Health Goal Update for May 11, 2009 (Blog)

[Erin Pavlina]

Use this thread to discuss the following entry from Erin Pavlina's blog:

Health Goal Update for May 11, 2009

[staceyterry]

Your French Fry addiction was lost without any home, so, kind soul that I am, I allowed it to stay with me the last week. Honestly!!! I didn't have an addiction before, but I've had more French fries in the last week or so than I have in the last five months.

But great work Erin on tracking your points! That's a lot of work. And I know how hard it is for time to pass, to feel the desire, and to just feel like something's in the way whether it's a cold, a schedule, or some less than ideal choices. Sending you hugs and love!

I guess I should send some to myself while I'm at it. I always beat myself up when I make poor choices (as I did this week), or I choose apathetic numbness which is worse. I find it difficult to hold and vibrate with self-love.

I've had some real crazy cravings for starches these days, and my meal sizes have been creeping up again, thus, obviously, no weight loss for me either (nor gain). On the bright side, I'm happy to say I have remained vigilant with maintaining my four-month new minimum standard of vegetarian, but I'm still struggling with the odd dairy component with my desire to reach and maintain a new vegan standard that includes as much raw food as I can incorporate (mainly green smoothies and salads).

And even though I'm doing this crazy self-sabotage with food, I'm actually doing pretty good on the physical side. My body has been happily sore working out under the guidance of a personal trainer. I have been learning SO MUCH! I've been working out for a few years now, but I was mostly following videos, reading books to learn the techniques and movements, or participating in group classes. I was all proud when I could work my way up to 50 and 60 crunches at a time. But I'm quickly learning that technique is EVERYTHING. Now, with the guidance of my trainer about how to hold my body, I'm struggling to reach 10. I'm sore in places I've never been! I didn't realize how bad (okay, not "bad" ... just less effective than possible) my technique was until I had her expertise to evaluate and guide me. She'll actually lightly touch the area of my body I'm supposed to be moving to see whether I hold the contractions and execute the muscle exertion properly! In this way, I actually learn how to find the muscle I'm supposed to be working. And even though I'd love to push myself as hard on my own, I also admit I try harder for someone else (someone neutral outside of friends and family that is!).

So, I've got that part going well. Now to keep the other balls up in the air!
Tera Warner of The Raw Divas has challenged us to a three-day green smoothie feast... nothing but green smoothies for three days! I'm going to give it a go and see if it helps me beat these cravings that I've been giving into and even encouraging.

Finally, and I've just been sitting here thinking about the most important part, I need to raise my vibration with self-love. I keep thinking it would be a great idea to write myself a little positive song, but I just never invest the time. So, I'll write that intention here, share it in public, and commit myself to that.

Thanks as always for sharing your update Erin! I think of you often and value your wisdom, beauty, and spirit. Be well and be happy!

Much love!
Stacey

[Lamusa]

Maybe the scale is wrong or not working well? I've had it happen before. Great that you are finding a meal plan that works and glad you are feeling better. You'll get there. I'm seeing you there already.

[PTJohn]

Erin said "The one thing that may be making a difference is that I’ve been sick the last three weeks with a horrible cough, so I haven’t been to the gym daily like I was doing before. I should be well enough to start going back to the gym now, though, so hopefully that will kick things started again"

I don't really see any problems or causes for concern. You had a cold, and the body will naturally try to conserve energy (rather than expend energy which would deplete limited bodily resources) to help fight a cold. Also, the effects of a cold on a dieter can be quite variable--some gain and some lose. I wouldn't sweat it.

[Solas]

Hi Erin,
Sorry to hear you have not had any weight loss. But don;t be discouraged. Focus on the positives - you are certainly setting up great habits that will lead to your goal eventually. Also, how is your muscle definition coming along? Any change in dress size?

I too have not had any weight loss (or gains!), but have not been so good as you at sticking to healthy habits. If I have one good day, I generally have 10 bad days to 'make up for it'. Self-sabotage all the way, and I am not sure why.

Good luck
Solas

[Erin Pavlina]

Clothes are fitting the same as before, but I lost a lot of weight last year so I'm already at a smaller size than I was this time last year. I'm not discouarged. I remember doing weight Watchers before that there were some weeks of doing everything right and seeing no change on the scale, but it usually resulted in bigger gains the next week.

[Angela]

Sick for 3 weeks?! Ai chihuahua! I hope you're feeling all better now. Maybe it's a good thing that you didn't lose weight during this period, making you feel weaker.

[Ekb]

Hey Erin! Keep going I know you can do it!

[vmiller]

Hi Erin,

Sorry to hear about your lack of results.

Are you strictly avoiding sugar and refined carbs such as bread, pasta, bagels, etc.?

What kind of exercising are you doing? Are you aware of high intensity interval training? Many people have found it to be far more effective (and healthy) for weight loss than doing a lot of cardio.

Many of us don't eat appropriately for our genetic needs. If you don't eat protein, fat and carbohydrates in the proportions that your body is programmed to thrive on, this can cause weight problems as well. Check out my article on Metabolic Typing for more info.

[Creative]

Just carry on and I'm certain you'll get results, it is likely as you've not been well that your body might not lose any weight. Focus on getting well as three weeks is a long time to get a cough. Then get back to the exercise!

[Erin Pavlina]

yes I'm trying not to be hard on myself. I am certain this week will go well.

I am not weighing myself daily this week. I'm going to tough it out until Sunday and weigh myself then.

[lakangbini]

Hi Erin --

The great news is that your weight remained stable and didn't increase. I'm sure you'll see a _really_ big step very soon in your progress as you get over the cold and pick up exercise again. Thanks for keeping us updated on your progress. It's inspiring for me to read your entries

[lacinato]

This video on fat loss and portion size reminded me of this thread--check out the error in calorie counts; it's pretty interesting.

[Erin Pavlina]

That's why I always weigh my food with a kitchen scale in grams.

[rhonda524]

Erin, you said you had a cough for 3 weeks. I am on week 2 of mine. Were you incredibly weak? I don't really feel sick anymore except for a lingering cough but I am so weak. I never remember feeling like this. I am somewhat concerned. It just doesn't feel right.

[Erin Pavlina]

No I had the cough but little else. no fever, congestion, or terrible fatigue.

I had pneumonia 6 years ago while pregnant with Kyle and ever since then if I get a cough it's just really bad and lasts a long long time, sometimes as long as three months. It's hard to do readings when the cough is in the first three weeks and I usually have to reschedule some.

You might have pneumonia. Have you been to the doc?

[rhonda524]

I rarely go to the doctor but am considering it. I was a practicing chiropractor for 12 years and just believe in the bodies ability to heal itself. But as I have gotten older I do have a reserved respect for the medical profession. They defineately have their place. I spent so much time inside the last week and a half that I feel I need more sunshine and fresh air. If I still feel this way in a week I will have to go to the M.D. Thanks for responding to this post. What do you think of the whole sun-gazing thing?

[PTJohn]

Originally Posted by Erin Pavlina

I am not weighing myself daily this week. I'm going to tough it out until Sunday and weigh myself then.

Weigh yourself once a week--weighing yourself frequently (i.e. everyday) becomes a demotivating head game. To make your weigh-ins somewhat reliable, choose a day during the week (ex. every friday) and weigh yourself naked in the morning right after you have urinated.

The reason why you need to very precise when weighing yourself is because there can be a 1-4 lb fluctuation in your body weight from morning to afternoon. This is why the scale is not the best measure of progress, but if used correctly, can be a very good tool for assessing weight loss.

[Erin Pavlina]

Yeah I always weigh myself naked after urinating. I agree. Today I almost caved and weighed myself, but you're right, it's a big head game. I am going to wait patiently until Sunday morning. God help me.

[JSB]

Originally Posted by Erin Pavlina

No I had the cough but little else. no fever, congestion, or terrible fatigue.

I had pneumonia 6 years ago while pregnant with Kyle and ever since then if I get a cough it's just really bad and lasts a long long time, sometimes as long as three months. It's hard to do readings when the cough is in the first three weeks and I usually have to reschedule some.

You might have pneumonia. Have you been to the doc?

There are simple qigong exercises that might help ameliorate that, if you can do them for 10 or 20 minutes every day.

[darryl]

Maybe your current body dimensions are required for you to be a good physic medium. I assume you'd need some emotional insulation in order to be a clear channel, and perhaps this physically manifests as a well rounded motherly figure.

I tend to trust the well rounded motherly types more, as they naturally radiate a feeling of love and worldly wisdom.

Your current diet and exercise program seems to be very healthy, so maybe forget the scales for a while and just intuit your weight. If you feel fit and healthy and your knees aren't buckling under pressure then who cares what the scales say.

[IFeelGood]

Erin,
Are you eating a lot of processed soy, starches and sweets? For me, I know that even though I was counting calories and points with ww, the weight loss plateaued after a while and I know it happened because of the type of foods that I was eating. Eventually, I became more conscious of eating whole foods which helped and then once I went 75% raw, two years ago, that did it for me.

At first I was not paying attention to calories while raw but eventually realized that I was eating way too much fat from nuts. Once I limited my nut portions, the weight has just melted off of me. I saw that you mentioned you would be eating more fruits and veggies, I think that will do it for you as long as you are not eating the processed stuff and sugar. I believe that the life energy in raw foods does much more for our body than we realize.

All the best to you and congratulatiions on your hard work and making your progress visible to others!

[lacinato]

Wow, I think that's awesome you're using the food scale. It takes a little more determination to do that--which means your intent is that much stronger. I had figured that cups weren't that accurate, but didn't ever have a visual for *how* inaccurate before.

[Erin Pavlina]

I'm using a mail scale. It's all flat. It's not really a kitchen scale. But it's so easy to use. Measures in ounces or grams. I just stick a bowl or plate on there, turn it on, zero it out, put my food in the bowl and voila... measurement. Then I hightail it to calorieking.com and type in the exact weight and get my numbers. it's so easy.

[Momorune]

Dear Erin, actually although the scale didn't deliver any news, I thought your update showed some positive signs.

1. Your cough, that did not come with a fever or etc. In the Ayurvedic perspective, the lungs are the seat of Kapha (earth+water) which is the bioenergetic force that creates heaviness, extra flesh, and etc. If your lungs are getting rid of goo, this is a sign that your system is starting to "shed" excess Kapha energy.

2. You're not overeating and you're not addicted to french fries! Willpower belongs to the energy of fire, which is Pitta in Ayurveda and helps you burn calories, digest well, and get motivated to go on long walks and do Yoga.

Look, all the doshas (Vata -air+space, Pitta, and Kapha) are necessary to stay alive. If you didn't have Kapha in your body you would cease to be a physical being, which would be a shame, especially for your husband and kids! However, you need balance. My suggestion is that you have so much excess Kapha because your spiritual abilities and activites are the biggest part of your life; and they belong to Vata! Your taste sensation is the biggest experience of being embodied that you use to balance out Vata.

So, why not try an experiment of seeking non-taste oriented experiences of embodiment? Like gardening, for example, where you would be constantly in contact with the Earth element,without ingesting it or swimming as excersize because then instead of moving through the air you move through the heavier element of water. Massaging yourself before a shower with sesame oil would bring you to earth without adding calories - and sesame oil is heating as well (Pitta) as grounding (Kapha). Or Yoga, which is the gentle methodical version of aligning mind body and spirit. Grounding activities are as balancing as food, you just need to branch out a little from your safety point.

Also, considering all things, it's very encouraging that you aren't *gaining* weight. You're in a holding position. Just make sure that any extra grounding energy isn't going to fuel your Vata flights away from the corporeal, that's a bit counterproductive. You want to stay grounded enough that at some point you can bring Pitta into the picture without "burning out". Think of how charcoal is made with a slow burn and as little air (Vata) as possible. Ayurveda is an alchemical process and is very delicate, subtle, and intelligent. You obviously don't want to burn away everything without discretion. There are things you want to keep. So approach this process intuitively with strategy.

peace
Malian

[Erin Pavlina]

Thank you, that was enlightening. I suck at swimming. Can't swim, and I suck at yoga. Probably indicators of areas of imbalance. And I hate gardening and touching dirt. LOL. yeah, eating and tasting is definitely a dominant thing for me. I will try to plug in more to those areas.

I'm the person that uses a food glove to cut pineapple cuz I hate wet stuff touching my skin. Skeeves me out. I'm lucky I can shower at all

[Momorune]

that is hilarious Erin! I am seriously tripping off the picture of you chopping pineapple with gloves. Being a folk who at the age of 2 was jumping in mud like Puddle Duck, and today proudly showed off my stinking fermented kitchen garbage to an unsuspecting visitor to my home, that picture just makes me trip like crazy. You never cease to surprise and delight But yeah, I'm glad you can shower! Did you ever take one of those Crabtree and Evelyn baths with like rose petal milk? Come on girl? I thought you earn like 800 bucks an hour so what's that money for? Come on over and visit me where I work Spa - The Dolder Grand ***** I'm not even kidding.

[Erin Pavlina]

Yeah the crazy thing is my son has similar issues. When he was a baby he couldn't touch sand or grass or a koosh ball without having a serious freak out. They called it sensory issues or some such. I am overloaded with sensory input sometimes. Water on my face skeeves me out. I mean water splashed on my face skeeves me out. I can like wash my face, but if someone splashes me it's like being eletrocuted or something.

[Momorune]

do you think if you overcome this condition, you will continue to be psychic? And if not, would you want to overcome it?

[Erin Pavlina]

I've lived with it so long, it's not a big whoop to me anymore. I don't know how it relates to my level of psychic abilities.