The alarm rings, the room is dark, you look at the square red lights on the clock as they read 5:30 and then you hit the snooze button, all of the while thinking of all of the reasons that you should stay in bed this morning.
We should be careful of what we listen to inside of our mind first thing in the morning. Remember, these thoughts come from the same place as the dream that you just had that you were walking down the street naked in your childhood neighborhood.
I know it can be difficult to get up first thing in the morning, especially if you continue to tell your self that (manifesting your destiny). But it could well be the best gift that you give yourself that day. I have been exercising with my girlfriend that last 3 mornings, and though it is difficult, it has an amazing effect on me the rest of the day. As opposed to exercising later in the day, getting your "run on" in the morning gets it out of the way and opens your mind to focus on other things.
My schedule can be a little wacky in that 6 months out of the year i am getting up at 5:30am to coach soccer, so Iam forced to exercise in the afternoon or evening unless I can jump in with the players. On days when I exercise later, it is always in the back of my mind that I have to exercise and clouds up my mind.
But when I get my exercise done in the morning, my mind if free to focus on other things. Not only am I more productive, but my mind is free-er and open to new ideas, thoughts and possibilities.
What really helps me is that my exercise partner doesn't let me off the hook. She'll allow me to hit the snooze button one more time, but when it is time to meet, don't be late. I also told her that I would buy her a tea at Starbucks for each day I don't get up and exercise this week. Though I don't mind treating her to tea, I hate to lose.
To get up early, follow these guidelines:
1. Strong mental mindset in the morning when the alarm goes off.
2. Affirm that you will have a great day
3. Get a partner that will hold you accountable
4. Create leverage for yourself. Some type of pain that force you to rise in the morning.
Tony Robbins says to jump out of bed in the morning, that motion creates emotion. Just move and walk out the door, don't look back!
Wednesday, June 24, 2009
Saturday, June 20, 2009
New outlook on Food
I went camping in Big Sur two weeks ago.
Before I had ever cleansed, I would always pack a ton of food, 2x what I needed. Because I could not live without food. I had fear and insecurity.
But as I was packing and preparing food this time I could look back on the days that I went without hearty foods, and I had the confidence that if we ran out of food a day early, that we would be okay, that we would survive.
I feel so blessed, stronger and a better person for having experienced a cleanse.
Before I had ever cleansed, I would always pack a ton of food, 2x what I needed. Because I could not live without food. I had fear and insecurity.
But as I was packing and preparing food this time I could look back on the days that I went without hearty foods, and I had the confidence that if we ran out of food a day early, that we would be okay, that we would survive.
I feel so blessed, stronger and a better person for having experienced a cleanse.
Friday, May 29, 2009
Why bother cleansing, when your body does it naturally?
I came across this article this morning and while most of it was interesting, I don't necessarily agree with the last part.
Our body does naturally cleanse itself, it's a beautiful temple that we live in. However, when people keep putting processsed foods, alchohol, cigarettes, caffeine, sugar (which create yeast), etc. into their body, the body does not have time to cleanse itself because our first priority is to break down the bad stuff that we put into our body. (I am not here to judge people, but we should know by now that putting these things in our bodies makes the body do extra work. I know, because I consume a few on occasion.)
Once our body can break down these items, then it can get to work cleansing. But if it is on a 24 hour cycle, which I know very well, then the body never gets a chance to cleanse.
Then the story goes on to say that the body will cleanse itself if we live healthy lifestyles, which I believe true. But most people do not live healthy lifestyles, so for someone to cleanse for three days is at least a step in the right direction. Hopefully, when a person cleanses, they will see the positive benefits, and may change their consumption habits from 1-360 degrees.
And about the gentlemen gaining the five pounds back. The the pain it takes to keep weight off must not have been worth the pleasure that he gets from eating.
Bottom line - Use cleansing as a short chance to rest your body and see if you really can live without the foods that cause you grief.
*********************************************************************************
Maybe not harmful, but not helpful, either
Critics of such cleansing programs say they might not be dangerous in the short term (though still others say three days isn’t enough time off normal eating to be effective) but they aren’t actually helpful either.
Lisa Sasson of the New York University School of Public Health says the programs do little more than “making very expensive urine” and that “our body naturally cleanses itself.”
She says such programs can actually be dangerous if people eat unhealthy foods most of the time and think drinking juice for three days negates the bad effects of junk. Instead, she said, our organs will do all the cleansing we need if we eat healthy diets and have active lifestyles.
For his part, Berman says he lost five pounds on the cleanse, but after going back to his regular eating habits he gained the weight back in a week.
(By Sarah E. White for CalorieLab Calorie Counter News)
Our body does naturally cleanse itself, it's a beautiful temple that we live in. However, when people keep putting processsed foods, alchohol, cigarettes, caffeine, sugar (which create yeast), etc. into their body, the body does not have time to cleanse itself because our first priority is to break down the bad stuff that we put into our body. (I am not here to judge people, but we should know by now that putting these things in our bodies makes the body do extra work. I know, because I consume a few on occasion.)
Once our body can break down these items, then it can get to work cleansing. But if it is on a 24 hour cycle, which I know very well, then the body never gets a chance to cleanse.
Then the story goes on to say that the body will cleanse itself if we live healthy lifestyles, which I believe true. But most people do not live healthy lifestyles, so for someone to cleanse for three days is at least a step in the right direction. Hopefully, when a person cleanses, they will see the positive benefits, and may change their consumption habits from 1-360 degrees.
And about the gentlemen gaining the five pounds back. The the pain it takes to keep weight off must not have been worth the pleasure that he gets from eating.
Bottom line - Use cleansing as a short chance to rest your body and see if you really can live without the foods that cause you grief.
*********************************************************************************
Maybe not harmful, but not helpful, either
Critics of such cleansing programs say they might not be dangerous in the short term (though still others say three days isn’t enough time off normal eating to be effective) but they aren’t actually helpful either.
Lisa Sasson of the New York University School of Public Health says the programs do little more than “making very expensive urine” and that “our body naturally cleanses itself.”
She says such programs can actually be dangerous if people eat unhealthy foods most of the time and think drinking juice for three days negates the bad effects of junk. Instead, she said, our organs will do all the cleansing we need if we eat healthy diets and have active lifestyles.
For his part, Berman says he lost five pounds on the cleanse, but after going back to his regular eating habits he gained the weight back in a week.
(By Sarah E. White for CalorieLab Calorie Counter News)
Wednesday, May 27, 2009
Detoxification Stages
Detoxification Stages
Here is an overview of the detoxification stages during a juice fast. The time periods are a general estimation.
Stage 1 (Day 1 To Day 2)On the first day of fasting, the blood sugar level drops below 70 mg/dl. To restore the blood to the normal glucose level, liver glycogen is converted to glucose and released into the blood. This reserve is enough for half a day. The body then reduces the basal metabolic rate (BMR). The rate of internal chemical activity in resting tissue is lowered to conserve energy. The heart slows and blood pressure is reduced. Glycogen is pulled from the muscle causing some weakness. The first wave of cleansing is usually the worst.
Headaches, dizziness, nausea, bad breath, glazed eyes and a heavily coated tongue are signs of the first stage of cleansing. Hunger can be the most intense in this period unless the enema is used which quickly assists the body into the fasting state by ending digestion in the colon.
Stage 2 (Day 3 To Day 7)Fats, composed of transformed fatty acids, are broken down to release glycerol from the gliceride molecules and are converted to glucose. The skin may become oily as rancid oils are purged from the body. People with problem-free skin may have a few days of pimples or even a boil. A pallid complexion is also a sign of waste in the blood. Ketones are formed by the incomplete oxidation of fats. It is suspected that the ketones in the blood suppress the appetite by affecting the food-satiety center in the hypothalamus. You may feel hungry for the first few days of the fast. This effect is temporary. The desire to eat will disappear. Lack of hunger may last 40 to 60 days, depending on whether you are on water or juice.
The body embraces the fast and the digestive system is able to take a much-needed rest, focusing all of its energies on cleansing and healing. White blood cell and immune system activity increases. You may feel pain in your lungs. The cleansing organs and the lungs are in the process of being repaired. Periodically, the lymphatic system expels mucoid matter through the nose or throat. The volume excreted of this yellow-colored mucus can be shocking. The sinuses go through periods of being clogged, then will totally clear. The breath is still foul and the tongue coated. Within the intestine, the colon is being repaired and impacted feces on the intestinal wall start to loosen.
Stage 3 (Day 8 to Day 15)On the latter part of an extended fast, you can experience enhanced energy, clear-mindedness and feel better than you have felt since childhood. On the downside, old injuries may become irritated and painful. This is a result of the body’s increased ability to heal during fasting. If you had broken your arm 10 years before, there is scar tissue around the break. At the time of the break, the body’s ability to heal was directly related to lifestyle. If you lived on a junk-food diet, the body’s natural healing ability was compromised.
During fasting, the body’s healing process is at optimum efficiency. As the body scours for dead or damaged tissue, the lymphocytes enter the older, damaged tissue secreting substances to dissolve the damaged cells. These substances irritate the nerves in the surrounding region and cause a reoccurrence of aches from previously injured areas that may have disappeared years earlier. The pain is good as the body is completing the healing process. The muscles may become tight and sore due to toxin irritation. The legs can be the worst affected, as toxins accumulate in the legs. Cankers are common in this stage due to the excessive bacteria in the mouth. Daily gargling with salt and water will prevent or heal cankers.
Stage 4 (Day 16 to Day 30)The body is completely adapted to the fasting process. There is more energy and clarity of mind. Cleansing periods can be short with many days of feeling good in between. There are days when the tongue is pink and the breath is fresh. The healing work of the organs is being completed. After the detoxification mechanisms have removed the causative agent or render it harmless, the body works at maximum capacity in tissue proliferation to replace damaged tissue. While a short fast will reduce the symptoms, a longer fast can completely heal. Homeostatic balance is at optimum levels. The lymphatic system is clean except for a rare discharge of mucus through the nose or throat. After day 20, the mind is affected. Heightened clarity and emotional balance are felt at this time. Memory and concentration improve.
Stage 5 (Breaking the Fast)The sticky, toxic, mucoid coating on the intestinal wall is loose, and the first meal frees it from the intestinal wall. Toxins enter the blood through the colon. The gallbladder dumps its waste in a heavy discharge of bile. This can cause an instant bowel movement upon eating followed by intense diarrhea. If the symptoms are too uncomfortable, an enema will help.
Here is an overview of the detoxification stages during a juice fast. The time periods are a general estimation.
Stage 1 (Day 1 To Day 2)On the first day of fasting, the blood sugar level drops below 70 mg/dl. To restore the blood to the normal glucose level, liver glycogen is converted to glucose and released into the blood. This reserve is enough for half a day. The body then reduces the basal metabolic rate (BMR). The rate of internal chemical activity in resting tissue is lowered to conserve energy. The heart slows and blood pressure is reduced. Glycogen is pulled from the muscle causing some weakness. The first wave of cleansing is usually the worst.
Headaches, dizziness, nausea, bad breath, glazed eyes and a heavily coated tongue are signs of the first stage of cleansing. Hunger can be the most intense in this period unless the enema is used which quickly assists the body into the fasting state by ending digestion in the colon.
Stage 2 (Day 3 To Day 7)Fats, composed of transformed fatty acids, are broken down to release glycerol from the gliceride molecules and are converted to glucose. The skin may become oily as rancid oils are purged from the body. People with problem-free skin may have a few days of pimples or even a boil. A pallid complexion is also a sign of waste in the blood. Ketones are formed by the incomplete oxidation of fats. It is suspected that the ketones in the blood suppress the appetite by affecting the food-satiety center in the hypothalamus. You may feel hungry for the first few days of the fast. This effect is temporary. The desire to eat will disappear. Lack of hunger may last 40 to 60 days, depending on whether you are on water or juice.
The body embraces the fast and the digestive system is able to take a much-needed rest, focusing all of its energies on cleansing and healing. White blood cell and immune system activity increases. You may feel pain in your lungs. The cleansing organs and the lungs are in the process of being repaired. Periodically, the lymphatic system expels mucoid matter through the nose or throat. The volume excreted of this yellow-colored mucus can be shocking. The sinuses go through periods of being clogged, then will totally clear. The breath is still foul and the tongue coated. Within the intestine, the colon is being repaired and impacted feces on the intestinal wall start to loosen.
Stage 3 (Day 8 to Day 15)On the latter part of an extended fast, you can experience enhanced energy, clear-mindedness and feel better than you have felt since childhood. On the downside, old injuries may become irritated and painful. This is a result of the body’s increased ability to heal during fasting. If you had broken your arm 10 years before, there is scar tissue around the break. At the time of the break, the body’s ability to heal was directly related to lifestyle. If you lived on a junk-food diet, the body’s natural healing ability was compromised.
During fasting, the body’s healing process is at optimum efficiency. As the body scours for dead or damaged tissue, the lymphocytes enter the older, damaged tissue secreting substances to dissolve the damaged cells. These substances irritate the nerves in the surrounding region and cause a reoccurrence of aches from previously injured areas that may have disappeared years earlier. The pain is good as the body is completing the healing process. The muscles may become tight and sore due to toxin irritation. The legs can be the worst affected, as toxins accumulate in the legs. Cankers are common in this stage due to the excessive bacteria in the mouth. Daily gargling with salt and water will prevent or heal cankers.
Stage 4 (Day 16 to Day 30)The body is completely adapted to the fasting process. There is more energy and clarity of mind. Cleansing periods can be short with many days of feeling good in between. There are days when the tongue is pink and the breath is fresh. The healing work of the organs is being completed. After the detoxification mechanisms have removed the causative agent or render it harmless, the body works at maximum capacity in tissue proliferation to replace damaged tissue. While a short fast will reduce the symptoms, a longer fast can completely heal. Homeostatic balance is at optimum levels. The lymphatic system is clean except for a rare discharge of mucus through the nose or throat. After day 20, the mind is affected. Heightened clarity and emotional balance are felt at this time. Memory and concentration improve.
Stage 5 (Breaking the Fast)The sticky, toxic, mucoid coating on the intestinal wall is loose, and the first meal frees it from the intestinal wall. Toxins enter the blood through the colon. The gallbladder dumps its waste in a heavy discharge of bile. This can cause an instant bowel movement upon eating followed by intense diarrhea. If the symptoms are too uncomfortable, an enema will help.
Friday, May 22, 2009
Looney Tunes
Do you remember watching cartoons as a kid? And the episode where two people (maybe even animals who talked like people) were stranded out in the desert. And one of them is so hungry, when they look at the other person, that person looks like a hot dog...like a mirage?
Those are the flashes that I get while cleansing. Just yesterday, I was listening to a 9/11 conspiracy theorist, Jesse Ventura. My mind drifted to the rubble and the photos of the scrap metal and the "waffle." I believe they called it a waffle. This image was very prominenent in the clean up of the World Trade Center.
Back to the story, I thought of this, and it triggered the crispy waffles that I made last Sunday and gave me a huge craving.
This was only 3 hours after I woke up on Day 1!
That is how nutty cleanses/fasting can be and how we live our life based on past patterns. I love to cleanse because it breaks those old patterns of thought, of eating, of drinking, that aren't necessarily right, but how we have lived our life.
Take the power, go on then!
Cleanse for purpose and focus
Yesterday evening I was driving home from a social event at the high school (where I didn't have any cake, thank you very much), and I got a flash in my mind about how great it would be to go home, have a few beers or wine and make something tasty and interesting from dinner. It didn't take me long to realize that 1. This would go against my cleanse and 2. That is just a distraction from issues I am dealing with in my personal life.
I could imagine a lot of people, like myself, see the evening hour as a time to switch off. To say, "Okay, that day is done, now let me have a beer, watch some soccer and forget about until......TOMORROW." At that time, I run the same pattern.
But last night was different. Without an easy out, or an alternate way to forget about my purpose and struggles, I got home and got to work. A very productive night.
Amen to food and drink. I believe it is a zest of life. I love to create a spectacular meal that gives enjoyment, flavor, purpose, relaxation and happiness. But let's be frank, it is a good excuse to focus on something else.
When food becomes an accompaniment to our life and not a master, we enjoy it more and our life becomes more productive.
Live well, eat well.
I could imagine a lot of people, like myself, see the evening hour as a time to switch off. To say, "Okay, that day is done, now let me have a beer, watch some soccer and forget about until......TOMORROW." At that time, I run the same pattern.
But last night was different. Without an easy out, or an alternate way to forget about my purpose and struggles, I got home and got to work. A very productive night.
Amen to food and drink. I believe it is a zest of life. I love to create a spectacular meal that gives enjoyment, flavor, purpose, relaxation and happiness. But let's be frank, it is a good excuse to focus on something else.
When food becomes an accompaniment to our life and not a master, we enjoy it more and our life becomes more productive.
Live well, eat well.
Cleansing vs. Fasting
Trying to google "Cleansing and Fasting" and all I get is a boatload of crap and websites trying to sell fad diets.
Last time I cleansed, I used the Arbonne Cleanse. And that really helped to move things along and excrete it outside of my body. By the second day, I felt a lightness in my body and especially the intestinal area.
This time, I am not drinking any product. I do not feel the lightnes that came with the other product. Nor are things "moving " out of me.
As we know, to cleanse is to 1. Allow to body to not have to digest and just do the elimination work and 2. Get the toxins stirred up and released from your body.
I will discuss more later, but my hypothesis is that the body will do the same as the product will, but the product speeds up the process by 4 times the rate that the natural body does.
Last time I cleansed, I used the Arbonne Cleanse. And that really helped to move things along and excrete it outside of my body. By the second day, I felt a lightness in my body and especially the intestinal area.
This time, I am not drinking any product. I do not feel the lightnes that came with the other product. Nor are things "moving " out of me.
As we know, to cleanse is to 1. Allow to body to not have to digest and just do the elimination work and 2. Get the toxins stirred up and released from your body.
I will discuss more later, but my hypothesis is that the body will do the same as the product will, but the product speeds up the process by 4 times the rate that the natural body does.
Thursday, May 21, 2009
Cleansing again - Am I strong enough
So I am cleansing again for 2.5 days. But this time, there is nothing at stake. No bets, no rewards, just pure discipline. I am experimenting to see if I...or others need massive leverage to complete a cleanse. (for example - burrito in the fridge, coffee cake, oreo scones, bagels, tortilla chips, cake, coffee, power bar, beer, wine..just to name a few)
So far, I am on day 2, and have had massive temptations and cravings, yet, have stayed diligent to my cause.
But tomorrow may be tough. I usually end the week with a Starbucks coffee. So everytime I get a craving tonight and tomorrow, I wil do a power move/pattern interrupt to change my thinking.
This is the same technique that Tony Robbins teaches that can help people to stop smoking, overeating, etc.
The only trouble I have, is remembering to do a pattern interrupt.
I can do this until tomorrow.
So far, I am on day 2, and have had massive temptations and cravings, yet, have stayed diligent to my cause.
But tomorrow may be tough. I usually end the week with a Starbucks coffee. So everytime I get a craving tonight and tomorrow, I wil do a power move/pattern interrupt to change my thinking.
This is the same technique that Tony Robbins teaches that can help people to stop smoking, overeating, etc.
The only trouble I have, is remembering to do a pattern interrupt.
I can do this until tomorrow.
Friday, April 24, 2009
After the cleanse, I got off track
I haven't had the chance to post to this blog after my cleanse. But I must say that after the cleanse was over, I got off track....... Off the track of eating and living poorly that is.
The cleanse has benefited me in so many ways....here are a few:
1. Eating less. Most nights I only eat soup and salad, and am happy with it. The energetic and light feeling that I get is well worth anything that I may miss out on by eating a "typical" dinner. The light feeling is that I don't feel full all of the time and bloated from constantly eating and not allowing my body to digest.
2. Sleeping better - I require less sleep and wake up more refreshed and with more energy.
3. More energy - I exercise more, because I know how good it is for my body and my body craves it. I can work 14 hours in a day and have the same energy from the moment I wake up, until I collapse in bed.
4. Less weight - Embarassing as it is, "Mr. I lost 35 Pounds" was up to 189 pounds at the start of my cleanse. Only 13 pounds from where my chubby self was two years ago! But today I was at 178, only 11.5 pounds more than my absolute lowest.
People, my cleanse started 18 days ago! There are dozens of weight loss programs that fleece people out of their money. It must be a billion dollar industry (and I am sure Trump wants a piece of it). Save your money and follow this concept, "Eat less, Enjoy more."
5. Not a slave - I am not a slave to coffee, beer, wine or sweets. I stay off of them for the majority of the week and consume each as a reward or when I want and don't feel guilty. When I see something good that I shouldn't have, I don't feel like i missed out, I feel proud that I don't need. Okay, maybe a power trip....I'll talk to my shrink about it.
6. Clear thinking - my mind is clear and more alert.
7. My clothing isn't as tight - Enough said. Amen to that!
8. Excited about the future - I'm not walking around being a slave to food or having low energy because i will have this uncontrollable fat feeling the rest of my life. I know that I can be somewhere near 170 pouds, my target someday soon and can stay there.
Hope this helps you. Good luck.
The cleanse has benefited me in so many ways....here are a few:
1. Eating less. Most nights I only eat soup and salad, and am happy with it. The energetic and light feeling that I get is well worth anything that I may miss out on by eating a "typical" dinner. The light feeling is that I don't feel full all of the time and bloated from constantly eating and not allowing my body to digest.
2. Sleeping better - I require less sleep and wake up more refreshed and with more energy.
3. More energy - I exercise more, because I know how good it is for my body and my body craves it. I can work 14 hours in a day and have the same energy from the moment I wake up, until I collapse in bed.
4. Less weight - Embarassing as it is, "Mr. I lost 35 Pounds" was up to 189 pounds at the start of my cleanse. Only 13 pounds from where my chubby self was two years ago! But today I was at 178, only 11.5 pounds more than my absolute lowest.
People, my cleanse started 18 days ago! There are dozens of weight loss programs that fleece people out of their money. It must be a billion dollar industry (and I am sure Trump wants a piece of it). Save your money and follow this concept, "Eat less, Enjoy more."
5. Not a slave - I am not a slave to coffee, beer, wine or sweets. I stay off of them for the majority of the week and consume each as a reward or when I want and don't feel guilty. When I see something good that I shouldn't have, I don't feel like i missed out, I feel proud that I don't need. Okay, maybe a power trip....I'll talk to my shrink about it.
6. Clear thinking - my mind is clear and more alert.
7. My clothing isn't as tight - Enough said. Amen to that!
8. Excited about the future - I'm not walking around being a slave to food or having low energy because i will have this uncontrollable fat feeling the rest of my life. I know that I can be somewhere near 170 pouds, my target someday soon and can stay there.
Hope this helps you. Good luck.
Wednesday, April 8, 2009
If evenings didn't exist, I would be 20 pounds lighter
The first day of my four day cleanse wasn't bad....until evening time came around and I wanted pizza salad and a glass of wine, and maybe a cannoli for dessert. For years my mindset has been to eat well in the daytime and then enjoy the evening after a hard day of work. This isn't necessarily the way everybody thinks, maybe the Skinny Bitch doesn't think this way or have these tempations, but I do.
Growing up, my school lunch included a dry bologne sandwich, Lay's potato chips and milk. But at night, my mom made fantastic dinners. So was it embedded in me that I would live this way the rest of my life? .....not really.
The past equals the future only if you live there. I for one, wasn't very resourceful as a young man. I was like a ship with no rudder, floating into the ocean, the tides taking me from port to port.
You may ask, where am I going with this? Well, either you change the event or change the meaning. You know how everybody has opinions about everything? If you have ever talked to a policeman that does a report on auto accidents, you'll know that when they interview witnesses, each one of them has a different opinion on the same event. One says the car was driving north, the other says it was driving south! That's similar to how we look at events in our life. The only problem is that we usually choose the opinion that disempowers us.
So back to the first day of the cleanse. What can I make it mean to me in regards to eating a broth soup and green salad for dinner instead of my favorite dish? Well an empowering belief is that I am giving my body, that works so hard for me, a break, am cleansing out all of the bad stuff, will be more alert in the morning and can get more done, instead of cooking for two hours, I can study or watch football, or take a bath (which I did, and haven't taken a bath in months...I've showered of course).
Once I change the meaning, then I will look at the pattern behavior in a different way, and then create a more empowering behavior....and LIVE LIFE BY DESIGN.
Live with passion my friends.....
Growing up, my school lunch included a dry bologne sandwich, Lay's potato chips and milk. But at night, my mom made fantastic dinners. So was it embedded in me that I would live this way the rest of my life? .....not really.
The past equals the future only if you live there. I for one, wasn't very resourceful as a young man. I was like a ship with no rudder, floating into the ocean, the tides taking me from port to port.
You may ask, where am I going with this? Well, either you change the event or change the meaning. You know how everybody has opinions about everything? If you have ever talked to a policeman that does a report on auto accidents, you'll know that when they interview witnesses, each one of them has a different opinion on the same event. One says the car was driving north, the other says it was driving south! That's similar to how we look at events in our life. The only problem is that we usually choose the opinion that disempowers us.
So back to the first day of the cleanse. What can I make it mean to me in regards to eating a broth soup and green salad for dinner instead of my favorite dish? Well an empowering belief is that I am giving my body, that works so hard for me, a break, am cleansing out all of the bad stuff, will be more alert in the morning and can get more done, instead of cooking for two hours, I can study or watch football, or take a bath (which I did, and haven't taken a bath in months...I've showered of course).
Once I change the meaning, then I will look at the pattern behavior in a different way, and then create a more empowering behavior....and LIVE LIFE BY DESIGN.
Live with passion my friends.....
Tuesday, April 7, 2009
How to not eat pizza for 4 days.
On Day 2 of a 4 day cleanse using Arbonne's Seasource Detox Spa 7 day cleanse.
The trick to cleansing when you first get started is:
Timing - Planning your cleanse tright in the middle of a holiday or social event is not a good idea. Do it during the weekdays, or days when you are occupied. This will mean less exposure to environmental tempations, like the home refrigerator or weekends.
Have great alternatives to eat and drink: If you are cleansing, most people will rely on willpower to get you through. We'll get more into this later, but if you are accustomed to eating good food, then just eating carrots as a snack won't do the trick (can you say "boring". We created a fantastic tahini dip that was fantastic to dip our vegetables in. I was craving this. And even though I wasn't able to have pita or bagel chips with hummus, the dip was fantastic.
Willpower is not enough - You need to have pattern interrupt. For more on this, check out Tony Robbins. In that moment that you have the craving, you need to create a shift in your mindset where you move onto something else. Have you ever been talking with someone and you got distracted, and you forgot what you were talking about? This is the exact same thing. My pattern interrupt is either a swoosh pattern, or change my focus to my outcome....
Have a huge WHY - Know thy outcome. I have a picture of Luis Figo, the Portuguese International and Inter Milan Football stars photo on my computer. And it is deeply imbedded in my mind. He's my age, and his body is ripped. That's my inspiration and outcome. So I ask myself, if giving up to tempation will lead me to that outcome.
Pain and Pleasure - Another Tony Robbins-ism. To be successful at this, then the pain of not cleansing has to be stonger than the pleasure I would get from getting off of the cleanse. So I bet my girlfriend $100 that I would be able to finish the cleanse without cheating (who would know if I cheat? I would!). When I finish, I get pie on Sunday (I gave up sweets for lent). Leverage doesn't have to be huge, but just important to you.
The trick to cleansing when you first get started is:
Timing - Planning your cleanse tright in the middle of a holiday or social event is not a good idea. Do it during the weekdays, or days when you are occupied. This will mean less exposure to environmental tempations, like the home refrigerator or weekends.
Have great alternatives to eat and drink: If you are cleansing, most people will rely on willpower to get you through. We'll get more into this later, but if you are accustomed to eating good food, then just eating carrots as a snack won't do the trick (can you say "boring". We created a fantastic tahini dip that was fantastic to dip our vegetables in. I was craving this. And even though I wasn't able to have pita or bagel chips with hummus, the dip was fantastic.
Willpower is not enough - You need to have pattern interrupt. For more on this, check out Tony Robbins. In that moment that you have the craving, you need to create a shift in your mindset where you move onto something else. Have you ever been talking with someone and you got distracted, and you forgot what you were talking about? This is the exact same thing. My pattern interrupt is either a swoosh pattern, or change my focus to my outcome....
Have a huge WHY - Know thy outcome. I have a picture of Luis Figo, the Portuguese International and Inter Milan Football stars photo on my computer. And it is deeply imbedded in my mind. He's my age, and his body is ripped. That's my inspiration and outcome. So I ask myself, if giving up to tempation will lead me to that outcome.
Pain and Pleasure - Another Tony Robbins-ism. To be successful at this, then the pain of not cleansing has to be stonger than the pleasure I would get from getting off of the cleanse. So I bet my girlfriend $100 that I would be able to finish the cleanse without cheating (who would know if I cheat? I would!). When I finish, I get pie on Sunday (I gave up sweets for lent). Leverage doesn't have to be huge, but just important to you.
Thursday, March 19, 2009
Willard Water
Water is vitally important to the human body...for obvious reasons. I like drinking water because it helps flush out the toxins, keep the organs functioning, brain functionality and increases energy. I can't believe the days when I would go without water. Now I drink at least 36 ounces of water a day, plus vegetable juice and plus raw vegetables with natural water content.
I'm not much for plain water....so I've always added a little comething too it.
Years ago, I would add Energen-C from Trader Joes. Then I found that it was loaded with sugar and "natural" caffeine. When I changed my diet and became alkaline, I had natural energy and didn't need a "pick-me-up"
Then I changed to a Tony Robbins product called Inner balance, Pure Energy Green. Basically a vegetable powder that returns blood and tissue to a healthy pH balance. But at $75 per jar, it was getting expensive. They also changed the recipe and I couldn't stand the new flavor. But I did enjoy the nutrients it gave me.
About a year ago I was turned onto Willard Water, which is a concentrate that you mix with your water. A half gallon lasts a year. It gives water a slightly sweet taste. It helps increase the absorbtion of nutrients, increases the elimination of toxins and waste, and a scavenger of free radicals.
I'll give Willard Water partial credit for keeping me sick-free for over a year.
I'm not much for plain water....so I've always added a little comething too it.
Years ago, I would add Energen-C from Trader Joes. Then I found that it was loaded with sugar and "natural" caffeine. When I changed my diet and became alkaline, I had natural energy and didn't need a "pick-me-up"
Then I changed to a Tony Robbins product called Inner balance, Pure Energy Green. Basically a vegetable powder that returns blood and tissue to a healthy pH balance. But at $75 per jar, it was getting expensive. They also changed the recipe and I couldn't stand the new flavor. But I did enjoy the nutrients it gave me.
About a year ago I was turned onto Willard Water, which is a concentrate that you mix with your water. A half gallon lasts a year. It gives water a slightly sweet taste. It helps increase the absorbtion of nutrients, increases the elimination of toxins and waste, and a scavenger of free radicals.
I'll give Willard Water partial credit for keeping me sick-free for over a year.
Tuesday, March 17, 2009
Best way to kick start a diet
I was just reading a few friends posts on facebook and they are involved in weight loss challenegs at work...with big stakes as the reward (not steak :). A few tips to kickstart a diet.
1. Have massive leverage... a huge WHY. I must do this because_________________. And dig deep, serious stuff, like I will not be able to see my child graduate high school because I will have a heart attack if I continue living like I am. The scarier and painful the better.
2. Confront your weakness. What is the one thing that is causing you to keep the weight on?
3. Drink a lot of water
4. Cleanse and fast. The object of this is to reset your body. When one fasts, they realize what they can do without. Most people are acidic. If you don't know what that means, go to one of my first blog posts.
5. (probably the most important) Plan your meals. Don't get caught anywhere hungry! You will make bad food choices.... then all hell breaks loose.
6. Eat fresh foods. Only 25% of your diet should come from food processed in a factory.
I wish you the best. It's a tough journey, that pays handsomely if you're willing to make the shift.
1. Have massive leverage... a huge WHY. I must do this because_________________. And dig deep, serious stuff, like I will not be able to see my child graduate high school because I will have a heart attack if I continue living like I am. The scarier and painful the better.
2. Confront your weakness. What is the one thing that is causing you to keep the weight on?
3. Drink a lot of water
4. Cleanse and fast. The object of this is to reset your body. When one fasts, they realize what they can do without. Most people are acidic. If you don't know what that means, go to one of my first blog posts.
5. (probably the most important) Plan your meals. Don't get caught anywhere hungry! You will make bad food choices.... then all hell breaks loose.
6. Eat fresh foods. Only 25% of your diet should come from food processed in a factory.
I wish you the best. It's a tough journey, that pays handsomely if you're willing to make the shift.
What's in sausage
When I was getting my hair cut a few weeks ago, the topic of sausage ingredients came up. To my disgust, I learned that fillers for sausages are tendons, MRM (MRM is a pulp which is produced in abattoirs when high-powered jets of water are sprayed on animal carcasses after all the decent cuts of meat have been rendered), skin rind and grissle, and fat (which I can handle). I've eaten some wierd stuff in my days... and a lot of it I like... like Portuguese blood sausage called Morcilla....but when I think tendons, I think the hard stuff that I can't chew in fried chicken (which I haven't had in way too long!). Organs cannot digest this. So I am writing off sausage, no more, unless it is from the local butcher.
But the good news, is that this is another food that I can take out of my diet, that I know is not good for me, but I eat it anyways.
Goodbye Johnsonville, my love. It's not you, it's me. I will miss you.
So my recommendation to others when trying to shed a few pounds and live a healthy lifestyle is to find out what is really in your favorite food that causes the most harm to your body, and find out what is really in it. Maybe you'll find that it won't be worth it any longer.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/2284846.stm
But the good news, is that this is another food that I can take out of my diet, that I know is not good for me, but I eat it anyways.
Goodbye Johnsonville, my love. It's not you, it's me. I will miss you.
So my recommendation to others when trying to shed a few pounds and live a healthy lifestyle is to find out what is really in your favorite food that causes the most harm to your body, and find out what is really in it. Maybe you'll find that it won't be worth it any longer.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/2284846.stm
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