10-25-10 CQ Update

I have kept off most of the weight I lost on the fast since starting eating solids again. I feel pretty good. Still want to lose more. Trying to make better choices in my food selections, and I have been doing OK with that. Still room for some improvement. I have been doing a lot better with my portion sizes though. Also, been doing better with staying away from junk (asides from chocolate, which I need to get a better grip on).

I saw that one of our mutual friends has been exercising 6 days a week for 8 weeks and has lost 28 pounds. Very inspiring! I think I will go to yoga this evening.

I am doing better since they switched my antibiotics. Not 100%, but back to about the normal amount of daily pain I've used to. My pain level is at about a 3 instead of a 8 like it was all of last week, so I have found the desire to live again. hahaha. Sad, but unfortunately true.

In dealing with my chronic pain I talked to my bf about some of my concerns with it. I told him I was worried about going back to work (I am going for my 4th interview today with this one company for a Production Coordinator position and they are getting close to making a decision. I am on of the final candidates). I am worried about my pain level while maintaining a full time job, and worried about asking them about getting me a workstation where I can stand because I have issues sitting for long periods of time (if I am offered the job). Also, I have medical procedures I have to plan for and I hate the idea of going into a job already needing time off from work. My bf told me I have to accept the fact that this may be something I have to deal with for the rest of my life potentially, so I ought to just get prepared to deal with those sorts of implications and keep on with my life. And he's right. So, on with my life I am trying to keep on keeping on.

10-22-10 CQ

I am headed back to the doctor today. I still feel crappy. I think they need to give me some other kind of antibiotics. Also, I am going to Stanford for another MRI. Maybe they will find something new that they can permanently fix? Oh, I feel so miserable. Can't sleep. Also, its true, I'm addicted to chocolate. I had way too much today.

Anyhow, for dinner I am making spring rolls. Yay! mmmmmm...

10-21-10 CQ

I concluded my fast the afternoon of day 10. My first meal was at the salad bar 'Fresh Choice.' I had salad, this pho soup sort of thing, and couldn't resist the chocolate muffin. I actually didn't care for the chocolate muffin. It is odd how my taste buds change when given the chance to refresh. I still seem to have an addiction to chocolate though, as I finished that chocolate bar I had worked on the day before and then some. Perhaps I should go on a chocolate fast?

Despite having a big meal yesterday, I have still managed to lose weight. I am now at 140.8 pounds, which means I have lost 10 pounds. Perhaps this year I will make my goal of being 135 again?

I am still trying to figure out parts of my health problem. I am worried I may have chronic bladder inflammation. I need to retest. I will do so when I am done with my antibiotics.

One of my goals is to drink more water. Another is to reduce my sugar and chocolate intake. I think this could help lower my risk of chronic infections.

I had a bowl of cereal today. I need to plan out what I would like my meals to look like. I think since the weather is starting to cool down that oatmeal would make a good nutritious breakfast.

I would like to cut down on my bread intake, as that apparently just breaks down into sugar production. So, I need to make some meals that work with that.

The boyfriend and I are going to make red cabbage soup over the weekend. It will have onions, carrots, and some meat in it. I will eat that for 5 days I imagine. I think I may replace the sugar that goes into it with honey.

I also would like to limit my intake of cheese and meat even more so than I had before. I just don't feel like they are that good for me, and the idea of eating stuff from animals kind of freaks me out. Especially american cows who are usually fed a corn diet when in actuality they need to be grass fed.

One thing I need to do is continue to get exercise. My most recent physical therapist does not give me her blessing when it comes to climbing, atleast until she feels I start improving. She also thinks I need to be careful when it comes to yoga. I suppose walking should be okay as long as I get some kind of insert for my shoe to compensate for my one shorter leg. Walking is so boring though. I still think I will try and go to yoga. My other PT didn't have much of a problem with me doing either of those activities really. Soooooo....

I know the following doesn't have anything to do with physical health, but more so emotional health: I am getting increasingly more frustrated with having a roommate. I really desire and need my own space to walk around wearing (or not wearing) whatever I want. And mostly, I am getting really sick of having to constantly clean up after someone else. I really need to live by myself again. I had a third interview with this one company who had me interview with 5 different people separately. However, I was supposed to hear from them on Tuesday and its now Thursday. I am assuming I didn't get the job. I was really hoping I got it because then I could move out and get my own place again!! And I wouldn't have to worry so hard about health insurance and such. But I was also thinking, 'man, I won't have time to go travel like I was hoping and it will be hard to get to all my doctor appointments.' I was questioning if I was really ready to go back to work. So, its a mixed blessing. I am really tired of cleaning up after someone else though. Its getting on my last nerve.

Photos

10-20-10 - Day 10 of Fast - CQ

Yesterday I had mostly water, as well as some juice mixed with water. I also was quite hungry, so I had a few tablespoons of peanut butter, and *gasp* some dark chocolate. The dark chocolate felt like it was burning my tongue. I actually really didn't like it. The peanut butter was a godsend. Great protein and good fats. I feel okay today. I need to figure out what my plan is for today. I have enough juice for today and some almond milk. I did feel some increased pain after I had the juice yesterday. I am going to try that again today and see what happens.

Today I measured myself and actually had some inch loss. Oh, also yesterday I took some photos in me in my 'skinny jeans.' I would like those to be what I am trying to get into again. I can actually fit into them now and close them, but there is some extra 'muffin top' going on there. I will upload the photos in another post.

I can see myself from this fast gaining some self control. Its good. I think I have a better chance of keeping my diet under control and making healthier choices.

10-19-10 Day 9 of Juice fast

Well, it turns out the pain I was having was actually a UTI. Apparently, I was supposed to be adding water to the juice I drank to avoid dehydration. I think it is likely that dehydration caused the infection. So, now I am on anti-biotics. Yesterday I didn't have any juice. I just drank water, almond milk (which I made, and is mostly water), soy milk and had some organic vegetable broth. I am feeling 40% better.

I think however that I didn't strain the almond milk well enough, and the particles have activated the digestive system, which is causing me to feel hungry this morning.

I am also wondering if perhaps all the juice I had been drinking upset my bladder, which could indicate I may have Interstitial Cystitis. I sincerely hope that is not the case. I am considering transitioning my diet back on to that again when I break my fast just to see what happens... If it helps, I'll be stuck on the diet the rest of my life, or until they find a cure for IC. Likely though, IC is not the case, as I already have medical tests confirming another diagnosis. However, I have heard of people having both PN and IC. So, I just want to cover my bases. This is a good time to do that.

My stomach looks flatter, but I have not noticed much of a difference in my measurements. Just a slight difference. I am not sure what to make of it.

On the detoxification side, I have noticed some signs that it is starting to work. I'll spare you the details.

I am not sure if I will make it the whole 14 days on this fast. The boyfriend told me he misses eating with me, and after this infection business I am wondering if I am doing the right thing or not. I don't want to harm my body. There is detoxification occuring, however I wonder if the weight loss is all fluid and digestive content loss. I should had been drinking water all this time. I am so horrible about that. I need to be drinking water despite how much I hate doing so.

I am becoming conflicted about this, and I am unsure of what direction I want to take with it.

Also, no new euphoric experiences.

I don't know if I mentioned this or not, but on Sunday I had half of an avocado and 1/3 of a banana. I think it gave me some much needed good fats and potasium into my system.

10-17-10 Day 7 of Juice Fast - CQ

I feel pretty good. Yesterday it said I have lost 9.6 pounds. The bf thinks my belly looks better, and my shape is narrowing at the waist. I saw a photo of me making juice yesterday, and I feel like my arms look a little more toned, and my clothes look big.

Aside from my crisis yesterday where I waited too long to get myself to some juice, I feel fine. I have added pureed 'soup' to my menu. So far I have had the corn/bell pepper one. The ingredients are good, nothing bad other than a little salt. I got the soup from the trader joes market. I also bought a sweet potato soup from them and some vegetable broth. Haven't tried them yet. Let me say, going to the grocery store and to the farmers market was HARD! So many things I wanted to buy or try. But I was good and stuck to fruits I could juice.

The bf helped me make some DELICIOUS juice. I made pink grapefruit juice, which I sweetened with honey. I also made a fresh pineapple/strawberry juice, which is really good. I bought some concord grapes from the farmers market, and it made really good juice. I made the mistake of mixing it with some peaches I juiced. The peaches wound up not being very sweet; kind of bland. But the grapes were delicious.

I'm so glad I made them. Tuesday through Friday of last week all I had was carrot/orange, or orange. Toooooooo much!

This has given me an appreciation of food. I would randomly snack prior to this, and I think it helped keep excess weight on me. I was thinking yesterday it was so rare I would eat and actually be hungry. Like stomach grumbling hungry. Americans eat too much.

I felt a euphoric feeling yesterday for about an hour. I decided to do some yoga stretches to some awesome music. I sat in the (overcast) sun for 10 or 15 minutes and planted some stuff in the garden. I was asleep by 8:45 p.m.

One other thing I noticed (when I was going through a mini crisis) was my increased awareness of my emotions. Interesting stuff. It was very brief, but interesting it came up.

Today I feel fine. I was up early, did my homework, and went back to cuddle with the bf for awhile. Then I got up, had some juice, and took a bath.

My pain level has been up the past few days. I have heard when juice fasting the body takes time to heal, and can increase pain injuries (even previous ones). That is the only thing I can think of as to why this is happening, other than maybe having some sort of infection.

Anyhow, that is it for now. I think I can easily last another few days. 14 days is the goal. I will see how I feel in a few days.

10-14-10 CQ Day 4 of Juice Fast

Today is day 4 of juice fast. I was hungry this afternoon. I went to Robeks Juice and got 32 oz of orange juice. I feel fine now. I even felt fine about half way through the juice. I drank the rest of it though, because I think its better cold.

I have lost some more weight. 6.2 pounds this week. My composition has not changed much though, so its likely water or maybe toxins? I do however feel less bloated. My stomach looks a little smaller. I don't know how that is if I measure the same, but it does look a little better. If mother nature didn't bless me with her gift I would totally want to go to yoga today. Exercise of some sort today would be good. However, I have a ton of homework to do, so I dunno. Maybe I will atleast do the stuff my physical therapists recommended.

I don't remember if I mentioned this or not already this week, but I played tennis for 30-40 minutes this week.

I hope you like the new format. There is really all sorts of cool stuff we can do with it. Let me know what you think!

10-13-10 CQ Day 3 of Fast

I am going to consider this day three of my juice fast, because three days ago I only had apple sauce and cottage cheese, which really isn't very substantial, and half of it is nearly liquified fruit.

Today I found myself hungry because I wasn't able to get juice early enough in the day. I had some juice and felt better. I am feeling hungry again, I think because part of the juice I had must had been pasturized, which is just no good in juice fasting land. It makes people hungry apparently. Opps!

So far, I am learning to appreciate food a lot more than I was before. I am thinking of all sorts of fun healthy things to eat. Perhaps I will find the motivation to do thorough grocery shopping when I am off this juice fast.

Other than some hunger pangs here and there, there have been 'other' unpleasantries. I decided to use a colon cleanse. I want to try and detoxify my body with this fast. So, I've had some gas-like pains, and the rest I'll just leave unmentioned.

I have lost about a pound a day so far. I think the detoxifying qualities of this are starting to come into place, because of some signs I have noticed. Yay.

Gosh, wouldn't it be awesome if I could actually do this??

10/12/10 CQ

Well, I think our potential third person has chickened out. It is hard to have to look at things we do that aren't good for ourselves on a regular basis! That is my best guess.

I think you are doing well MT. You have been paying closer attention to what you are consuming, and eating at 'greasy buffets' on a much less regular basis. Also, I've seen you on facebook. You look healthy to me! And you seem to be getting a lot of exercise in, which is great. I wish I could say the same! (Although I did solid yard work for atleast 2 hours over the weekend!).

I on the other hand have had a hell of a time this year. I have a big tummy now, and arms. And the back rolls are back unfortunately. I feel fat, unattractive, and otherwise don't want to live with myself this way. I hate it.

I don't feel like I eat all that much. And I don't think I make horrible choices. I do sometimes not do so well when I eat away from home. Perhaps that is part of the problem? The other day I went to an indian buffet. I only had one small plate, and some water. But I probably could had really gone without going there. It wound up not even being all that delicious as I had hoped.

I still want to try and reduce some weight before my birthday. And with you having that halloween goal, it is kind of motivating. I bought a wonder woman costume, and I want to look as fit as possible. But seriously, I doubt you will need to wear any granny supportive garments. Don't worry about it!

I am going to try to go on a 15 day juice fast. I've done it before for several days (maybe 5?). The last time I did it was last december. I have read there are a lot of good benefits to doing that. It can help the body eliminate toxins and heal. I figure on the days I am home (not at the beaus house) I can walk downtown to get me some fresh made juice. And on the days I am at his house he and I can make it together (I brought my juicer over to his house last weekend).

It is going to be a challenge. Especially since my friend is having a pizza party this Saturday. But I think I can do it if I keep disciplined. I read the blog of a woman who fasterd for 40 days who started at my exact weight, and she lost 14 pounds in 15 days, then only two more pounds the remainder of her fast. So I figure I might be able to get the best benefits if I do this for 15 days. I'll take a photo later today to show where my start point is. It seems to be the most motivating when I have concrete evidence like a photo! Wish me luck!

10-12-10

10-12-10
I was on vacation the last couple of days on this beautiful island- it was awesome! Anyways, hiked a lot so got a lot of exercise and ate somewhat well.
Okay, today.
Food: healthy veg and egg breakfast burritos, two handfuls of almonds.
Exercise- walk with dogs.
I’ve got a great plan from now on. I realize I’m probably not going to reach my goals before Halloween so might have to buy a girdle or something for that hot red dress. Sad eh?

10-6-10 CQ

Today I went and played tennis against a wall for half an hour. I didn't do so well on the eating part though. I just am not planning meals, and then I go around eating whatever I find in my house. Not nutritionally balanced to the least. I'm going to do better. I will go grocery shopping. I'm thinking of getting some apples, oranges, strawberries and getting some stuff to make salad. A salad with avocado, homegrown tomatoes and balsamic w/ olive oil. Then, I need to think of other stuff I can snack on, and a big meal to make to last me the week. I hate planning for food. I would almost rather starve, which I sometimes do. The beau gets mad at me because I tend to depend on him to feed me and meal plan. Oppss. But who can resist a man who can cook? I can get used to that for sure!

CQ - 10-5-10

Today I bought a tennis racket and played tennis with my roommate for 30-40 minutes. I am going to try and play tomorrow too when I am in Oakland. I am going to go into Montclair Village and practice against the wall they have there in the courts/park. Yay!

10-4-10 CQ

I did okay on the consumption part this week, but didn't get any exercise done whatsoever. It sounds like you are doing well with the eating and exercising MT!

MT the slacker

10-05-10
Gotta stay up on this stuff.
Okay breakfast- breakfast sandwich yummy but maybe a bit fattening.
Lunch- caprese salad and a toasted tortilla to dip in the olive oil afterwards. Yummy but you guessed it a little bit fattening.
Dinner- a couple of small bites of seafood- long story. Had maybe 3 bites of crab. Sigh. Wanted more
After dinner snack- hard boiled egg
A cup of miso soup
A cup of ‘fiber-max’ corn soup
(by cup I mean like 6 ounces)
Exercise- 45 min walk with doggies on the beach, and then 30 min of hoop walking, then 150 lunges. That’s right, I’m gonna get in shape baby!

going shoppingtomorrow. Lots of veg and protein!