Not that I was counting especially, because I have left my challenge open-ended in duration.
I left it open, because really, it seems pointless to go back to eating solids, when they give me so much trouble, anyway. I can't think why I ever went off my other fast, in July, except that I was in too much pain (trying to get off the various nervine drugs), that I couldn't be bothered to stay in tune with the discipline it takes. I think, too, that I just missed food, especially sweet food.
I personally think that most of us do have a sweet tooth, and that many of us are genetically predisposed to having it, because of what I know about the biology of the brain. The brain uses sugar first and foremost. That is it's fuel. It cannot utilize other types of fuel, such as protein and fat, without the body converting it first, into sugar. It stands to reason, then, that a sugar craving is the first hurdle we will have to overcome, once we shave our calories in half (at least), by attempting to fast.
I think day 5 (Friday), when I had that sugar jones, it was because of this very fact. I also think that the brain will fight for supremacy, and if you don't heed it, you do so at your own risk. It doesn't seem to have mattered that I ate a bag of candy and a 1/2 cup of macadamia nuts, in terms of weight-loss, as I've lost 5 pounds already and it's not even been a whole week. Which indicates to me, that it was indeed, a severe lack of calories that I encountered on Friday night, and that my brain was definitely in charge of the scene.
No matter how much willpower one possesses, it does not come close to being enough, when the brain is involved. That's probably a very good thing. And since the whole topic of the brain is such a long-winded discussion, I won't have it here, but I will say that I believe that that is where meditation comes into the picture, and probably the only way to "settle" the brain down enough to get it with the program.
Of course, in order to meditate, I believe there not only needs to be a welcoming physical space set up for it, but also a good clear space in the mind, embracing the idea of it.
The perfect time to do so, then, is after I've vented physically, by walking the dog and stretching.
With that as a goal, I am cleaning again today, and hoping that with clean floors, and uncluttered physical spaces, it will enable my brain to follow suit, and find a way to be uncluttered, as well.
We'll see. :)
I did want to say a little about the fact that I am not limiting liquids in any way, shape or form. I believe this will help with the boredom factor (this is thanks to my friend Renee, on FB).
So, yes, I AM allowing dairy, (when and if I feel like it). I AM allowing caffeine in tea and coffee (when and if I feel like it), and I AM allowing some sweeteners (like honey and agave), when and if I feel like it. And last, but not least, I am also allowing pulpy liquids (like kefir, rapplesauce, and raw protein shakes with superfood greens), when and if I feel like it.
A small word on dairy. A former nurse friend of mine and I, were discussing bile, and she looked in her Taber's Medical Dictionary, which indicated that the liver really, really, really, likes, the fat and sugar from dairy, in order to produce bile. Whether this is true or not (i would not be surprised to find that it's just one of many ways in which the dairy industry has infiltrated western medicine), I don't think I am going to rush to rule it out of my diet, especially in light of the fact that I am having issues with my gall-bladder. :) I will, however, be investigating ways in which to obtain non-gmo organic soybeans in the next few weeks, enabling me to start making my own soy milk, to have in phase 2 of my journey.
I believe that initially (perhaps the first 3-6 weeks) it is vitally important for me to have the things that comfort me (in my liquids), including dairy, because I believe that too much deprivation, too soon, will do nothing except to act as a deterrent.
In line with this, I also believe that cutting too many calories too fast, is not a particularly healthy thing. I know from biology that we are genetically predisposed to only losing 2 pounds a week. Any more then that is a type of starvation, which isn't terribly healthy, either (and sets us up for all sorts of other complications, down the road). Of course, this depends on how healthy one is, to start with, and how much extra weight one has.
For me, 2 pounds a week, is what I can manage, (physically and/or mentally) from where I am at, right now.
As the weather changes and the days grow longer, I believe that I will be able to wean away from pulps, sweeteners, and dairy, and thereby switch to all juices, broths and teas. For however long it feels good. How's that for open ended?
As for supplements. Yes, I do take a slate of them. Especially in what I like to refer to, as phase one (the first 3-6 weeks). And I am going to add fish oil to the battery, shortly. What do I take? Here's a list:
Garden Of Life Raw Vitamin C, Garden of Life's Raw Vitamin B, Enzymedica Enzymes (ViraStop and SerraGold), Pure Encapsulations NAC (for my liver), Pure Encapsulations M/R/S (a mushroom formula), Young Living's ParaFree (which I take just because of all the essential oils in it and not because I am doing a parasite cleanse, but hey, it's a fringe benefit, just in case, right? lol), Liquid Vitamin D & E, and Renew LIfe's Power Cleanse 1 (which is mainly for the Vitamin A). I do need to do some research on finding a better Vitamin A source, as well as a source for Alpha-Lapoic acid, but all and all, I think I am hitting a home-run with most of these.
The real benefit of the essential oils is that the "awful-scaly-iron-on-my-sensitive-teeth-sensation", has pretty much abated. The other benefit from all these supplements is that they make me feel like I am helping support and sustain my body's mitochondria, thereby assisting my brain to relax and "get-with-the-program". Vastly important.
Well, many goals for the upcoming weeks and I will definitely be updating the blog at least every other day (another goal), as well as trying to get my website updated and renewed.
I can't say I feel great today, as I didn't sleep all that well, but I definitely feel better then I did last week at this time, and I am hoping that slow, gradual, improvement in my physical and mental energy, will soon appear. Here's to hoping!
Rara Avis signing out from The House of Found Goods.
I left it open, because really, it seems pointless to go back to eating solids, when they give me so much trouble, anyway. I can't think why I ever went off my other fast, in July, except that I was in too much pain (trying to get off the various nervine drugs), that I couldn't be bothered to stay in tune with the discipline it takes. I think, too, that I just missed food, especially sweet food.
I personally think that most of us do have a sweet tooth, and that many of us are genetically predisposed to having it, because of what I know about the biology of the brain. The brain uses sugar first and foremost. That is it's fuel. It cannot utilize other types of fuel, such as protein and fat, without the body converting it first, into sugar. It stands to reason, then, that a sugar craving is the first hurdle we will have to overcome, once we shave our calories in half (at least), by attempting to fast.
I think day 5 (Friday), when I had that sugar jones, it was because of this very fact. I also think that the brain will fight for supremacy, and if you don't heed it, you do so at your own risk. It doesn't seem to have mattered that I ate a bag of candy and a 1/2 cup of macadamia nuts, in terms of weight-loss, as I've lost 5 pounds already and it's not even been a whole week. Which indicates to me, that it was indeed, a severe lack of calories that I encountered on Friday night, and that my brain was definitely in charge of the scene.
No matter how much willpower one possesses, it does not come close to being enough, when the brain is involved. That's probably a very good thing. And since the whole topic of the brain is such a long-winded discussion, I won't have it here, but I will say that I believe that that is where meditation comes into the picture, and probably the only way to "settle" the brain down enough to get it with the program.
Of course, in order to meditate, I believe there not only needs to be a welcoming physical space set up for it, but also a good clear space in the mind, embracing the idea of it.
The perfect time to do so, then, is after I've vented physically, by walking the dog and stretching.
With that as a goal, I am cleaning again today, and hoping that with clean floors, and uncluttered physical spaces, it will enable my brain to follow suit, and find a way to be uncluttered, as well.
We'll see. :)
I did want to say a little about the fact that I am not limiting liquids in any way, shape or form. I believe this will help with the boredom factor (this is thanks to my friend Renee, on FB).
So, yes, I AM allowing dairy, (when and if I feel like it). I AM allowing caffeine in tea and coffee (when and if I feel like it), and I AM allowing some sweeteners (like honey and agave), when and if I feel like it. And last, but not least, I am also allowing pulpy liquids (like kefir, rapplesauce, and raw protein shakes with superfood greens), when and if I feel like it.
A small word on dairy. A former nurse friend of mine and I, were discussing bile, and she looked in her Taber's Medical Dictionary, which indicated that the liver really, really, really, likes, the fat and sugar from dairy, in order to produce bile. Whether this is true or not (i would not be surprised to find that it's just one of many ways in which the dairy industry has infiltrated western medicine), I don't think I am going to rush to rule it out of my diet, especially in light of the fact that I am having issues with my gall-bladder. :) I will, however, be investigating ways in which to obtain non-gmo organic soybeans in the next few weeks, enabling me to start making my own soy milk, to have in phase 2 of my journey.
I believe that initially (perhaps the first 3-6 weeks) it is vitally important for me to have the things that comfort me (in my liquids), including dairy, because I believe that too much deprivation, too soon, will do nothing except to act as a deterrent.
In line with this, I also believe that cutting too many calories too fast, is not a particularly healthy thing. I know from biology that we are genetically predisposed to only losing 2 pounds a week. Any more then that is a type of starvation, which isn't terribly healthy, either (and sets us up for all sorts of other complications, down the road). Of course, this depends on how healthy one is, to start with, and how much extra weight one has.
For me, 2 pounds a week, is what I can manage, (physically and/or mentally) from where I am at, right now.
As the weather changes and the days grow longer, I believe that I will be able to wean away from pulps, sweeteners, and dairy, and thereby switch to all juices, broths and teas. For however long it feels good. How's that for open ended?
As for supplements. Yes, I do take a slate of them. Especially in what I like to refer to, as phase one (the first 3-6 weeks). And I am going to add fish oil to the battery, shortly. What do I take? Here's a list:
Garden Of Life Raw Vitamin C, Garden of Life's Raw Vitamin B, Enzymedica Enzymes (ViraStop and SerraGold), Pure Encapsulations NAC (for my liver), Pure Encapsulations M/R/S (a mushroom formula), Young Living's ParaFree (which I take just because of all the essential oils in it and not because I am doing a parasite cleanse, but hey, it's a fringe benefit, just in case, right? lol), Liquid Vitamin D & E, and Renew LIfe's Power Cleanse 1 (which is mainly for the Vitamin A). I do need to do some research on finding a better Vitamin A source, as well as a source for Alpha-Lapoic acid, but all and all, I think I am hitting a home-run with most of these.
The real benefit of the essential oils is that the "awful-scaly-iron-on-my-sensitive-teeth-sensation", has pretty much abated. The other benefit from all these supplements is that they make me feel like I am helping support and sustain my body's mitochondria, thereby assisting my brain to relax and "get-with-the-program". Vastly important.
Well, many goals for the upcoming weeks and I will definitely be updating the blog at least every other day (another goal), as well as trying to get my website updated and renewed.
I can't say I feel great today, as I didn't sleep all that well, but I definitely feel better then I did last week at this time, and I am hoping that slow, gradual, improvement in my physical and mental energy, will soon appear. Here's to hoping!
Rara Avis signing out from The House of Found Goods.
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