It Works!® Week 2: Slow and steady

I know it takes a lot of patience to reach the goals one has set for better health and living. I am aware of all the conditions. Nevertheless, I have to continue pressing on.

There are times when things don't work out. I injured my wrist last weekend during my Yoga sessions with Adrien. I was out of exercise for 2 days. Even so, I was able to weigh myself and got down to 126 lbs.

All in all, it's good news. I think I will start updating every 2 weeks instead of weekly. That way, I'm not boring you with little to no details. This is one of the shortest blogs I've ever written.

Thanks for still being here, listening.

It Works!® Week 1: Keto Coffee and Super Greens

I was introduced to this product about 3 years ago. I wasn't financially stable then. I have been doing my best to follow through with my Life Choice program. It does work - slowly but surely. It has better results when I exercise. Even during my state of depression, I was able to lose 10 lbs. I went from a 140 lbs to 130 lbs weight loss commitment. Mind you, I started this program since 2012. Dr Ornish was very direct when he stated that it's not for everyone.

Since March 18, we were not able to go anywhere; let alone - to the gym. I live in a very small apartment. There wasn't much space to go around and "exercise." My husband and I finally agreed to have our own space to workout. I have rearranged my office space to where I can make all the "noise" I want without interrupting his peace.

I actually started yoga on the 1st week of March. The reasons why I was reluctant to commit to this method of exercise was because, I thought it would aggravate my rheumatoid arthritis all the more. After doing a lot of research, and watching a video of an elderly 90 year old hunchback lady, I was convinced. If Yoga can help her walk upright and not suffer anymore pain from arthritis, it's got to work for me too. I've been in physical therapy since 2004. Stretching has helped relieved some of my pain during the summer. It doesn't help when winter comes. After watching what Yoga can do, I wouldn't mind the extra vigor stretching that Yoga offers.

So far, it's been quite challenging getting the Yoga poses down pat. The wonderful thing is, I can always replay the video tutorials again.

I was recommended the Keto Coffee bundle because of my allergy to Chromium. It's actually delicious. I just discovered on Monday (5/18/20) that Guava juice mixes well with the Super Greens supplement drink. It does have an acquired taste because of the celery in it. My husband described the after taste as 'grass clippings.' 😂

The week has come to provide you an update. I've been surfing the 130 lbs for quite a while since my last update in February, weighing at 124 lbs.

Don't mind the facial expression. I was just frustrated with the camera lighting and the location of the view finder on my phone. Taken on May 15, 2020.

My body processes food differently. That is one of the reasons why I went along with the Life Choice Program. The schedule is on my terms instead of following through a rigorous schedule. How did I survive Basic Training, you ask? I ate very little during breakfast time. They couldn't expect me to finish a full meal within 15 minutes before physical exercises. My body will reject the food. They never asked me again when I retched in front of them during Physical Training. My Basic Training breakfast consisted of 2 eggs, 2 bacon strips, a buttered toast and a glass of orange juice. I remember my Training Instructor looking at me pitifully because he had never seen anyone eat so little. He expected my breakfast to have sausages, bacon, pancakes, hash browns, fruit salad, and 2 glasses of orange juice.

It wasn't until I was assigned to my permanent assignment where I was able to have a full breakfast. Our Operational Air Force Physical Training started at 10:00 am versus 6:00 am. My body was able to completely digest all the food before a physical exercise.

It has been a fulfilling week. Even though I weighed myself on Tuesday afternoon, being at a 128 lbs since I started using this product, having to lose 2 lbs within 5 days is quite a breakthrough.

This morning was a relief. I weighed in at 127.5 lbs! I'm really happy where this is going. This was me right after Yoga.

We'll see how the next week goes...

Gluten Free label

Yo, this is getting out of hand.

I get it. I have food allergies too. Now that I'm older, I can't have tomatoes, peanut butter and processed food (anything lunchmeat or chemically processed). I have heard people dying from common food and drinks like chocolate and water.

When are tomatoes ever made from grains? Explain that to me? Do you seriously have to label it gluten free? I get the "organic" label, but "gluten free" ? Why? I have to eat organic or my insides will torture me in the bathroom.

Let me educate you what should be gluten free:

• noodles
• bread
• cookies
• baked goods
• pastry
• meat pies
• pizza
• sandwiches
• pancake
• panko
• wheat germ
• sushi
• porridge
• waffles
• spring rolls/egg rolls

Anything that has wheat, rye, oats, millet, buckwheat... Oh god - there's so many! Everything else that does not contain any grain, rice or wheat do not need to be labeled, "Gluten free." Beans are not grains!  It's either processed or organic. I'll opt for organic because I can't stomach processed food, okay? Got it? Good! 

Power Hour

[An excerpt from Dr. Livingood, Triangle Health Center]

It's been a while since I have written in my blogspot. It's been a rough journey. I am well on my way to a healthier lifestyle. Look, I'm just human trying to make it through each second in time.

For those just reading this today, I'll catch you up to speed. I grew up in a domestic violent home. I had been surviving throughout my childhood trying my best to appease the adults of the household. Just when I thought I was on my way to freedom and independence, the person whom I loved and trusted, abused me too. After 7 years of marriage, which I tried to make a better life for myself and my family, my divorce changed everything back to square one. After 3 years of pain and suffering from divorce procedures, my best friend proposed. Granted it took 8 months for me to finally say, "Yes," to him, my health continued to deteriorate. Grateful to say the least, his kindness and patience helped me learn to be a better person at being who I need to be - me.

The reason for writing this blog today is because I came across an old pamphlet from work, while I was cleaning up my new home office/studio. I have been meaning to clean up my stuff for a while now. Since I have no where else to go, I no longer have an excuse.

For the first time in my life, I have a stable job. Well... in a long time. The Air Force was the best job I've ever had apart from Macy's. The first experience I've had as a contractor, soured my perspective of Human Resource Companies. They do not treat you as a human being - literally. You are just liable property to their company. Needless to say, there were plenty of them, which I will not recommend to you. During my transition from contractor to permanent employment, the company had a guest speaker.

His name is Dr. Blake Livingood. He got the jokes out of the way when he was introduced. He seemed like a nice guy. He stated that sitting for long periods of time will actually diminish your mortality rate. No wonder my muscles ache all the time apart from suffering with rheumatoid arthritis. Needless to say, he suggested that 10 minutes of our time at work, we could get up, walk, stretch, workout or run. These activities would help relieve the stress off from sitting down for 8 hours straight.

The idea is, if you imagine the act of sitting as if it were the act of smoking. We had a few people raised their hands who acknowledged themselves as smokers. He said, "Instead of smoking, or sitting for that matter, you could workout during your break." Basically, sitting for more than 6 hours a day will decrease your life span by 20% as a man; 40% as a woman. In addition, it decreases good cholesterol level down to 20%, your body's utilization of calorie rate, insulin levels drop down to 24%, increases your risk of being obese, having backache problems or kidney problems up to 60% in women. Smoking 1 cigarette reduces life span by 11 minutes while watching TV for 1 hour reduces life span by 22 minutes. Getting motivated to start an activity is a challenging chore. It is easier said than done. I had not done PE since I left the Air Force. My muscles were as stiff as a board ever since my child was able to walk on their own.

I was reluctant to get into Yoga because I was afraid I was going to pull and strain muscles into permanent injury. After some extensive research, I began practicing some stretches and mild workouts with a renowned YouTuber, Adrienne. I feel more confident in being committed to this exercise. Hopefully in due time, I can be as fit as Brittne.

I'm not perfect. I don't expect anyone to be. It would be nice to be able to get past my insecurities and reservations. I have so many things to sort out. Maybe, just maybe I will be able to accomplish the other things I have put on hold.