New Beginnings

Here it goes - I'm starting this blog because I really need some help motivating myself to stick to my weight loss plan. I'm hoping that some accountability will help. I don't know if anyone will read this but me, and it doesn't matter. I'm just glad that I'm finally working on it.

Here's my plan:
I follow (when I'm being good ;) - the Schwarzbein Principle, written by Diana Schwarzbein, M.D. - she's a cutting edge endocrinologist in Santa Barbara, CA, and had written a series of fabulous books about reclaiming your health. This is definitely NOT a fast weight loss plan. Her's a health program, and this is my journal to better health.

I am following the Healing Plan, since I have been addicted to sugar for some time. I seem to do alright for a few days or a couple of weeks, but inevitably, I fall off the bandwagon. So, here are the guidelines I'm following:

Step 1: HEALTY NUTRITION: 3 meals plus 2 snacks a day

Carbohydrates: 25 grams carbs per meal and snack (total 125 per day). For the first month, I'm only eating gluten-free carbs, since that's what she advocates for her program. All carbohydrates need to be Real Carbs - that is, that they need to be whole grain, or from starchy vegetables. I'm avoiding all wheat products, and most barley, rye, etc. She does say to try oats, and see if your body can tolerate them.
Protein: 13 ounces high quality protein from lean sources (91 grams) - hormone-free, organic whenever possible (we already do this)
Fat: no restriction on healthy poly and mono unsaturated fats. Small amounts of real butter and coconut oil. Absolutely no hydrogenated or trans fats.
Non-starchy vegetables: 5- 1 c. serving daily. Try to eat organic as much as possible.
Fruit: On healing plan, try to limit to 1 serving a day, preferably of low-glycemic fruits (berries, grapefruit) I have decided though, that fruit will be my fall-back when I have sugar cravings. If I'm really having a hard time, I will use fruit to satisfy my cravings.
Water: 8-12 glasses water (filtered)/day

Step 2: Stress Management:

Sleep: minimum of 8 hours of sleep at night. I'm going to be getting up at 5:30 to exercise, so that means that I need to go to be by 9:30 to get 8 hours in. If I miss, I may make up 1 hour with a nap.

Meditation: prayer and scripture study 30 minutes daily

Step 3: Tapering off Toxic Chemicals, or Avoiding them Completely

I think that, after the first few days, this should be easier for me. The only toxic chemical that I have a hard time with is sugar/refined flours. I make a commitment right now - no refined sugars or flours will cross my lips until after I have reached my goal! I will use fruit to deal with my cravings.

Step 4: Smart Exercise

Exercising in the healing plan consists of adaptive exercise and calming exercises. For adaptive exercises, I will be doing Pilates and Weights. Calming exercises include slow walking and stretching. My goal is to exercise 5-6 days/week.

Goals:
I hesitate to have a definite weight goal, since I'm not sure what an "ideal" weight is for me, but I think somewhere between 132-145 lbs would be healthy and normal. I would like to be a healthy size 8 or 10.

Each day, I'm going to journal my food diary, to be accountable for everything I put into my mouth. I also am going to read a little each day from Body Clutter, a book by Marla Cilley, that will help me go through the pshycological reasons behind my sugar addictions.

Here's to a healthier life!