Day 25 #NHBPM:
How have your goals as a patient / advocate / person evolved?
At first my goals were to lose the weight and get sexy skinny! Possibly obtain a hot boyfriend as well...
They started to evolve when I started working out more and realized that I wanted health more than my skinny body and that I desired to be physically fit. This mind shift came about after family members started to pass and I realized that eating and living healthy was a much bigger deal than fitting into a perfectly packaged beauty box. Slowly I grew away from what advertising and marketing has deemed beautiful and have changed my goal to overall health and wellness.
In the past year it's gone a step further in that regard and I've changed my diet to that of a vegan and high raw and started eliminating the processed "beauty", cleaning, and other products in exchange for home made, natural ones.
It's hard to be an advocate for Weight Loss Surgery at this point when I do believe that individuals could do well on a plant-based diet, but convincing people of this when their doctors insist on high protein is nearly impossible. So, I will just advocate a High Raw Vegan lifestyle and lead by example on the rest of it!
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Week 1, Day 7 0 to 13.1:
We arrived back home today and while I would like to say that I went and did my run today... I didn't. I was exhausted and honestly sat around watching various TV shows and football. I had no energy what-so-ever. I wish I had. Since Friday was the "long day" run, I figured I'd just swap the days, but alas, I did not. So, tomorrow I will be running and probably cross training as well. Double up day! These aren't so hard on my body at this stage.
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Day 21, Meditation Challenge:
Totally didn't realize this was coming up on day 21! I kept thinking it was a full month like the other things. As much as I like these challenges and enjoy meditation, I would prefer less talking. I know that it's supposed to teach you something and put you in the right frame of mind, but I want more meditation time and less learning about it! Probably a good sign that I need to do these more often. :P Until the next time!
Sunday, November 25, 2012
Saturday, November 24, 2012
More Hours in the Day...
Day 24 #NHBPM:
"If I had more than 24 hours in a day..."
Honestly? I'd probably just procrastinate longer...or extend whatever it is that I had to get done into however many more hours I had. We tend to do that, as human beings. We know we have until this time to get something done, so we extend the time it takes to get said thing done until the very end. It's something I need to work on. The day before Thanksgiving I worked from home so that I could do some cooking for the next day, clean up, workout, and write. Guess when I started doing those? At about 4PM. I had ALL DAY. I even got up at 6 despite not needing to.
But, when I DO get that "get it done" bug and am Super Jen, more hours usually means some me time. I don't get enough of that during those periods. More time to meditate, do yoga, just relax, and write. More time to visit with the boyfriend, friends, and family would be great also.
So, my answer:
If I had more than 24 hours in a day I'd use it to perform more reflecting me time.
"If I had more than 24 hours in a day..."
Honestly? I'd probably just procrastinate longer...or extend whatever it is that I had to get done into however many more hours I had. We tend to do that, as human beings. We know we have until this time to get something done, so we extend the time it takes to get said thing done until the very end. It's something I need to work on. The day before Thanksgiving I worked from home so that I could do some cooking for the next day, clean up, workout, and write. Guess when I started doing those? At about 4PM. I had ALL DAY. I even got up at 6 despite not needing to.
But, when I DO get that "get it done" bug and am Super Jen, more hours usually means some me time. I don't get enough of that during those periods. More time to meditate, do yoga, just relax, and write. More time to visit with the boyfriend, friends, and family would be great also.
So, my answer:
If I had more than 24 hours in a day I'd use it to perform more reflecting me time.
Friday, November 23, 2012
Prepping for the Holidays
Day 23 #NHBPM:
Prep for the holidays -- in a post!
Being that the holidays involve a whole lot of eating and I'm the only vegan in any of the families (and friends, really) that I visit, prepping means that I basically take dishes and/or entire meals that I can eat. Otherwise, I'm left out. Not to say that they wouldn't make something, but no one else would really eat it and I don't demand that they make something just for me. So, I will go find vegan dishes that closely relate to whichever holiday and might be well received by other people. It was my goal to make something that the others might like to eat this Thanksgiving, but I wound up going raw vegan instead of cooked vegan and honestly I didn't even bother asking people to try it. They DID love the hummus as I already mentioned, which I was thrilled about! However, that wasn't raw with the canned chick peas.
Aside from traveling and making sure that I have my vitamins and protein powder, that's really all of the prepping I do. I try to make sure that I'll have fruit and veggies and dark chocolate (for the sweet tooth attack).
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Week 1, Day 5 0 to 13.1:
I made the mistake of telling my boyfriend's brother-in-law that I was training for a half marathon and needed to run today. He insisted that I go out with him. He was in the army for about 7 years and has been running since before then. He loves it and does it probably 4 times a week. A couple months ago he decided that he wanted to do a half marathon and with only 1 week of training ran one. So, yeah, needless to say I was a little scared to go out with him, but I couldn't make up any excuses. I was pretty terrified that he was going to kill me and that it was royally going to SUCK and I'd be wiped out all day.
Well, it did suck, but I was pretty proud of myself. We walked 1/4th mile and then started our run. I ran for 2 miles straight. I had mentioned I was in week 1 of 24 and it was interval training of walking running (seriously, it was supposed to be 60 sec run, 90 sec walk for 15 min) and so we did interval. However those intervals were run-faster intervals for 1/4 mile. OY!
But, although it was hard, I made it through. He was very patient and gave great advice, plus was very inspiring towards the end of each faster paced interval. Pretty great! I came home and did my core training and went on with my day! Definitely was wiped out by 7PM -- haha.
Prep for the holidays -- in a post!
Being that the holidays involve a whole lot of eating and I'm the only vegan in any of the families (and friends, really) that I visit, prepping means that I basically take dishes and/or entire meals that I can eat. Otherwise, I'm left out. Not to say that they wouldn't make something, but no one else would really eat it and I don't demand that they make something just for me. So, I will go find vegan dishes that closely relate to whichever holiday and might be well received by other people. It was my goal to make something that the others might like to eat this Thanksgiving, but I wound up going raw vegan instead of cooked vegan and honestly I didn't even bother asking people to try it. They DID love the hummus as I already mentioned, which I was thrilled about! However, that wasn't raw with the canned chick peas.
Aside from traveling and making sure that I have my vitamins and protein powder, that's really all of the prepping I do. I try to make sure that I'll have fruit and veggies and dark chocolate (for the sweet tooth attack).
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Week 1, Day 5 0 to 13.1:
I made the mistake of telling my boyfriend's brother-in-law that I was training for a half marathon and needed to run today. He insisted that I go out with him. He was in the army for about 7 years and has been running since before then. He loves it and does it probably 4 times a week. A couple months ago he decided that he wanted to do a half marathon and with only 1 week of training ran one. So, yeah, needless to say I was a little scared to go out with him, but I couldn't make up any excuses. I was pretty terrified that he was going to kill me and that it was royally going to SUCK and I'd be wiped out all day.
Well, it did suck, but I was pretty proud of myself. We walked 1/4th mile and then started our run. I ran for 2 miles straight. I had mentioned I was in week 1 of 24 and it was interval training of walking running (seriously, it was supposed to be 60 sec run, 90 sec walk for 15 min) and so we did interval. However those intervals were run-faster intervals for 1/4 mile. OY!
But, although it was hard, I made it through. He was very patient and gave great advice, plus was very inspiring towards the end of each faster paced interval. Pretty great! I came home and did my core training and went on with my day! Definitely was wiped out by 7PM -- haha.
Thursday, November 22, 2012
Thanks for the Changes
Day 22 #NHBPM:
Write about change...
Seven years ago I was getting ready to graduate college with a degree in graphic design. I was dating a guy that I figured would be my husband somewhere down the line. We didn't have the best relationship, but I bottled things up and ignored things. I was extremely overweight and wasn't very active at all. I didn't love myself or other people (except my relatives of course). I wasn't angry, but I wasn't happy either.
Since then I have had weight loss surgery, ended my relationship, started another, moved to Michigan to go back to school, ended that new relationship, learned some wonderful life lessons, lost nearly 200 pounds, gained respect for myself and for other people, and learned to love myself, everyone else, and the world.
There were some hard lessons to learn that might be considered mistakes in my life, but they were mistakes in which I gained so much knowledge about myself and life in general that I wouldn't trade them for anything. I'd gladly do them again because they got me to where I am now. I am more caring, understanding, vocal, and strong. I've grown into a person that I respect and although I still have things I want to work on to better myself, it's pretty incredible to know that I can change and am willing to change.
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Week 1, Day 4 0 to 13.1:
Yesterday I literally procrastinated until the evening. I didn't get my core or cross training in, but figured I wasn't being picked up until about 7am today and could just swap rest days. Unfortunately the boyfriend showed up at 3:30am because he couldn't sleep (I think he was excited to see his family) and that triggered me not being able to go back to sleep. I got up and did the core training, but failed to get in the 20 min of cross training. I figured I might talk my boyfriend into a walk after Thanksgiving dinner but that didn't happen -- haha.
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Eating for Energy:
I have no idea what day I'm on for this...it's all gravy, though. I made a raw vegan dish for myself since I was going to be spending the holidays with the boyfriend's family who are big meat eaters. I made stuffing from ground nuts, celery, herbs, raisins, and pomegranate seeds. SO GOOD! Topping was a cranberry sauce and then gravy made of nuts and mushrooms. Pretty fantastic! Since I made it in advance, though, the gravy wasn't warm from the blender, so that stunk. I also made hummus, which was a HUGE hit. It went before the big feast even started. I figured no one would like it but me (I made it too soupy and thus added in some more tahini, which then became too tahini-y in my opinion), but they seriously loved it. I ran out of veggies and hummus pretty fast. YAY! Also brought some fresh green beans that I lightly steamed in the microwave.
Great Thanksgiving if you ask me!
Write about change...
Seven years ago I was getting ready to graduate college with a degree in graphic design. I was dating a guy that I figured would be my husband somewhere down the line. We didn't have the best relationship, but I bottled things up and ignored things. I was extremely overweight and wasn't very active at all. I didn't love myself or other people (except my relatives of course). I wasn't angry, but I wasn't happy either.
Since then I have had weight loss surgery, ended my relationship, started another, moved to Michigan to go back to school, ended that new relationship, learned some wonderful life lessons, lost nearly 200 pounds, gained respect for myself and for other people, and learned to love myself, everyone else, and the world.
There were some hard lessons to learn that might be considered mistakes in my life, but they were mistakes in which I gained so much knowledge about myself and life in general that I wouldn't trade them for anything. I'd gladly do them again because they got me to where I am now. I am more caring, understanding, vocal, and strong. I've grown into a person that I respect and although I still have things I want to work on to better myself, it's pretty incredible to know that I can change and am willing to change.
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Week 1, Day 4 0 to 13.1:
Yesterday I literally procrastinated until the evening. I didn't get my core or cross training in, but figured I wasn't being picked up until about 7am today and could just swap rest days. Unfortunately the boyfriend showed up at 3:30am because he couldn't sleep (I think he was excited to see his family) and that triggered me not being able to go back to sleep. I got up and did the core training, but failed to get in the 20 min of cross training. I figured I might talk my boyfriend into a walk after Thanksgiving dinner but that didn't happen -- haha.
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Eating for Energy:
I have no idea what day I'm on for this...it's all gravy, though. I made a raw vegan dish for myself since I was going to be spending the holidays with the boyfriend's family who are big meat eaters. I made stuffing from ground nuts, celery, herbs, raisins, and pomegranate seeds. SO GOOD! Topping was a cranberry sauce and then gravy made of nuts and mushrooms. Pretty fantastic! Since I made it in advance, though, the gravy wasn't warm from the blender, so that stunk. I also made hummus, which was a HUGE hit. It went before the big feast even started. I figured no one would like it but me (I made it too soupy and thus added in some more tahini, which then became too tahini-y in my opinion), but they seriously loved it. I ran out of veggies and hummus pretty fast. YAY! Also brought some fresh green beans that I lightly steamed in the microwave.
Great Thanksgiving if you ask me!
Wednesday, November 21, 2012
The A.I.P.T.
Day 21 #NHBPM:
Create a new technology related to health...
The Artificially Intelligent Personal Trainer (A.I.P.T.) is a breakthrough program that will work in conjunction with the Artificially Intelligent Personal Assistant (A.I.P.A) and help users make the best health conscious choice catering to their individual body makeup and biometrics.
The user can either speak to their A.I.P.T (to which they can name him/her) or let the hand held device scan objects via it's optical laser reader. The P.T. will then give (text or speech) a concluding statement of results on specific foods, drinks, or physical fitness related to how it will help or harm the users body, plus give suggestions on healthier options (such as nearby restaurants and grocery stores, quick recipes, etc)
For example, if the user was given the option of a Big Mac vs a salad, the P.T. would scientifically study all components, and list the nutritional values, then give a synopsis of how each would affect the users body if fully ingested. Similarly, given the option of walking the stairs or riding the elevator, the device would spit out the physical benefits of such.
Each week and/or day (depending on the settings or program recommendations) the A.I.P.T will provide a schedule and list of workouts as well as a suggested menu based on the individuals body to keep the guess work and planning to a minimum. It will work alongside the A.I.P.A., allowing work and social schedules to take precedence, while still insisting on physical activity and healthy habits. The A.I.P.T. is programmed to offer suggestions on what to eat when a craving strikes based on what the body is actually missing in it's diet.
The A.I.P.T will continually scan and read the users body and adjust a workout regime and menu based on what is needed to reach optimal health.
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I've clearly been watching too much Eureka.
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Week 1, Day 3 0 to 13.1:
I decided to do my run on my lunch break yesterday because I wanted to make sure I got my grocery shopping (probably shouldn't have waited until 2 days before Thanksgiving) done and was home at a decent hour. Here's to being at work sweaty and gross! I will probably try to do that later in the day from now on...
The first run was 60 sec run, 90 sec walk intervals for 15 minutes. I had already programmed all of the running days into my HIIT timer app. Unfortunately I misread and clicked on the Sundays run which is the same, but for 1 mile. I had guessed on how long it would take to go a mile doing those intervals at about 10 sets and boy was I just OFF. I wound up going 3.04 miles total (that included 10 min walking warm up, 10 min walking cool down, and the 10 intervals of 60/90). I calculated it to be about 2 miles of the interval training and a mile of the walking w/u and c/d. With the other workout before and after I was definitely gone longer than an hour! Oh well...at least I know I can do it.
I will say that I was whining to myself half way through. There was a lot of "man, this is harder than I thought" and "I used to be able to go so much further" to "I'm really out of shape...it's so easy to get out of shape!". Kind of sucked...but I kept going. My pace was much slower towards the end. I should probably slow it down a bit at the beginning.
Create a new technology related to health...
The Artificially Intelligent Personal Trainer (A.I.P.T.) is a breakthrough program that will work in conjunction with the Artificially Intelligent Personal Assistant (A.I.P.A) and help users make the best health conscious choice catering to their individual body makeup and biometrics.
The user can either speak to their A.I.P.T (to which they can name him/her) or let the hand held device scan objects via it's optical laser reader. The P.T. will then give (text or speech) a concluding statement of results on specific foods, drinks, or physical fitness related to how it will help or harm the users body, plus give suggestions on healthier options (such as nearby restaurants and grocery stores, quick recipes, etc)
For example, if the user was given the option of a Big Mac vs a salad, the P.T. would scientifically study all components, and list the nutritional values, then give a synopsis of how each would affect the users body if fully ingested. Similarly, given the option of walking the stairs or riding the elevator, the device would spit out the physical benefits of such.
Each week and/or day (depending on the settings or program recommendations) the A.I.P.T will provide a schedule and list of workouts as well as a suggested menu based on the individuals body to keep the guess work and planning to a minimum. It will work alongside the A.I.P.A., allowing work and social schedules to take precedence, while still insisting on physical activity and healthy habits. The A.I.P.T. is programmed to offer suggestions on what to eat when a craving strikes based on what the body is actually missing in it's diet.
The A.I.P.T will continually scan and read the users body and adjust a workout regime and menu based on what is needed to reach optimal health.
----------------------
I've clearly been watching too much Eureka.
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Week 1, Day 3 0 to 13.1:
I decided to do my run on my lunch break yesterday because I wanted to make sure I got my grocery shopping (probably shouldn't have waited until 2 days before Thanksgiving) done and was home at a decent hour. Here's to being at work sweaty and gross! I will probably try to do that later in the day from now on...
The first run was 60 sec run, 90 sec walk intervals for 15 minutes. I had already programmed all of the running days into my HIIT timer app. Unfortunately I misread and clicked on the Sundays run which is the same, but for 1 mile. I had guessed on how long it would take to go a mile doing those intervals at about 10 sets and boy was I just OFF. I wound up going 3.04 miles total (that included 10 min walking warm up, 10 min walking cool down, and the 10 intervals of 60/90). I calculated it to be about 2 miles of the interval training and a mile of the walking w/u and c/d. With the other workout before and after I was definitely gone longer than an hour! Oh well...at least I know I can do it.
I will say that I was whining to myself half way through. There was a lot of "man, this is harder than I thought" and "I used to be able to go so much further" to "I'm really out of shape...it's so easy to get out of shape!". Kind of sucked...but I kept going. My pace was much slower towards the end. I should probably slow it down a bit at the beginning.
Tuesday, November 20, 2012
I had it done, but do I support surgery?
Day 20 #NHBPM:
Write about alternative treatments / regimens / medicine. What do you support? What is crazy?
I'll focus on the world of weight loss in this regard. I had weight loss surgery (RnY Gastric Bypass) because I was severely overweight. Now, I didn't have any health issues aside from being overweight, which I suppose was a miracle in itself. I honestly had the surgery more for vanity reasons than health reasons (I was 24). The second reason was because I wanted to be more physically fit. And the third was to extend my life and better my future through health.
Prior to surgery, I had tried numerous different diets and regimens for losing weight. The best was my freshman year in college...oddly enough. I walked everywhere, had a little routine I did before bed and in the morning (leg lifts, situps, etc), and forgot to eat because I was playing video games all night. At some point I had gotten to a size 16 jeans without knowing it! It was pretty awesome! Though, I wouldn't necessarily recommend the not eating part; just lower the quantity of quality food. After that year, though I slowly gained and gained. I tried Atkins (...there's a crazy regret), Weight Watchers (it'd be okay if it didn't have all those processed WW foods!), and just working out (doesn't mean I can eat whatever I want...). But it never lasted more than a month.
Do I regret having the surgery? Yes and no. I think that if I were to have figured out what I know now about food I wouldn't have needed it, thus giving up the saggy skin, the need to take so many vitamins, and the funky/rearranged insides. But, I wouldn't have probably figured that out without having gone the path I did. And I certainly don't regret my life right now.
Do I support it for others? Also a yes and no. I look back at the weight loss surgery community and kind of cringe. There are so many people that I don't think really need to result to it. I really want to urge them down this plant-based diet path. In my opinion the people that only need to lose 75-100 pounds could easily do so by shifting their diet to natural, whole foods. Forget the diet foods; they're worthless. Go plant-based! Drink green juice! Cut out the processed foods! Eat organic! Try to do as high raw as possible! Even if you're not willing to go vegetarian or vegan, you can still go plant-based and be completely satisfied.
I will say that there are those that are morbidly obese (as I was considered) and higher that need to lose that weight NOW. Although, if you've seen Fat Sick and Nearly Dead you know it's possible to still become healthy at such high weights. But, for those that have tried this and can't discipline themselves enough to save their lives (this isn't a snarky jab, I was there), then do the surgery. There are multiple different kinds now; some that barely change how your insides work such as the Gastric Sleeve (I wish my surgeon did the Duodenal Switch). But the individual needs to realize that it is only a tool (a leaky one at that) and that they need to ultimately change their diet. I DEFINITELY recommend a plant-based diet.
Things I Support:
Things I Don't Support:
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Week 1, Day 2 0 to 13.1:
Yesterday felt good. I did 20 min on the elliptical at the apartment gym. I've not been in there forever! I was happy to have gotten home and immediately put my gym clothes on. Originally I wanted to do it during my lunch break, but I was busy with work. Score for getting it done at home! Though, I will admit that when I got to the strength training part I wanted to only do about half and then give up. Not because it was hard; I just didn't want to do the work! Kind of sad...I did do more reps than it said in the end, though. YAY me.
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Inspiring People!
There is this lady; probably my age or maybe a little younger; that I've bumped into multiple times at the complex gym since I've lived here(2 years now). She used to be extremely overweight. I remember seeing her at about 5:45-6PM as I was driving home; she'd be out running. This was about a year ago. After running she'd hit the gym...I remember noticing it was faithfully around 7 every day.
One day I really wish I had told her I was completely impressed with her dedication because she was out running and working out just about every day. I never did, sadly and then I stopped going to the gym. I would still see her out running though for a good month after. And then either my schedule changed or hers did and I stopped seeing her amongst the other runners on the sidewalk.
Last night I spotted her doing her thing running down the street! She had to have lost at least 100 pounds! She was so little! As before, we met up in the gym. Seriously...she looks amazing. Sure, she's got some more pounds to go, but cripes, she looks like she's lost half of herself! Again, I wish I had made mention that she looks amazing and darnit I will next time (I foresee more gym usage with it getting colder). She's kept it up since I last saw her, which is awesome! I couldn't help but think she recognized me and thought "man, she looks the same..." -- HAH...so true...and sad.
Perhaps I can strike up a conversation with her and get to know her. Inspiration buddies! I wonder how long she runs now.
Write about alternative treatments / regimens / medicine. What do you support? What is crazy?
I'll focus on the world of weight loss in this regard. I had weight loss surgery (RnY Gastric Bypass) because I was severely overweight. Now, I didn't have any health issues aside from being overweight, which I suppose was a miracle in itself. I honestly had the surgery more for vanity reasons than health reasons (I was 24). The second reason was because I wanted to be more physically fit. And the third was to extend my life and better my future through health.
Prior to surgery, I had tried numerous different diets and regimens for losing weight. The best was my freshman year in college...oddly enough. I walked everywhere, had a little routine I did before bed and in the morning (leg lifts, situps, etc), and forgot to eat because I was playing video games all night. At some point I had gotten to a size 16 jeans without knowing it! It was pretty awesome! Though, I wouldn't necessarily recommend the not eating part; just lower the quantity of quality food. After that year, though I slowly gained and gained. I tried Atkins (...there's a crazy regret), Weight Watchers (it'd be okay if it didn't have all those processed WW foods!), and just working out (doesn't mean I can eat whatever I want...). But it never lasted more than a month.
Do I regret having the surgery? Yes and no. I think that if I were to have figured out what I know now about food I wouldn't have needed it, thus giving up the saggy skin, the need to take so many vitamins, and the funky/rearranged insides. But, I wouldn't have probably figured that out without having gone the path I did. And I certainly don't regret my life right now.
Do I support it for others? Also a yes and no. I look back at the weight loss surgery community and kind of cringe. There are so many people that I don't think really need to result to it. I really want to urge them down this plant-based diet path. In my opinion the people that only need to lose 75-100 pounds could easily do so by shifting their diet to natural, whole foods. Forget the diet foods; they're worthless. Go plant-based! Drink green juice! Cut out the processed foods! Eat organic! Try to do as high raw as possible! Even if you're not willing to go vegetarian or vegan, you can still go plant-based and be completely satisfied.
 | |
| Rip Esselstyn, creator of the Engine 2 Diet |
Things I Support:
- Fresh Fruit (organic if possible)
- Fresh Green Vegetables (organic if possible)
- Filtered Water
- Green Juice (or whatever color it turns out in my case)
- Daily Exercise
- Meditation
- Yoga
- Running
- Loose Leaf, Free Trade Tea
- Almond Milk
- Raw Foods
Things I Don't Support:
- Processed Foods
- Soda/Pop
- Diet Drinks/Shakes
- Coffee
- Animal Products (or at least do organic, grass fed dairy and meat, free range and probiotic free chicken, and wild caught fish)
- Gluten
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Week 1, Day 2 0 to 13.1:
Yesterday felt good. I did 20 min on the elliptical at the apartment gym. I've not been in there forever! I was happy to have gotten home and immediately put my gym clothes on. Originally I wanted to do it during my lunch break, but I was busy with work. Score for getting it done at home! Though, I will admit that when I got to the strength training part I wanted to only do about half and then give up. Not because it was hard; I just didn't want to do the work! Kind of sad...I did do more reps than it said in the end, though. YAY me.
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Inspiring People!
There is this lady; probably my age or maybe a little younger; that I've bumped into multiple times at the complex gym since I've lived here(2 years now). She used to be extremely overweight. I remember seeing her at about 5:45-6PM as I was driving home; she'd be out running. This was about a year ago. After running she'd hit the gym...I remember noticing it was faithfully around 7 every day.
One day I really wish I had told her I was completely impressed with her dedication because she was out running and working out just about every day. I never did, sadly and then I stopped going to the gym. I would still see her out running though for a good month after. And then either my schedule changed or hers did and I stopped seeing her amongst the other runners on the sidewalk.
Last night I spotted her doing her thing running down the street! She had to have lost at least 100 pounds! She was so little! As before, we met up in the gym. Seriously...she looks amazing. Sure, she's got some more pounds to go, but cripes, she looks like she's lost half of herself! Again, I wish I had made mention that she looks amazing and darnit I will next time (I foresee more gym usage with it getting colder). She's kept it up since I last saw her, which is awesome! I couldn't help but think she recognized me and thought "man, she looks the same..." -- HAH...so true...and sad.
Perhaps I can strike up a conversation with her and get to know her. Inspiration buddies! I wonder how long she runs now.
Sunday, November 18, 2012
What I Would Change About Healthcare
Day 18 #NHBPM:
Treat the cause and not the symptom.
So often I see doctors passing out medications to treat a symptom, rather than going to the root cause of it. Stomach pains? Here's a pill. A rash from that stomach pain pill? Here's another pill. Migraines from the rash pill? Have another! Before the patient knows it they're on 10 different medications! What was the original cause? Do they even know? Could it have easily been that the individual was eating something the body didn't like?
I often tie these body issues back into food because we're slowly poisoning ourselves with the processed stuff we feed it. I kept wondering why I always had sinus congestion, drainage, and phlegm. I stopped eating dairy and guess what went away? If I happen to eat dairy, I almost immediately get that buildup going on. I didn't notice until I stopped eating gluten that my joints ached and my limbs were swollen (especially the feet and ankles). If I eat it now, the next day I'm all sorts of inflamed and retaining water. Would I have gotten that answer if I went to the doctor? Probably not. At one point the sinus issue was going to get me a sinus scraping procedure. YIKES! Talk about hurt! No thanks...
Food cures all. Look to that before popping pills!
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All Others:
60 minute walk today was broken into two. The boyfriend and I took a long walking route to the grocery store. It took us about 35-40 minutes to get there and then 20-25 to return home at a different route (that is literally all uphill) with grocery bags in tow. My shoulders were pretty sore by the end of it.
I don't know that I'm proud I found this because it IS processed, but I found some gluten free chocolate cake mix. It calls for eggs, but right next to that was an egg substitute that you just mix with water. The ingredients didn't LOOK bad. Guess we'll see!
Treat the cause and not the symptom.
So often I see doctors passing out medications to treat a symptom, rather than going to the root cause of it. Stomach pains? Here's a pill. A rash from that stomach pain pill? Here's another pill. Migraines from the rash pill? Have another! Before the patient knows it they're on 10 different medications! What was the original cause? Do they even know? Could it have easily been that the individual was eating something the body didn't like?
I often tie these body issues back into food because we're slowly poisoning ourselves with the processed stuff we feed it. I kept wondering why I always had sinus congestion, drainage, and phlegm. I stopped eating dairy and guess what went away? If I happen to eat dairy, I almost immediately get that buildup going on. I didn't notice until I stopped eating gluten that my joints ached and my limbs were swollen (especially the feet and ankles). If I eat it now, the next day I'm all sorts of inflamed and retaining water. Would I have gotten that answer if I went to the doctor? Probably not. At one point the sinus issue was going to get me a sinus scraping procedure. YIKES! Talk about hurt! No thanks...
Food cures all. Look to that before popping pills!
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All Others:
60 minute walk today was broken into two. The boyfriend and I took a long walking route to the grocery store. It took us about 35-40 minutes to get there and then 20-25 to return home at a different route (that is literally all uphill) with grocery bags in tow. My shoulders were pretty sore by the end of it.
I don't know that I'm proud I found this because it IS processed, but I found some gluten free chocolate cake mix. It calls for eggs, but right next to that was an egg substitute that you just mix with water. The ingredients didn't LOOK bad. Guess we'll see!
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