I'm back!

So it's been some time since I wrote my blog. Turns out my summer was rather packed with traveling and what not. Fret not my friends, even with my busy schedule, I have been maintaining a fitness regime which has mostly consisted of hot yoga and lifting with the occasional long walk.

I feel stronger and healthier which was my true goal for this summer. I am holding poses in yoga that I never thought would be possible. Mentally and emotionally I am in a happy place and I am proud to report that my bad snacking has decreased (no more cheesy poofs for me)! 

Now only if I could see the fruits of my labor!!!! 

I have not noticed too many physical changes which is a complete reflection of my diet. I am eating healthy foods, which is definite positive, but my portion control is lacking. I have known this and even written about it in this blog but I have not done anything about it. Even taking the steps to change this has proven a very difficult challenge for me.  I have started food journals time and time again but have lasted only 4 days each time. There's a part of me that still thinks I can beat this with exercise alone even though I am sure that you can't outrun your diet.

So, this is my umpteenth attempt at a food journal. I am going to write down everything I eat and I mean EVERYTHING!!! I know it's going to be difficult but I am going to try! I will share the details with you in this blog so that you can also keep me accountable.  Hopefully, I can share and good recipe or two ;)

If any of you readers have some yummy, healthy recipes please feel free to share. I would love to try them =)

The infamous food journal. I may have entries in here dating back to 2005 :O

Yoga progress

I committed to a monthly package at OnyxMind&Body in Warren, NJ and I couldn't be happier. I was a little nervous at first because I am trying to watch every dollar these days, but it is money well spent! The studio is beautiful and the classes are taught by some AMAZING yogis.  I have learned from each and every one of them.

Today's post is about progress.  I still have rough days on the mat but overall I FEEL GREAT!Remember when I said I could barely stay in down dog? Well, I am now getting into poses I never thought would be possible.

I remember being super impressed seeing my fellow classmates get into side crow pose;

I have really been practicing but the most I could do was lift my butt off the ground.  Then, last night while showing Frank the little I could do, I somehow lifted my body off the ground - and held it!

woohoooooo!!!!!

The instructions given by the teachers have really helped me grow in my practice. I have also been able to get into other poses that I had previously tried but never allowed my body, or more importantly my mind, to relax into them.

Here they are:

king pigeon

 

 



Headstand - I'm working on getting those elbows in......

My poses are not the prettiest, but it's a start and I am so happy I tried it! I was holding myself back just by telling myself I couldn't do it. I am allowing myself to try new things and I am open to receive more out of my practice.  There is plenty of room to grow and I am looking forward to it. 

Sometimes you think you are going to fall out of a pose but you just have to think, "...so what"!  If you fall out you just have to get back up and celebrate your failures because at least it means you tried.  I have the bruises to prove it so I am going to revel in them.

So how are you all progressing in your practice, be it yoga or general working out?  Let me know!

Cheesy Poofs - 1, V's will power - 0

So, I caved last night.  I had about a serving and half of my favorite nasty (yet delicious) snack - Cheetos puffs. I was jonesing so much for them that I actually drove to the store after putting my pajamas on. Ok, Frank actually did the driving but you get the point....

Typically, my reactions are as follows:

1. Sheer delight (squeeee!, nom nom nom)
2. Complete frustration for caving (grrrrr)
3. Grabbing my love handles and doing the Chunk "truffle shuffle"
4. Deciding that tomorrow is another day and to work my butt off during my next workout - you just can't beat yourself up anymore

Until the next cave, right???  WRONG!!!!

This time I noticed something else - my distended stomach, nausea and PAIN. The onset of these symptoms were immediate. 

ouch!

I have been dealing with stomach issues for the past decade. I was diagnosed with gastritis and other related issues but I never went on any kind of diet to see if it was a food allergy.  Quite frankly, I've just been lazy with my diet, but recently it has occurred to me that I have to change what I eat because I am not processing certain foods. It's not about just losing weight anymore people, it's about not feeling pain every time I eat!

My friend, Jamie, recently sent me the image below;



I have 9 out of 10 of these symptoms! So, suffice it to say, I will eliminating gluten from my diet.  I'll keep everyone posted about the outcome. So far, no gluten today and I feel really good. That does not happen often so this is progress.

Cheetos puffs do not have gluten but they do have cheese (it says so on the bag!) so I am thinking I may have a slight intolerance to lactose. I have eaten other things dairy that have not affected me but I have noticed if food is made with heavy cream I end up regretting ever consuming it. Frank gave me a Lactaid and the pain subsided slightly.

As much as I do not like feeling bloated and uncomfortable I must admit that I am glad I had such a negative reaction to my (once) favorite snack.  I will certainly think twice about eating them again! The few minutes of joy you get from eating that unhealthy snack isn't worth the hours of discomfort you feel afterward.  Last night was just another reminder.