Your Ideal Weight

Re-set Did the Trick

Ok, my 3-day re-set was life-changing, body changing, and truly a perfect re-charge, both physically and emotionally.  Another 2 pounds of water weight lost without the slightest feeling of deprivation, cravings, hunger, or unpleasantness.  Why do I fixate so much on the fact that it's water weight?  Because that's exactly what weight loss is in such short order...cells shedding all of that extra water (and all of the toxins they've been holding) so that your metabolism can function correctly and your cells can process nutrients and energy in the way they're meant to). 

So, while it's (dare I say) "fun" to report that "I lost 7.5 pounds" in the 3 days of my re-set (and yes, I can again button my shorts!), what I really did was re-balance my body and take all of the strain off of my heart, lungs, muscles, and cells so they can start responding with a kick-butt dose of "let's serve this body well!"

 
Finished day 3 yesterday by enjoying a lunch of possibly the most exquisite salad ever created in the history of the world (organic greens, perfectly ripened strawberries, walnuts, turkey, orange peppers, a dot or two of feta, and a really light huckleberry vinaigrette...thanx to Litehouse Dressings...click here for a coupon...you'll thank me).  Enjoyed dinner on the patio with fresh white peaches, laughing cow chipotle cheese wedges, a few wheat thins and a celebratory glass of one of my favorite winery's stunning blends (Cougar Crest out of Walla Walla, if you're wondering).

"HOW IN THE HECK CAN YOU CONSIDER CHEESE, WHEAT THINS, AND WINE AS PART OF A HEALTHY RE-SET, DEANNA?" you might be asking.  Well, everything in moderation, my friends.  First, red wine is known to be heart-healthy, after all.  Resveretrol is pure magic.  But that's really not the point here.  Everything in moderation, people.  Perfect portion sizes and ideal balancing over time of your nutritional intake (mostly whole foods with a smattering of goodies here and there) makes for a happy, healthy body (and a happy, healthy me, which makes life just so much more fabulous).  That's my story and I'm sticking to it.

I will say that I'll be moving back toward my focus on the mind part of keeping the body healthy.  I know I've talked a lot over the last few days about food because it was something I prioritized to remember how good it feels to provide my body with the resources it really wants (and needs) to be vibrantly healthy.  That's one really critical step toward keeping the mind in control of letting the body experience its very best outcomes.  So...re-set complete.  Looking forward to what's next!

Day Three Off to a Great Start

Gotta say that day two ended brilliantly.  Lunch was a crunchy blend of leftover cucumber & tomato salad over leftover brown rice and pineapple salad with some chicken breast.  Totally flavorful, totally satisfying.

First day I ventured out on my own after the back injury...out of bed and actually driving on my own.  It was a little ambitious...pain went up and ready access to "comfort foods" went up along with it.  I just watched my responses like an observer, though.  It was so interesting to notice the "ritual" I have around savoring foods that I enjoy while I'm doing something else...or because I'm in the neighborhood...or because it just "sounds good."  I felt good about just noticing...not judging...not denying, and affirming that if I had really wanted that cookie (or milkshake or any number of other things that crossed my mind!) I could, indeed, choose to have it and enjoy it.  When I stopped to be present for a moment and really ask my mind and body if I really wanted it then and/or if my body would benefit from it in any way right now, the answer was a plain, apologetic, non-dramatic "no."  I enjoyed the cold grapes I had brought along and went about my business.

Dinner was a quick fix of 1/2 of a turkey/ham sandwich on luscious wheat bread with a huge heap of crunchy salad on the side.  I soothing cup of warm lemon water before bed replaced the "ritual" (or "habit") of cruising out for a bowl of ice cream or handful of chocolate chips.

Started the morning having lost another 2 pounds of water weight and feeling incredibly healthy and good about myself...primarily good about listening to what helps my body thrive and actually responding to it.  Eggs with herbs and avacados for breakfast, along with some steel cut oatmeal with fresh berries and agave nectar.  Pretty sure I'm poised for a day of well-being and kindness to my body.  Right on!

Day Two: Feeling Fabulous

No cravings. No emotional desire to eat. No "giving in to temptation" when something's right in front of me (like the dark-chocolate free-trade candy bar sitting in my bedside table...just don't feel like it right now).  I LOVE THIS FEELING!

Typically I don't focus on "weight" itself that much--it's too deceiving.  I'm a muscular woman with calves the size of a linebacker, so the scale lies pretty effectively about the actual state of my body.  Yes, I know this is an "ideal weight" blog, but I'm much more interested in feeling healthy, looking healthy, being able to do what I want to do, having vibrant energy, setting the stage for healthy habits for my kids, and--ok, here's the vain part--looking cute in my clothes or au natural, whichever I choose!). 

BUT I will say that I was pleased to have shed 3 1/2 pounds of water weight between yesterday and today simply because I feel so much lighter and like my body is working as it should be.  I pounded the cranberry water all day yesterday, ate my wholesome, flavor-packed foods, stayed present in the moment, and literally enjoyed every minute of it.  And I'm feeling better than I have in months.  LOVE IT LOVE IT LOVE IT.

Just polishing off my morning smoothie of berries, bananas, whey and soy protein, flaxseed, and spinach (yes, spinach...it kicks patootie in a smoothie). By brain is laser-focused, the inflammation in my back is markedly reduced, and I'm set for another phenomenal day.  Right on! 

Day One Re-set Success!

Right on.  The day progressed brilliantly, between a commitment to eat whole, healthy foods, and its companion commitment to be mindful and savor the whole experience. I'm glad to report that day one was a smashing success.  Highlights:

• Lunch was a succulent, summery salad of cucumbers, tomatoes, red onions, parsley, lemon, olive oil, garlic, and cumin topped with tender natural rotisserie chicken breast.  I loved the process of chopping...so methodical and meditative.  I've missed the "slow food" movement!

• Snack was a crisp, sweet fuji apple straight from the cold refrigerator on a hot day.
• Dinner was an amazing flat iron steak marinated in red wine, garlic, shallots, cayenne pepper, ginger, dry mustard and olive oil.  I paired it with roasted asparagus dressed with a little olive oil, fresh lemon, and a shaving of nutty parmesan.  And I got a little inventive with a side of brown rice mixed with pineapple chunks, scallions, and a few macadamia nuts, dressed with a splash of orange juice, olive oil, agave nectar, and cinnamon.  Ooooooooohhhhhhh it couldn't have been more perfect.

My body (and my mind) are in a constant state of gratitude.  I feel fabulous energy, heightened focus, complete satiety, no cravings whatsoever, and completely peaceful about my body and my weight.  I loved the process of preparing these wonderful whole foods (and spending time doing it with my 8 year old daughter, who had a blast) and just being in the moment paying attention not only to the food itself, but to the process of preparing it and the joy of eating it.

It's times like these when I think to myself, "how on earth could you let yourself get away from feeling this good?"  I guess we just keep getting opportunities to re-learn what we most need to know. 

Today was a good day of re-learning.  What a blessing of a beginning.

Time for a Reset!

So, it's time for a re-set.  Everyone can get to a place where a busy lifestyle, a setback, complacence, an injury, or the planets being totally out of alignment can wreak havoc on an otherwise respectable path toward healthy living.  When that happens, it's time for a re-set.  

The next few posts are going to be offered by me, Deanna, as a tour through her favorite process of "re-setting" her mind & body for great health and weight results.  I've been in bed with a back injury, unable to walk much (and missing my Zumba classes!) and taking lots of medications that my body is rebelling against in a BIG way (including a BIG increase in belly girth brought on by those meds...couldn't button my pants when I went to the chiropractor...yikes...and yuck!).  But I know it's temporary and I'm ready for my re-set.

Over the next few days I'll update you on the things I do over a period of about a week to help my body and mind remember what it feels like to be balanced and healthy.  Without further delay, here are the first steps I am taking to enjoy a week or so of re-setting:

• Since I've been out of commission with my back injury, I sent my husband to the store yesterday with a very specific grocery list jam-packed with whole foods and everything I need to help my body recall just how good it feels to eat vibrant, richly-colored, full-of flavor, fresh, nutritious fare.  He returned with approximately half of the items on the list because the other things (which were carefully categorized by exactly where he could find them in the store) "were too hard to find."  But I was grateful for his help and at least he got the most important stuff (lots of fruits and veggies).
• I started yesterday drinking an 8-ounce glass of water each hour to help flush all of those medications and pent-up toxins out of my system.  Then, I admittedly enjoyed a lovely (relatively small) ice-cream sundae (and truly savored it!) because I'll be refraining from those types of things for a few days and wanted to acknowledge that I'll welcome them back in healthy ways when I feel inclined.
• This morning, I woke up and immediately started the day with a couple of fiber pills washed down with a big glass of 1/2 cranberry juice (unsweetened) and 1/2 water.  I don't usually take supplements because I think fiber should come from a fabulous array of whole foods, but sometimes it's appropriate to jump-start things a bit when you've been out of commission.
• Just before breakfast, I enjoyed a warm glass of water with the juice of 1/2 lemon squeezed into it.  Between the lemon and the cranberries, my liver and kidneys are singing "praise, hallelujah!"
• Followed that up with a truly fabulous scramble (1 egg, 2 whites) filled with onions, orange peppers, garlic, broccoli, and spinach seasoned with a little cayenne pepper (no salt for a few days).

I already feel 10 times better than I have for the last week...my body is saying "you like me...you really, really like me."  Ahhhh...beginnings are really nice sometimes.  More on the next steps later!