Learning: Trial and Error

So the Blood Type Diet says I should avoid ice cream. Been following the recommendations of my type A for a few weeks now. Seems spot on. Last week I had some frozen yogurt and had no digestion problems at all. Last night my sweetie decided to pick up some vanilla ice cream as a treat. Only had a scoop and almost immediately had bloating and excess gas, ugh. Sure did taste good though. No more ice cream for this girl. If I have a cheat dessert, it will be frozen yogurt from now on.
On our recent trip to Cabo we went off our new BTD as well, as little as we could anyways, but still. I had stomach problems almost the entire time. Gas, bloating and more. My commitment was reconfirmed to adhere to this new lifestyle (diet) immediately upon return. Living and learning along the way to my goal of optimum health and fitness. Posting to sharing to help others.

Healthy Digestion

I used to struggled with my eating habits for many years. When I was OVER working in the retail industry, I would starve all day (minus a smoothie in the afternoon most days) to avoid getting a bloated stomach. Not healthy. Then when I had gained weight on medications, I began to have a weightloss drink two times a day and then eat dinner. Of course I lost a little but not much. Once we began the "Candida Diet" including portion control, I started to really lose weight. Robert and I had to do lots of research to figure out how to make our body happy with food, especially mine, I've always had some digestion issues. I used to have to take antacids all the time! 

Over the last 6 years, I've finally found the key to digestive happiness. For me, drinking 10 oz of water first thing upon rising, followed by 10 more oz of water with a cap full of Bragg's ACV maybe 15 mins later, gets my digestive track off to a great start. Moves things along if you know what I mean. I drink more water while I exercise, then eat my breakfast @ 9am. I also always drink water at least 20 mins before I eat meals (not during or after, because you don't want to dilute the stomach juices). I drink 10-20 oz water @ 11am. At 11:30am I have a small cup of unsweetened juice (mixture of cranberry, aloe, lemon + calcium powder) and supplements. 11:45am I have my quarter grapefruit/plum or apricot. Between noon and 1 (depending on hunger) I have a mid day meal. Around 2:30, depending on when I had my meal, I drink 10-20 oz of water. Between 3-3:30 I have my lunch. Around 5 I have a green drink and supplements. Around 5:30 I have my carrot/celery/apple/sunbutter snack. At 6 we eat dinner. I don't have any more fluids til morning. Happy tummy. Eating 4 small meals a day with two snacks is very helpful with weight and overall health, as long as you have had enough water throughout the day. I also don't get anymore stomach bloating since I began the Blood Type Diet.

Toning is just as Hard as Losing the Weight

Been eating clean for about 5 years now. Do I cheat occasionally? Yes. Since we came back to California there has been more eating out, with family mainly, although we try to pick Mexican or Thai food which is usually pretty safe and MSG free. Still. I went from a Size 8 to a 10 in six months. So I decided to kick up my exercise routine a notch and borrowed my brothers P90X videos. DANG. So glad I've been pretty dedicated to working out before hand, cause they mean business. BRING IT! No kidding. I'm into my 5th week. So I work out an average of an hour and 17 mins a day and sweat my butt off, literally. I'm bound and determined to get rid of all the toxins that are stored in my fat from 6 years of medications. Cellulite be gone too! I'm 41 this year and in the best shape of my life and not done yet. Look forward to posting the after picture on this blog when 90 days is over.

Helping Others While Helping Yourself

On this journey, I found a calling to try to help others to find the path to weight loss, health and betterment. It started with my family of course and has branched out from there. First with starting a Facebook page called Size 18 to 8 and then eventually this blog. I'm not a licensed coach or health practitioner and don't have any desire at this time to become one, however, I do care about other people and sympathize with the struggle they face in this day and age eating the SAD (Standard American Diet). If I can help even one person to better their life and circumstance it will be worth my effort. Even if I don't, I gain renewed conviction each time I give my testimony to another person, so it's really a win win. I would love to hear from anyone who has found this blog? Have you found it helpful? Have any suggestions for future topics? Any questions? Look forward to hearing from you.

You are Worth the Effort

I know first hand how hard it is to lose weight. Not only lose it but maintain it too. There are going to be times where you get frustrated and want to quit. I know I've felt that way more than once, even after doing this for almost 5 years now. It's not easy when society is pummeled by commercials everyday selling unhealthy products, that look so dang good. Not to mention the grocery stores that are filled with 80% junk food. If your like me, most of your friends and family don't eat healthy and your constantly placed in situations where you are tempted to join them. Stay strong! Look in the mirror and tell yourself, "You are worth it". I like to reflect on what life was like back when I ate unhealthy, was overweight and was pretty much toxic and how far I've come from that time. That alone usually kicks my butt back in gear. Don't give up! YOU ARE WORTH IT!

Learning and Growing along the way

As I write this today I remember how it was in the beginning like it was yesterday. Along the path to better health we have constantly taken steps to improve what we eat, drink and think. Until I reach my ultimate goal of losing all of the fat and cellulite that hold all of the toxins from 6 years of poisonous medications, I will continue to search for solutions. If you hit a plateau like I did several times, don't just quit, see what could use improvement first. Are you drinking enough good water, eating clean, and having a positive outlook on life? All three are crucial to having a slim healthy body. Did you go a step further in your workout regimen if you have hit a plateau? So what can you do to make it to your goal?

To Cheat or Not to Cheat

I'm not perfect and not many are when it comes to watching what you eat. In the beginning, if your as addicted to sugar and processed foods as I was, you'll feel deprived. It's pretty normal. Even with strong self will you will fall pray to cravings and temptations. Or I've heard some people say they schedule a cheat meal like once a week. Why not, if you feel you need to. Do what works for you to stick to a better diet. For me, if the craving lasted very long, I would finally give in. That's okay. Just go back to better eating the next meal. Over time, when your body has adjusted to the new way of eating, the "cheat" won't taste as good as you thought it would. Not only that but I no longer "reward" myself with junk. Now that's change.