such a thing as a ceiling when it comes to losing weight? You’ve lost weight up to a point and now you are just sitting there on the same two digits and soon it will be a month or even two, still the same two digits.
That is how I feel!!! Like I have reached the ceiling and I just can’t get past it.
I am doing this Project My Body with lots of rules set out for myself. And my first rule is simply this – no matter what – I WILL NOT STARVE MYSELF! It is important to me, if not more so important to me that I am healthy firstly. To be healthy you have to eat healthy and live a healthy lifestyle. I refuse to do anything that will push me past this point.
So what do I do???
The answer to that is another question, what have I been doing???
I have religiously been following a 80% raw food consumption 5 days a week. On weekend I eat anything I feel like in moderation, whether it is raw or cooked. In general it is healthy food anyways, but just no necessary raw.
I have however been slacking with my exercise. In fact I can actually report that I have stopped exercising all together. My job has been consuming my life, trying to get on top of things and working long hours and long meetings…. Very looooonnnggg meetings.
It is also winter now, the sun comes up late, the sun also sets very early, this rules out the daily walks my husband and I usually take, because it’s dark and cold. He will still gym, but I am just to tired at that stage.
And so, through questioning ourselves, we will realise that we put a lot of effort in, but not as much effort as this project deserves.
With a small pat on the back I must however say that I am amazed at how much more energy I have since I have been eating more raw foods. Less stomach cramps (IBS), less bloatedness! I no longer need to live on supplements to support my busy schedule, I manage on healthy energy rich foods. And I have lost a bit of weight. And every morning or the evening before I carefully pick the fruit and veg that I plan on having for the day, wash them with care, chop a bit where it’s needed. Pack it all ready to go into the lunch box for the day. It takes a bit of preparation and planning which is extra time out of the day, but it is so worth-it!
I can at least say that I weigh about 3 kg’s less then what I was weighing 3 months before I got married almost two years ago. So in 5 – 6 months I have reversed 2 years worth of bad eating habits! Not too shabby.
So, if that is possible, then surely it is also possible for me to change my lifestyle a little more and to include exercise amidst it all.
I am working on formulating a plan to get some exercise into my daily routine. And perhaps therein lies the key – routine! Ones the your routine gets into shambles due to demands made on you, all order flies out the window. And it’s kind of difficult to focus if there is no order! Routine is so important, especially when you’re working towards a serious goal in your life. Discipline, routine, hard work is what is needed.
That is how I feel!!! Like I have reached the ceiling and I just can’t get past it.
I am doing this Project My Body with lots of rules set out for myself. And my first rule is simply this – no matter what – I WILL NOT STARVE MYSELF! It is important to me, if not more so important to me that I am healthy firstly. To be healthy you have to eat healthy and live a healthy lifestyle. I refuse to do anything that will push me past this point.
So what do I do???
The answer to that is another question, what have I been doing???
I have religiously been following a 80% raw food consumption 5 days a week. On weekend I eat anything I feel like in moderation, whether it is raw or cooked. In general it is healthy food anyways, but just no necessary raw.
I have however been slacking with my exercise. In fact I can actually report that I have stopped exercising all together. My job has been consuming my life, trying to get on top of things and working long hours and long meetings…. Very looooonnnggg meetings.
It is also winter now, the sun comes up late, the sun also sets very early, this rules out the daily walks my husband and I usually take, because it’s dark and cold. He will still gym, but I am just to tired at that stage.
And so, through questioning ourselves, we will realise that we put a lot of effort in, but not as much effort as this project deserves.
With a small pat on the back I must however say that I am amazed at how much more energy I have since I have been eating more raw foods. Less stomach cramps (IBS), less bloatedness! I no longer need to live on supplements to support my busy schedule, I manage on healthy energy rich foods. And I have lost a bit of weight. And every morning or the evening before I carefully pick the fruit and veg that I plan on having for the day, wash them with care, chop a bit where it’s needed. Pack it all ready to go into the lunch box for the day. It takes a bit of preparation and planning which is extra time out of the day, but it is so worth-it!
I can at least say that I weigh about 3 kg’s less then what I was weighing 3 months before I got married almost two years ago. So in 5 – 6 months I have reversed 2 years worth of bad eating habits! Not too shabby.
So, if that is possible, then surely it is also possible for me to change my lifestyle a little more and to include exercise amidst it all.
I am working on formulating a plan to get some exercise into my daily routine. And perhaps therein lies the key – routine! Ones the your routine gets into shambles due to demands made on you, all order flies out the window. And it’s kind of difficult to focus if there is no order! Routine is so important, especially when you’re working towards a serious goal in your life. Discipline, routine, hard work is what is needed.
Wednesday, May 11, 2011
Good foods that are bad for weight loss...
You can run on the treadmill until the soles of your sneakers are flat, but that's not going to help much if you're still snacking on drinks and fast-food (yes, even the salads). Get smart about your diet by eliminating these foods from your regular rotation and saving them only for special occassions. You might be surprised: After a while, you won't even miss 'em!
Juices and Fruit Punches
You probably drink several servings at a time without realizing it (25 calories here and there add up). Buy 100 percent fruit juice and drink a serving of only three-quarters to one cup. Or mix even less juice with seltzer for a fun fizz. Better yet, go for the whole fruit: An eight-ounce glass of OJ has 120 calories, while one whole orange has only 60 to 70 calories, plus fiber.
Energy Drinks
They're packed with more sugar and calories than juice, and there are usually at least three servings in a bottle (we bet you treat one bottle as one serving -- wrong!). If you need a pick-me-up, have a glass of plain cold water. Sometimes you feel slow because you're dehydrated.
Fancy Flavored Coffees
Whole milk and added flavorings turn a benign coffee into a decadent indulgence. Cut the fat from your coffees by ordering the smallest serving with skim milk; skip the flavored sugary syrups. Instead, sprinkle some cocoa, vanilla, or cinnamon powder on the frothy milk. It's cute and much better for you.
Soda -- Even Diet Drinks
The jury is still out on whether or not diet soda may actually cause you to eat more calories or if people simply use it as an excuse to indulge in other foods. Either way, there's no nutritional value to any soda, and regular soft drinks are how many people get their extra calories. Instead, go with unsweetened iced tea with a squeeze of lemon, 100 percent fruit juice or vegetable juice (just 1 cup = 2 fruit servings for the day), or plain water.
Fast-food Sandwiches
That made-to-order sub you get each Saturday is probably prepared on a six-inch hero -- all that bread is about four servings (you only need about 7 to 10 servings of bread each day; having four at lunch will likely cause you to go over 10 by the end of the day). Skip the chips and cookie or get a smaller sandwich on whole-wheat bread. Leave off the cheese and choose leaner deli meats like roast turkey and roast beef instead of tuna or chicken salad. Load on the veggies and avoid mayo and honey mustard (which is often made with mayo).
Fast-food Salads
They're healthy in theory, right? But when your greens are topped with crispy chicken, cheese, bacon bits, croutons, and dressing, you're looking at 30 grams of fat and 500 calories. That's more than a regular-size hamburger, a garden salad with vinaigrette, and low-fat milk! Stick with the grilled chicken but leave off the bacon, use half the cheese, and pour on only half of the dressing packet.
Juices and Fruit Punches
You probably drink several servings at a time without realizing it (25 calories here and there add up). Buy 100 percent fruit juice and drink a serving of only three-quarters to one cup. Or mix even less juice with seltzer for a fun fizz. Better yet, go for the whole fruit: An eight-ounce glass of OJ has 120 calories, while one whole orange has only 60 to 70 calories, plus fiber.
Energy Drinks
They're packed with more sugar and calories than juice, and there are usually at least three servings in a bottle (we bet you treat one bottle as one serving -- wrong!). If you need a pick-me-up, have a glass of plain cold water. Sometimes you feel slow because you're dehydrated.
Fancy Flavored Coffees
Whole milk and added flavorings turn a benign coffee into a decadent indulgence. Cut the fat from your coffees by ordering the smallest serving with skim milk; skip the flavored sugary syrups. Instead, sprinkle some cocoa, vanilla, or cinnamon powder on the frothy milk. It's cute and much better for you.
Soda -- Even Diet Drinks
The jury is still out on whether or not diet soda may actually cause you to eat more calories or if people simply use it as an excuse to indulge in other foods. Either way, there's no nutritional value to any soda, and regular soft drinks are how many people get their extra calories. Instead, go with unsweetened iced tea with a squeeze of lemon, 100 percent fruit juice or vegetable juice (just 1 cup = 2 fruit servings for the day), or plain water.
Fast-food Sandwiches
That made-to-order sub you get each Saturday is probably prepared on a six-inch hero -- all that bread is about four servings (you only need about 7 to 10 servings of bread each day; having four at lunch will likely cause you to go over 10 by the end of the day). Skip the chips and cookie or get a smaller sandwich on whole-wheat bread. Leave off the cheese and choose leaner deli meats like roast turkey and roast beef instead of tuna or chicken salad. Load on the veggies and avoid mayo and honey mustard (which is often made with mayo).
Fast-food Salads
They're healthy in theory, right? But when your greens are topped with crispy chicken, cheese, bacon bits, croutons, and dressing, you're looking at 30 grams of fat and 500 calories. That's more than a regular-size hamburger, a garden salad with vinaigrette, and low-fat milk! Stick with the grilled chicken but leave off the bacon, use half the cheese, and pour on only half of the dressing packet.
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