Health and Well being: it's a long road!
Well, it's been two weeks.TWO WHOLE WEEKS.
Ok, I lied. It's been two and a half years.
In March 2010, I was laid off my job and depressed. I was ready for a change. I became inspired by a wonderful nuturopathic dr friend. She is the wife of a wonderful life long friend and I trusted her. She did a initial consult by looking at my tongue, eyes, nails and just talking to me about my health. She tested the acidity in my urine and also muscle tested me for different types of supplements. Moreover, she INSPIRED me. She gave me courage and hope through her words that it was possible to change. I had just gone through a scary almost-losing-a-parent situation and did not want to be in those shoes in the not too distant future. Needless to say, it was the push I needed.
A little history:
I was always over weight
OK, not like THAT overweight, but you get the idea. I had no concept of health, nutrition, exercise or anything. I don't fault my parents entirely for this. It was a lifestyle. We ate out a lot and when my mom did cook, it wasn't extremely nutritious. Now, I understand this was the era before all the GMO/Organic talk and it was extremely rare that we knew any vegans, etc. I frequently ate drive thru happy meals as dinner. I always got to have seconds and I was rarely told the word, "no." I wish I had a time machine to go tell myself some harsh words. Alas, I can only move forward.
So, flash to college. I am 19 years old and have been given the news after having a tumor ridden ovary removed: "it was cancer." HOLY SHIT. I WANT TO LIVE. I crash dieted. I'm not going to lie. I was eating so very little that I felt dizzy and I'm sure my blood sugar was at passing out levels. Again, where is that time machine!! ::::Future Sarah smacks Old Sarah::::
I lost weight. DUH.
It came back. DUH.
I was a mess. I began a downward spiral into a dark drug ridden depression. I ate to console myself. Bad breakup after bad breakup and I was at rock bottom. 2008 came and went and I was miserable and at the highest weight I'd ever seen myself balloon up to.
In December 2009 I saw a glimpse of losing something and someone that meant so much to me that I had to take control.
40 lbs ago
Motivation:
My dad was rushed to the hospital on December 11, 2009 only a week after this picture was taken at my niece's 3rd birthday party.
That day in the hospital I learned his heart had stopped and he could not breathe on his own. Looking at him in the ER I lost myself. I lost everything, I thought. I was shocked and stunned stupid. You don't realize what you have until it's barely hanging on. I told him to "go see his mom and dad." Tearfully, we were ready to say our goodbyes. That night going home with my mom to the empty side of the bed was the most difficult moment. He slowly recovered and was moved into the ICU. after almost 4 months in the hospital he came home. I spent the next year helping him get up and down, out of the shower, etc. I learned a lot about myself in that time.
I can't do this to my body anymore, I thought. Do I want to end up like this? That was the first step. It was a hard one to take. I started being more aware of what I was eating. I won't say that I started dieting, because that would be a lie. I did, however, think more about health.
After the meeting with my naturopath friend, I was on the road...
In August 2010 I was dieting. Consiously deciding not to eat carbs. like, at all. I know now that complex carbs are ok. At the time, I was all "baked/grilled chicken and veggies." I didn't even really exercise! I had not been addicted to sodas so cutting out that one or two a week was not hard. The weight came off and off! In all, I lost 40 lbs. 40!!!! I am more proud of that than most anything I've ever done.
It just so happened that one of my other life long friends was on the road to health herself! She had decided, in Oct 2009, that she was going to do what I was now set on doing. Getting healthy the right way! She was more dedicated and committed than I was. She was doing 5Ks before I ever got on the elliptical! She lost over 80 lbs and was my biggest inspiration next to my dad. Here is her blog. She rocks :)
Dubya Wife's blog
A year and a half ago, I started a nanny job for a family that has helped change my life. (and Justin's, too)
Not knowing me, the mother of the family put the prayer/vibe into the universe, "bring me someone to help my family who will benefit from us as much as we do from her." Since working here, she has given me the knowledge of a lifetime! Having come from a health conscious father, she knew many things to teach me. I've learned about the importance of organic, complex carbs, quinoa, yummy and healthy recipes, dehydrating and the wonder that is the VitaMix! I'm forever grateful.
So, to make a long story even longer, this last month something snapped in me and I knew I needed to get off my butt and move! I've been exercising at least 5 times a week. I started out small so I don't overdo it early on. I just walk. WALK. The faster the better, but sometimes I can use a cool down. I also started stretching everyday. For at least 30 minutes. I also rode the bike and did the elliptical in the workout room at the apartment last weekend! I'm as amazed as you are. I'm thinking of doing Zumba and alternating jog/walking daily. I've been also doing yoga and tai chi poses and exercises. I loved tai chi when I took it 10 years ago.
At the same time that I've been doing all these changes, a fellow classmate from high school posted her blog about her lifestyle change! It's so great to have so much support! She transformed her body post baby in a stunning record time. She sees a nutritionist and is kind enough to pass along her wisdom to us all. Check out her blog, too.
Lindsey's blog
Thanks for inspiring me, girl!
Resources:
These are a few of the places that I really LOVE. I get some new piece of information that helps me on my journey practically every single day. Great recipes, tips, articles, research. wonderful to know of them :DDr Weil's site
Dr Mercola's site
Heal Thyself Blog
Diet:
My diet is awesome! I haven't had red meat in weeks! we use ground turkey, but only natural with no hormones or additives. Only free range vegetarian fed chickens. Lots of bone broth! LOTS. Whole foods only. There are so many ways to spice up the same ole baked chicken. Also, the crock pot has become my best friend! Cookbooks are fun to me now. When did I get old???
Portion control
Gluten free/dairy free (Still struggling here)
Complex Carbs
Kombucha/Fermented foods/Kefir
GMOs
Whole foods only, no processed
eating fruit separate from meals
drinking warm water with lemon for detox of the liver
veggies with different elemental factors (some high in iron, others high in magnesium)
I also learned that I love to cook!! LOVE IT! Chopping vegetable is almost ZEN like. I enjoy preparing meals with Justin at my side. It makes me feel really good.
I shop for healthy veggies at the farmer's market and prepare some new dish almost every night. Although, lately, Justin has been helping make dinner because I get really tired before I do my nightly exercise (THANK YOU, BABE)
I also became addicted to Pinterest. I am always late to the party. Oh well. I find so many cool things on there! follow me:
My Pinterest Recipes
Exercise:
I found this wonderful woman, Theresa Tapp. She has many youtube videos with different, easy muscle toning exercies. She helps give you tips about increasing your heart rate rapidly and doing short, small bursts. It's very easy and has helped me. If you are wanting to learn more, this kind of explains it:
What is T TAPP?
Success story: 29 Inches in 3 months!
Sticking with it:
So here we are on the other side. Trying for another 40! I feel good. My energy is up and I have CONVICTION. I KNOW I can do it. and I WILL. I may struggle, but the reward is so very worth it.
Long Term Health:
I'm making the commitment, here and now, to tell everyone that I'm going to get my body in a healthy state so that I can live a long, healthy and happy life full of energy and positivity! If I can do it, seriously, ANYONE can. Believe in yourself. It may seem hard, but let me tell you how good it can feel!
