Body Reconnection

Finally Connecting

2010-10-01T10:14:00.000-07:00

Finally connecting...

I want everything yesterday. I want to be OK with where I am. I always feel like I should be further along. Can you imagine the sense of urgency this brings on? That said, I want to share the process of change and awareness that I've been going through. The result has been pretty amazing, but the process was, and continues to be, beautifully sluggish.

Here's what happened...

In November 2009 I went on a quest to regain my health. I started out 20 pounds heavier, with a lot of fatigue and aches and pain. I was fighting pre-diabetes, Lupus, arthritis, obesity, and a leg ulcer that would not go away. I was, and still am, very overweight. With that came sickness, hospitalizations, and a very miserable me.

When I started I had no idea where this path would lead, but here I am 10 months later, wise and energized. :)

As part of my change, I went to school. The Institute for Integrative Nutrition gave me an education that changed me both inside and out, thanks to amazing teachers, lectures, and students. We all sat in New York's Lincoln Center learning how we've botched up our nutritional system and in turn our health as a whole. I learned how my body works and how to teach others the same. I came away with a spring in my step and a license to teach about health and wellness.

When the tide turned...

I no longer eat things that will set me up for more cravings. Desserts and other sweets had to go.
They were replaced by fruit. I added greens and whole grains, kale, collards, kasha, brown rice, quinoa, and loads of fresh vegetables and lots of water. I added more fresh fish and legumes. Mind you, this is a crash course to health. I was really sick and did not want to be subject to any more doctor or hospital visits.

What I know now...

I can feel good and have energy all day. It took the better part of a year to find out how to do this well. I finally have a regimen that works for the rest of my life. My body is finally getting what it needs to be healthy and happy. I'm down 20 pounds and I'm not worried about food all day. I enjoy a lot of really delicious healthy foods, I continue to lose weight, and I can show up for my daily life. There is more peace.

I love where I've come to. I feel hopeful. My body is changing inside and out, and I could not ask for more. If you don't have your health, I'd encourage you to consider some minor changes in lifestyle. Reconnect.

Peace...
Verlette

Home Rules!

2010-06-06T15:20:00.000-07:00

Ok...so..I'm too broke to eat out most days. Home rules because making most of my meals has improved my health significantly. If I could I'd eat desserts and fried foods at every meal. I love french fries, fried chicken, cheesy greasy anything but, there isn't enough Prilosec or coffee in the world to deal the reflux or the fatique that stuff brings on. And besides, where would I get my nutrients from?

I used to be overweight but malnourished. Now, I'm less overweight and well nourished. As it turns out I have to make at least 90% of my meals at home. I not only have to make them but I have to make sure that they are nutrient rich. How do I do this? I keep it simple. lot's of fresh greens, simply seared chicken or fish and rice, quinoa, or kasha that I make in batches. Cook up some caramelized onions, throw in some ginger or low sodium soy sauce and you're on your way.

If I stay home and prepare my meals, I can save money and get great food at a fraction of the cost. It's hard work and some days I just eat cereal with fruit for breakfast. Lately rice cakes with Peanut Butter and Jelly have come into the house as a breakfast or a snack. Low cal and very satisfying with a cup of coffee or tea. Exchange the fruit spread for a sliced banana for better nutritional value.

All and all, in order to eat healthily I've had to make some major changes. I'm sure there will be more. I continue to have energy most days, a healthier body (less weight and no more leg ulcers), and my skin looks amazing! I'm still overweight, I've got a long "weigh" to go but I'm happier and healthier. My clothes are looser, my knees don't hurt and I sleep soundly.

Next, I've got to do something about my back. I'll keep you posted.

Peace.
V

Save Now

All I know is...

2010-03-27T13:30:00.000-07:00

In my last blog entry I wrote that I was stuck. Since then I've become unstuck, choosing to move backwards to some of my old ways (booooooo) and forward with some of my new ones. (Yahhhh!)

This has been a daily struggle. Some days I win the battle, and I've even won the battle in some important areas. There are other days when inconsistency, and anything that looks like dessert kicks my ass.

The areas that are consistently better are; I've added loads of fresh vegetables, fresh fruit, whole grains and lean protein. Because of this the bad days aren't so bad anymore and I have a lot more energy.

Having more energy means I can get more done. I can stay active throughout the day and thus, be more useful to myself and to others. Holistic Health care means knowing how to feed the whole self. How I'm feeding my body deeply affects my quality of life.

I wish I could say that I don't care so much about how much weight I lose. I've lost about a pant size recently (well half a pant size because I've gained half of it back), and I wish I could say that I'm more concerned with developing good habits.

All I know is...I want it all :) A fitter healthier, stronger body and, the ability to consistently feed my body well. For now, dear readers, I'm still aiming for 90%.

Please feel free to share your story or make a comment.

Peace.
V

STUCK

2010-02-27T05:50:00.000-08:00

I'm going to tell the truth here because that's what this is all about- isn't it? I've had some successes since starting on this journey. I've lost a pant size and I've not needed to sit in front of the TV with a bag of anything for some time. My daily diet has been defined and there is enough food and variety for me to not feel deprived but.....I'm Stuck.

I realize that I am still dealing with the emotions, denial, self sabotage, and rationalizations that keep me turning like a hampster on a wheel. A few steps forward and a couple of steps back. Aargh...you can only imagine how this is slowing down my progress. I do not intend to start on a "new diet" because I can't stick to the one that I have. All I have to do is eat 3 measured meals and get some exercise.

There is something to be said for inconsistency :) It is at the very crux of failure.
So dear blog friends my task is to become more consistent. Not perfect. Let's shoot for 90% this week. I know that you're rooting for me.
Thanks.

Is This It?

2010-02-09T14:43:00.000-08:00

Is this the love I've been waiting for? The love I feel for myself that makes me walk past the Crispy Creams, the cake, the platter of cookies? They all seem to be calling me, beckoning me like a lover who knows they can have me with just a look or a smile. They feel my weakness, after all they are all a part of what make up my Achilles heal.

What they don't know is that today, I am in love with feeling good. I don't want to be high on sugar. I just want to be high on life. So, I take my size 18-20 on past all of them and head for the farmers market, the gym, and my yoga mat. I buy bananas, walnuts, rice milk, and brown rice and eat them for breakfast and it is the best rice pudding I've ever had. I steam some kale, sear off a chicken breast and add some miso to my beans for that salty deliciousness that only miso can offer.
At night I puree a banana, add some ice and some protein powder and throw back that smoothie like it was the best milk shake on earth and I feel good....

Safe and satisfied with a day that did not include any self destruction, ie...death by food.

I have a improved over the last few months...more later

Why Am I Hungry?

2009-12-07T17:14:00.000-08:00

Yet another epiphany on the body reconnection journey.

The course that I am taking focuses on Holistic Health. Nutrition is the foundation with additional attention paid to lifestyle in general. I thought of myself as a health food officianado. I was a Vegan from '84-'94 (sorta), a concious omnivore from '94-'99 and then, a food obsessed unconcious omivore pretending to be a concious one ('99 to present). I learned a lot and had no problem educating others on the finer points of avoiding whole categories of food. The funny thing is, I've managed to stay fat and sick the whole time!

So now, here I am doing my first assignment and the teacher says "IF YOU'RE HUNGRY ALL THE TIME YOU MUST BE UNDERNOURISHED." No freakin' way! But, dear readers it is true. Here is how I tested it. They asked me to add whole grains and more leafy greens to my daily diet. It stopped my cravings significantly and gave me energy to boot. I immediately wanted less animal protein and less carbs. Next, I added fresh fruit and more water. I was pretty full and although I didn't like having to run to the bathroom all the time, I can honestly say that I felt a whole lot better than I had in a while. I went from coffee to maybe one cup of tea from time to time. This was all a marked improvement.

The next step is to work on sustaining the lifestyle and to see how long the energy hangs on. For now, I'll take it a day at a time. I'm just happy to get through the day without being exhausted or caffeinated for most of it.

Peace,
Verlette

Loving That Morning Stretch

2009-11-29T18:15:00.000-08:00

The saga continues...
I can feel the changes but they are slow in coming.
This morning I woke up stiff and sore from the previous days' exercise and evening wine binge.
I don't usually drink but my boyfriend and I decided to buy some wine and watch a movie about 80 year olds singing rock music. We thought it would be hilariously funny but it turned out to be very touching and poignant (sniff).

Oddly, I was not hungover and had a good amount of energy and felt pretty good in my body.
I'd walked a mile in the woods and worked on my core strengthening the day before.
I decided to do some yoga postures and some stretching for about half and hour.
My body responded well. I was loose and noticeably energized. Freakin' fantastic!

I'm going to share a little secret with you...
Call me crazy but I'm still eating some things that make my joints stiff. Inflamation is one of the symptoms I'm dealing with and I need to change my ways. I'll keep you posted because I still long for the occasional wrap, a little cheese, a little dairy etc.

So the question becomes: "Do you want to eat grilled cheese or have mobility?" I'll get back to you on that. I'm thinking.

Another secret...My dream is to be able to run and or race walk.
Tired now. Feeling peaceful and tuckered out. Gonna go to sleep.

'Til then,
V

Stiffy

2009-11-25T19:50:00.000-08:00

Ok, so it's official. When I'm on my feet for a while my lower back stiffens up like a mummy.
The answer? Core strengthening. Today, I watched TV and did my core strengthening exercises.
These seem to work fantastically but if I stop for a few days my back stiffens again.
Onward.

Yoga, Shopping, and Cooking Class Assistant

2009-11-24T06:47:00.000-08:00

Hey, if you've landed here I'm hoping that you'll continue with me on this journey of discovery. My intention is to reconnect to my body through a variety of activities after many years of struggling with weight, and a health crisis. My goal is to inspire others and to have a place to chronicle the struggles and triumphs of becoming a physically fit, healthy person. Right now I am overweight and not very healthy.

I recently enrolled in the class of 2010 for the Institute For Integrative Nutrition. I'm becoming liscenced to become a Holistic Health Counselor and despite knowing bookloads of stuff about how to get and stay and eat healthy, I could use some sprucing up in the looks category.

It's Tuesday not my favorite day of the week but I'm glad to have another day to work on my health. I feel needed today, friends are calling, I moved my roommate's car because she is in Italy, and my boyfriend has a sprained foot so I had to make our breakfast. This is all good because I've been sick for 5 days, two of which were spent sleeping and watching a marathon of America's Next Top Model. I'm ready to move on from this space and reconnect to my body and to moving around but need to take it slow.

For today, reconnecting to my body means lots of water and vitamin C, another stab at the cable yoga class that I can't make it through. I can only do 15 minutes of this advanced class so far. I'm also going to stay active by going to the grocery store to buy Thanksgiving dinner and later I have the priviledge of working with Carla Hall from Top Chef in one of her cooking demos. I'll be there to learn how to give my own demos.

Wish me luck, I'm already tired and the day has just begun.