Appealing to My Palate

Kathryn J. Raths, LLC photo

I recently went to Las Vegas for a week, and even though what happens in Vegas is supposed to stay there, I inadvertently brought 3 pounds back with me. Remember that this adds to the 6 pounds I have maintained from a cruise I went on over the 2015 New Year; ouch!

At this point, considering the above, I needed to be more health conscious.

I started a detox by removing meat from my diet for 1 week. I realized the importance of protein, so I ensured I was still getting plenty of it in other forms.

I also started doing Jillian Michaels' BodyShred DVD program.

It has been 1 week, and I am incredibly sore from the 30-minute daily workout. I am happy to say I am 3.5 pounds lighter. I'm hopeful that the 2-month program will tone my body as I am in drastic need of this, and at the same time, my eating habits will improve significantly while I continue to shed the unhealthy pounds.

The busier I get, the less healthy I become. As my schedule picks up, I start to lose my health routine. This is a weak point for me that I have to improve upon. I can get back in shape and know how to make this happen. The work isn't for me, but it is feasible, and I can do it; I do not like to work out.

What is most discouraging is the upkeep; I have to figure out how to properly maintain the hard work I put into myself instead of being on the weight gain/weight loss roller coaster I seem to be riding.

How do I get off of this ride permanently?

The solution is through nutritional health and movement, but behavioral change is not easy, so I am working to encourage myself through it. If I eat some more plant-based meals, I can more easily create a routine that includes them.

It's the same with exercise. I do not like to workout and as long as I look at exercise as a negative, I am self-sabotaging my efforts. As I search for healthier foods, I'll try new activities and, hopefully, find something I really enjoy so the upkeep doesn't feel like torture.

How are you managing a healthy life? Share your successes and also the things that you are still in the process of trying to make work!

Bullied by the scale, continued...

Lifetime Art Impressions, LLC photo from the Dr. Oz show

Click on the below article link to obtain background information to this blog post:

Examiner article

For me, starting the year off on a cruise has gifted me extra pounds that I am still carrying with me. My schedule has changed dramatically because I am in the heart of my internship and adding these additional hours to a busy schedule already has caused me to burn the candle at both ends. Needless to say, this has meant eating on the run with unhealthier choices, less sleep and less time to go to the gym. Of course this scenario is not manifesting more energy so I’m left feeling drained and this is not a good recipe for health.

I am not beating myself up for this but I do realize, it’s time for a healthier change!

Like I said in the article, I like the options offered on the Dr. Oz show because it gives us choices and a bit of flexibility.

Eventually, I would like to have all of the options implemented into my diet but I know this isn’t realistic to embrace all at once. What I have also learned is that we all need to build in a break into our diets, so If I’m choosing healthier choices 5 days a week, it is okay to gift myself a weekend off. I might fall off the wagon for 2 days but the fall is minimal compared to my old unhealthy choices.

What has been working for you? Are you stepping into Spring healthier than you stepped into the winter or are you like me and carrying more weight?

Remember, we are all work in progress. It’s not worth stressing ourselves over this stuff 24 hours a day, 7 days a week because the chemicals released in our bodies by stress will cause us to hold onto to weight. The message in the article is that it is necessary to let go of scale anxiety because it is causing the whole weight loss/weigh in process to work against you!

Shrink your belly fat, continued...

Click on the below article link to obtain background information to this blog post:

Examiner article

With each day of my detox, today closes # 20, along with my daily gym workout, my belly is starting to look acceptable to me again.  I am 43 years old and I think the last time I was okay with my stomach, I was probably in my late twenties.  So, my efforts are starting to pay off for me.

As a reminder, the 30-day detox, which I wrote about when I started it, is helping me figure out which foods trigger inflammation and indigestion.  Any weight loss is a bonus.  I miss everything but I've been a trooper as I've sacrificed much for this cause.  On day 31, I'm trying to figure out what I miss most so I can start by putting that food group back into my diet.  It might just be my Starbucks, Chai tea with extra foam.  Yummy!

As far as the 3 supplements discussed in the article, I will be trying all of them in March once my detox is part of the past!

Tell me about your trials and tribulations with weight loss, I would love to understand what has worked for you.

Add spring to your step, continued...

Lifetime Art Impressions, LLC photo

Click on the below article link to obtain background information to this blog post:

Examiner article

Okay, I'm just like most everyone else when it comes to stepping it up with the weather change. I love the sunshine and by just feeling a bit of it, it helps to motivate my exertion level. I also love checking out new areas. My boyfriend is supportive so when I put a map in front of him, off we go!

As of the last couple of weeks, I've been quite lethargic. I'm been fighting a throat virus and I feel like I'm finally on the tail end of it. Needless to say, my energy has been very low. I gave myself a break from my health routine during the month of February. To date I've lost 19 pounds. If you've been following my progress, my number should be rounding 25 instead of 20 but, like I said, I gave myself a break from the rigors of my own rules. I set a goal to lose 5 pounds per month starting November of last year. I'm happy with my progress. This number wasn't aggressive but I knew if I just kept at it, it would add up.

My next challenge is to keep myself from backtracking too much next month while on a cruise with my family. I'm an avid cruiser and I've gained as much as 8 pounds during past cruises. YIKES, I've got to work hard to avoid this!

I'll keep you posted. Drop me a note and let me know how you're doing, I would love to know!

Yoga, use of balance, continued...

Click on the below article link to obtain background information to this blog post:

Article link

I finally put in a Yoga DVD I received as a gift for Christmas this past year.

I'm sitting here typing this blog post with very sore muscles everywhere. The most prominent areas, my shoulders, arms, neck and even my jaw. I feel like I have whip-lash. I must have an extremely heavy head and I think I was clinching my teeth together while trying to attempt the poses:( During the session the instructor kept saying to smile. I wasn't to receptive to this but perhaps my jaw wouldn't be so sore had I given the smile bit a shot!

My doctor recommended I try it to correct my posture and to cure the hump I'm starting to develop at the top of my spine. I know it is good for me and I'll continue to attempt it. I'm sure with time I'll get better! Who would have thought yoga was so hard?

What are you doing to keep yourself in shape? Let me know.