Bye Bye Booty

Counting my birthday blessings

2010-05-12T21:07:00.000-07:00

Today is my 34th birthday and it was humbling, quiet and amazing. I spent most of the day at chemotherapy with my father. Afterward, picked up my daughter from school and we had a quiet dinner with my husband at home. There were no flashy gifts or big parties, just a peaceful day of reflection and family bonding.

Although I am saddened by my father's very challenging and debilitating fight against cancer, I couldn't help thinking how his journey humbles and inspires me through his strength and ability to remain a humble student of life. He could be angry, but he isn't. He is poised as he moves forward, determined to conquer the cancer that lurks inside of him. My father's courage to forge forward also inspired me to meditate about what a healthy life means to me. I have a passion for nutrition even though following the straight and narrow path of proper food nourishment in a world of crooked paths is very difficult for me. I recognize I have a food addiction and I also recognize that the addiction will speed the degeneration of my body and my spirit if I don't change. My goal today and through the weekend (and ultimately life) is to really learn how to meditate on my food intake as a blessing, as a source of nourishment, as a path to health and life.

My 15-year-old daughter asked me to snuggle with her tonight (something that doesn't happen often in these teenage years) and it warmed my heart. Lying with her as she fell asleep filled my heart with so much love and joy and I remembered how desperately I want to be the best mother, and someday grandmother, I can be in this life. I want to go to the beach with my daughter and play volleyball, to get on the floor with my grandchildren someday and play and giggle and laugh, to encourage a healthy, active lifestyle that she will emulate with her own family as an adult. These things are very important to me. I must believe I am capable of achieving a happy and healthy body so that I can better project my happy heart.

Today I am counting my birthday blessings and promising myself a life of health and happiness.

I've been a bad, bad girl

2010-05-11T19:48:00.000-07:00

So...I completely fell off the wagon. I don't want to admit it and that's why I haven't posted in eight days. Gosh...8 days!!!! It gets away from you so fast. My husband I did really great for the first week, but we were having a hard time eating so much salad, so we were tired and very hungry. I was up to five lbs. weight loss and then...We went to the happiest place on earth. Yep folks, Disney World. The land of corn dogs, turkey legs, burgers, fries, churros, cotton candy...well, you get the picture. Then the following day was Mother's Day and that required a very large, very delicious brunch. I'm afraid I'll be chubby forever. Uggghhh. It's very frustrating and what is worse is that it's my very own fault. I'm going to give it another shot. I think this time I'm going to take it a bit slower and work my way to the more strict plan. I so hope I can do it.

Quick Hello!

2010-05-02T22:01:00.000-07:00

I just wanted to drop in and say that my husband and I are going strong with the ETL diet!!! I'll post pics and details tomorrow. I made a raw food dessert (awesome!!!) and have lost some pesky punds! I can't wait to share it tomorrow. Off to bed now. Sweet, or rather--leafy green, dreams to all!

Day 1-- (Sigh) I want cheese.

2010-04-29T17:37:00.000-07:00

Today was Day 1! I went to the local farmer's market yesterday and bought $53.00 in fruits and vegetables. Geez louise! The lady in line behind me looked at me like I was a little wacky. I certainly got my money's worth. I bought apples, oranges, pineapple, coconut, watermelon, cantaloupe, mangoes, boston lettuce, romaine, spinach, cherry tomatoes, onions, jalapenos, cucumber, broccoli, mushrooms and celery. Man, oh man! Lots of produce. My husband and I spent most of the day cleaning the refrigerator and cutting up vegetables to organize for quick access.

Here is a breakdown of the 6 week plan I am using to jumpstart my weight loss:

Eat to Live 6-Week Plan

UNLIMITED (eat as much as you want):

•all raw vegetables, including raw carrots (goal: 1 lb. daily)

•cooked green vegetables (goal 1 lb. daily)

•beans, legumes, bean sprouts, or *tofu (minimum 1 cup daily in total of these)

•fresh fruit (at least 4 daily).

•eggplant, mushrooms, peppers, onions, tomato and other non-starchy vegetables, cooked and raw (unlimited)

*Beans should be eaten daily; tofu should be eaten less frequently.

LIMITED (not more than one serving):

•cooked starchy vegetables OR whole grains–Maximum 1 cup per day (butternut or acorn squash, corn, sweet potato, brown rice, cooked carrots, whole grain breads*, whole grain cereals*)

•raw nuts and seeds (1 oz. or 28.5 grams a day) or 2 ounces avocado

•ground flaxseed (1 tablespoon a day)

•soymilk, low-sugar preferred–Maximum 1 cup a day

*avoid breads and cereals as much as possible

OFF-LIMITS:

•dairy products

•animal products

•between meal snacks

•fruit juice, dried fruits

•salt, sugar

NUTS and RAW SEEDS, but not ground flax, are optional for obese or overweight persons while they follow this weight loss plan. People who have difficulty losing weight may also eliminate the starchy vegetable/grain.

So, how do I feel so far? Not great. I knew I was eating unhealthy and drinking way too much diet soda, but I didn't realize how much. I have felt like someone ran over me with a van, got out and beat me with a hammer and then kicked me in the head. Yep, that's how I feel! I just keep reminding myself: detox, detox, detox. Here is today's menu:

Breakfast: 2 cups of mixed fresh fruit

Lunch: A large salad with lots of fresh veggies, a handful of sunflower seeds and a water-based italian dressing

Dinner: 1 cup black-eyed peas, 1 cup organic wild rice, raw veggies.

Snacks: Fresh fruit and raw veggies

The veggies and fruit are allowed in unlimited quantities, so I have been loading up on those today. I have an awful headache and I am so disoriented that I almost brushed my teeth with icey-hot, but I have faith this will pass :). Here are my stats:

Weight: 178.4 lbs.

Chest: 39 inches

Waist: 35 inches

Hips: 45 inches

I've decided these are the only measurements I will follow. I'm not too concerned with my wrist and neck circumference! Day 1 is almost over! I'm hoping tomorrow will be better.

P.S. My husband breezed through today on the same regimen. I want to poke him in the eye!

Happy Birthday Adaire!

2010-04-28T19:58:00.000-07:00

My beautiful daughter turned 15 today. We spent a wonderful day together getting her learner's driving permit, shopping, laughing and enjoying our blessings. I am so thankful for this beautiful day and my incredible family. Happy Birthday angel!

Raw foods?

2010-04-27T09:34:00.000-07:00

I finished the book! That means stats will be up soon. I plan on starting the diet on Thursday. Then it's 185 days of pure veggie goodness. It appears there are several other blogs of Eat To Live followers. Oh well, I am just one more health warrior and proud of it! I am considering going completely raw in the future. Any raw foodies out there? I'll be back on Thursday to begin this exciting, anxiety-producing, enlightenment-seeking, necessary journey. Check out some YouTube videos on Angela Stokes. She also has a website, rawreform.com. She is a pretty amazing person. Have a fantastic day! Could there me any more exclamation points in this post?! I must be excited.

This nutrition stuff is serious business

2010-04-26T11:15:00.000-07:00

I'm still reading, reading, reading and getting pretty nervous. As I get closer to the section about the actual diet (I've been peeking ahead here and there), I'm realizing this guy means business. The first six weeks of this diet is hardcore. Greens, veggies, and fruit. Not much more. No wonder he has you read the entire book first and puts the diet at the end. The first half of the book shares one medical study after another that tells us how truly miserable the American diet is. I have to admit, I'm embarrassed that we make such horrible food choices considering we are are supposed to be a highly developed country and have unprecedented, convenient access to whole foods. Dr. Fuhrman certainly does his homework and cites every single bit of it. I'm still convinced this is the way to go, but it isn't going to be easy. I keep reminding myself that I quit smoking after fifteen years. I can do this.

My father has stage IV lung lung cancer than spread from a tumor on the base of his tongue. He is in his second round of chemotherapy and not feeling great. I am inspired by his strength. He still insists on complete independence, even claiming that there is no room for me at chemo and he is okay by himself (a scenario that makes me sad because he is there alone). I respect his fight for independence and freedom. His fight reminds me that I can fight for my own health by lowering my own cancer risk through nutrition. I want to honor his strength by being strong myself.

Because of my dad's cancer, I have delved even further into the nutrition world, watching documentaries and reading blogs as well as case studies whose arguments for nutrition as a weapon against cancer are incredibly convincing. The body is a miracle and I'm realizing I must give it the opportunity to heal by giving it proper nutrition. Sorry folks, that excludes fast food and processed food which makes up 90% of many of our diets. I watched Kris Carr's documentary Crazy, Sexy Cancer. If you have someone you know or love who has cancer, this is a must-see documentary. Even if cancer is not in your life, it is an eye opener in regard to nutrition and overall well-being.

So, that's where I am. Still reading, still learning. There are so many fantastic resources out there. I am more ready than ever to get started!

Olive oil is that bad???

2010-04-23T19:03:00.000-07:00

I lied. No stats today. I'm sure you are terribly sad that you won't get to read my robust measurements; but do not fret, I am eating more pie in anticipation of D(iet)-Day. In fact, I was reading and eating pie at the same time today. I'd say that is a strikingly obvious image that I indeed have food issues. So Joel Fuhrman, M.D., author of Eat To Live and my new diet guru, says I cannot begin the diet until I have read the entire book; so I have been reading diligently (while eating pie, as previously mentioned). There were a few key points that stood out for me and I wanted to share them.

First, let me say that this book does not necessarily push vegan diet, as I have mentioned I will be following. It does indicate, from what I have read so far, that a primarily vegetarian diet is best; but the diet plan offers a meal plan that includes animal protein and dairy. It's up to you which path you choose to take. I'm going to use a vegetarian plan, but adapt it to a vegan plan (which the book mostly uses anyway). I have read the intro and Chapters 1 and 2 so far, and each is primarily an informational, why-this-crap-is-bad-for-you background. I was already convinced, so Dr. Fuhrman doesn't need to convince me; but I must admit, I am surprised by the information he provides. I want to share some of the "who knew?" excerpts with you:

First of all, the doc says that you shouldn't start the lifestyle plan if you aren't committed. He writes, "When you get married, does the religious figure or justice of the peace ask, 'Do you swear to give this person a try?'"(9). Preach it doc! He is so right. I am definitely the gal who is always giving it a try instead of getting it done when it comes to dieting. Screw that! I'm done with trying, so count me in.

"The 1992 Bogalusa Heart Study, which studied aoutopsies performed on children killed in accidental deaths...confirmed the existence of fatty plaques and streaks (the beginning of athersclerosis) in most children and teenagers" (19). This one breaks my heart.

A slow metabloic rate means you will age slower, which is a good (no, great) factoid. So for those of you depressed about a slow metabolic rate, know that if you get your nutrition in check, you will be skinny and young forever-- or at least until you aren't ;). To quote Dr. Fuhrman, "Those with a genetic tendency to [be] overweight may actually have the genetic potential to outlive the rest of us" (29). Heck yeah! At least we have something going for us!

Even whole wheat pasta and whole wheat bread are processed/refined foods. In other words, not the best food choice (31-34). Who knew? Not me.

More fat= More insulin production= more storage of fat= more insulin= more storage of fat. Think compound interest, but with fat cells (38).

Lastly, olive oil is not the miracle fat we think it is. We get really mixed messages about healthy fats. The good doctor says that only healthy (a.k.a. not fat) people who exercise regularly should use this healthy fat. He writes, "Olive oil...can be stored on your body within minutes, without costing the body any caloric price; it is just packed away (unchanged) on the hips and waist. If we biopsied your waist fat...we could actually see where the fat came from...as it was in the original food" (40). Darn. I thought olive oil was good. I've been using it like a mad woman and now I have olive oil abs. Great.

I promise I won't use this blog to regurgitate this book, but I thought these facts were pretty darn interesting. I will continue to read, anticipating the the start of the 185 day countdown to an itty-bitty booty.

The book has arrived!

2010-04-22T20:27:00.000-07:00

My husband came home about 5 pm this afternoon after having to drive 20 miles to the next city to get the Eat To Live book for me. He is so sweet and I am so excited! I've just started reading it, so no Ghandi-like wisdom yet, but I will share as soon as I have some.

On a more shameful note, my husband and I went out for our "last" fattening meal before the big diet. Keep in mind, we do this almost every week and never start the diet. The few times we have been successful have lasted no more than two months or so. We were so very bad with our food choices: Smoked, melted mozzarella cheese with bread, bread sticks, cheese-laced salad, chicken and gnocchi soup, and fried lasagne (yes friends, you read that correct, fried lasagne). We could barely walk when we left. We really don't eat like this regularly. We do make good choices sometimes, but these meals are happening more and more frequently.

In summary, we were bad, bad eaters tonight. But I am making a vow, for real this time damnit, to make a change! No more jiggly dairy jello for me (translated-cheese bowl)! I'll post body/ weight stats tomorrow. Ughhh. Not looking forward to that little tid bit. Here's food for thought (ba-dum-bum): This is the pic that started it all. This was about two years ago. Since this pic, I lost twenty pounds, had back surgery, and regained twenty-five pounds and probably more...I'll see tomorrow! The photographer tagged me in this photo on my facebook page and I realized how much I hated this booty shot. I've made my piece with the booty and I am ready to send it on its way...bye bye booty!

Ready to let you go Big Booty

2010-04-22T11:52:00.000-07:00

Okay. So I here I am, 33, and I have accepted I am afflicted with a big booty. Not a naturally bodacious, embrace-your-beauty kind of booty, but the kind sculpted and grown by nurturing it with pizza, cookies, chocolate, cheese and all of the other stuff that is so easy to consume all too often. I know eating these things is not good for me. I think most of us are now aware of the SAD diet (Standard American Diet). I have loved this diet so with all of its evil little processed and oh-so-divine monsters; but, alas, I must say goodbye to its lying ways.

I have spent several years researching the best way to eat. There are so many opinions and I suppose one must find what will work best for him/her. But what I have found is that I love the idea of cleansing my chubby body and replacing it with the fruits, vegetables and whole grains this beautiful earth produces for us. I spent a year as a pescatarian (which I claimed, in denial, was a vegetarian diet). I ate seafood, dairy, and fruits and vegetable and lots of yummy processed food. Yes, BBQ chips are vegetarian and I can eat them if I want. Did I metion the denial?

So after reading many books, I have decided to go vegan. I know there are naysayers who will not agree; but, for me, I think it is the answer. For my spirit, for my body and for my booty, it is the answer to healthier, slimmer and happier days. This blog is a challenge for me. I think if I reach out to all of you in the great, big world, I will feel more compelled not to fail you. Not that you care that much about me, but I think pretending that you do will help. So I am starting with Joel Fuhrman's book, Eat To Live. In fact, my husband is en route with the book as we speak: the holy grail of small bootydom...I hope. The goal is six months of total commitment, no matter what. I will document my moans and groans, triumphs and celebrations and any other revelations here, for all the world to see (or maybe just my friends who I make subscribe to it) and if all goes well, I will acheive a smaller booty. Of course, I hope for much more than that. Enlightment, health, energy, happiness and athleticism are all in the wish box as well. I am hoping for a better me. I'll outline the details as soon as the book arrives for anyone who might want to follow along or try the challenge with me.

Wish me luck!