Discussion Board

All my life when I find something great (yoga, veganism, health, new makeup....and the list goes on) I often want to share because I'm so excited about what I've learned. This isn't always helpful. I end up being over excited, pushy, let down when others don't see it my way and then I often give up.

With my carreer change to a yoga teacher and health coach, specifically working with clients needing weight loss, a health tune up, and working towards a plant based diet I've come to realize that my best work can be done by working on myself. Committing to me and simply being the change. As my close circles see me becomming slimmer and successfull my hope is that it will inspire them to make changes in their own life, but I'm not going to judge or push this time. This time I'm just going to make it about me.

I've been back on track with my starch based life style for about a week and a half now. My energy is low but I think I've indulged in sugar a bit much and I've been resisting a cold.

Last night I let myself get too hungry and we were out watching football at our local bar and I ended up eating fries. I felt TERRIBLE after. My goal this week is to keep healthy food around, tucked in a pocket or purse - whatever - so that I don't get too hungry and rely on crap that makes me feel awful.

I'm also headed to Disneyland for christmas (junk food city!) and I'm going to get some McDougall cups so I can be prepared with a healthy oatmeal breakfast in the room. I've done a bit of research and while I think it will be tough to avoid oil completly I think I can do a pretty good job of it while I'm there. I'm really looking forward to the challenge of eating well while having a good time so I can report back on my blog and here.

I've been inspired by so many others, now is the time for me to put it to work so I can hopefully pass it on.

There are a couple of things you can get in the park to eat but it's pretty slim pickens. However the vegan options around that area are plentiful. Chains like Loving Hut, Veggie Grill, Native Foods, and several more give you options if you can leave the park for a meal. As you mentioned, packing a few items will be very helpful if you can't. They do serve a vegan chili in a bread bowl if you get desperate. It was also very expensive for the serving you get. Also there was a portabella sandwich there. For me, it didn't matter. I still love Disneyland and go every 5 years or so. It's especially magic for kids. Have fun.
f1jim

Thanks Jim! I've got a bag full of McDougall cups and we'll take some fruit for the room. I also LOVE LOVE LOVE the pickels at the fruit stands. We go yearly so I'm familiar with some of the options. I'm thankfull for oatmeal though to start my day of nice and full.


Last night I watched the movie Veducated on netflix. I cried my eyes out. I know all of these awful things happen to animals and that is why it propelled me to become vegan in the first place, but man it is a life changer to watch. I was really angry with my husband for being a meat eater and for bailing on watching the movie. I had lots of emotions throughout. First I said I'll never bring kids into this world. Then I thought I'd really love to bring come compassionate vegans into this world! Then I said I'll never eat at a non vegan resturant again - but this is obviously not a reality - especially with my Disney adventure comming up.

I did come out with a renewed desire to cook for myself at home more. I live in an urban area near great vegan friendly resturants and eat out a lot which I know has stalled my weight loss efforts too. But I like the idea of just cooking for me. For voting with my dollars. I also had to talk about my feelings with my husband. I don't want to have children that don't grow up in a vegan household. That is just my feeling and I don't judge anybody else at all. I really hope that as I commit to cooking and loosing weight and he sees my success that his heart may soften as well. He's a pretty amazing guy though and if it didn't I would still be head over heels in love.

I also read the chapter of Starch Solution last night discussing the environment. Meat is just gross all around. I love that Dr. McDougall advocates voting with your dollars. That is the best we can do - that and being the change.

Yesterday was also great because I worked with a health coaching client that wants to become purely plant based. I see her struggles as a wife and mother of meat eaters. I see continued improvement in each session which is inspiring.

I also got in a yoga class which I mostly cried through and a good uphill walk on the treadmill yesterday which really helped to clear some stuck emotions. Excercise is good for our heart is more than just the physical ways!

That is all for now!

Been eating well and feeling good. Cholula is my favorite thing in the world right now.

I taught an interesting yoga class last night - I tried to offer up the idea of being the change in many different ways without taking it to a full on animal rights setting.

I've been practicing yoga more this week and it feels great. I've also been hitting the treadmill and eliptical for 30 minutes. I figure that is enough becuase it is more than I've been doing for a while. Trying to start a nice pattern rather than going crazy gusto right away and then falling of the wagon. I need to make this sustainable.

I made an incredible soup last night - a potato corn chowder. YUM.

I saw my parents briefly today. My mom wants to loose weight and my dad has prostate cancer. They've gone mostly veg but I'd really like to turn them onto this way of eating specifically. I saw a story about Dr. McDougall's father in law living for 30 years with prostate cancer.

I planto go over to their house after Christmas and cook them shepards pie and maybe some corn chowder and we can sit down and watch Forks Over Knives together since they are not much for reading.

I have enjoyed reading your few posts. I think that is great about helping others. I just got my personal training license and would like to help others as well. I am hoping to start in January sometime. I had a setback and hurt my sciatic nerve. I heard yoga is good for that is that true?
Have a fun time, Kathy

Yoga is great for sciata, some poses may be painful, but others like forward folds are great.


Last night husband and I had an incredibly long talk about me going to medical school. Crazy. I'm 31 and it seems too old to even consider, but the more I read the Starch Solution I start to think that even though I'm ethically vegan first, health is a close second and health is where the honey is. I'm going to look into the possibilities of it more after the new year.

I stepped on the scale and was supprised to not see it move after a whole week, but I'm not giving up faith. I kind of feel like my digestion has been strange anyway because of switching out the oil. Just getting used to something new.

I made my amazing corn chowder for my husband and 2 buddies last night. The dudes loved it. That always feels nice. I love to cook healthy food for people and have them love it.

The scale was up after new years, but I'm ready and really committed. I guess I've been kind of easing in the last few weeks of December, but I'm in now. Fully.

I've committed myself to not eating out this whole month and no flour products either. I have some tempeh in the house that I'll use up, but I'm limiting soy too since it is not on the MWL plan.

We went crazy at Costco yesterday - so many potatoes, onions, kale, green beans. Tons of food and it was cheap. Love that.

I'm looking into dietician programs and nutritionist as well. How can I make the biggest impact on the most people?

I've got my cousin turned onto Dr. McDougall now too. She doesn't have weight to loose, but she is interested and loves the starch based diet idea. She wants to share it with her parents.

That is great that you are sharing this way of eating with others around you. I love this way of eating, because starches are inexpensive.
Kathy

Good Luck sounds all good! I think 31 is young enough to consider medical school. Just thought I'd say that to you!

Six days in to eating well and I feel good. My hubby is having a hard time not eating out, but I'm standing my ground for sure!

Munching on baby cucumbers while I prepare financial stuff for taxes.

I offered to cook for the big game next weekend - Packers and 49ers. I could care less about the game but I want my friends to eat well!

Hey CoachK. I'm enjoying your journal. One of my best friends is 30 and she's going to medical school. She had to take a few pre-reqs and will take the MCAT in June. She'll then apply to medical schools for the Fall '14 cohort. She'll be 32 then. Now that we're all going to live to be 100 we can start things a little later.

31 definitely isn't too old to go to medical school. If it's what you want, go for it! My cousin went in her mid-30s and is now a primary care physician (and she had her first child while doing her internship).

Ha - I think I have 2 journals going... oops!

Yesterday was a good day. I got myself back on track for the most part. I still find my sweet tooth is aching at times. I've gotten some little ginger chews and I'm trying to be mindful of how often I eat them.

I think on Friday I'll start a little food journal to see what I'm really eating.

I had a great coaching session yesterday and met a lovely couple across the table that just did a 10 day. I would love to do the advanced study weekend in March. I don't have the money right now though. Maybe next time.

I think, not positive, but I think I've got my parents on a vegan diet. Mom's got high cholestrol and some weight to loose and dad has prostate cancer. I bought mom the engine 2 book. I think that will be the most accessible and told her I'd do the 28 day challenge with her. There is more bread than I think is necessary but I do think it is going to be great for them!

I taught a lovely superbowl themed cooking class the other night. Buffalo wing hummus, spinach artichoke dip, chili and cornbread. YUM. I love cooking and sharing this information.

Made it to the gym twice so far this week.

Last night we ate sushi and this morning I was initially up on the scale, but then after 30 minutes of sweating on the treadmill I was down .2 from the day before. I'm curious if this is due to extra salt being released....I have no idea.

It has been quite rewarding to see the scale drop .2 pounds every day this week.

I will notice a change in weight after I have eating stirfry or sushi with soy sauce that I retain the water because of the salt. I ususally try not to weight myself the morning after I have had that food.

I would love to know how you make your dip and your buffalo wing hummus. Those sound wonderful. I wish I was close by to go to your class. It sounds like a lot of fun.
Kathy