Tag Archives: getting healthy

Ringing in the Year with Juicing and Eat To Live

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On Tuesday, I’m planning on ringing in the New Year with a combination of Juicing and the Eat To LIve (ETL) Six Week Plan. I originally saw Dr. Furhman on Dr. Oz and since then, I have been intrigued. I am not looking at it as a diet. I’m considering a life change. Once I get this last 45+ lbs off, I think I can be happy juicing and following ETL for the rest of my life. That is the ultimate goal here – lose weight and get healthy. Once I achieve it, I need to have a plan to maintain it. I think this is it.

“You can’t live on processed foods and factory-made foods and expect to have normal health.” ~ Dr. Fuhrman

Today, tomorrow and Monday I’m weaning myself off of caffeine (again) and eliminating white flour and sugar (again). Why? So I don’t have a terrible withdraw headache on Tuesday! Additionally, today is my last day of eating meat for a while, although I’m not  a big meat eater lately, so this is not a big deal. 

From the book Eat to Live: The Amazing Nutrient-Rich Program for Fast and Sustained Weight Loss, Revised Edition, Dr. Joel Fuhrman The premise of the ETL plan is this…

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)

*avoid breads and cereals as much as possible

OFF-LIMITS:

  • dairy products
  • animal products
  • between meal snacks
  • fruit juice, dried fruits
  • salt, sugar

You should read the book to fully understand the plan. I am working my way through it right now!

If anyone wants to join in and follow along, I’d love to do this with you! Some of you may want to explore juicing as well. I’m thinking about doing another juice fast sometime in February. Here’s a link to everything I know about Juicing if you are interested in learning more!

31 Days of Juicing. Day 15: Allergies & Perspective

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I went to the Doctor early this morning. I did not go because I’m juicing, but because I have had several instances of shortness of breath which I was blaming on the weather. I basically, in my own medical mind,  had decided I am having an allergic reaction to red wine and blue berries, but wanted to make sure it wasn’t something else. I am not currently drinking red wine, but had a problem with it twice, over a month ago. In that case, my throat swelled, I got blisters in my mouth and I had shortness of breath. The issue with the blue berries happened when using them in a fruit juice twice over the last two weeks and each time I drank the juice, my chest became tight and I was short of breath – it felt like I had asthma, which I don’t.

She (my doctor) basically agreed that it sounded like it was an allergic reaction to the red wine and berries. She suggested that I could go for an allergy test, but that sometimes even those test don’t pinpoint some things. She was really happy to see that I was weighing even less than my last check-up – I am two pounds away from a huge goal – you’ll hear about that in a few days!

We discussed the juice fast and although she wasn’t opposed to it, she was a bit concerned about the lack of protein. Of course I told her I was feeling the best I had in years. My blood pressure was 104 over 86 and she ran some blood tests just to make sure everything was okay. She didn’t say it out loud, but I think the whole juicing thing made her a bit nervous, but she saw that I look and feel better than I have in years and we have the tests to back it up. Because of that she wasn’t a nay-sayer. I’ll let you know how the blood tests are in a few days!

Afterwards, I ran into Whole Foods which was right around the corner to re-stock some fruits and vegetables and grab a juice…

I ordered The Kitchen Sink which was carrot, cucumber, spinach, parsley and apple juice, BUT I don’t like it when they add the apple juice so I replaced that with a lemon. It was really good!

Do you like my nail color? It’s a plum color and one of OPI’s new fall colors called Casino Royale.

When I got home it was freezing cold so I grabbed all the bags including one with a candle in it from Yankee Candle and brought them inside. They were soooooo heavy and when I went up the two steps from the garage into the kitchen I had ah-ha moment that this was what it was like when I was heavy, but I was carrying it around twenty-four hours a day! Of course I did what anyone would do…

I got out my luggage scale and weighed those bags…

They weighed 50 lbs. Which is 14 lbs less than the amount that I’ve lost in total over the last 6 or so months. It’s just hard to believe I was punishing my body so much, for so many years- no wonder I feel so good now. I can’t wait to see how I feel with another 40 lbs off. Today I lost another pound. That’s 10 lbs in 12 days of fasting, for a total of 64 lbs lost to date. Yay!

Before I go, here’s a tea that I found – I love it. If you like licorice and mint, you ought to try it…

It’s really refreshing… it would probably be good iced too! Have a great day! Amy xo

To start at the beginning, click here!

31 Days to Juicing. Day 10: The Case for Walking

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Try to follow me here…

I don’t love to walk and I don’t love to workout. I really don’t. Even when I do it, I still don’t love it unless I am walking with a friend which makes it bearable. Of course if it’s with my friend/business partner GiGi in Florida, I still don’t love it because she makes me do 4 miles, it’s hot and there are mosquitoes. The only reason why I walk the 4 miles with her is we sometimes get Cafe Con Leche (unbelievably good Cuban Coffee) at the end of Mile 3 and we always have good talks. Plus, she would probably be relentless until I went.

I love how walking makes me feel when I’m done. Walking loves me, I am trying to love it back. Yes, I have tried every excuse… My knee hurts, my back hurts, my ankle hurts, blah, blah, blah. Rather than preach, I figured I’d do some lists again…

I know your excuses:

  1. I’m too heavy
  2. I’m out of shape
  3. My ____________ hurts
  4. I don’t have time
  5. It’s too cold
  6. It’s too hot
  7. There’s no where safe to walk
  8. What ever reason you can think of

And to your excuses I say this:

  1. If you are heavy start with baby steps. It will get easier and you will thank me.
  2. You are out of shape because you don’t walk. Start walking.
  3. Yes it hurts. Mine did too, but it doesn’t anymore unless I over do it. Know your boundaries, but make sure to push yourself a bit each day. Usually “it” is hurting because of a) your weight and b) because you don’t walk. Did you know walking is really good for a bad back?
  4. Make time. It’s like juicing… have a plan and stick to it.
  5. If it’s too hot, too cold, rainy or not safe to walk, then put in a walking tape at home.

Really, just do it. You are worth the time and effort – the truth is, your health depends on it.

A few tips:

  1. Find a buddy to walk with. My stay at home neighbor walks her working neighbors dog every afternoon. What a win-win situation that is! My friend Lori walks with her 11-year-old son. How awesome will those memories be down the road?
  2. Get a good walking tape to do at home or with co-workers at lunch. I walk with my dog, my husband or a friend here and there, but I LOVE my walking tape. It’s convenient, I can turn a fan on me so I don’t get too hot and it’s fast. I absolutely love Leslie Sansone’s Walk Away the Pounds tapes – especially this one, because each mile is only 12 minutes long, there’s a two-minute boost at the end of each mile and it’s convenient.  I also like that you can pick how many miles you want to do. I usually do 3, but if I’m in a hurry I do two. Sometimes the talking gets on my nerves and I mute it to listen to my iPod. Certainly, you can fit in 30 minutes to do this. Note: If you are just starting, pick one of her beginner tapes so it’s not such a fast pace.
  3. Make sure to hydrate before and after.
  4. Wear a good pair of walking shoes. They make a HUGE difference. Huge. Feet that hurt will stop hurting with a good pair of shoes. I recently bought this pair of Ryka’s. with the blue accents. They only make shoes for women. I like them because they are light and really, really comfortable. I read the reviews (5 starts) and went a 1/2 size up – glad I did! Find a shoe that is good for your foot!
  5. Pencil it in or you’ll end up not doing it!

Okay! I’m off my soap box… guess I better get walking tonight! I almost forgot… I lost another pound today… that’s 7 pounds in 7 days of the juice fast! I’ve got a bit of indigestion, but otherwise feel awesome! Yay!

Have a good one and I LOVE to hear your comments! xo Amy

If you want to start at the beginning of the series click here! 

31 Days of Juicing. Day 5: Hang in There

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Pictured from left to right: Kale, beets (red), carrots, ginger and apples

I have bad new, good news and great news on this 2nd day of all juice. Oh, and exciting news too!

The bad news is this morning I woke up earlier than normal and felt just yucky. I had an edge of a headache, a bit of congestion and I was a little light-headed. Just didn’t feel good so I drank a glass of water, took two Tylenol and went back to sleep for an hour. The following hour I was really groggy, but the headache was gone.

The good news is an hour after that everything cleared up and now I feel really, really good. My head is a bit foggy, but I expected that. By Sunday I will be feeling great and I can’t wait!

The great news? I lost three pounds. Yep, three lbs. It was totally unexpected. I was thinking maybe a pound or two, but this made me really happy. I know some of you are getting all judgy on this… I’m just going to gain it back, it’s not healthy, etc… Yes, to those of you about gaining it back, it’s really easy to do… in fact – been there, done that, two months ago – I gained a significant amount in 3 weeks, but this time I have plan. I’ll share that in the next few weeks. In regards to the not healthy part… well, I think it’s going to make me healthier, but if you want to try it you really should see a doctor and be monitored throughout.

The Plan for today? Same as yesterday… lots of water and a fruit juice for breakfast – pear, strawberry, kiwi and blueberries. it was absolutely yummy. I’m having a green juice and two carrot juices the rest of the day. I had an extra yesterday when I worked out, but don’t think I’ll need it today. If I get hungry I’ll have another carrot juice.

Now for the exciting news... I just booked a flight to New York City and I’m leaving in the morning for a few days to go see my son and his girlfriend. He just moved there at the beginning of the year and I lived there years ago as a student at FIT. I can’t wait to get there! I’m not really worried about juicing there. There is a ton of Juice Bars in the city and I can’t wait to try them out! Stay tuned for fun details! I’ll tweet updates and photos while there… you can follow along on twitter @dishondesigngal.

If you want to see the story from the beginning click here!

Fifty Reasons I’m Happy Today

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Fifty seems to be a popular number lately. I’m fifty… that doesn’t really make me happy, but it doesn’t make me sad either. I’ve just finished reading Fifty Shades of Grey, Fifty Shades Darker and Fifty Shades Freed… yes, I did love those books, but they’re not the reason I’m happy today. This has to do with something I have been battling since I had the last of my three kids over twenty years  ago… my weight.

I have tried practically every diet out there. I’ve lost weight. Gained weight. Gained more. It’s a vicious, evil thing, but I think I’m finally starting to win the battle. I still want to lose more, but as of today I have lost 50 lbs and because of that, here are the reasons why I’m happy today…

  1. Three years ago I was Pre-Diabetic. Today I am not.
  2. Three years ago I was anemic, today I am not (If you are anemic, I highly recommend Flora Vital).
  3. Three years ago my good cholesterol was low. Today it is normal.
  4. I don’t get out of breath when I walk.
  5. I bought a large instead of an extra-large when shopping the other day.
  6. I can wear my wedding rings again.
  7. I don’t have to add extenders to any of my necklaces.
  8. I am starting to prefer tighter clothes.
  9. I have 10x more energy.
  10. I bought a bathing suit that I actually like. I wore it this weekend. My husband said I looked sexy, although I’m pretty sure he had ulterior motives, haha! For the first time in many years I was not ashamed to be in a swim suit.
  11. I see the light at the end of the tunnel.
  12. I ate out  and ordered a gyro. For the first time, I realized I would have rather had a soup and salad.
  13. Several times over the past few months I’ve gained 4 lbs or so, but I didn’t freak out… I just promptly re- lost it each time. This gives me hope.
  14. I am finding healthy recipes are really quite good.
  15. I discovered the documentary Fat, Sick and Nearly Dead and now crave carrot and green juices - I am thankful for both
  16. My feet aren’t stiff when I wake up. I can walk all day long and they still don’t hurt.
  17. My knee doesn’t hurt. I used to wear a brace. Today I don’t even think about it.
  18. My back doesn’t hurt. Well, today it does, but that’s only because over the weekend I lifted a heavy piece of furniture, so that’s my fault! Normally, it doesn’t hurt like it used to.
  19. I am now buying a size nine shoe instead of a 9 1/2. Mostly because…
  20. My feet don’t swell. Nor do my fingers, ankles, etc. I contribute this to the fact that I don’t drink anything carbonated anymore. No soda and it’s rare that I ever have a beer.
  21. My kids are proud of me. Not that they didn’t love me fat, but they like me healthy.
  22. As my face thins out, I am not getting more wrinkles. That really was a concern, haha! I know, I’m vain.
  23. My husband and anyone I travel with loves this more than me, but I don’t snore anymore… or so they tell me.
  24. When I travel, I have to pull the seat belt tight… by more than several inches. There was a time I worried about getting it buckled.
  25. I don’t have the desire to read any self-help books anymore. I’m ready to live what I’ve read.
  26. I am feeling creative again.
  27. I rarely feel like I need an afternoon nap.
  28. When standing up and looking down, I can see my toes.
  29. I no longer look like I’m pregnant.
  30. I realized the other week that I was crossing my legs while sitting. It dawned on me that I hadn’t done that in years.
  31. I eat almost all fresh vegetables (versus from a can or frozen)  and find that not only are they easy to prepare, but I really do like them.
  32. I can sleep at night without an arm going numb.
  33. I find I like to go out…I am feeling more social.
  34. Dressing fashionably seems possible again.
  35. I am comfortable.
  36. I am more confident.
  37. I am less of an apple shape.
  38. My BMI dropped significantly.
  39. I have more balance. I can easily stand without holding on to anything and put my pants on one leg at a time.
  40. I don’t dread getting on the scale, in fact I semi-look forward to it.
  41. If I eat big one day or even over one weekend, it’s okay. I get back on track the next day.
  42. I don’t feel I’m on a diet, but that I have adapted a new way of eating. Translation: This just might last.
  43. There’s an extra giddy-up in my step that I didn’t know I missing until I got it back.
  44. I don’t even think about looking at plus sizes when shopping.
  45. I think I actually might someday soon get back into my original Calvin Kleins from back in the day. Fingers crossed!
  46. When I go to the market, I find I’m now shopping the perimeter of the store and rarely go down the aisles. That translates into: I’m eating fresh food as opposed to processed foods.
  47. I wore jeans for the first time in over 15 years.
  48. Although I have always sweated a lot, ugh… I sweat much less than I did 50 lbs. ago.
  49. I can wear 3″ heels again.
  50. I find I am much more heat tolerant.
  51. I am not taking any supplements (the benefit of which is now being debated) because I am getting all my nutrition from the food that I eat

Ooops. That’s fifty-one reasons. I could come up with forty-nine more, but I won’t do that to you…

So there you are. I am not at the end of my journey to getting slim and healthy, but I wanted to share this mile stone with you because it has been such a struggle for me over the years.  If you have the same struggle I want you to know that there is hope. You can do it. It starts with baby steps and it’s more about choosing to embrace a life style change than about starting a diet. For me, it was cutting out sugar, white flour and processed foods. It was adding juicing (fruit and vegetable juices), nuts, beans and vegetable soup. For you, “it” may be Weight Watchers or Counting Calories. Whatever “it” is, I will tell you… there are fifty reasons to say yes to “it”. Every single one is a life changer.

This is really about designing you so you can live it to the fullest. We don’t get any do-overs in life, but we it’s never too late to make changes! Change may seem impossible at times, yet truly it is not. If I can do it, so can you! xo Amy