So, I have been thinking about this for some time and I’ve decided to embark on a new journey. I am hoping it will be a journey to longterm health and wellness. Most of you who know me, know that I have alternatively won over and struggled with living a healthy lifestyle for most of my adult life.
2016 has been a keen example of this rollercoaster existence, where for the first half of the year I was getting fit and eating well as preparation to undertake the challenge and experience of a lifetime. This phase peaked in May/June when I set out on and completed the 800km/500mile pilgrim walk from the Pyrenees in the South of France to the city of Santiago de Compostela. As I finished the Camino I was on top of the world, fit and happy and determined to push on from there to new heights of wellness. However the second half of the year, did not go as I had hoped. As a result of injury and immobility and the frustration associated with that I am now back to where I was 12 months ago, overweight, feeling unwell and not living at my peak.
As a person who has tried every diet and weight loss fad known to woman, I know that they all work to a greater or lesser degree. I have lost weight counting calories and points; eating low carb; high protein; shakes, bars…the list goes on. I’ve tackled the head stuff, the high intensity exercise regimes and I have lost weight, sometimes large amounts of weight, but my difficulty is the results don’t last longterm. And so the need for a long term, sustainable, ‘lifestyle change’, is critical.
For a number of months now I have been researching, reading, watching and observing people living on a plant based diet and the results I have seen are impressive, reversing poor health quality, reducing weight, raising energy levels and overall wellbeing. I really want to give this a go and I want to put it out there and share my journey. I don’t want to stress and obsess about this but I would like to make small deliberate changes in my eating habits over the coming weeks, hopefully building to a transformed, sustainable level of health and wellness.
In a way the journey has already begun, my breakfast once a protein-fest of eggs and various meats has over the last several months been substituted for superfood green smoothies, oatmeal and/or berries and I have already significantly reduced my dairy consumption (due to lactose intolerance), swapping milk for nut milks like almond milk and yogurt for soya yogurt (though I take very little yogurt anymore).
My goal for the week ahead is to eat some fruit and/or veg with every meal or snack I take.
I have been blessed with wonderful opportunities and I want to be healthy and able to enjoy them long into the future.
P.S. If anyone has any resources, experience or suggestions to offer I’d be happy to hear them.
Hi Catherine, have a look at Liana Shanti’s page on Facebook- RawganicVegan. and the website rawganic.com. She researches everything carefully and I think her approach is worth a look. She’s very intense and dedicated to the cause, but I’ve picked up lots of useful tips from her. I’m not vegan by the way, but I have benefitted from her advice and recipes. Hopefully some day I will become vegan, as I do think it’s the right way to go. You will encourage and inspire many folk Catherine on your journey, including me! Good luck, I admire your courage. Warmest regards, Monica.
Thanks Monica I will. With a week down I have been surprised how much I’ve enjoyed it, I know it’s early days yet and the honeymoon feelings haven’t worn off but I feel better already.
Dear Catherine, have you tried the Ap My Fitness Pal? James, Richard and I all
do it from time to time and find it really helpful to know what you are eating too
much of (in my case sugar is always over the top). I also find a good alkali breakfast,like
porridge is good to start off the day as it means that you can eat small at lunch
and dinner. Just eat on a side plate. Never give yourself a large plate. I know
that cutting downs carbs and sugars is the answer but I struggle with the
Sugars. I have found weight watchers helpful and, one you get into that
routine, that is good. Also, watch the calories in drinks. I feel very well and fit
in Florida. Right now, I have bronchitis and feel awful! Good luck and we will all
be here to give you support. Love Christine
Thanks Christine for your great tips and suggestions, some I have tried in the past and they definitely do work, thanks for reminding me. I know what you mean about being healthier in Florida, I feel that too now I am trying to spread that out over the entire year! I really appreciate the support.
Fantastic! Good for you and I think we all struggle with it in our own way. I’ve heard that some blood types respond in different ways to different foods I.e. For one person a plant/fish based diet is morw effective while someone else responds better to meats and dairy. Haven’t looked into it but seems interesting. Currently I am “trying” the 4-5 small meals a day thing of 34g protein, 24g carbs and 7g fat per meal (based on my body weight). It’s completely changed the way I eat but finding it hard to eat that much and rev up the metabolism. Good luck and wishing you a happy, healthy and prosperous 2017!!
Thanks Janet, good luck in your efforts too. I think most of the various diets work (as I can attest to) but it is finding one I can stick to has been my downfall. I’m sure your protein intact is the lease of your concerns since your exciting news. 2017 will be a big year for you, you so richly deserve it!! Congratulations.