Update - End of Week 7 and 30 pounds Lost.

End of week seven and I have lost 30 Pounds. I know weight loss goes fast at first and it will slow down.  I am working a plan that should have me lose an average of 2 pounds a week.  I am enjoying snowshoeing.  I have loved the food I am eating.  It has not just been eating less it has been eating different. It has been fun. Sometimes eating healthy actually allows you to eat more.  I am learning many things about health and nutrition. Thanks to all my teachers.

Top 10 Lessons (not in any order)

1.       Avoid sugar in all its forms. Try other things to sweeten.  Not artificial sweeteners. Try guava.

2.       Avoid processed food.  Many are just sugar in another form.  Most are empty calories with little nutrition.

3.       Eat close to the ground. Things that grow. Try eating more raw fruits, veggies and nuts.

4.       Try new things. Tofu, quinoa, beans, hummus, avocados, Basil, coriander, rosemary, cinnamon.

5.       Drink water. Other than some tea this is almost all I am drinking.

6.       Try to exercise a little every day. A walk, snowshoeing, or 12 minutes of interval training.

7.       Always have breakfast.  Always!

8.       Eat smaller meals more often.  5-6 small meals

9.       Food Mixing: Each meal should have good carbs, good fat and protein.

10.   Learn about food.  What kind of fat is good fat? What makes a good carb?  How can you get enough good protein?

11.   (Bonus) Keep a food journal and put everything in the journal. A wonderful tool is my fitness pal. http://www.myfitnesspal.com/ My name on my fitness pal is pabpaul . We could be friends and offer mutual accountability and encouragement.  This allows you to set goals, track calories, fat, carbs, protein sugar and a great deal more.  It allows you to be honest about what you are actually eating.

 I have found many advantages.  I sleep better without so much caffeine in my system.  Now that sugar, MSG and table salt (I use Sea Salts) are out of my system I can taste food again.  I can feel the food I am eating making me stronger rather than tired or bloated. I am enjoying eating.  My energy is less “up and down” because my blood sugar is more stable. My pants are looser and mentally it feels good to be heading in the right direction.

For those of you who have pledged support please wait to send in your donation.  I want to wait until March before we start to gather funds.  I will let you know when and where to send your donation.  I want this to be a long term change that begins with a full year turn around.  Thank you for your prayers and support.

To those on the journey with me I would love to hear about your plans.  I would love to hear about what you are learning on your journey of health.