MY REDEDICATION(?) JOURNEY

I recently got back on my journey to healthier, more fit me. As I mentioned here , I've had to rededicate myself to my original desired lifestyle. Chronicling this specific journey here on this blog will be part of the changes that I mentioned before.

So let’s start with my basics. My goal was/is to lose 20lbs. So far, I’ve lost 8 of those lbs, which is *sings like Oprah* “AWESOOMMME!!” I’m almost down to the magic ten. Woo hoo!!


What have I been doing to get there?.....

Well, first off, I made up my mind to do this. Nothing can be done, started or achieved without first making that concrete decision to do it. From there, I went back to the super affordable, highly doable Arden’s Garden two-day detox. Cost around $30. Because I cannot fathom doing a detox without it, I added green juices to the mix. Did I finish? Yes. Did I slip? Yes. But got right back on the wagon & kept it moving without judgment.

After doing this detox, I had more of a handle on my eating habits. On top of mainly eating whole unprocessed/low-processed foods, I’m doing a lot of juices & shakes (Vega Sport). I’m taking advantage of my stash of Healthforce Nutritionals Vitamineral Green. Awesome green powder! And I’ve also been using a couple more of their products that I found at the check-out line in a Whole Foods store.

Aren’t they adorable?... I took these pics so you could see how little they are in comparison to the regular bottle of Vitamineral Green. Anyhoo. Their “Fruits of the Earth” and “Earth” are the other foods I’m trying. I really am liking them both and hope to purchase them (and more) full-size one day.


I’ve also been taking my ass to the gym (and working it out at home) on the regular. I pretty much workout Tues-Fri. Soon, I’ll end up adding a weekend day for jogging. Gotta prepare for the Peachtree Road Race, Beh-bay!


Unfortunately, I have yet to get some colonics in. Just not in my budget right now. Maybe, I’ll start a “Colon Collection ” or “Colonics Fund”. Haha!!


Oh, I almost forgot! I’ve also begun taking daily swigs of ACV in distilled water. You can read about Apple Cider Vinegar and its benefits here.
 
During this time, I’ve begun to feel really energized. The sinus infection that was wreaking havoc on me is nearly a distant memory. Also, in thanks to New Chapters “Sinus Take Care” herbal defense. So I'm really feeling awesomely well. =)
 
I plan on posting about this aspect of my journey each week. Haven’t settled on a concrete title just yet. One of my fav jams is Justin Timberlake’s “SexyBack”, so it could be a variation of that song title something like “Bringing Sexy Back”, “Bringing Healthy Back” or something totally different. 
I dunno. I’m so undecided on that.
 
What do you think?......


What do you think?......

Post Title → MY REDEDICATION(?) JOURNEY

REDEDICATIONS

Due to yo-yo eating and inconsistent workouts, I’ve had to rededicate myself to consistent exercise & consistent healthy eating. One of my goals is to be in skinny jeans by Christmas. Yes, I said skinny jeans. Not that I’m big on them, it just gives me a nice goal to envision.

Anyhoo, I’m working (along w/a lil help from here and there) on a detox plan that will include colonics. Don’t know what a colonic is?.. Well, think of it as a major enema or just read {here}.  It’s been a few years since I’ve had one but I’m definitely not a stranger to them. I’ve already scheduled a colonic for next week so expect a post on it.I’m also paying really close attention to the ingredient listing on ALL products. Vegan included. *Carolyn Akens had warned me about that.* It’s amazing (and sad & unfortunate) how much crappy shit is in the majority of things sold. Since I’m still working out the details of my detox plan & eating habits, I’ll have to post on that later. Or it may turn out to be something that I sort of “wing” as I get retuned to listening to my body. Either way, I’ll be chronicling all of this, in some way, on the blog.

As far as my workouts are concerned, I’ve gone back to the gym and am working on my running (better yet jogging). I’m doing pretty good so far. And will continue to work on increasing my distance. I have an awesome goal. I’ll be returning to jog the Peachtree 2011 . This is my main motivation for working on my jogging endurance and time. It’s not until July 4th, so my plans are to be more than ready for it by then. What I’m even more excited about is the half-marathon that I’ll be participating in Thanksgiving Day morning. *I’m so stocked about it!* Wish me success!
I’ll definitely post on the experience.



Is there anything that you’ve had to rededicate yourself to lately?....

Post Title → REDEDICATIONS

WHERE I'M AT, PT. II

Hi Gorgeous!

 

 

I know I haven’t posted on healthy eating in awhile so here goes. I have totally been “off the wagon” and I just cannot post about something that is not going on in my life. It just wouldn’t be right.

 

Truth be told, I’ve succumbed to stress and eating on the go. Don’t get me wrong. I do get my wheatgrass, fresh juice, vegan and raw-vegan foods in but not on the level that I had going on before.

 

I read where Evelyn (EvelynParham.com) did a water fast (Whew!) for a few days. While I do feel the need to do a serious detox, I’m not quite 100% convinced that I could do a water fast just yet but I am marinating on it.

 

I feel as if I’m starting fresh. So here’s the deal-i-o:

• increase salad intake
• e3live in the morning
• include a fresh juice everyday
• increase fruit intake
• bring the green smoothie back on a daily basis
• incorporate colonics

But all of this would go absolutely nowhere without two main ingredients; Willpower and Focus.
I can't say it any better than Evelyn Parham's post on these two important facets here.

How's your willpower and focus when it comes to your health and wellness?

Post Title → WHERE I'M AT, PT. II

GULP GULP GULP GULP GULP!!!

Happy Friday, Lovelies!!

I hope that everyone had a wonderful week. Remember the quote? Did you notice the miracles in your life?.... Hope so.

For a while now, I’ve been wanting to do a fast. Like a week-long juice fast. Not only for the physical health benefits but also to help me clear my mind of clutter and partake in an overall refreshing of self. Fasting is nothing new to me. However, fasting with the knowledge that I have now about fresh organic vegetable and fruit juices is very new. So this is what I will be taking into a mini-juice feast (baby steps) that I will do on February 14th. Woo hoo! I’ve been corresponding with HippieMom from The Raw Journal and have decided to pursue this mini-feast with her. Her comraderie is in perfect timing.


Here’s the plan:

The week prior to the 14th, next Monday thru Saturday, we’ll be taking it easy on the solid foods. This will help us to mentally prepare for the feast.
We’ll do 3 days juice til lunch, 3 days juice til dinner.
Then it’s a full day of juicing on the 14th.

Whether the juice feasting continues beyond that day depends on how I fare, at least for me. I would love to do 3 days. But it definitely won’t be any longer than that because my birthday is coming up in a few weeks and truthfully speaking, I’ll be in celebration mode which, I’m sure will include things that are not raw, vegan or raw vegan. Nevertheless, I am planning on picking it back up afterwards. Probably in March. I suppose it will go hand-in-hand with the spring cleaning attitude.

Here are some of the things HippieMom and I discussed incorporating into our feast:

Dry skin brush 2 times a day
Hot /cold showers
herbal teas
Enema kit/colonics (I’m hoping to schedule a colonic. It’s been a few years since I’ve had one and I feel like my body is well overdue. Don’t know what a colonic is? Then read this to-the-point explanation.)
Probiotics
Garden of Life Vitamin Code raw vitamins
hemp oil - 1 to 2 Tablespoons daily
coconut oil - Tablespoon daily
msm - 1/2 Tablespoon daily
bee pollen - 1 to 2 Tablespoons daily
digestive enzymes - 1/2 tsp three times a day on an empty stomach (Not sure if I'll do this or not.)
kelp granules - 1/2 tsp day
barley/wheatgrass powders
teas
broth
shots of either: lemon & cayenne. W grass. or beet.

What tickles me about this is that we are planning this as if we are going the full 92 days. Yes, there are people who have successfully juice feasted for 92 days & more, like Angela Stokes-Monarch. You may or may not have heard about her story on CNN. And there's also Philip McCluskey's story. Am I trying to be among them? Nope. Not at all. Not interested in juice fasting/feasting for that amount of time.

**Here are some books on juicing that I'll be referencing:
“A Juice Feaster’s Handbook”- Angela Stokes-Monarch
“The Juice Fasting Bible”- Sandra Cabot
“The Juicing Book” – Stephen Blauer

**Here are some websites that I'll be referencing:
Juice Feasting
Juice Feasting blog
Juicing for Health

Interested in joining us for our day (or longer but no longer than 3 days)? You’re absolutely welcome to. This is just a part of my journey so there are no judgments here. I’m doing what I can.

Cheers!

Post Title → GULP GULP GULP GULP GULP!!!

OOH!OOH! GOTTA DO THE NO. 2!

Deep within us lays the colon (also known as the large intestine) that is responsible for the final stages of the digestive process. The colon's function is threefold: to absorb the remaining water and electrolytes from indigestible food matter; to accept and store food remains that were not digested in the small intestine; and to eliminate solid waste (feces) from the body.

The colon works to maintain the body's fluid balance. It absorbs certain vitamins, and processes indigestible material (such as fiber), and stores waste before it is eliminated. Within the colon, the mixture of fiber, small amounts of water, and vitamins, etc., mix with mucus and the bacteria that live in the large intestine, beginning the formation of feces.

As the feces make its way through the colon, the lining absorbs most of the water as well as some of the vitamins and minerals present. Bacteria within the colon feed on the fiber, breaking it down in order to produce nutrients that will nourish the cells that line the colon. This is why fiber is such a vital part of a diet geared toward the colon's long-term health.

The colon absorbs vitamins, salts, nutrients, and water. When these essential, life-giving ingredients are being properly absorbed, we feel good. But when the colon is not working well it begins to absorb toxins into the blood stream rather than expelling them. The result is a myriad of problems ranging from constipation and gas, to candida, diverticulitis, and various other chronic health issues.

This brings me to the topic of this post – COLONICS.

Several years ago, I did a “7 Day Super Cleanse” that would probably be deemed extreme to some folk. But at the time, I felt it necessary to really cleanse myself. It included me juice fasting for 7 days. 6 of those days I received a colonic. I typically scheduled my colonic in the morning just to get it done. At the time, it was not so difficult because I had made up my mind that I would do it. Amongst the organic juices that I drank was an apple juice w/an herbal cleanser and liquid bentonite added to it. I followed that cocktail w/16 oz of distilled water. My other juice was a Power Juice Drink that consisted of carrot, beets and celery juices w/Barley Grass Powder added to it. At the time I had a juicer, so I would prepare my juices at night. Boy if I knew then what I know now, I could have had some wonderful treats from the leftover pulp. Anyhoo, I never felt weak and did continue to work the entire time. I must say, at the end of that Super Cleanse, I felt great and my skin was freakin’ gorgeous! I do feel that I need a good colonic and do plan on getting one or, hopefully, two before the end of summer.

What is a Colonic? Alternate Names: colonic hydrotherapy, colonic irrigation, colon irrigation
A colonic is the infusion of water into the rectum by a colon therapist to cleanse and flush out the colon.

What is a Typical Colonic Like?
After completing a health history form and consulting with the colon hydrotherapist, you are asked to change into a gown and lie face up on a treatment table.
The colon therapist inserts a disposable speculum into the anus. This speculum is connected to a long disposable plastic hose connected to the colon hydrotherapy unit.
Warm, filtered water is slowly released into the colon. When I did my 7 Day Super Cleanse some years ago, (garlic was added to the water to promote healing.) The water causes the muscles of the colon to contract, called peristalsis. Peristalsis "pushes" feces out through the hose to be disposed in a closed waste system.
Neither you nor the colon therapist smells the feces. The therapist usually looks at the feces through the clear hose, and may comment on the color.
This procedure is not painful. You typically feel some discomfort in the abdomen during the therapy.
The colon therapist may massage your abdominal area to facilitate the process. This is my preferred type of colonic.
After the session, the therapist leaves the room so that you may sit on a toilet to pass any residual water and stools. Then you can get dressed.
A typical session lasts 45 minutes to one hour.

Additional Tips
After a colonic, you will more than likely be encouraged to take supplements containing friendly colon bacteria, called probiotics.
In my experience, I have been asked to refrain from eating prior to a session.

Have you ever had or considered a colonic as a part of cleansing your body?...

Post Title → OOH!OOH! GOTTA DO THE NO. 2!