I haven't been checking in here the past few days, but I've been doing well. Sticking to the plan pretty well. When I "must" have something not on plan, I've been having it with dinner. Walking and yoga for exercise.
And Wow. I sure love meat and it makes me feel good for a long time after eating it. That's a new discovery since I started eating this way. I still feel a little guilty about loving it, but more on that on a different day.
Have a lovely weekend, all!!
B.
Saturday, May 30, 2009
Monday, May 25, 2009
Friday, May 22, 2009
intake
2 fried eggs, 2 pc bacon
8 shrimp, salad greens, olive oil
slice cheese, slice ham
1 peach, 4 strawberries
grilled salmon, bison brat with bbq sauce, asparagus, radish and sunchoke
1 light beer
ice cream cone
No exercise today.
8 shrimp, salad greens, olive oil
slice cheese, slice ham
1 peach, 4 strawberries
grilled salmon, bison brat with bbq sauce, asparagus, radish and sunchoke
1 light beer
ice cream cone
No exercise today.
Thursday, May 21, 2009
business
Today promises to be crazy busy, so I'll just do my food plan here.
Plain yogurt with a kiwi and apple
chicken and spinach saute with olive oil
apple and almond butter
buffalo brat, beef patty and a mountain of greens. olive oil.
3 glasses wine
small ice cream cone
I won't have time to work out.
Plain yogurt with a kiwi and apple
chicken and spinach saute with olive oil
apple and almond butter
buffalo brat, beef patty and a mountain of greens. olive oil.
3 glasses wine
small ice cream cone
I won't have time to work out.
Wednesday, May 20, 2009
better already
Yesterday, I did yoga class and ate 100% on plan (see side bar "simple plan"). For the past few days I have been feeling total crap, but today, I woke up a new person. Great sleep, energy, positive attitude. Amazing what proper exercise and diet will do so quickly. I can't imagine how I'll feel after 6 weeks of this. That's what I want to find out!!
Today's menu:
chicken with greens, walnuts and raisins. A little ranch dressing on it all.
fresh raspberries and plain yogurt
chicken-veggie soup
asparagus and spinach saute with olive oil
apple
Today, I walked around the lake. It is hot and windy today. Very sunny. Pure bliss.
Today's menu:
chicken with greens, walnuts and raisins. A little ranch dressing on it all.
fresh raspberries and plain yogurt
chicken-veggie soup
asparagus and spinach saute with olive oil
apple
Today, I walked around the lake. It is hot and windy today. Very sunny. Pure bliss.
Tuesday, May 19, 2009
Breakthrough
whine/rant alert: you've been warned.
Why is it so hard for me to stick to this plan? I think I know the answer. I'm used to using food for comfort, distraction and stress relief. My top 3 ways to cope are: eating, shopping and drinking wine. The shopping and drinking will get me in trouble quick, (hangover, credit card debt) so I am able to keep those vices to a minimum. But eating? That gets me in trouble slow, although its been catching up with me these past few years. But since the negative effects of overeating are gradual, I just overeat. I don't really crave anything, like some people love candy or fast food. Seems I resent restrictions on food, even if those restrictions are placed by me and for good reasons! I mainly seek to escape emotional discomfort by finding pleasure in the basic act of swallowing food. Even uncomfortable fullness is a welcome distraction.
I believe there is a natural, primitive drive taking place here. My great-great grandparents came to this country because they were starving. Long before them people spent their days and years seeking enough food to live. Now that I am here, living amid great abundance, I still get really pissed if I get hungry, or feel like I can't have what I want.
Then there is the emotional part. Back in the day, if the kids were driving you insane and tearing the cave apart, you would send them outside, hunting with dad or you would ask the younger co- wife to step in and give you a break. Not possible in our culture today.
Or take some examples from my job as a nurse in a hospital. This weekend, I had a patient who was 65 and in with pneumonia. Lives at home with his wife. "Young lady, I poopsied my pantsie. Please help me." There is no reason this guy needed to crap his shorts, but I'm too busy to question him and the nurses aide is too busy to do it, so I clean him up. Stroking my arm, he says, "You young girls do such nice work. My wife's just no good." So, what would have happened to a guy like this in more primitive times. Hmmm, let's see: elder member of the tribe poops himself on purpose to get attention from younger woman. Solution: Let the lions clean him up. Just so you don't think I'm totally cold, I did treat him with respect and gently set boundaries with him. In this situation, I felt frustrated and humiliated. I also had a patient who was 38, father of 3 you kids with a nice wife. He was actively dying of pancreatic cancer. The family was crying, he was in agony. Back in the day, you would join the family in their crying, try to lessen his suffering. After he died, you would maybe have his family join your family to live. What I could do was lessen his pain with medication, try to be a compassionate presence and resource for the family while pulled in a million different directions (poopsie). In this situation, I felt very sad and also huge frustration about not giving this family the time they deserve. What did I do with all that emotion? I couldn't sweat it out in yoga class, or go for a walk because my kids and husband wanted me back home. I ATE and ATE. Not paleo food, either.
Now, I'm probably the most fortunate person I know. I've had innumerable blessings and countless lucky breaks, but jeez, almost everyday I fight the feeling to "run away, escape, get out!!". I think tht is a very primal response to the stupidness of modern life.
The stresses of my modern life are very easily pushed aside by buying things, swilling wine and most of all, FOOD! But as we all know, these ways of coping come with a heavy price. The price is health, without which, we have nothing. Hows that for a vicious circle.
But as I said before, I'm lucky. I love healthy food. Love to cook. And I love strenuous exercise. Bikram yoga kicks the butt of marathoners and marines and makes gymnasts shake. I'd walk all day, if I were allowed. I want to learn to work with kettlebells. And I'm not giving up my Paleo Trial. I'm 43 years old. There are 43 days until July 1. I'm starting again.
Why is it so hard for me to stick to this plan? I think I know the answer. I'm used to using food for comfort, distraction and stress relief. My top 3 ways to cope are: eating, shopping and drinking wine. The shopping and drinking will get me in trouble quick, (hangover, credit card debt) so I am able to keep those vices to a minimum. But eating? That gets me in trouble slow, although its been catching up with me these past few years. But since the negative effects of overeating are gradual, I just overeat. I don't really crave anything, like some people love candy or fast food. Seems I resent restrictions on food, even if those restrictions are placed by me and for good reasons! I mainly seek to escape emotional discomfort by finding pleasure in the basic act of swallowing food. Even uncomfortable fullness is a welcome distraction.
I believe there is a natural, primitive drive taking place here. My great-great grandparents came to this country because they were starving. Long before them people spent their days and years seeking enough food to live. Now that I am here, living amid great abundance, I still get really pissed if I get hungry, or feel like I can't have what I want.
Then there is the emotional part. Back in the day, if the kids were driving you insane and tearing the cave apart, you would send them outside, hunting with dad or you would ask the younger co- wife to step in and give you a break. Not possible in our culture today.
Or take some examples from my job as a nurse in a hospital. This weekend, I had a patient who was 65 and in with pneumonia. Lives at home with his wife. "Young lady, I poopsied my pantsie. Please help me." There is no reason this guy needed to crap his shorts, but I'm too busy to question him and the nurses aide is too busy to do it, so I clean him up. Stroking my arm, he says, "You young girls do such nice work. My wife's just no good." So, what would have happened to a guy like this in more primitive times. Hmmm, let's see: elder member of the tribe poops himself on purpose to get attention from younger woman. Solution: Let the lions clean him up. Just so you don't think I'm totally cold, I did treat him with respect and gently set boundaries with him. In this situation, I felt frustrated and humiliated. I also had a patient who was 38, father of 3 you kids with a nice wife. He was actively dying of pancreatic cancer. The family was crying, he was in agony. Back in the day, you would join the family in their crying, try to lessen his suffering. After he died, you would maybe have his family join your family to live. What I could do was lessen his pain with medication, try to be a compassionate presence and resource for the family while pulled in a million different directions (poopsie). In this situation, I felt very sad and also huge frustration about not giving this family the time they deserve. What did I do with all that emotion? I couldn't sweat it out in yoga class, or go for a walk because my kids and husband wanted me back home. I ATE and ATE. Not paleo food, either.
Now, I'm probably the most fortunate person I know. I've had innumerable blessings and countless lucky breaks, but jeez, almost everyday I fight the feeling to "run away, escape, get out!!". I think tht is a very primal response to the stupidness of modern life.
The stresses of my modern life are very easily pushed aside by buying things, swilling wine and most of all, FOOD! But as we all know, these ways of coping come with a heavy price. The price is health, without which, we have nothing. Hows that for a vicious circle.
But as I said before, I'm lucky. I love healthy food. Love to cook. And I love strenuous exercise. Bikram yoga kicks the butt of marathoners and marines and makes gymnasts shake. I'd walk all day, if I were allowed. I want to learn to work with kettlebells. And I'm not giving up my Paleo Trial. I'm 43 years old. There are 43 days until July 1. I'm starting again.
Friday, May 15, 2009
3
2 peaches
a few grapes and strawberries
2 fresh, local, all natural sausages--YUMMIEST EVER!
bowl of multi-grain cheerios and milk (yup)
grapes
bleu cheese
walnuts
2 sesame crackers (yes)
mixed spring greens and ground grass feed beef
3 glasses chardonnay
exercise was only a walk
a few grapes and strawberries
2 fresh, local, all natural sausages--YUMMIEST EVER!
bowl of multi-grain cheerios and milk (yup)
grapes
bleu cheese
walnuts
2 sesame crackers (yes)
mixed spring greens and ground grass feed beef
3 glasses chardonnay
exercise was only a walk
Thursday, May 14, 2009
day 2
No formal exercise today....just chasing kids.
Food was:
berries, pineapple, melon
2 pc banana bread (oops)
salmon-walnut salad
bison jerky
1 light beer
1 banana
handful cashews
arugala salad with parsnip, raisins, ramps, olive oil and bleu cheese
Food was:
berries, pineapple, melon
2 pc banana bread (oops)
salmon-walnut salad
bison jerky
1 light beer
1 banana
handful cashews
arugala salad with parsnip, raisins, ramps, olive oil and bleu cheese
Wednesday, May 13, 2009
easy day
I had a very sweaty yoga class today and an easy time with the paleo plan.
Food was:
banana
Bison jerky
2 poached eggs
steamed broccoli with butter
grapefruit
BBQ bison
parsnip, sunchoke, radish saute with olive oil
prosciutto and mozzarella bites with asparagus
2 glasses white wine.
Food was:
banana
Bison jerky
2 poached eggs
steamed broccoli with butter
grapefruit
BBQ bison
parsnip, sunchoke, radish saute with olive oil
prosciutto and mozzarella bites with asparagus
2 glasses white wine.
Tuesday, May 12, 2009
slow start
I stressed at work and ate cookies. My homemade yogurt turned out waaaaay too sour. So, it's back to square one, I guess. I'm going to start logging my daily food intake here for the next 6 weeks, exercise too. I've got the MD appointment set up. By the first day of summer, I could have 10 pounds gone and great cholesterol levels............
Saturday, May 9, 2009
Saturday
Yesterday was my first day on the paleo plan. I grazed all day on apples, almond butter, buffalo jerky. I had roasted salmon and beets, green veggies, and olive oil at dinner. I had my "open meal" for the week already in an ice cream with the boys before bed. All day I felt a little hungry and headache.
Today I'm going to yoga and then to work an evening shift. I'll bring nuts and fruit and plan on a chicken breast, cooked veg and salad for dinner...there is a great salad bar.
Work is where I have eaten alot of crap in response to stress. Eating for reasons other than hunger is a behavior I'm really going to focus on eliminating. Coping with feelings by eating, drinking wine and spending money has been my modus operands for way too long. I've made progress in this area, especially in the last year, but I've been slow to change. Here's to picking up the pace!!
Today I'm going to yoga and then to work an evening shift. I'll bring nuts and fruit and plan on a chicken breast, cooked veg and salad for dinner...there is a great salad bar.
Work is where I have eaten alot of crap in response to stress. Eating for reasons other than hunger is a behavior I'm really going to focus on eliminating. Coping with feelings by eating, drinking wine and spending money has been my modus operands for way too long. I've made progress in this area, especially in the last year, but I've been slow to change. Here's to picking up the pace!!
Friday, May 8, 2009
getting started
A few facts about me:
I'm female, 43 years old, married with young kids at home.
I'm 5'8" tall, about 40 pounds overweight and am on medication for high cholesterol.
Several close relatives have had heart disease. I want to avoid it.
Most of my ancestors are from Northern Europe. Some from Southeastern Europe. Some from the Middle East. Blood type O. I'd like to learn about ancestors' diets and ways of life throughout the ages (anthropology?)
I've tried a lot of "diets" in the past and tend to get a little obsessed with "dieting". I want to stop doing that.
I practice Bikram yoga, walk and play with my kids for exercise.
I'm a registered nurse in a hospital 2 days a week.
My goals for this blog:
Write about the pleasures and challenges of making lasting dietary changes for self and family
Connect with others who are doing the same
Learn more about optimal human nutrition
Just log in daily and be accountable for my 6-week commitment, as boring as that may be to read :)
Our fridge is stocked with veggies of all kinds, farm fresh eggs, fruit and nuts. I made yogurt last night. The freezer is full of elk, bison and salmon. Today I'm making an appoint with the MD for my cholesterol check in 6 weeks.
So, this is it. Time to get started.
I'm female, 43 years old, married with young kids at home.
I'm 5'8" tall, about 40 pounds overweight and am on medication for high cholesterol.
Several close relatives have had heart disease. I want to avoid it.
Most of my ancestors are from Northern Europe. Some from Southeastern Europe. Some from the Middle East. Blood type O. I'd like to learn about ancestors' diets and ways of life throughout the ages (anthropology?)
I've tried a lot of "diets" in the past and tend to get a little obsessed with "dieting". I want to stop doing that.
I practice Bikram yoga, walk and play with my kids for exercise.
I'm a registered nurse in a hospital 2 days a week.
My goals for this blog:
Write about the pleasures and challenges of making lasting dietary changes for self and family
Connect with others who are doing the same
Learn more about optimal human nutrition
Just log in daily and be accountable for my 6-week commitment, as boring as that may be to read :)
Our fridge is stocked with veggies of all kinds, farm fresh eggs, fruit and nuts. I made yogurt last night. The freezer is full of elk, bison and salmon. Today I'm making an appoint with the MD for my cholesterol check in 6 weeks.
So, this is it. Time to get started.
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