tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14174729460927281132024-03-13T11:40:27.170-04:00Diet? Not again!Diet? Not again!http://www.blogger.com/profile/05781939335555806631noreply@blogger.comBlogger397125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1417472946092728113.post-24873987599396760712018-06-07T16:22:00.001-04:002018-06-07T16:28:28.102-04:00<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9UQl6yCyQu_ma706zFWPyG3tWlP04RjQkEW8jZ0aJdNNWoYlbAZfF1py6XPHiKmWHJoCJfZsDt0o9BOUWt65E3P8d_xIUFBenH-f5w3qcuWktCJF13LE4rDQ6zhWE933ywLBd2yMtFvQ/s1600/journal+with+pen++sm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="400" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9UQl6yCyQu_ma706zFWPyG3tWlP04RjQkEW8jZ0aJdNNWoYlbAZfF1py6XPHiKmWHJoCJfZsDt0o9BOUWt65E3P8d_xIUFBenH-f5w3qcuWktCJF13LE4rDQ6zhWE933ywLBd2yMtFvQ/s320/journal+with+pen++sm.jpg" width="256" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our favorite journals are handmade by Erica Birk and available at www.absolutelyevo.com</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span style="color: #b45f06;">Why journal? There really are some rewards!</span></h2>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;">Food journaling is a pain. No one likes to write down everything that goes between their lips. Add weighing and measuring, and calorie, fat and carb counting to the mix, and we call that a recipe for disaster.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;">Consider this:</span></div>
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<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;">Most people think they eat less than they do;</span></li>
<li style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 10.66px;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;">have no idea how many extra calories they consume mindlessly throughout the day;</span></li>
<li style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 10.66px;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;">slowly gain weight over the years – as much as three pounds annually – which at year one or two does not show. But after a decade or two….</span></li>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;">Enter food journaling, but with a twist. It really is not too hard to accomplish, and our <a href="http://www.pathwaytomindfulness.com/mindful-eating-2/" target="_blank">clients </a>tell us it becomes a habit after a few days.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px;">1.<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt "Times New Roman"; margin: 0px;"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;">Buy yourself a journal that you like, one that you can take with you wherever you go. </span></div>
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<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 0px 48px; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px;">2.<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt "Times New Roman"; margin: 0px;"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;">Buy a writing tool that is easy to use, and if color is your thing, go for it. Many of our clients use their journals not only to track their foods but to doodle and draw, making some of them little works of art. </span></div>
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<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 0px 48px; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px;">3.<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt "Times New Roman"; margin: 0px;"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;">Write down everything you eat. Everything. Even that stick of gum or tic tac you popped into your mouth for sweet breath.</span></div>
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<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 0px 48px; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px;">4.<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt "Times New Roman"; margin: 0px;"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;">Once you master the food part, start including how that food made you feel. For example, if you had an egg for breakfast and still was not hungry at 1 p.m., that’s interesting news. So is eating a bagel or donut at 7 a.m. and then being ravenous three hours later.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;">This journal is all about awareness, the first step in creating a new you. Once you begin to make the connection between the food you eat and how it affects your health and energy, you begin to experiment and naturally make better choices.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;">Need more convincing? A large study that tracked food loggers over three years found that those who journaled lost twice as much weight as those who didn’t.</span><br />
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<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike><span style="font-family: "calibri";"></span>Diet? Not again!http://www.blogger.com/profile/05781939335555806631noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1417472946092728113.post-46965781987811994872018-04-20T09:53:00.004-04:002018-04-20T09:53:56.584-04:00Whose body is this?<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6LJnOlV58tNWriiUvZ7YvfpyfLSIOSOTuyiftSdkiZ8OZW0UChF7k-bq41n7mISYxZvnJUCYGOSxhIYS-ubQ4C5cNbUgDaDtZRI32ea8HxoC7_W6FvpA5c6PMg4TDf-yHF9DYE94QmpE/s1600/picture+val+before.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><br /></a></div>
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I hate to have my picture taken and avoid it whenever possible. But since I really believed that this time I was going to lose the weight FOREVER, I decided I wanted a BEFORE picture, so I could chronical my journey. I should also add that I never looked at the BEFORE picture until Tuesday.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6PF1X-7swTrKKCKuDTuJKy2KfDoNcF-THxIhuBx5mlt9UqXVBktw9C3Qxqoq5xTWuu-GtOLD4EO0Pz4Kwk3ade5wepzyPnXVLTQfQFapt5_YaTAY4RaHLX-vX2Qda5nlv4SzjsZxfln8/s1600/closeup.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="127" data-original-width="67" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6PF1X-7swTrKKCKuDTuJKy2KfDoNcF-THxIhuBx5mlt9UqXVBktw9C3Qxqoq5xTWuu-GtOLD4EO0Pz4Kwk3ade5wepzyPnXVLTQfQFapt5_YaTAY4RaHLX-vX2Qda5nlv4SzjsZxfln8/s200/closeup.jpg" width="105" /></a></div>
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The why I looked at it is actually funny. The picture at the right is me, which I took by mistake Tuesday night in a restaurant bathroom. I was taking a picture of the mirror (I want to replicate it in my house), was in a hurry, and didn't stop to think that I would be in the photo.</div>
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When I looked at the photo I was amazed, first that I was in the picture, but more importantly, that it was finally obvious to me that I am losing weight. Under that wrap was a jacket and a shell -- and my silhouette is just so much slimmer than my BEFORE picture, below, that I finally dug out.</div>
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<span style="color: #b45f06;">The point in all this?</span></h3>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeSZsB2P05Ql8n4U0LUrbzED7N6vF3mLnf7YoktyVLmqJiMsHFzz0pNdeSBCG1HLEorC3AR0RkI1wXPY-dyk3qNl3sAmnLtfc7clwhbqzw0zAumkGkF0ttH69rdIi-SBacI9SdQ7nuEBg/s1600/picture+val+before.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1456" data-original-width="895" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeSZsB2P05Ql8n4U0LUrbzED7N6vF3mLnf7YoktyVLmqJiMsHFzz0pNdeSBCG1HLEorC3AR0RkI1wXPY-dyk3qNl3sAmnLtfc7clwhbqzw0zAumkGkF0ttH69rdIi-SBacI9SdQ7nuEBg/s200/picture+val+before.JPG" width="122" /></a></div>
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For those of us who avoid the camera, we lose sight of our body image. Most of us avoid mirrors too, and when we look in one, it is close-up, to put on make-up, shave or comb our hair. We have no concept about how heavy we really are.</div>
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My advice to anyone who is really sincere about shedding pounds: Take a full-length picture. At every 10 pounds loss, snap another one. You'll know when it is time to take a look at your progress. And when you get there, be prepared to be amazed. </div>
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<span style="color: #b45f06;">Honest truth</span></h3>
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<span style="color: #383a3b; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; margin: 0px;">I am still suffering
from a negative body image, even though I know that 42 pounds is an awesome amount of
weight to lose. And I am not alone:</span></div>
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<li><div style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "times new roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; position: relative; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="color: #383a3b; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; margin: 0px;">Ab</span><span style="color: #383a3b; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; margin: 0px;">out 91 percent of women are unhappy with their bodies and resort to dieting.</span></div>
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<li><div style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "times new roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; position: relative; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="color: #383a3b; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; margin: 0px;"></span><span style="color: #383a3b; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; margin: 0px;">Only 5% of women possess the body type portrayed by women in the media.</span></div>
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<li><div style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "times new roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; position: relative; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="color: #383a3b; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; margin: 0px;"></span><span style="color: #383a3b; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; margin: 0px;">33% of men are unhappy with their bodies. </span></div>
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</ul>
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<span style="color: #383a3b; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; margin: 0px;">Negative body image is
an unrealistic view of how someone sees their body. These thoughts are usually formed in childhood, but body image continues to form as you age and receive
feedback from your friends and family. And if you live in an affluent community
like Fairfield County, skinny and blonde is the preferred pedigree. Since I am
neither, self-doubts and critical inner thoughts have been shouting loud and
clear in my mind.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; margin: 0px;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #b45f06;">Until now!</span></span></h3>
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<span style="color: #383a3b; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; margin: 0px;">So what changed? Mindful
eating. I teach insight mindfulness meditation, which has really helped me
change many of my age-old patterns of behavior. Over the past four years, my business partner and I have been trained in six mindful eating programs -- some great, some really ridiculous.</span></div>
<div style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "times new roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; letter-spacing: normal; margin: 0px 0px 10.66px; position: relative; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="color: #383a3b; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; margin: 0px;">But we learned so much. And we combined some of what we learned with the techniques we teach in mindfulness, and</span><span style="color: #383a3b; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; margin: 0px;"> developed our
own mindful eating program that I can honestly say is much different than any
other program out there.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #383a3b; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; margin: 0px;">It has permanently changed
my relationship with food. I am at peace with what I eat. And I am finally at peace with my body. The pictures helped. But honestly, the change is within. </span></div>
<div style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "times new roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; letter-spacing: normal; margin: 0px 0px 10.66px; position: relative; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="color: #383a3b; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; margin: 0px;">I finally understand that
losing weight is not a race. It will probably take me another year to reach my goal weight. That’s OK. Because of one truth:</span></div>
<div style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "times new roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; letter-spacing: normal; margin: 0px 0px 10.66px; position: relative; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="color: #383a3b; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; margin: 0px;">Every pound I lose now
is a pound gone, never to return. I’m losing pounds that I have no
intention of ever finding again. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #b45f06;">Give <span style="color: black;">D</span>iet? <span style="color: black;">N</span>ot <span style="color: black;">A</span>gain! a try!</span></h2>
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; display: inline; float: none; font-family: "arial" , "tahoma" , "helvetica" , "freesans" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 18.48px; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"> </span> <br />
<h2 style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 24px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; letter-spacing: normal; margin-bottom: 10.66px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; orphans: 2; position: relative; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="color: #b45f06;">Make DNA part of your DNA.</span></h2>
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; display: inline; float: none; font-family: "arial" , "tahoma" , "helvetica" , "freesans" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 18.48px; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"> </span> <br />
<h2 style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 24px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; letter-spacing: normal; margin-bottom: 10.66px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; orphans: 2; position: relative; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="color: #b45f06;">What have you got to lose?</span></h2>
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; display: inline; float: none; font-family: "arial" , "tahoma" , "helvetica" , "freesans" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 18.48px; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"> </span> <br />
<h2 style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 24px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; letter-spacing: normal; margin-bottom: 10.66px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; orphans: 2; position: relative; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="color: black;">Call 203-612-7160</span></span></h2>
<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike><br />Diet? Not again!http://www.blogger.com/profile/05781939335555806631noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1417472946092728113.post-88695819949179533442018-04-18T17:07:00.001-04:002018-04-18T17:07:24.026-04:00Losing weight and no one is noticing<div data-mce-style="margin: 0in; margin-bottom: .0001pt;" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman","Bitstream Charter",Times,serif; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span data-mce-style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-family: 'Helvetica',sans-serif;" style="font-family: "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">I started losing <a href="http://www.pathwaytomindfulness.com/mindful-eating-2/" target="_blank">weight </a>about a year ago, deciding that this time there would be no fast diets. I want to do this for good this time. So far I have lost 42 of the 80 pounds I need to shed, and guess what: no one has noticed my weight loss. I’m tall, 5’ 10”, so I hide some weight. But....</span></div>
<div data-mce-style="margin: 0in; margin-bottom: .0001pt; font-stretch: normal; min-height: 13.8px;" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman","Bitstream Charter",Times,serif; font-size: 16px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; min-height: 13.8px; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div data-mce-style="margin: 0in; margin-bottom: .0001pt; font-stretch: normal;" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman","Bitstream Charter",Times,serif; font-size: 16px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span data-mce-style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-family: 'Helvetica',sans-serif;" style="font-family: "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">Yesterday I was really thinking about this and came to some conclusions:</span></div>
<div data-mce-style="margin: 0in; margin-bottom: .0001pt; font-stretch: normal;" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman","Bitstream Charter",Times,serif; font-size: 16px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span data-mce-style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-family: 'Helvetica',sans-serif;" style="font-family: "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">1. I am still fat. I need to lose 38 pounds. That’s 4 10-pound bags of potatoes. </span></div>
<div data-mce-style="margin: 0in; margin-bottom: .0001pt; font-stretch: normal;" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman","Bitstream Charter",Times,serif; font-size: 16px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span data-mce-style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-family: 'Helvetica',sans-serif;" style="font-family: "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">2. People don’t really look that carefully at others. And if they do notice, maybe they are afraid or embarrassed to ask. </span></div>
<div data-mce-style="margin: 0in; margin-bottom: .0001pt; font-stretch: normal;" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman","Bitstream Charter",Times,serif; font-size: 16px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span data-mce-style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-family: 'Helvetica',sans-serif;" style="font-family: "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">3. Most significantly: They still see me as fat. </span></div>
<div data-mce-style="margin: 0in; margin-bottom: .0001pt; font-stretch: normal; min-height: 13.8px;" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman","Bitstream Charter",Times,serif; font-size: 16px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; min-height: 13.8px; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div data-mce-style="margin: 0in; margin-bottom: .0001pt; font-stretch: normal;" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman","Bitstream Charter",Times,serif; font-size: 16px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span data-mce-style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-family: 'Helvetica',sans-serif;" style="font-family: "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">That last one hurts but it is the reality I need. </span></div>
<div data-mce-style="margin: 0in; margin-bottom: .0001pt; font-stretch: normal; min-height: 13.8px;" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman","Bitstream Charter",Times,serif; font-size: 16px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; min-height: 13.8px; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div data-mce-style="margin: 0in; margin-bottom: .0001pt; font-stretch: normal;" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman","Bitstream Charter",Times,serif; font-size: 16px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span data-mce-style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-family: 'Helvetica',sans-serif;" style="font-family: "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">For the past few months this has really bothered me. I want people to notice, to tell me good job, and encourage me on as bystanders do for runners at a race.</span></div>
<div data-mce-style="margin: 0in; margin-bottom: .0001pt; font-stretch: normal; min-height: 13.8px;" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman","Bitstream Charter",Times,serif; font-size: 16px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; min-height: 13.8px; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div data-mce-style="margin: 0in; margin-bottom: .0001pt; font-stretch: normal;" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman","Bitstream Charter",Times,serif; font-size: 16px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span data-mce-style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-family: 'Helvetica',sans-serif;" style="font-family: "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">Not anymore. What I identified above was not easy to do but it was an important exercise because it made me think of my ultimate why. Why am I on this journey?</span></div>
<div data-mce-style="margin: 0in; margin-bottom: .0001pt; font-stretch: normal; min-height: 13.8px;" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman","Bitstream Charter",Times,serif; font-size: 16px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; min-height: 13.8px; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div data-mce-style="margin: 0in; margin-bottom: .0001pt; font-stretch: normal;" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman","Bitstream Charter",Times,serif; font-size: 16px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span data-mce-style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-family: 'Helvetica',sans-serif;" style="font-family: "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">And bottom line: I am not losing weight for other people. I am doing it for me. And I know how much I am losing. And most importantly, I know why and that will keep me going.</span></div>
<div data-mce-style="margin: 0in; margin-bottom: .0001pt; font-stretch: normal;" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman","Bitstream Charter",Times,serif; font-size: 16px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span data-mce-style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-family: 'Helvetica',sans-serif;" style="font-family: "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><br /></span></div>
<div data-mce-style="margin: 0in; margin-bottom: .0001pt; font-stretch: normal;" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman","Bitstream Charter",Times,serif; font-size: 16px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span data-mce-style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-family: 'Helvetica',sans-serif;" style="font-family: "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"></span>And one of these days I know someone will look at me and ask: "Are you losing weight?" And I'll burst out laughing.</div>
<div>
<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike><br /></strike></div>
<h2 style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 24px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; letter-spacing: normal; margin: 0px 0px 10.66px; orphans: 2; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="color: #b45f06;">Give <span style="color: black;">D</span>iet? <span style="color: black;">N</span>ot <span style="color: black;">A</span>gain! a try!</span></h2>
<h2 style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 24px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; letter-spacing: normal; margin: 0px 0px 10.66px; orphans: 2; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="color: #b45f06;">Make DNA part of your DNA.</span></h2>
<h2 style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 24px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; letter-spacing: normal; margin: 0px 0px 10.66px; orphans: 2; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="color: #b45f06;">What have you got to lose?</span></h2>
<h2 style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 24px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; letter-spacing: normal; margin-bottom: 10.66px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; orphans: 2; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="color: black;">Call 203-612-7160</span></span></h2>
<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike><br />Diet? Not again!http://www.blogger.com/profile/05781939335555806631noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1417472946092728113.post-66801880994997467652018-03-27T15:20:00.000-04:002018-03-27T15:20:40.589-04:00The big picture
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoVkaagmafDWklddX0QqJQjm8an53-TqbXejlv6tUJ0kf7wIhRWXFm7cuSprMwvdHcLD7sbcobKE2aO26yLopt8Rkw2fSMwf9Vq2MpG-A1RFNA1gHurD5AEkJZ9JCrSoR2llI-2-I3Jpg/s1600/carolina+sunrise.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="328" data-original-width="700" height="149" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoVkaagmafDWklddX0QqJQjm8an53-TqbXejlv6tUJ0kf7wIhRWXFm7cuSprMwvdHcLD7sbcobKE2aO26yLopt8Rkw2fSMwf9Vq2MpG-A1RFNA1gHurD5AEkJZ9JCrSoR2llI-2-I3Jpg/s320/carolina+sunrise.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; margin: 0px;">One of the
first <a href="http://www.pathwaytomindfulness.com/" target="_blank">mindful </a>tasks I did on my journey to shed pounds was to find out why I
wanted to lose weight.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; margin: 0px;">For me it was
key, because my M.O. was to lose weight for an event – a wedding, a vacation, a
reunion. The week before the event luscious, sugary food treats would begin to
invade my mind. </span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; margin: 0px;">When the big
day came, instead of congratulating myself on a job well done, I awoke thinking
about all the foods I could eat that day. If anyone could read my mind they
would see ice cream, cookies, cake, Twizzlers – all the foods I had deprived
myself of for way-too-many months.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; margin: 0px;">And eat I did,
because I told myself the next morning I would wake up and go right back to my
<a href="http://www.pathwaytomindfulness.com/mindful-eating-2/" target="_blank">diet</a>. And you know what happened next: The next morning came and went. And the
pounds started to creep back on, until one day I said enough, would get on the
scale, and discover – if I was lucky – that I was back to where I started. In
most cases, I had packed on extra weight.</span></div>
<br />
<h3 style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; margin: 0px;"><span style="color: #b45f06;">What was
different this time?</span></span></h3>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; margin: 0px;">I looked at the
big picture. I was not losing weight for an event. Here’s what I asked myself:</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; margin: 0px;"><span style="color: #b45f06;"><b>Why do you want
to lose weight?</b></span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; margin: 0px;">Because I want
to look good.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; margin: 0px;"><span style="color: #b45f06;"><b>Why?</b></span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; margin: 0px;">Because I am
tired of my fat clothes and want a new wardrobe.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; margin: 0px;"><b><span style="color: #b45f06;">Why?</span></b></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; margin: 0px;">Because I feel
better and more confident when I am wearing something new and honestly, I am so
tired and my knees hurt that my confidence is at an all-time low.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; margin: 0px;"><span style="color: #b45f06;"><b>Why?</b></span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; margin: 0px;">Because I am
eating foods that make me tired and keep me fat and because I want to be
healthy.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; margin: 0px;"><span style="color: #b45f06;"><b>Why?</b></span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; margin: 0px;">Because I want
to lead a healthy, long life. And if I keep going, I will not do that.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; margin: 0px;"><b><span style="color: #b45f06;">Why?</span></b></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; margin: 0px;">No answer. So I
found my big picture. I wrote it down and keep it posted all over my house.</span></div>
<br />
<h3 style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; margin: 0px;"><span style="color: #b45f06;">So here’s what
to do.</span></span></h3>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; margin: 0px;">Get out a piece
of paper and do this exercise, trying to find your big-picture why.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; margin: 0px;">Please make
sure your why is not event drive. Why? Because that just sets you up for
failure.</span></div>
<h2 style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; margin: 0px;"><span style="color: #b45f06;">Give <span style="color: black;">Diet? Not again!</span> a try!</span></span></h2>
<h2 style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; margin: 0px;"><span style="color: #b45f06;">What have you got to lose?</span></span></h2>
<h2 style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; margin: 0px;"><span style="color: black;">Call 203-612-7160</span></span></h2>
<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike><span style="color: #b45f06;"></span><span style="color: black;"></span>Diet? Not again!http://www.blogger.com/profile/05781939335555806631noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1417472946092728113.post-42436369693021431272018-03-23T12:31:00.000-04:002018-03-23T12:31:31.536-04:00
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVVagTvAvEpIf2pnMZGtMMzn8DjgmWMlxCyce9IEBggruMpNDAmajOIgDft4DwQgeA-pZ9dZpkh8MmxeUsQoEhI0nJLUExnfMEMk3HPDW9zptsQmrI7h0pi5voiQz_K6oeYoy5WwOvGsQ/s1600/3.23+blog+pix.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="1600" height="160" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVVagTvAvEpIf2pnMZGtMMzn8DjgmWMlxCyce9IEBggruMpNDAmajOIgDft4DwQgeA-pZ9dZpkh8MmxeUsQoEhI0nJLUExnfMEMk3HPDW9zptsQmrI7h0pi5voiQz_K6oeYoy5WwOvGsQ/s320/3.23+blog+pix.png" width="320" /></a></div>
<h2 style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; margin: 0px;"><br /></span></h2>
<h2 style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px;">
<span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Finding my WHY</span></span></h2>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px;">
<span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">1,215 days ago I stopped posting, because honestly, I decided my blogging
days were over.</span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px;">
<span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">However, over
the past three years I have discovered some important things about the
way I eat -- all in my quest to answer this elusive question:</span></span></div>
<br />
<h3 style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px;">
<span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">How could I possibly fix my eating habits if I couldn't explain WHY I do what I do?</span></span></h3>
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px;">
<span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> For example:</span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 48px; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
</span></span></span><span style="margin: 0px;">Why
do I eat healthy foods one day, and then decided the next day that ice cream
and cookies are what I really need?</span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 48px; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
</span></span></span><span style="margin: 0px;">Why
do I exercise one day, and then choose to be a couch potato the next?</span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px 48px; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
</span></span></span><span style="margin: 0px;">Why
do I cook a really great dinner one night, and the next day decide take-out
pizza is so much better for me?</span></span></div>
<br />
<h3 style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px;">
<span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The WHY is not easy to figure out. </span></span></h3>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px;">
<span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Have I figured
everything out? Of course not. But I have figured out the important whys, and
that is what I will begin sharing in this space.</span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px;">
<span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I will also
share how I went about changing.</span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px;">
<span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The first key
for me was embracing mindfulness. </span></span></div>
<h3 style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px;">
<span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Mindfulness in action</span></span></h3>
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px;">
<span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">More than three years ago I co-founded
<a href="http://www.pathwaytomindfulness.com/" target="_blank">Pathway to Mindfulness</a>, and daily teach clients how to build a sustainable
mindful meditation practice that changes patterns of behavior. I have watched
thousands of people transform their lives, including me, but the one thing I <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">REALLY</b> wanted to change – my weight – seemed to be out of my reach.</span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px;">
<span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">But then, I began to approach losing weight as a mindful journey,
without judgment. </span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px;">
<span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I also embraced curiosity, which I believe is key to changing your life. I have learned a
lot about my body, what can set me off on a binge, and how my moods are
directly linked to the food I eat. </span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px;">
<span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">My new mantra:
I am not losing weight. I am getting rid of it with no intention of ever
finding it again. But I am doing this all with a mindful intent.</span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px;">
<span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">If I can
conquer this, anyone can!</span></span></div>
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<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike>Diet? Not again!http://www.blogger.com/profile/05781939335555806631noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1417472946092728113.post-60560840410363187322014-11-22T22:30:00.002-05:002014-11-22T22:34:29.046-05:00The insanity stopped....<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3titRWTkVJocLFgwPSfAYhMk2zvam0Ei8qAZxOcuV6k51EKGp6G_j7p8iBFexG-KW-16UxHWBWxhqfjwHu5k2n7yh46qQnSvKbjTnCMucTJt3i3Qttnysf6_1eVKpqCnByNL-0GqqU0s/s1600/images.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3titRWTkVJocLFgwPSfAYhMk2zvam0Ei8qAZxOcuV6k51EKGp6G_j7p8iBFexG-KW-16UxHWBWxhqfjwHu5k2n7yh46qQnSvKbjTnCMucTJt3i3Qttnysf6_1eVKpqCnByNL-0GqqU0s/s1600/images.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
....and I know the how but have no idea about the why.<br />
<br />
I did Ann Louise Gittleman's Smoothie Shakedown for two weeks, with all intentions of going off it for a week (as Gittleman suggests), and then back on it for another two weeks.<br />
<br />
I had the days all worked out, and my first day off that diet would have been Thanksgiving. And as I was plotting how I would face yet another holiday trying to diet and failing miserably, I took a three-hour class in mindfulness.<br />
<br />
This topic is not new to me. In fact, I spent a week at Kripalu (a yoga retreat in the Berkshires of Massachusetts) practicing the concept three years ago. And although I came home and embraced it for a few weeks, I could never make it part of my life.<br />
<br />
But now, it seems to have become part of my being. <br />
<br />
For the first time in my life I am at peace with food. I am not dieting, instead simply making good food choices. The restaurant meals that once haunted me have become my friend. I scour the menus really reading each offering, deciding what to eat not based on the calorie count but how appealing the food sounds. I know that since I am eating so slowly, I will only eat half of the meal.<br />
<br />
The result? In the past three weeks I have lost 10 pounds, not an earth-shattering amount of weight but I am more proud of these 10 pounds than any other 10 pounds I have ever lost.<br />
<br />
Why now? I have numerous theories but the one I like the best is that I have forgiven myself, and my body is responding to the kindness I am now showing it. I know it sounds weird, but then my relationship with food has been anything but normal. Ever.<br />
<br />
Until now. Consider the pantry full of snacks awaiting a Thanksgiving visit from my Seattle daughter and her family. Pretzels, nuts, cheese and crackers: All the stuff I never could keep in my house. Now it's there, but my desire to eat any of it is not. It is for my six grandchildren, my children, their spouses and my husband. But if I want a pretzel or cheese and cracker, I will eat it, and enjoy every last morsel.<br />
<br />
Last night at book club I took a tiny serving of green tea ice cream because I always wanted to try it. That tiny bit of sweet was enough to salve my hunger. In the past, I would have refused the ice cream and once home, would start eating enough food until I satisfied the beast within. Last night I came home and went to sleep.<br />
<br />
I like the new me. Now, instead of praying that I will not stray, I can honestly say that this time I think I have found the key that is unlocking the gate to weight loss. And the perpetual smile that is on my face is testament to this. I am present in my life and I could not be happier.Diet? Not again!http://www.blogger.com/profile/05781939335555806631noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1417472946092728113.post-9722267835467189602014-10-25T11:05:00.002-04:002014-10-25T11:07:29.148-04:00The insanity continues<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwGWj1klGkPqcGq8YEzhRvQwPX4m-Ldlpqs6-iDoyp4bN_jaquCzhtxM-TBx4GBnt6gzPiDHDu7zF4DzZ3g2y8h0N8CojMdyaagLTrDn6U9AxST3lX7tPpcLAjse4__4Y6VcvAOu_UiHA/s1600/7b62939827a293dab4c373bba1e1caa9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwGWj1klGkPqcGq8YEzhRvQwPX4m-Ldlpqs6-iDoyp4bN_jaquCzhtxM-TBx4GBnt6gzPiDHDu7zF4DzZ3g2y8h0N8CojMdyaagLTrDn6U9AxST3lX7tPpcLAjse4__4Y6VcvAOu_UiHA/s1600/7b62939827a293dab4c373bba1e1caa9.jpg" /></a></div>
Well, that last diet failed. It's not that I didn't like it. I did.<br />
<br />
I just felt bloated and gassy all the time. Too many beans I guess.<br />
<br />
Last week I returned to my old faithful, Ann Louise Gittleman's <a href="http://www.fatflush.com/" target="_blank">Fat Flush</a>. But this time I decided to go all out and bought into her Smoothie Shakedown. Two smoothies a day and one meal.<br />
<br />
I also decided I needed to start cooking -- and our dinners the past few nights have been excellent. Flavorful and filling.<br />
<br />
I know her diet works. I also know that if you follow her advice you will lose weight -- actually pretty quickly -- sleep better and really look younger, something I really need to do right now. I am feeling fat, old and ugly -- because eating like Dr. Furhman suggested made my stomach expand to the point that I look nine months pregnant.<br />
<br />
There are a lot of rules in Fat Flush, rules that for years I have resisted. But now I need a schedule. I need to journal. I need to take vitamins three times a day. I need to drink lots of water -- and when it comes to Fat Flush that water is mixed with no sugar added cranberry juice.<br />
<br />
The structure is working right now. <br />
<br />
I headlined this blog insanity -- because that is what I have done for years. The insanity of dieting, losing weight, gaining weight has been anything but a good formula to follow. Insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results.<br />
<br />
I know what works. And I am so tired of yo-yoing. But I've been here before. I pray this time it works. And with a little luck, it will continue to work until I finally can face looking at myself in the mirror.<br />
<br />Diet? Not again!http://www.blogger.com/profile/05781939335555806631noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1417472946092728113.post-19020813389894570982014-09-18T08:27:00.000-04:002014-09-18T08:27:16.402-04:00Just eat<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEqFwK5qXufzrzvpVS264CR4HvsSjTrzEvHJLD0qKwuFd7GIFbDvDB229P_LD8CC_-FKPjv2h_q8ypLIF2gc2oUx3I-syI_wTqYRUwsbFmxVhmI16rTrC4zAlCePXWMLEFq2tPoz0yayQ/s1600/images.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEqFwK5qXufzrzvpVS264CR4HvsSjTrzEvHJLD0qKwuFd7GIFbDvDB229P_LD8CC_-FKPjv2h_q8ypLIF2gc2oUx3I-syI_wTqYRUwsbFmxVhmI16rTrC4zAlCePXWMLEFq2tPoz0yayQ/s1600/images.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
Everyone knows you need to eat fruits and vegetables. But how many of us really eat the amount we should?<br />
<br />
I began this week eating like a nutritarian -- which is <a href="https://www.drfuhrman.com/" target="_blank">Dr. Joel Furhman's</a> prescription for a long, healthy life. If I wanted to, I could eat everything pictured spread through my three daily meals, but of course I would never be able to eat that much food in one day.<br />
<br />
But looking at this picture, I bet if I added up all the calories in all that food, it would not reach the amount of calories I once ate daily. In fact, I would bet it would come in at least half the calories of my once daily total.<br />
<br />
So here's a paragraph from Furhman's "The End of Dieting" that resonates: <br />
<br />
"The bottom line is that you needn't adopt any extreme fad diet; instead, eat lots of natural plant foods. Forget fat. Forget carbohydrates. Don't worry about carbohydrate-to-protein ratios -- and for your own sake -- please ditch the diets. We need to stop the low-fat extremism, high-protein extremism (believe it or not, this is gaining popularity too). None of this is constructive to solving our nation's confusion and dietary quagmire."<br />
<br />
Confusion and quagmire can just about sum up my eating life. If I read back over my blog, I find myself grasping at various diet plans, hoping that one will work while all others have failed. I also find myself going back to diets that have failed me in the past: Weight Watchers and Paleo.<br />
<br />
I am tired so, so tired of dieting.<br />
<br />
We should all follow Dr. Furhman's advice:<br />
<br />
<strong><em><u>"Health is the first consideration; weight is secondary."</u></em></strong><br />
Diet? Not again!http://www.blogger.com/profile/05781939335555806631noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1417472946092728113.post-73253429073694427982014-09-16T17:54:00.003-04:002014-09-16T17:55:54.168-04:00180-degree turn<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaImLKUjOLRPxQ6wK4TTXjL4H-jLGTLYKE9dSaPIwGW4ijmoaXYAp1knTiXAh0DOtFrGzLxodwm_tUfKmUfeKgOhy6I9IZmpwAK3RJm_JFlQvrbbEWg_ZClZEHfe8UWQvMN3KNWgBLXZg/s1600/41WfLlcAR7L__AA160_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaImLKUjOLRPxQ6wK4TTXjL4H-jLGTLYKE9dSaPIwGW4ijmoaXYAp1knTiXAh0DOtFrGzLxodwm_tUfKmUfeKgOhy6I9IZmpwAK3RJm_JFlQvrbbEWg_ZClZEHfe8UWQvMN3KNWgBLXZg/s1600/41WfLlcAR7L__AA160_.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
Yet again, I started searching for a new diet last week. <br />
<br />
Although I loved Paleo, I started thinking that meat with every meal -- even if it is organic and grass fed -- or chicken, fish or eggs cannot be good for a body.<br />
<br />
And while it made me feel terrific that last time I was on it, this time I felt horrid. No energy. Not sleeping. Cranky. Really craving peanut butter, and honestly that is something I hardly ever eat.<br />
<br />
I was avoiding breakfast because I really don't like eggs, and meat in the morning does not cut it for me. I always eat a big salad at lunch, and it was always the chicken I had to include that I ate last. It wasn't appealing anymore. Dinners were amazing, and they should be if you can have great protein, fat and a bunch of wonderful spices. Paleo recipes really do rock, but dinner was so good I was eating too much, which is exactly why I was not losing.<br />
<br />
But the main reason I started searching for a new diet plan was that my blood pressure was not going down. In fact, most days it was up.<br />
<br />
Enter <a href="http://www.drfuhrman.com/default.aspx" target="_blank">Joel Fuhrman</a>'s latest, "<a href="http://smile.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss_1?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=the%20end%20of%20dieting&sprefix=the+e%2Caps&rh=i%3Aaps%2Ck%3Athe%20end%20of%20dieting&oqid=1410904279" target="_blank">The End of Dieting</a>." I had seen Dr. Furhman on Dr. Oz a few years ago and bought his "Eat To Live." It didn't resonate with me. I was so not ready to become a vegan.<br />
<br />
But with the newest iteration of his diet, you can include a little meat, chicken or fish each week. And it fits perfectly with the name of this blog.<br />
<br />
So I am giving it a try. and wishing myself luck.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Diet? Not again!http://www.blogger.com/profile/05781939335555806631noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1417472946092728113.post-86281638441063879302014-08-29T08:36:00.002-04:002014-08-29T08:37:54.588-04:00Day 5<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYP7UQQXAGbxJfz6KFhPCbnEg4DOgRrU7HmExQ2wPKFZ1mCgC2VmlHmnMeIaMKNi7GJOEUn4y2ncN9S34AO5kJKUPJiTJu3KjSiuTQDPSQy5LYGY7puDPid4ugALoKNokdWYs-4CRm3PI/s1600/imagesKHRBDJT1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYP7UQQXAGbxJfz6KFhPCbnEg4DOgRrU7HmExQ2wPKFZ1mCgC2VmlHmnMeIaMKNi7GJOEUn4y2ncN9S34AO5kJKUPJiTJu3KjSiuTQDPSQy5LYGY7puDPid4ugALoKNokdWYs-4CRm3PI/s1600/imagesKHRBDJT1.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
This little guy depicts exactly how I am feeling this morning: happy and worthy of a gold star because this is my fifth day eating clean.<br />
<br />
Monday I decided to ease into <a href="http://nomnompaleo.com/paleo101" target="_blank">Paleo </a>gently, because I knew I would be going out to dinner Wednesday night. Wednesday I woke up almost paralyzed, first because I was going out, and second because my friends decided Mexican was the way to go that night. In most cases, Mexican food contains everything that makes my digestive track scream with pain.<br />
<br />
So I prepared. Checked the online menu and decided to order steak -- hold the beans and rice -- which I did. I know the steak was not organic, grass-fed, but it was steak, accompanied by non-organic guacamole, salsa and a vinegar coleslaw -- about as Paleo friendly as I could get. I also followed Paleo guru <a href="http://robbwolf.com/what-is-the-paleo-diet/" target="_blank">Robb Wolf's</a> drink trick -- tequila with fresh lime and seltzer. Definitely lip puckering, but baby sips made that drink last through the four-hour gab fest I had with my friends. I focused on the conversation and them, and was able to pass up the two desserts that kept circulating 'round and 'round the table.<br />
<br />
Was it a perfect Paleo meal? Nah. But did it make me feel in control and really proud of myself? Absolutely. <br />
<br />
But most importantly, it convinced me that I can embrace a Paleo lifestyle and not feel deprived. I can go out to dinner -- an important part of my life -- and if I plan and make good choices, I can eat well and be happy.<br />
<br />
I am so tired of diets that control my life and make me miss out on living. I am tired of weighing and counting. I am tired of eating straw and telling myself that it's not bad. And I am tired of the latest food craze. <br />
<br />
I want to eat clean, unprocessed foods. I want to shop the perimeter of the market. I want to look at my grocery basket and say there is nothing in it that will clog my arteries.<br />
<br />
Our days on Earth are numbered, and I want to enjoy each and every one of them to the fullest. Diet? Not again!http://www.blogger.com/profile/05781939335555806631noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1417472946092728113.post-12710600961931154632014-08-27T12:00:00.000-04:002014-08-27T08:06:14.590-04:00A start and an end to the day<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrOpH5Q4I5byFbb-oa4p1aUuo4d7EE4KVUL8WqCuflpydyGJ-J0IgnXqV6i5Zmext990ufHWZ9Dwthn30jCKkSv_zblNTDNTelMQTj4mKZrcJSeysCJQuyDb9cn8Fs2K9a_Gq08IxcnNw/s1600/photo.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrOpH5Q4I5byFbb-oa4p1aUuo4d7EE4KVUL8WqCuflpydyGJ-J0IgnXqV6i5Zmext990ufHWZ9Dwthn30jCKkSv_zblNTDNTelMQTj4mKZrcJSeysCJQuyDb9cn8Fs2K9a_Gq08IxcnNw/s1600/photo.JPG" /></a></div>
<br />
Two recipes to share today, one my ode to fall, because it really is around the corner, the second, a great way to dress up grilled fish.<br />
<br />
The first recipe came about after I read that <a href="http://www.starbucks.com/menu/drinks/espresso/pumpkin-spice-latte?foodZone=9999" target="_blank">Starbuck's Pumpkin Spiced Latte</a> is back, which is sheer perfection for your taste buds, and anything but perfection for your <a href="http://foodbabe.com/2014/08/25/starbucks-pumpkin-spice-latte/" target="_blank">body</a>. And it is so not <a href="http://robbwolf.com/what-is-the-paleo-diet/" target="_blank">Paleo</a>. My version is not the same, but honestly it is pretty terrific and definitely reminds me of the cooler weather that is just around the corner. And check out my mug: from my favorite non-profit, <a href="http://www.centerforfamilyjustice.org/" target="_blank">The Center for Family Justice</a> that fights domestic and sexual assault in six Fairfield County towns in my neck of the woods.<br />
<br />
<h2>
Good Morning Punkin'</h2>
<strong>1 cup organic black coffee</strong><br />
<strong>1 Tblsp. canned organic pumpkin</strong><br />
<strong>1/4 tsp. cinnamon</strong><br />
<strong>1/4 tsp. pumpkin pie spice</strong><br />
<strong>1 Tblsp. organic coconut oil</strong><br />
<ul>
<li>Mix everything in a blender, whirl for a few seconds until frothy, and pour into your favorite mug. <strong>Makes 1 cup.</strong></li>
</ul>
Our friend Tom Giordano has the best hobby in the world: fishing. And he knows how much we love the blue fish he catches in Long Island Sound, and thankfully is willing to share. The following is an adaptation from what I call my fish bible, James Peterson's "Fish & Shellfish." It's an adaptation because I omitted the tablespoon of brown sugar in the sauce. If you're not Paleo, add it. If you are, believe me when I say you won't miss the added sweetness.<br />
<br />
<h2>
Indonesian-Style Grilled Blue Fish</h2>
<strong>Two bluefish filets, cleaned and trimmed</strong><br />
<strong>4 shallots, peeled</strong><br />
<strong>2 garlic cloves, peeled</strong><br />
<strong>1 Thai chilies or 4 jalapeno chilies, seeded (I used one jalapeno but included the seeds, where most of the heat lives)</strong><br />
<strong>Two 5-inch piece of lemongrass, finely sliced</strong><br />
<strong>Juice of 2 limes</strong><br />
<strong>1 14-oz. can full-fat unsweetened organic coconut milk</strong><br />
<strong>2 tsp. grated fresh ginger</strong><br />
<strong>1/2 tsp. turmeric</strong><br />
<strong>1 tsp. ground coriander</strong><br />
<strong>Salt</strong><br />
<ul>
<li>Place the shallots, garlic, chilies. lemongrass and lime juice in the container of a blender and process until everything is finely diced.</li>
<li>In a saucepan, add the paste and the remaining ingredients, except for the fish. Bring to a boil and gently stir every few minutes to keep the mixture from sticking to the pan. Keep boiling until it thickens to a paste. Season with salt to your liking. Peterson says the mixture should be very salty, but personally, too much salt is off-putting to me.</li>
<li>Smear both sides of the fish with the paste. </li>
<li>Grill the fish for five minutes on one side over medium heat. Flip, add some of the past to the cooked side, and cook another five minutes.</li>
</ul>
<strong>Makes 4 servings.</strong>Diet? Not again!http://www.blogger.com/profile/05781939335555806631noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1417472946092728113.post-3645283287242889222014-08-26T16:38:00.001-04:002014-08-26T16:38:15.337-04:00Patting myself on my Paleo back!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibh_XAb3bKdhGBImSlCROdtYtL7CpdXZPPGoqnHctIFCOAGNbmLhXo8jqDWIdPOpHX2yxPNuXrm1FWspkoO-exu92lNvd5uuYlyxwdSu8yJNtLzU4r1iiycb7w6h_6_AqTcpdbXVCk1e8/s1600/images.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibh_XAb3bKdhGBImSlCROdtYtL7CpdXZPPGoqnHctIFCOAGNbmLhXo8jqDWIdPOpHX2yxPNuXrm1FWspkoO-exu92lNvd5uuYlyxwdSu8yJNtLzU4r1iiycb7w6h_6_AqTcpdbXVCk1e8/s1600/images.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
Why is the patting taking place? Because today is Tuesday and I made it through one day eating clean Paleo. <br />
<br />
And last night I was asking myself why I had ever gone off this way of eating? I actually had an answer:<br />
<strong><u>1. Laziness:</u></strong> Although Paleo meals are delicious, you really have to plan, grocery shop and cook -- and sometimes that mix is not easy.<br />
<strong><em>2.</em></strong> <strong><u>Boredom</u></strong>: It usually starts when I am craving a pizza with sausage and garlic, that contains everything my stomach hates: bread and cheese. If I could only remember before we order the pizza that I am going to be up all night with stomach pains and heartburn maybe that order would never happen.<br />
<strong><u>3. I HAVE NO IDEA</u></strong>. If I knew, I would unlock the reason why I stop eating good-for-me foods and fill up on junk.<br />
<br />
I want this all to stop.<br />
<br />
Once and fall all and forever. <br />
<br />Diet? Not again!http://www.blogger.com/profile/05781939335555806631noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1417472946092728113.post-82608092726257625552014-08-24T16:29:00.000-04:002014-08-26T16:29:51.970-04:00Yo-yo writing<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<br />
It's hard to maintain a blog, especially when life gets in the way.<br />
<br />
It's also hard to write when you lack a focus.<br />
<br />
Since I first began this blog I have been on too many diets to count -- even though the purpose of this blog is to not diet.<br />
<br />
And that means I am a fraud. It also means I am human, and like many of the thousands of people who want to lose weight, the only way we can do so is to go on our favorite four-letter word: DIET.<br />
<br />
We feel in control. We pat ourselves on the back when we weigh, measure, count Points or eat only watermelon for a day. And then one day a switch goes off in our brains and we just start eating. Maybe just a nibble here, but hell, since you had a nibble might as well stuff your face.<br />
<br />
And start your diet again the next day.<br />
<br />
Been there? Then you know that next day often occurs three months later.<br />
<br />
Can you tell how angry I am at myself?<br />
<br />
Tomorrow I am waking up and starting to eat Paleo once again, because according to all the testing I had done last summer, it is the way my body wants me to eat. <br />
<br />
So I'm back, writing again. Diet? Not again!http://www.blogger.com/profile/05781939335555806631noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1417472946092728113.post-24161294309688188372014-03-17T06:00:00.000-04:002014-03-17T06:00:01.734-04:00Easy to trick<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7ohCDTany2EmCxStEzBE2F8BApq6h56-Zw3x2uVeqflO-xwfR6Oug5GLeAvm1EFnuCgVechiIZmMGF32_4z1U4sZDI8WhDGMp8V2f-h_NOQn_ZWEzg4nuIVDey1zn1fp-kMGJaqKbTD0/s1600/100_8045.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7ohCDTany2EmCxStEzBE2F8BApq6h56-Zw3x2uVeqflO-xwfR6Oug5GLeAvm1EFnuCgVechiIZmMGF32_4z1U4sZDI8WhDGMp8V2f-h_NOQn_ZWEzg4nuIVDey1zn1fp-kMGJaqKbTD0/s1600/100_8045.JPG" height="130" width="320" /></a></div>
<h3>
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; font-weight: normal; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Two years ago, I spent a week at <a href="http://www.kripalu.org/index.php?device=c&network=g&matchtype=e&gclid=CNqJ18idkL0CFe1QOgod_DkAow" target="_blank">Kripalu Center for Yoga Health </a>learning all about mindful eating. It was a
magical, lovely week, and although I am still not anywhere near my goal weight,
some of the principles I learned that week have remained part of my daily life.</span></h3>
<h3>
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; font-weight: normal; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Mindful eating is all about paying attention to everything that goes into your mouth. To slow down. To concentrate on the food and how it tastes. To put your fork down between bites and chew your food thoroughly.</span></h3>
<h3>
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; font-weight: normal; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">When I returned from Kripalu, I started using a salad plate
for all my meals instead of a large dinner plate. Although I know I am not putting as much food on the salad plate, just the act of filling the plate to the rim with food makes me feel good.</span></h3>
<h3>
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; font-weight: normal; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">I just read another trick that I think
makes perfect sense: Ditch the large fork for the salad one. And while you’re
at it, eat with your non-dominant hand, for me, my left. I tried it last night
and boy does it work. Spearing food with my left hand is not a pretty sight. At times, I
was frustrated, but I persevered because it slowed down my eating. I sat at the table reminding myself that there was not reason to rush through my meal.</span></h3>
<h3>
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; font-weight: normal; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">So smaller – and slower – it is. </span></h3>
Diet? Not again!http://www.blogger.com/profile/05781939335555806631noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1417472946092728113.post-8174217120633117132014-03-13T15:03:00.004-04:002014-03-13T15:06:12.069-04:00Breaking the daily fast<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFxq-SpOi71pDjCVZRSrYIPF8XjoyeWjYXGcswL5O8Wx5qHDVpi80ItzrYlYbXjRrPSJ-kee9KR0rZ3fUvv5aGVKO5SWYO34zlc2q2FyfSy8q9xwkm9hUd6PbnwyRpQzzDoyEdTWkxB7w/s1600/cereal.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFxq-SpOi71pDjCVZRSrYIPF8XjoyeWjYXGcswL5O8Wx5qHDVpi80ItzrYlYbXjRrPSJ-kee9KR0rZ3fUvv5aGVKO5SWYO34zlc2q2FyfSy8q9xwkm9hUd6PbnwyRpQzzDoyEdTWkxB7w/s1600/cereal.jpg" /></a></div>
I have a love/hate relationship with breakfast. I am not a fan of eggs,
so scratch that breakfast. Cold cereals leave me, well, cold. I've
tried the Paleo way -- protein, and lots of it for breakfast -- but
although it filled me up, it wasn't for me.<br />
<br />
And my wheat allergy
cuts out a whole category of breakfast dishes that are appealing:
pancakes, waffles, English muffins, and on and on. <br />
<br />
I've been
reading a lot about dieting recently, and over and over again I find
research that says successful dieters always eat breakfast. There is
also research that suggests having the same breakfast day after day --
although it may sound boring -- is actually helpful because you don't
have to think about what to eat during the early-morning rush. <br />
<br />
So,
for the last four days, I have made a breakfast that takes 4 minutes
from start to finish, it's very filling, and I also like it. It's
probably not for everyone, but it works for me. Plus, I'm getting lots
of protein, key to keeping me sated through the morning.<br />
<br />
<b>MORNING CEREAL</b><br />
1 serving, 6 WW Points<br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>1/4 cup cream of rice </b><br />
<b>1 cup water</b><br />
<b>2 tsp. honey </b><br />
<b>1 tsp. cinnamon</b><br />
<b>1/4 tsp. ginger</b><br />
<b>1 banana, sliced </b><br />
<b>1/2 cup non-fat Greek yogurt</b><br />
<b>6 blackberries, halved </b><br />
<ul>
<li>Mix
cream of wheat, water and spices in a microwave safe bowl. Microwave on
high for 1 minute. Stir. Microwave another minute on high. Stir. Microwave on high 30 seconds. Stir.</li>
<li>Add
banana and yogurt, mix well, and stir. Top with blackberries and sprinkle on some more cinnamon
to make it not so white!</li>
<li>If you want it warm, return to microwave for 1 minute. If not, eat as is. </li>
</ul>
<br />
REPEAT DAILY! Or until I really can't stand it anymore....<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]-->Diet? Not again!http://www.blogger.com/profile/05781939335555806631noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1417472946092728113.post-80220148083015465772014-03-11T10:28:00.002-04:002014-03-11T10:30:11.365-04:00Yet again<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1B0f9mQCHG8K7nMaLXi2T1gPu9weX4ie7EkNPvw3a5Cu0AvyLf5s2Q5s3HIB-S_x8UORE9coyOzrI9CIGAzf3zCpn5p92fZYpCAUkj5gAF36zlhfM0vRgkvC4G2dF0RdYjcVydUMMtuo/s1600/images.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1B0f9mQCHG8K7nMaLXi2T1gPu9weX4ie7EkNPvw3a5Cu0AvyLf5s2Q5s3HIB-S_x8UORE9coyOzrI9CIGAzf3zCpn5p92fZYpCAUkj5gAF36zlhfM0vRgkvC4G2dF0RdYjcVydUMMtuo/s1600/images.jpg" /></a></div>
For months, I was eating terrific foods. But in January, something clicked, and all the foods I had avoided for months started calling. And calling they did. Even my fat clothes don't fit.<br />
<br />
So Monday, I finally got up the nerve to jump on the scale, and the result brought tears to my eyes: I am the heaviest I have ever been. Honestly, I didn't need the scale to tell me this. My knees ache. My shoulder hurts. My hands are cramping.<br />
<br />
My body has been telling me for weeks to knock off the junk food. Yesterday, I decided I better start listening.<br />
<br />
I joined Weight Watchers and started eating like a normal person yesterday. Of course, my noon salad was enough to feed six, but I figured ODing on greens is lots better than the candy, crackers, cookies and nuts that have been my go-to foods for months.<br />
<br />
So, I'm back. I'm enthusiastic, which is always the way I feel whenever I start eating well. It's keeping up the momentum that's key. <br />
<br />
And so, I write!Diet? Not again!http://www.blogger.com/profile/05781939335555806631noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1417472946092728113.post-90062186132158393732013-09-05T06:42:00.001-04:002013-09-05T06:43:34.268-04:00The sweet life<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Last night, at the end of a successful Day 1 on <a href="http://whole9life.com/category/whole-30/" target="_blank">Whole 30</a>, I decided that the gorgeous organic peach I picked up at the market would make a yummy little dessert.<br />
<br />
And boy did it!<br />
<br />
<br />
The peach was diced -- skin and all, kissed with a bit of fresh lemon juice, and lightly sauteed in a small pan with a tiny bit of coconut oil until a bit soft. Into a small baking dish it went.<br />
<br />
I mixed together a few chopped pecans with a little shredded coconut, and sprinkled this on top of the peaches. A few minutes under the broil -- to crisp the topping -- and it was done.<br />
<br />
No deprivation here! It was the perfect end to a wonderful day of clean eating. I could eat like this forever....Diet? Not again!http://www.blogger.com/profile/05781939335555806631noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1417472946092728113.post-64335366901293329912013-09-04T11:49:00.001-04:002013-09-04T11:49:40.083-04:00Whole 30!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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My decision to eat Paleo was not spur-of-the-moment. It came about gradually, but became a natural progression after -- with the help of my doctor, Tamara Sachs -- I discovered the foods my body can't tolerate.<br />
<br />
Today, I am taking my Paleo experience to a whole new level, starting the <a href="http://whole9life.com/category/whole-30/" target="_blank">Whole30 </a>-- 30 days of clean eating:<br />
<ul>
<li>Organic, grass-fed chicken, beef and pork</li>
<li>Wild fish</li>
<li>Organic fruits and veggies</li>
<li>Raw nuts and seeds </li>
<li>Good fats, such as avocado, ghee, coconut butter, nut butters and olives.</li>
</ul>
I will eat three meals a day, and skip snacks because I really don't need them when I eat well. And although some might argue that this way of eating is way too expensive, I actually save some money because I am not buying crap -- and crap takes it toll, financially and physically.<br />
<br />
The Whole30 concept is the brainchild of Dallas and Melissa Hartwig,who ask followers to think of the 30 days as a short-term nutritional reset, designed to help you
restore a healthy metabolism, heal your digestive tract, calm systemic
inflammation and put an end to unhealthy cravings, habits,and
relationships with food. <br />
<br />
The Hartwigs outline the 30-day program on their Web site, <a href="http://www.whole9life.com/">www.whole9life.com</a>. It's there for free, although I recommend their book, "<a href="http://www.amazon.com/s?ie=UTF8&field-keywords=It%20starts%20with%20food&index=blended&link_code=qs&sourceid=Mozilla-search&tag=mozilla-20" target="_blank">It Starts with Food</a>," a bargain at less than $14 on <a href="http://www.amazon.com/" target="_blank">Amazon</a>. They have no agenda, and although they think the way they eat is the best way possible, they understand that we are all human and have to eat in a way that works for us.<br />
<br />
But one sentence from the book keeps repeating in my mind:<br />
"You are what what you eat eats."<br />
<br />
Say that five times. And then think about it. If we eat meat, poultry and fish raised on genetically modified corn and soy and injected with hormones, we are eating those things as well. If we eat non-organic fruits and veggies, we are eating pesticides.<br />
<br />
I won't promise to post daily the next 30 days, but I will try. I am pumped. And I can't wait for Day 30 because I know I will feel terrific. I also plan on posting lots of recipes, because the more I cook, the better my chances of staying motivated.<br />
<br />
I am so looking forward to Oct. 2, the morning I wake up with 30 days of clean eating under my hopefully much-smaller belt!Diet? Not again!http://www.blogger.com/profile/05781939335555806631noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1417472946092728113.post-53465340707662091362013-09-02T11:24:00.000-04:002013-09-04T11:24:42.636-04:00My body knows best<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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For months I've taken one day at a time, recording what I eat daily, and then listening to my body tell me whether I made good food choices the day before. On days when I eat something that does not agree with me my sleep is restless, and in the morning my tummy aches and I feel as if I am in the throws of a mild hangover. That sums up how I feel today.<br />
The culprit: The chia pudding I made with coconut milk in a package, not the can. I was cleaning out my pantry yesterday, came upon a box, and immediately whipped up a batch of pudding, a great dessert after dinner, topped with some luscious berries. What I didn't do was read the ingredients on the box of coconut milk, which I did this morning. I was shocked by the unpronounceable items it includes, the stuff I have avoided for months.<br />
<br />
The experts always say to listen to your body, but before I felt as good as I do now, I had no idea what good felt like or that my body could tell me when I've eaten something that does not agree with me.<br />
<br />
For the past few months I have religiously read ingredients, and either tossed ones I shouldn't eat from my pantry or left them at the grocers. So why did the coconut milk stay? Along with the almond and rice milks in my pantry, I assumed they were nutritious. And you know what they say about making assumptions. <br />
<br />
Never again!<br />
<br />
<br />Diet? Not again!http://www.blogger.com/profile/05781939335555806631noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1417472946092728113.post-16493693779459497262013-08-27T14:32:00.002-04:002013-08-27T14:32:51.433-04:00Not so sweet<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I have long been an admirer of Anna Louise Gittleman, even though I cannot follow her Fat Flush Plan for more than a few weeks.<br />
<br />
But I love her newsletter because it is packed with valuable research. Her latest post concerns sugar, what she calls the greatest poison in our diet, linked to more than 60 sixty ailments,
including Type 2 diabetes, obesity, heart disease and Metabolic Syndrome.<br />
<br />
Go anyplace and just watch the fat people parade by. More than 30 million have Type 2 diabetes and another 70 million qualify as pre-diabetic. Although the reasons why we are fat are many, if we simply cut out sugar we would all see some great changes.<br />
<br />
I did two months ago, and I am not looking back. I thought it was going to be difficult to do, but honestly, once the first few days had passed, I haven't missed it at all. And it's not as if it hasn't been offered. But now when I think of eating that piece of wedding cake or cute little cupcake, I think about how crappy I felt just a few short months ago and how well I feel now.<br />
<br />
<br />
Gittleman talks about hidden sugars, the ones we have no idea we are eating. You'll find them in most processed foods, from packaged meats to soups to commercial salt. It's also in vitamins, aspirin, prescription and over-the-counter drugs and in cosmetics. <br />
<br />
She cites studies that have linked sugar and refined carbs to cardiovascular disease. For example, the Masai and Samburu tribes of East Africa suffer no heart disease even though their diet is composed of mostly meat and milk.<br />
<br />
And let's not forget sugar substitues -- artificial sweeteners and high-fructose corn syrup. Gittleman believes it's no coincidence that our cholesterol and triglyceride levels and our abnormal liver tests started escalating when HFCS began being slipped into much of our processed foods. <br /><br />
Why? Because our borides cannot metabolize HFCS, which skips right past the need for insulin production and goes right into our cells where it becomes an uncontrolled source of trouble to our organs. Since our bodies have no idea what HFCS is or what to do with it, it gets stored as fat.<br />
<br />
<br />
No wonder we are all singing the sugar blues!<br />
<br />
Diet? Not again!http://www.blogger.com/profile/05781939335555806631noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1417472946092728113.post-24005858744850591522013-08-23T09:04:00.000-04:002013-08-23T09:04:25.117-04:00Allergic to what?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<br />
Lentils. Beans. Eggs.<br />
<br />
We've been told for years to include all these in our diets, which I did. An egg for breakfast. Beans on my salad with the goal to eat vegetarian all day -- saving the meat, poultry and fish for dinner. Lentil soup before dinner, to fill me up before the main event.<br />
<br />
That was my diet for months. Unfortunately, I am intolerant to all three -- PLUS ! Throw all dairy and gluten into my new list of no-nos. I also lack any kind of B or D vitamins, although I have supplemented these two for decades.<br />
<br />
My allergy to all these foods is not the kind that has me grabbing an Epi pen and being rushed to the hospital. Mine is a food intolerance, which has caused me, in no particular order, to have:<br />
<ul>
<li>Inflammation throughout my body, including excruciating carpal tunnel</li>
<li>Insomnia</li>
<li>An 18-wheeler-sized tire around my waist</li>
<li>Exhaustion</li>
<li>Red eyes</li>
<li>Dull skin</li>
<li>High blood pressure. </li>
</ul>
For a week, the bad foods have been banished from my diet and I feel fantastic.<br />
<ul>
<li>More energy than I have had in years;</li>
<li>Nights of restful seven-hour sleep with no getting up three or four times to pee; </li>
<li>And the wheel around my waist, although still there, is more the size of a luxury car now. But hey, it's only been a week.</li>
</ul>
<br />
I always knew the role good food plays in a body. I never suspected that the foods I eat could play such a role in all that was ailing me -- and that it could happen so quickly.<br />
<br />
And I owe it all to Dr. Tamara Sachs, a functional medicine MD who doesn't treat symptoms. Instead, she's a doctor/detective, searching for the underlying issues of what is going on in your body.<br />
<br />
I am forever thankful I found that woman!<br />
<br />
<br /><br />Diet? Not again!http://www.blogger.com/profile/05781939335555806631noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1417472946092728113.post-86836737143665617262013-08-22T10:25:00.003-04:002013-08-22T10:25:53.058-04:00Nightmares<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL_MUrkTG1lUS5JRBQ_CQ3jOO0l_4OsuGbHHrzTyfmbs471xJwPuHDLn5TOYAYWSruHxZJA_a9FIwxFa-VyNZ2Pr4XSEL5WXn-upfn6P9_uJ_OMMz4-mfFhCjy-AgscdXOU10rb5ck4uw/s1600/25570bphomer-dreaming-of-doughnut-posters.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL_MUrkTG1lUS5JRBQ_CQ3jOO0l_4OsuGbHHrzTyfmbs471xJwPuHDLn5TOYAYWSruHxZJA_a9FIwxFa-VyNZ2Pr4XSEL5WXn-upfn6P9_uJ_OMMz4-mfFhCjy-AgscdXOU10rb5ck4uw/s320/25570bphomer-dreaming-of-doughnut-posters.jpg" width="222" /></a></div>
I have been eating really healthy for the past eight months, but about six weeks ago turned it up a notch and got <i>really</i> serious. I breeze through my days hardly ever tempted to eat something I know will upset my tummy, but once I fall asleep, things change.<br />
<br />
Every night I dream that I am chowing down on my old go-to comfort foods: Twizzlers. Pints of Ben & Jerry's. Nona's biscotti. I could go on.<br />
<br />
I've had these anything-but-sweet dreams for more than a week. Granted, when I wake up in the morning and discover it was a dream, the relief is huge and my commitment renewed.<br />
<br />
But why am I having these dreams? Turns out, they are totally normal and it is not my sub-conscious telling me that my willpower is weakening. In fact, one sage person in a blog says when you have these dreams, enjoy them. Revel in the tastes because they are costing you zero calories. Eventually they will go away, sort of like the dreams ex-students have that they missed a test. <br />
<br />
Can't wait to see what tonight's treat will be.Diet? Not again!http://www.blogger.com/profile/05781939335555806631noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1417472946092728113.post-16482278449529656822013-08-13T07:33:00.001-04:002013-08-22T10:07:51.510-04:00Fish tales<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfKv9Zzip2dzWoXT5B7Bm2LDMOchmlIF5tvrJGGwtlWD5TGqUv5gzaVg681walLycjzrDRQRG3a0r9na9FRlJ6qCCoqkH_ZQ1bVJvuSSpn8KLHbQBubVbp-Uvov9iqhdYy9s6pfvx30Cc/s1600/fish_logo_group.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="156" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfKv9Zzip2dzWoXT5B7Bm2LDMOchmlIF5tvrJGGwtlWD5TGqUv5gzaVg681walLycjzrDRQRG3a0r9na9FRlJ6qCCoqkH_ZQ1bVJvuSSpn8KLHbQBubVbp-Uvov9iqhdYy9s6pfvx30Cc/s320/fish_logo_group.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
I love fish. And once I found out that our local fish market was selling fish previously frozen, I decided to give the markets a try. I would seek out the fish not marked "previously frozen" because I had no idea when the market started the thawing process. For all I know, it could have been a week ago. And to me, that's not fresh.<br />
<br />
But what really galled me was that much of the fish I bought tasted, well, fishy. <br />
<br />
I started buying all our fish at Trader Joe's and Costco. The fish is frozen solid, I defrost it as needed, and the fish tastes like the ocean.<br />
<br />
Which is why I was very happy to see that Barton Seaver, director of the Healthy and Sustainable Food Program at the Center
for Health and the Global Environment at the Harvard School of Public
Health agrees with me. <br />
<div class="resize" id="actnow">
<br />
“The technology of freezing fish has evolved to the point where it’s
comparable to, if not better than, fresh fish,” Seaver told <a href="http://nutritionaction.com/">NutritionAction.com</a>.“Historically, seafood was frozen as a last-ditch effort to keep it
from spoiling. If fish wasn’t sold by Friday, it was frozen so it could
be sold when demand was up. So it was a crappy piece of fish to begin
with. But these days, fish is pulled from the water, filleted, and
frozen within hours. That sounds pretty good to me.”</div>
<br />
He goes on to talk about stores that sell previously frozen fish, which he says are "shortchanging the consumer of many benefits.f it’s frozen, it can stay in the freezer until you use it on your
schedule,” says Seaver. “Why thaw it and start the process of spoilage?
Retailers are playing to a taboo about frozen fish.”<br />
<span class="TabbedPanelsContentVisible" id="j_id268" style="display: block;"><span id="j_id268:DiscountsAllOffersAJAX"><span class="clubDealDescription"> </span></span></span><span class="TabbedPanelsContentVisible" id="j_id268" style="display: block;"><span id="j_id268:DiscountsAllOffersAJAX"><span class="clubDealDescription">So frozen it is.</span></span></span><span class="TabbedPanelsContentVisible" id="j_id268" style="display: block;"><span id="j_id268:DiscountsAllOffersAJAX"><span class="clubDealDescription"><br /></span></span></span><span class="TabbedPanelsContentVisible" id="j_id268" style="display: block;"><span id="j_id268:DiscountsAllOffersAJAX"><span class="clubDealDescription"><br /></span></span></span>Diet? Not again!http://www.blogger.com/profile/05781939335555806631noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1417472946092728113.post-25875802871746022052013-08-08T10:03:00.000-04:002013-08-08T10:03:27.521-04:00All about the scale!<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilMzd6W2OOtzCDbjTWZSzjouJ5yK_DriZQCAl3psL1o5jXA4X39yO8_vBjYYI6ek9XjwPmCR2CoZJEP_FcZ87cim6ulkdnzhKSW-J8a6Zn0MUgEki3FibQbsJUPtUprha1wuWxp7-JPak/s1600/going-scaleless.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilMzd6W2OOtzCDbjTWZSzjouJ5yK_DriZQCAl3psL1o5jXA4X39yO8_vBjYYI6ek9XjwPmCR2CoZJEP_FcZ87cim6ulkdnzhKSW-J8a6Zn0MUgEki3FibQbsJUPtUprha1wuWxp7-JPak/s1600/going-scaleless.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #3d3d3d; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;">One of my new fave Web
sites is Whole9, a community based on health, fitness, balance and sanity.
Although I embrace all four concepts, it’s the last one – sanity – to which I
relate the most.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #3d3d3d; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;">One of the most helpful
articles I have read on Whole9 is why we should take a hammer to our scales.
For anyone like me who struggles to lose pounds, this is one habit I am trying
to break. What follows are Whole9’s reason why the scale is woman’s worst
friend:</span></div>
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<li><span style="color: #3d3d3d; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="color: #3d3d3d; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;">Scale weight fluctuates, and over the day weight can fluctuate
by as much as five pounds. Seeing the number jump from one day to the next is
anything but inspiring. Weighing daily does nothing for the big picture.</span></li>
<li><span style="color: #3d3d3d; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"></span></span></span><span style="color: #3d3d3d; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;">Scale weight says nadda about health. Plenty of skinny people
are sick. Whole9 says that anyone can cut calorie count in half and exercise
for two hours daily to drop weight. But does that say you’re healthy? No. Plus,
your willpower will run out, you will start eating, and those numbers on the
scale will jump up. That number says little about your relationship with food,
hormones, digestive health or inflammatory status. </span></li>
<li><span style="color: #3d3d3d; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"></span></span></span><span style="color: #3d3d3d; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;">The scale blinds you to real results. Here, here! I have been
trying to fit into a dress for a wedding. A month ago it fit, but looked
horrid. Today, it looks fine, and I’ve only lost a few pounds. But my stomach
has decreased inches because of the way I am eating. Plus, I am sleeping
better, I have tons more energy, and I am just enjoying life more.</span></li>
<li><span style="color: #3d3d3d; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"></span></span></span><span style="color: #3d3d3d; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;">The scale keeps us stuck on food. We equate that number on the
scale with the food we eat. Actually, a sleepless night can add some weight,
but I never step on the scale and blame the higher number on lack of sleep. </span></li>
<li><span style="color: #3d3d3d; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"></span></span></span><span style="color: #3d3d3d; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;">The scale controls our self-esteem. Using a number to determine your
worth – which is what that number means to many of us – is just wrong. A daily
weigh-in can determine how the rest of your day goes. A little gain, and we’re
angry. I little loss, and we might just eat. </span></li>
</ol>
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<span style="color: #3d3d3d; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;">I think it’s time to
ditch my scale. Or at the very least hide it away and take it out on the first
day of every month. </span></div>
Diet? Not again!http://www.blogger.com/profile/05781939335555806631noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1417472946092728113.post-84516193642942156612013-07-23T17:32:00.000-04:002013-07-23T17:32:12.420-04:00Full circle<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsI8Tg1VE1wQOo2N86qIa64hrXlHIEzl57XolUIN-dghtGMGAAHEPdeRKqVyKfGZQN-zjakw3bIIzq1xi6cVKS0Koo9Zpldxw65QXRkHJw2cAKnVvSwiYY59nHmAeys0K8SGA4kUMpqVM/s1600/Paleo-Banner.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="87" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsI8Tg1VE1wQOo2N86qIa64hrXlHIEzl57XolUIN-dghtGMGAAHEPdeRKqVyKfGZQN-zjakw3bIIzq1xi6cVKS0Koo9Zpldxw65QXRkHJw2cAKnVvSwiYY59nHmAeys0K8SGA4kUMpqVM/s320/Paleo-Banner.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
After a week on my doctor's elimination diet, eating only fruits, vegetables (no nightshades), poultry, fish and lamb, nuts and seeds, beans, legumes and whole grains (except wheat, which I know I am allergic to), the scale remained stuck and my stomach still sported a double tire.<br />
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So I gave up beans, legumes and whole grains, which means I am eating Paleo, except I cannot eat eggs. And within five days I dropped seven pounds and my double-tire is beginning to deflate.<br />
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Amazing? I think so. I am also sleeping better, although I still wake up around 2, but within five minutes I am back asleep, averaging about seven hours a night. For those with no sleep issues this might not seem like such a big deal. Those with insomnia understand how monumental this really is.<br />
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What is so interesting is that I haven't once minded my diet. In fact, I am preparing some pretty fantastic dinners, and trying new foods at breakfast and lunch. The good news about Paleo is that the Internet is flooded with recipes, and the three Paleo cookbooks I own are becoming my bibles.<br />
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My husband, who has suffered through every diet I have been on, just asked me to do him one favor: Stick to this one this time. He never asked me that before, and I really don't want to let him down.Diet? Not again!http://www.blogger.com/profile/05781939335555806631noreply@blogger.com0