This week

Last Saturday I made a commitment to reduce all white flour, sugar, sugar substitutes and caffeine. I think I was a little ambitious when I made this decision to cut all these things out immediately starting on Monday. I would have loved to report that I have the self control to cut everything out cold turkey, but I'm such a sugar-hollic I have to give myself a break. Therefore, this week turned into the week where I focused on cutting out sugar substitutes and caffeine. Moderation in all things, right? That's how we make lasting lifestyle changes and not fad diet choices. I'm in this for the long haul! As I enter into my 5th day this week I can proudly say that I have not had any sugar substitutes or caffeine this week. Who would have thought I could have made it a whole week without any ZipFizz. I am very proud of myself! Has it been hard? YES! Do I feel better? Not yet. I've been SO exhausted this week, but I wouldn't let myself cave. I know that there is a time period where my body has to detox before I feel the immediate benefits. Exercise did suffer this week. Usually I get my workout energy from ZipFizz and it allows me to have a great run or a great BodyPump, step or spin class. But this week I was so tired and so week that I didn't get much exercise in. I did fit in walking or at least moving for 30 minutes a day, taking the stairs, etc. but I feel flabby and fat from not getting my butt kicked in class or on the treadmill. There are those negative thoughts again, I've got to learn to be nice to myself. I'm committing to workout next week, even if I'm exhausted. I gotta push through. You see I have this fine line though, I have to listen to my body to not overdo it, but then I also have to push myself otherwise I'll always be too tired. Exercise helps me feel better, but depending on the day it can be detrimental because sometimes my body can't recover. Therefore, I'm still trying to figure out when it's ok to push and when I have to just back off and listen. Either way, I feel confident that giving up caffeine and sugar substitutes will help me feel better and be healthier in the long run, even if my exercise schedule suffers for a few weeks in the meantime while my body adapts. 

Sugar and white flours are next week. Since we had chocolate cake left over from Valentines day and I've had an emotion/hormonal week, I just couldn't resist the chocolate. Partner that with my lack of exercise this week and no wonder I notice some extra flab. It's not like this cake was exactly low calorie. I'd post the recipe but it goes against everything I stand for. It has real caramel in the middle layer and heavy whipping cream in the ganache. It was heaven! Only once a year will I do this for my husband because  I love him so much! 

Update

When I first started this blog I made THIS post. Now it's almost a year later, to the day, and I feel like I'm right back where I started and never really did what I promised to do. Is February just an inspiring month for me? Not sure what it is. Either way, I'm ready to truly make a change.

In looking back over the last year I feel like I've failed. I didn't really seek out an answer, I didn't write about my feelings, I did what I have always done ... hid my problems under the table and avoided them. I have spent the last year doing exactly what I was doing, with no change. Why? I was physically miserable in the process? Why do this? I wish I knew the answer. I'm trying to figure that out so I can make a permanent change. What will that take? I am committed to find that out and to honestly try, and maybe fail along the way, but to not be scared to fail because ultimately that is how I will succeed.

I must begin the process by looking back. There is some great quote about history and what it can teach us about the present, but I can't seem to find it. What I am trying to say is that until I look back and see what either didn't work or what I didn't do, I won't be able to make any progress into the future. The past gives so much power about the future.

So, I've began to ponder ... What have I done in the last year that has helped my health? I think the biggest accomplishment was learning how to talk about what I go through with my husband.My illness is not something that is obvious. It's not like I have any outward symptoms that allow others to see me as a sick person (which is a blessing for sure and I recognize that). For the most part I look healthy and fine. Having my husband in medical school makes it that much more difficult. He is being trained to look at the problem and fix it. So, when there is no physical symptom is it hard to "just fix it." There is no "quick fix." I've learned that it's a journey. Each day is a new day and a different day. I believe that stress is a HUGE factor in my physical health. I have come to a new realization of how interconnected the body and mind really are and how much they affect each other. I have come to really believe in the benefits of yoga. I believe in naturopathic medicine. I have not always been a believer, but over this 6 year journey, I have come to be a believer in the power in nutrition, supplementation, clean eating and acupuncture. In an ideal world I would eat only organic, do yoga everyday, get acupuncture bi-weekly, see a naturopath and have a supplementation plan, however, we are in medical school and are trying to survive, financially. All of those previous answers cost money. Therefore, my challenge is to find cost-effective solutions.

I'm going to start by making small changes. I'm going to also start by being aware of my body and documenting how I'm feeling week by week and what changes I have made that week and their result.

I hope and pray that I can have the dedication to make progress this time.

SASSY WATER

My nickname around the Dimond family is 'Sassy Pants' ... so I think this drink it appropriately mine, especially since I LOVE lemon and cucumber water. Never had them at the same time until now. heaven!  

SASSY WATER

it's very easy to make: in 2 liters water add 1 medium cucumber, peeled and thinly sliced, 1 lemon, thinly sliced, 1 teaspoon freshly grated ginger and around 10 spearmint leaves. 

Leave in the fridge for a few hours or overnight and in the morning you'll have a cold and really refreshing drink.