2 Weeks on the Nutrition Plan

When I started Cameron (My nutritionist) told me that before we can even deal with the weight, we have to increase my energy. Currently I am suffering from severe arthritis pain in my knees and my back. I can't walk very much which limits my exercise, and I am so tired all the time. So this made sense to me. What was very educational was learning the effect that carbs, sugar and preservatives can have on a woman's body hormonally and with regard to energy levels. So my first challenge was to cut out the sugar, eliminate the starches..bread, rice, potatoes etc. I will post more factual information on this later, but what I am beginning to understand its affect on my blood sugar levels. Two weeks now, and I don't feel so uncomfortable after I eat. I don't have the racing palpitations after eating pizza or bread. I can't say that my energy levels have improved yet, but I can see the importance of having a schedule and slowly incorporating new habits. My last post told of my first three challenges. This week I am to:

1) Add 4 cups of greens into my diet. The vegetables are to be greens from the top 10 greens for women. Kale, Artichoke, Dandelion Greens, Asparagus, Spinach, Swiss Chard, Cabbage, Arugula, Broccoli and celery. Its amazing how many nutrients are in these top 10 vegetables.

I get two cups of greens out of the way really quick by adding them to my protein drink in the morning. It turns the shake green but there isn't any taste to it, and then I know I have gotten in at least 2 cups. I love vegetables so its easy to incorporate. Another option is Barlean's Greens, a powder that you can add to a shake, but for me the Kale works great, and adds more fiber.

In my meeting with Cameron we evaluated my progress. Looking at it now, I didn't do too bad. I think getting my schedule down to eating every four hours and not eating anything after 7:30 was probably the most challenging. I don't have children, my husband and I get home very late, and we eat big dinners.

But, I have adjusted to it as I am learning that if its too work, I have to believe in it. The meetings every two weeks are good for me. It makes my want to fill out the food journals so that we have something to review in order to see areas I need to improve.

Some tips:

1) Yogurt has too much sugar. If you eat yogurt, eat Greek unflavored yogurt and add fresh fruit.
2) If you have difficulty thinking up something to eat, think protein and vegetables first.
3) Your body metabolism is highest in daylight. This is when you should be eating.

Highs and Lows of Bad Eating Habits.

I hired a holistic nutritionist today. After losing 100 pounds with gastric bypass surgery, and still holding on to bad eating habits, I decided it was time to learn something about my health. I began the nutrition journey this year because I refuse to go another year being labeled obese. I don't want to be overweight, I don't want to be rail thin. I do want to be healthy. I want to be able to climb mountains with my nephews and not worry about falling. I want to be able to hold a baby on my lap and not get winded while playing a game of freeze tag. So today the journey began.

I researched the options, and found someone that I feel is a good match for me. Someone who will call me on the carpet when I beat myself up, or don't admit to my mistakes. Someone who will be there when I need to talk it out, and not let me off the hook when I steer off the plan.

I have three challenges 1) to increase my energy levels, 2) to lose weight and 4) to find a routine that will work for me with my work and personal schedule.

Interestingly she told me that as women age, one of the biggest challenges we face is our energy. I have felt exhausted over the past three years, and I blamed it on all the weight I was carrying around. Don't get me wrong, the weight does slow me down, but she assured me that by eating right and following a few simple rules, I can get my energy levels more regulated.

The first three rules I have for this journey: 1) No sugar. 2) No breads 3) Eat every four hours and nothing after 7:30pm. The weight will probably not come off until I get this routine down, and the plan is to develop a discipline of healthy eating so that each week we can incorporate new goals into the mix. Let's see how it goes.

What to look for when choosing a nutritionist? For me, I went to a website that offers nutritionists by city. I read through the biographies and credentials and narrowed my search to 5 possible coaches. I then sent an email requesting more information. I narrowed the search down then by the response or lack of response, whether they provided a free initial consultation, and the resources they offered. To me cost was important, but I opted for a little higher cost based on the level of service I received from the beginning. Cameron Rupprecht in Alexandria, VA offered experience, compassion and was excellent with follow through. When I talked to her I felt she was really listening to me and developing a program that was personalized for me specifically.

She didn't expect me to "do it all at once" but developed a series of small goals over the course of the first week. Every two weeks a new discipline was added. I will post more as I go. If you feel classified as obese, and want to participate in a place where you get support and encouragement in a non threatening environment, please join me and feel free to share your story here. My goal is to change the way America treats the obese, one person at a time.

My Three Things Today

As promised, each day will begin with my three things:
1) Go out for a walk at lunch time.
2) Make three past due phone calls: Carmax, the Dermatologist, Dr.Office (bill)
3) Cancel Moisturizer order at $87 a pop! Who needs a month of moisturizers for $87 a month, okay, this was a week moment kind of thing. I was feeling old, my face was feeling old. I was in a "depressed" watch television kind of spirit. So they got me for one month. Let's not make it a year!

Well, today has started out like any other day. I woke up feeling achy, sore, tired and I have to go to work. I work for a living. It pays the bills, it provides me with the oppportunity to make foolish purchases like the moisturizer up there at the top of my Three Things list. Lately, I have been looking at the money I make and realizing that I want it to go to better things. I want it to be able to provide for me long after I stop working. Early retirement would be nice thing. Can it be done? I think there is a way but first I have to get a handle on the spending. I have to quit spending. How can I do that? I love to spend as much as I love to eat, and its not often on myself, its for others.

Yesterday I was craving donuts (bad on two counts). First I wanted Krispy Creme donut (if that isn't two fat hips waiting to expand) and Second, I wanted to buy them for the company. Bring in a dozen for everyone. Now that may noat seem like a large expense, but I am always thinking of ways to spend money unnecessarily. Would you believe that yesterday, one of the girls came in with donuts. FOR HERSELF. Not to share, just to eat. Two of them FOR HERSELF. Now I can't comment on why she needed two, but I started thinking about what constitutes healthy behavior? Was she wrong for not thinking about everyone else in the company? Not at all.

So here is the lesson. I don't have to be all things to all people. It doesn't matter if everyone loves me, likes me or wants to be my friend. I need to focus on three things that will define who I am: God, My Husband, My family. It may not be the same three priorities for you. It doesn't matter, just put yourself first. The rest will come. I believe it will.