New Habits = New Results

On Friday, I weighed myself, as I do most mornings, and I was down another pound, making it a total of 39 pounds lost since Nov. 1, 2010. One more pound to 40. And 6 more pounds to release before the end of July (to reach my goal).

Last night I went to a party. It was a potluck, and as usual, I brought stuff I could eat, to be sure I had stuff I could eat. It started out well, but so many people brought so many wonderful things that I decided to have a few "tastes." Honestly, I didn't overdo, but I did do more than usual. A couple of blue corn chips here, a sliver of mint chocolate brownie there. The result? My blood sugar was up this morning (surprise, surprise), and my weight was back up 1.5 pounds.

It got me thinking about how we sabotage ourselves - that internal thermostat we have for success, and how much we believe is "right" for us. I realize I do it to some extent with my weight, as well as in other areas of my life.

Now, I know that my weight will go back down, and that this is temporary. I know that my blood sugar will correct again as I resume eating in my normal way. I know I am creating new habits in my life that will keep me getting healthier and healthier, so I also know I am on the right track.

AND, I do not feel guilty for enjoying a few treats last night. And I DID enjoy them! The memory of that spicy bean dip lingers....

However, seeing the results of those decisions right away, as I did this morning in my blood sugar reading and my weight, can be used as reinforcement for staying on track.

How can this be applied to other areas of my life?

The best we can do to change our inner thermostat is to build new habits, and when it comes to my health, that is exactly what I am doing. The same principle can be used for growing my business or growing wealth.

New habits = new inner thermostat settings = new results.

Is it cheating? Or is it treating?

I haven't written anything lately because I haven't had any particularly significant results in the past several days. Weight is stabilized right now, although it usually does that for a few days, and then I lose a few pounds. I feel healthy. I am out of one of my supplements, and won't be able to order more until next week, so that may account in part for the plateau in weight.

Blood sugar is still doing well, although, on average, it's running just a tad higher than I would wish. Again, replacing that supplement should help with that too. It is the Raintree Nutritional - Pancreas Support, which also does quite a bit to lower/stabilize blood sugar. Some people ONLY take this to keep their blood sugar stabilized. I am looking forward to that day!

I think Debbie and I will be getting together in the week ahead to retest me, and see where I stand in all of my systems. It's been over four months, so it's time. Maybe some things need adjusting.

I "cheated" today, or rather, I "treated myself" today. I had a lox and "thin" bagel from Einstein Bagels this morning. It was delicious! I got the everything thin bagel, so there were a lot of seeds on it. I am hoping that offsets the gluten.

I then proceeded to walk around for about 2-3 hours, so I think I am okay.

I also spent a good amount of time outside today, which I know adds to Vitamin D stores as well as a host of other health benefits.

My body is looking better and better, but I still have a stubbornly large middle area. I will be SOOO happy when I have a flat stomach again.

Camping Food

Last weekend, Avery and I went camping. It was wonderful.

We have this great tent that we bought about 5 years ago. It's tall enough to stand up in, and it's an easy pop-up tent, so we can get it up in about 5 minutes, even in the dark.  We also have a great double high queen size air mattress that I swear is more comfortable than my bed! We zip up two sleeping bags and bring pillows from home, and we are as comfy as can be.

For this camping trip, I bought food that was on my nutrition plan for the most part, so we ate healthily all weekend. OK, I splurged a bit. I bought some turkey bacon which isn't on my plan, but it was nitrite and nitrate free, from free-range birds, no hormones, etc. In other words, pretty healthy stuff.

Here's the breakfast I made for myself last Sunday:

And I usually don't eat potato, but I had cooked some in the coals the night before so couldn't resist some homemade hash browns cooked in butter. That cheese is raw organic cheese. The eggs are organic eggs. I made organic coffee in a french press using Kangen water.

So, even though I was camping, I still ate very well!

I did have an incident due to pushing my nutritional limits. I drank some wine on Saturday night, and I forgot to take my meds. Even though the meds are decreased by almost half, it's still important that I take them. On Sunday morning, my blood sugar tested over 200 again. Yikes! It took me two more days to get it normalized again! Wine isn't a good idea at this time.

When I came home, I had gained almost 2 pounds! That's even with walking and hiking! But it's gone now. Still at 37 pounds released and holding.

Still going strong

The other day, I found myself in a situation where I ended up walking for about 4 miles. The best part was that I have been walking pretty regularly lately - not quite 4 miles a day, but at least walking. I was very surprised to find that my legs weren't sore at all the next day! My lower back was a bit inflamed, but my chiropractor, Steve Hruby of Kai-Zen Wellness Center, took care of that in short order!

The BEST part is, when I weighed myself yesterday, I had lost two more pounds! That brings the total weight release to 37 pounds! Not only that, but blood sugar has been holding its own around 120.

I love that my body is getting stronger and healthier.

Score!

Today I achieved my first consciously set short-term weight release goal... 35 pounds! Actually, 35.4 pounds :) AND it was one day early. Woo hoo!

Next goal - 10 more pounds by July 4th. That gives me about 2 months. I can do it.

Making it work

I am working as a volunteer at a seminar this weekend - the Millionaire Mind Intensive. As a volunteer, we don't get much time to eat, so they provide food for us. I was concerned that I wouldn't be able to eat much, so fortified myself with a small cooler full of things I can have - hard boiled eggs, coconut milk and protein shake, etc.

I have been pleasantly surprised. The hotel I am staying at serves breakfast, so I get to eat eggs every morning. The lunch and dinner always come with salads, fresh vegetables, and plenty of protein. Even the night we had pasta and chicken, it was easy enough to pick out just the chicken.

On top of all of the great, healthy food, I've been getting LOTS of exercise - I've spent more time on my feet in the past 24 hours than I have in quite a while.

I love that I can make my eating plan work no matter what!

Great news!

I have been experimenting a bit with my medication. For two weeks now, I have cut down the metformin to 1500 per day instead of 2000. No change in my blood sugar at all. It's still pretty much in normal range.

For the past two days, I have also cut the glyburide in half, and still no change.

This is GREAT!

The fact that my blood sugar is still testing at or close to normal and I have cut down my medication by over 25% means my body really is healing.

Oh, and another pound has been released, so now I'm down 33 pounds. Only about 10 more days until my birthday, when I hope to reach 35 released.