Day 3 and 4

Day 3 was uneventful! It was so good to be without a headache all day! I hurt my knee some kind of way so I tried to take it easy all day after work. Today is Day 4 and the first think I noticed when I woke up- the Fibromyalgia pain is gone!!! What a relief! I feel so much better in my skin! Now to see this thing through to the end! I have been eating a sensible meal for dinner because of my headache. So I need to decide if I will continue that or if I will do the full Master Cleanse. Right now I'm hydrated and listening to my body! 

Day 2

Day 2 was rough... Goid news is I'm down 4 pounds. Yesterday evening I was bloated and I felt like a bag of ricks. I urinated constantly through the night and woke up 4 pounds lighter. I also woke up with a headache. This headache lasted all day long. So what was supposed to be a productive day ended up with me just being loving and kind to myself through the pain. 

Day One, again and again

I wrote today on my Soaring Through the Storms blog about the importance of getting back to basics. Part of my getting back to basics physically includes doing the Master Cleanse. Last year I got down to 206, the lowest I'd been in 18 years! However, this year brought marital issues, an unexpected, unplanned pregnancy and an unfortunate miscarriage which all resulted in me slipping back into poor eating habits, NO exercise and I am back up to 242 pounds this morning. I am officially ready to get back on the wagon, however, I am going back to what always works for me: The Master Cleanse. Most people are familiar with the Master Cleanse. It is a 10 day cleanse that works to purify the blood and kidneys and helps to lose weight. Some feel that it is extreme or a fad diet, however, I have discussed it with my Doctor and gotten the green light to do it several times a year. I know when I need to do a cleanse because my fibromyalgia will begin to act up. Fibromyalgia is am autoimmune disease that causes severe pain and achiness. I was diagnosed with Fibromyalgia in 2009 but I probabaly started suffering from flare ups as early as 2003, following a bad car accident. I describe fibromyalgia as feeling like you just worked out the hardest workout of your life and you wake up the next day and can barely get out of bed. That is how my body feels when I am having a flare up.

For whatever reason the Master Cleanse helps to calm the inflammation response in my body and helps to end the Fibro flare up. It also helps to clear the mind and calm the emotions. I am excited to be starting the cleanse today because it has helped me so much over the 10 years since my co-worker, Denise, introduced me to it. It is my go-to when I am tired and overwhelmed and in pain. I will keep you up to date on my weight loss plans and goals but today I am going to make sure that I drink 64 ounces of water, 64 ounces of lemonade and that I am kind and gentle to myself.

The Master Cleanse (also known as the Lemonade Diet) info:
http://themastercleanse.org/

Fibromyalgia info:
https://www.fibromyalgiapatienteducation.info/what-are-fibromyalgia-symptoms/?gclid=CJihtsbbqNACFQuSaQod4L4CnQ

Anit-Inflammatory Diet Info:
http://www.drweil.com/health-wellness/health-centers/aging-gracefully/dr-weils-anti-inflammatory-diet/

Define Happiness

Week 2, Day 4. Define Happiness. So many people if I asked them what's wrong will talk about being unhappy. But why? I believe many people have failed to define happiness for themselves. They are using unrealistic definitions of happiness that they've seen on a movie, in videos or on someone's social media site. But true happiness, or joy unspeakable comes from within, not without. If you think happiness is found in "stuff" google people who were rich but still took their life. Money and status does not equal happiness. What is happiness? Well to me happiness is living life on my own terms. Graduating when people told me to drop out; giving birth to what I was told to abort; leaving a relationship that looked perfect on the outside but was torture on the inside; marrying a man people warned me about; leaving a potential law career to follow my passion; and the list goes on. You have to define happiness for yourself but happiness for me comes from not having to wear the mask, being able to be fully myself- good, bad or otherwise. It is found in the loving relationship I have with my kids, husband, coworkers and friends. It is in knowing that anything I do- I give it my all. Are things perfect? No. Are there things I hope to improve? Absolutely. But the power to do that is in my hand. I am the captain of my ship, the master of my fate- and for a long time that was not my story. So today, take a few minutes and define happiness for yourself. When you find it. It will be better than any Disney Happily Ever After! 

Enjoying the journey

In weight loss you have to have goals. However, it's important to train yourself to find things you love while losing weight. What do I mean? If you hate the food you eat, dream about pizza all the time and cry after every workout (been there, done that) you WILL gain the weight back. Losing weight should not feel like you are on punishment. How I view it now it that I love myself enough to make these small sacrifices (that sometimes feel HUGE) so that I can walk without a cane in 10 years, or avoid insulin needles for-eva (in my Cardi-B voice). Last year was a sacrifice but the reward of losing and getting down to a 14/16 was soooo worth it. So I've gained and lost the same 15 pounds since last June/July. I was started to get frustrated until I realized how mych I've learned, and how proud I am of myself and how I haven't given up!!!! So let's keep on this ride, enjoying our success and learning (and loving) through our mistakes. I have the rest of my life to lose these last 20 pounds! 

Sometimes, food is love

Okay, I'll admit this may be the fat girl inside talking but I believe that sometimes food can be given and received in love. My cousin just posted on her facebook page that her neighbor made two slices of pound cake the same day she was cutting down on calories. You already know what my cousin did- what we all would do- start tomorrow. Lol. But seriously- sometimes food should just be enjoyed for what it is- a symbol of love. Throughout time we see food being used to bring people together, celebrate occassions, and comfort. Take care of ourselves and making our health a top priority does not mean that we can't enjoy meaningful exchanges with food. What it does mean is food cannot replace human nurturing. As Geneen Roth says food should nourish, people should nurture. So that food cannot replace love, but it can be given and received in love. Now go enjoy a great Sunday dinner. 

Me, Oprah and Weight Watchers

So most of you know Oprah has been my mentor since the 5th Grade. Although we've never met, she's provided hours of advice and been a role model just through the life she's lived. I decided in October to join Weight Watchers and was thrown back when I logged on WW and saw Oprah there smiling back at me! 

Oprah has alway been there along with Maya Angelou, Iyanla Vanzant and Tyler Perry. Together, they've helped me navigate an unplanned pregnancy in Undergrad, law school, divorce, starting over, failing the Bar exam and living my best life NOW! 

Over the last few years weight has remained the one thing that was always out of control. The external representation of my inner failings. Always knowing but never doing... Until now! I know with Oprah and Weight Watchers I will be able to love food and love my body, veg out and work out!  I can and will conquer this giant! Thank you Oprah for your constant love and support and through teaching by transparency! I teach everyday using the tools I've learned from her life! Consider joining weight watchers, it's scientifically proven the most effective weight loss method. What do we have to lose?