Friday, December 24, 2010

Merry Everything!

Just a quick post on Christmas Eve to wish everyone a happy healthy and abundant Christmas!

I am back in the gym with full workouts and it feels great! I went back to my trainer on Wednesday. We started out with a mild workout keeping my head higher than my heart. It felt great to feel "normal". This morning, I saw her again and did a full on rigorous flat- out workout, still keeping my head up. The surgery site is still a little tender. It is only 2.5 weeks post-surgery, so I am being a little careful to still protect it. Having said that, it was AWESOME to work up a huge sweat and leave the gym winded and dripping!

Tomorrow morning, Christmas morning, Allen and I will go to the beach for a walk and include 5 sets of the big stairs south of Swami's. It will be a great way to get the blood flowing before enjoying Christmas calories!

I hope each of you finds a way to enjoy these special days! Whatever you do, please spend a few moments in reflections for all the blessings in our lives!

Desire to be grateful. Dedication to seeking true fulfillment. Discipline to keep up the calorie burn amidst the holiday indulgences!

Saturday, December 18, 2010

Indulge, Celebrate, Enjoy, Rejoice!

It is the week before Christmas,
and all through day,
not a carrot was shredded,
not even my way.

The food plan was hung,
by the juicer with care,
in hopes that Miss Patty,
soon would be near.

On cookie, on cocktail, on truffle she called
takes small tastes of everything,
Just enjoy them all.

Now don't forget cardio, yoga and weights,
it all helps with the excess
we have on our plates!

The New Year will dawn
all shiny with hope,
all discipline restored
for those who don't mope!

Desire to indulge, celebrate, enjoy and rejoice in the season! Dedication to counting our blessing for such abundance in our llives! Discipline to smile at every person you see!

Saturday, December 11, 2010

Could It Be That Easy???

I have dropped 3 pounds since Tuesday (when I had my surgery).....all because I am juicing and only eating soft foods that require no chewing, like scrambled egg whites or applesauce or the inside of a baked yam or fat free frozen yogurt. So I have shed my Thanksgiving gain of 2 pounds plus one.

I am restricted from moving my upper lip until the stitches come out so that means minimal talking, chewing, no smiling or laughing and no exercise (or anything else that is really fun!). Beginning Wednesday, I can begin light exercise like walking for a week and then resume my full fitness regime.

So, I have not exercised since Tuesday morning. I was full of anxiety over the procedure and couldn't sleep so I was up and at the gym at 5 am before going to the doctor. So, I repeat, no exercise and I have dropped 3 pounds....obviously it is because I am not eating much.

CAN IT BE THAT EASY??? If you want to weigh less, just eat less! By cracky, I think I have stumbled on to something! :-) Of course, I am joking, but it does give me pause to think about where I am in my journey.

I am a HUGE proponent of execise because it does so much to make you so much healthier - blood presure, cholesterol, cardiovascular health, glowing skin, firm muscles, happy moods and so much more! But I think that food restriction might be a stronger element in dropping weight.

This has been a good lesson about how much my body needs to sustain itself. Since before the surgery, my laser focus has been on excellent nutrients into my body to promote stronger healing. Since I am required to be still, I have required fewer calories, but still of a very high quality. My body seems to like it because my healing is progressing well and, as I said already, I dropped a few pounds.

Once I resume my walking and then full fitness schedule schedule, I will need to increase my calories, but maye, just maybe, I have broken through my months long plateau and will continue on!

Desire to be open to life's lessons. Dedication to listening to what God may be whispering in my ear. Discipline to apply the beauty of the learning.

Sunday, December 5, 2010

A New Source of New-trition!

I began juicing to increase the phytonutrients in my body to set myself up for positive healing following my surgery this Tuesday. There is all sorts of research that says that juicing increases our ability to heal...so I bought a juicer, loaded up on organic produce and started! It is fun! It is delicious! It is filling! I replace one meal a day with fresh organic juice. Yesterday at lunch I had beet and apple juice - delicious! Breakfast has been tomato, celery, spinach, celery and carrot - YUM-O! I realize there are calories, so I just incorporate them into my daily nutrition.

I bought the Jack Lalane juicer ( I am not trying to sell you one!). I am pleased with the performance. It has a pulp catcher. The instructions from the machine suggest saving the pulp and cooking with it. So far, I made a turkey meatloaf with vege pulp mixed in. I loved it! Truth in advertising - my hubbie did not love it. He ate it, but did not ask for it to be made again. :-) Tonight, I will stir vege pulp into my homemade turkey soup (from the Thanksgiving carcass). It is supposed to add a fullness to the clear broth. I look forward to the experiment.

Apple pulp tastes delicious all by itself - almost applesauce! Carrot pulp bakes right into muffins, although I have not baked muffins yet. Same with zucchini pulp.

Of course, I try to balance the vege and fruit carbs with lean protein. The vege juices have fewer carbs/sugars than the fruit juices.

LMK if you have experience with juicing! I would love to hear your thoughts!

Desire to heal quickly and completely. Dedication to follow through with a new nutrition element. Discipline to clean the juicer after every use! :-)