Its no mistake that I cannot keep up with blogging around here as much as I used to. I feel like the more I try to keep up, the less I want to write and then don't. So I'm going to work on trying less. I want to do so much, which is impossible, but its hard to let-go of projects and dreams. In the end, I know that taking on too much leaves me spinning my wheels.
With that said...
I did want to pop in and write about what I have been doing. The action part of getting healthy. I will let you in on a little secret... I am slightly nuts. Oh, you know that? Well, I have health phobias, I always worry about doing the right thing or the wrong thing. Or being the freak patient that ends up on dateline or 20/20 leaving people wondering how they can avoid that freak accident. That missed warning sign. Wow.
I decided recently to give a shiatsu massage a try here locally. My upper neck and back were holding a lot of tension and it really helped. When I went in my right foot was hitting one inch higher than my left. He told me this and all I could think of was "freak show", I should just get sent off to the circus now. By the end of the session my feet aligned (thank goodness) and I was walking better. He asked me about my thyroid, and we discussed getting healthier not just with random massages, but with real nutritional changes. I thought about it and went to see his wife who is a N.D. (Naturopathic doctors ).
I am sometime skeptical, but in general I don't like typical doctors who treat symptoms rather than the root of health issues. I don't have any real issues right now, but I know that I very well could down the road. Some days when I eat too much sugar or carbs, I feel like crap. I feel lethargic and foggy. And so yesterday I embarked on a 6 weeks cleanse to sort of rewind if you will.
I'm taking two supplements that are just herbal remedies, one is seaweed based and the other kills excess yeast in the body. The goal is to achieve a balanced thyroid, more energy, lessened sugar cravings and overall better health. I found out one of my co-workers followed a similar plan when she lived in Oregon and said "it was the best I ever felt".
Basically, I can stay within the meats (nothing processed like bacon, or sausage), vegetables (no starch), a couple of specific fruits a week, whole grain such as quinoa, healthy fats like olive or coconut oil, and no dairy, vinegar and a handful of other specific items. I can have garlic, which is a life saver for me.
I'm not doing this primarily to lose weight, but lets face it...I will. I'm doing this for wellness and balance. I'm doing this as a personal challenge. It will be hard, thanksgiving is in the next 6 weeks and I'm okay with that. I've had a hundred slices of pie in my life, one holiday can be sacrificed. This isn't a forever diet, a lot of what I will learn will stick with me after 6 weeks, but moderation is always key long term. I'm willing to sacrifice now for better health later.
I've also starting a once a week two-hour tai chi class (we are doing something else, but I can't remember what it is called it starts with a q) it is a lot harder than I thought it would be. Mostly just staying in position and keeping good posture has proven to be difficult to me.
I will update how and what I am doing. How I am feeling, and what I miss. Yesterday I was feeling sorry for myself. And then I stopped feeling that way when I realized how good I felt.
For breakfast I had two eggs, lunch I had homemade chicken soup, snack of walnuts and dinner was roasted salmon with quinoa and a wild greens salad and homemade roasted pepper and tomato dressing. All good stuff, nothing to feel sorry for myself about. I was never hungry, and had energy! No brain fog. My seaweed supplement tastes like ass, but again...I can do this.
Is it qigong? I did that in college for a bit as part of a stress management class. It was relaxing but challenging–all about focus, balance and patient movements.
Good luck with the cleanse–based on your menu, it doesn’t sound so bad at all.
Sounds like you’ve thought this all through and are approaching it in a realistic and healthy way. I can’t wait to see how it turns out!
Also don’t worry — I totally freak out when I notice something wrong with me physically and can usually convince myself I’m within hours of a freakish death in a matter of ten minutes of so. See? That’s why we’re friends.
tina, yes! qigong! Thank you
I could not remember that. I agree the focus and patient movements are very challenging and mind clearing at the same time.
FB- yes, girl. that is totally me! I always think that. We bond over OCD
You make my heart happy!
Don’t let the blog stress you out, friend. This is exactly the sort of stuff I love to read. You try new things – things I’m not brave enough to try. You live all balls-to-the-wall, and that’s why I love you!
I love your attitude toward Thanksgiving. I will try to channel that for myself.
I’m really interested in this yeast issue. I guess I need to read more…
We love you! Do you want big pants???
Fantastic! Sounds really really healthy! Seaweed is indeed cleansing, and is eaten everyday in Japan. They even make these cookies with seaweed and give them to children as tasty treats! Yippeeee! (I am of Japanese origin so I’ve seen this!) Anyway…sounds great! Also, massage is always always good for detox.
That cleanse sounds interesting. I need to read up on that!
And good luck with Thanksgiving. I need to come up with a plan for facing all that food myself.
Hi,
Congratulations on trying shiatsu and the six week healthy diet! My first month on a macrobiotics diet, I lost 25 pounds and no one noticed! But I felt amazing. Shiatsu saved my life! My immune system was crashing and shiatsu was the best! So I now teach shiatsu and whole foods nutrition. Stick with it until you have the energy and health to enjoy all! It’s difficult to be “different” when your friends are out having a good time. But the rewards are great later!
This sounds like a fantastic idea! I’m interested to see how you’re feeling in a week or so. It’s great that you’re taking such good care of yourself proactively.
Great post today Lorrie. Thank you! I will have to give the ol’ Shiatsu massage a try. Im trying to shed about 200 lbs so any little bit helps!
Have a great night.
Your dinner sounded lovely and tai chi is amazing. Inner peace is so important. That stillness inside lets us know what is going on with our bodies. You are awesome!
It sounds like you are in a really good place. The new diet doesn’t sound extreme or anything, which is good. I hope it serves its purpose for you. It sounds very “clean”!
I carry huge amounts of tension in my shoulders, too! Never tried a shiatsu massage. I’ll look into it!
Hi,
Try replacing creamy soups with chinese herbal soups. They are better for the body and they are also healthier and less fattening. They fill you up too. Try googling for chinese herbal soups and u can replace the cream and the cheese with all that. Pork ribs, carrot and corn brewed for 1-1.30 hr can be very satisfying. There isnt a need to put salt even. The sweetness comes from the carrot and the corn. Can just have that for dinner and sleep early to prevent feeling hungry.
hope this helps.