Skip to main content

Year Four, Day 325: My Essential 13



Hi Friends!


Again, I apologize for my long absence.  No excuses. No shame. Just busy trying to find balance in this life.

I've been quite successful about regular gym workouts. My goal is daily workouts. Mostly in the gym.  I am currently on Day 127!  

I must say, if I skip a day of exercise, I feel miserable.  

However, for all of my effort, I had not lost any weight!  Granted, I have become a tad more shapely.  Here are some pictures along my journey. The first one  was taken 02/07/2022 with my son. It was our 8th day of working out together. The second one was taken 09/07/2022.  

The third was taken on 09/23/2022 after about a week of preparing most of my meals at home. And being pretty strict about no dairy, focusing on grains, veggies, fruits, legumes and Indian spices. At last, the scale moved a few pounds downward.  

I am attempting at long last to follow the Ayurvedic principles of dieting.  It's not a fad. It's been around for thousands of years. Google it. Very interesting. I've been reading about Ayurveda for most of my life. Finally, I have the time and means to actually try it.  

An added plus, is it is focused on Indian food and spices. Which I love, but have not had the courage and patience to cook much from scratch.

And now I do! And my body is loving it!



02/07/2022

09/07/2022

09/23/2022


My belly, my belly! Whefore art thou my belly!

Just kidding! Hit the road belly! Don't you come back no more!

I've spent most of my life cursing my Buddha belly.  And come to think of it, most of my life becoming bloated and quite ill after eating certain foods.  Pizza has always been the death of me.

I'm fairly certain I am sensitive to dairy.  I've totally switched to plant based milk.  I don't even really miss the cheese.

I'm not completely vegan. I do eat a bit of meat, especially fish. I also enjoy eggs.

It's still a process. It probably always will be. But I am making progress again. At last!

When I began this self improvement blog, nearly 5 years ago, I was 60 lbs heavier!  I've learned quite a bit along the way. But it has not been a straight and narrow road. I have meandered all over the hills of life!

Now I have 40 more lbs to lose to reach my goal weight.  I'm hoping that I've finally found a solution to my eating habits.

I know that I have a lists of life essentials to keep me in balance and enjoying the moment:

Zita's Essential 13
  1. Movement.  Daily exercise!
  2. Eat for sustenance and the simple pleasure of taking in quality nutrients.  (No recreational or binge eating)
  3. Cook my own meals using fresh, whole foods and a variety of spices. Avoid dairy, meat, wheat, sugar and processed foods.
  4. Accomplish one thing each day from my list of "have to's"
  5. Learn and study each day. I am currently learning how to play the ukelele.
  6. Be in the present moment with my students.
  7. Prioritize my relationships with my partner, family and friends.
  8. Stretch.
  9. Rise early
  10. Take naps
  11. No late night eating or drinking.
  12. Drink oodles of water
  13. This last one should be #1. Praise God and seek His presence always. 
Sorry for the rambling nature of today's post. I am heading out to visit grandchildren. But wanted to check in.

Happy Saturday!

Talk soon....

Love,

Zita

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Year Four, Day 328: Success at Last!! This is What I Do

Hello My Long Lost Friends! Or, perhaps it was I who was lost? And now I think I am beginning to find myself!  Under layers of fat, and self loathing!  How's that for an opening line!  Or perhaps the title of a novel:  Layers of Fat and Self-Loathing! Today I stepped on the scale.  I am weighing myself every morning these days. I was shocked! I told my partner the scale must be broken!  Yesterday I weight 186. Today 185! I have been on a strict intermittent fast for the past 10 weeks. I have officially lost 12 pounds!  And the best news is I think I not only can stick to this way of eating, I am actually beginning to really enjoy it!  And look how far I've come! I've been writing since May 12, 2015.  Over 8 years now!  I know this blog post says Year Four, Day 328, but there have been many pauses in blogging. For instance, when I am not pleased with progress or simply have no words! I was 53 when I first began blogging. I am now 61. I honestly feel better than I did 8 years
Post a Comment
Read more

Year Four, Day 335: "Crisis Fatigue"

Hello Friends! I have missed you! I have been so utterly exhausted and downright depressed, that I couldn't summon enough energy to even lift my fingers to this computer keyboard to write.  Apparently there is a mental disorder for people going through crises.  Crises such as pandemics, systemic racism, political division, unemployment, police brutality, civil unrest.... It's called "crisis fatigue". When humans are presented with a threat, adrenaline is released to give us quick energy. This is called the "fight or flight syndrome". But when threats are overwhelming, and perceivably continuous, like this year, it overwhelms the system. People can feel numb, depressed, anxious and irritable. Yup. That's me.  I guess I'm quite normal after all! I found an interesting article that describes crisis fatigue, especially in relation to current events.  But it doesn't really address how to take care of ourselves during these unsettling times!
1 comment
Read more

Year Four, Day 247: What Happened in Vegas...

  Expectations can be brutal. Especially when reality dashes them against the rocky shores of our souls. How's that for an opening line? I was so excited about my recent trip to Las Vegas.  I haven't travelled anywhere in so long. I do believe I have been bit by the travel bug.  I want the freedom to go places I have never been, see things I have never seen and experience life as a stellar adventure! My kids are young adults with families of their own.  I have my role as Zma, as Teacher Zita. But I am on a quest to find Zita. She's hidden someone deep inside. Covered in layers. Like an onion. I like the onion analogy. Notice the outermost layer of an onion - dry  and papery. As you peel off layers, the inside is juicy and sweet. I have paid my dues of sacrifice, shame and self deprivation.  What I want now is to embrace the life I have remaining. Have you seen the life pie chart? I don't know where I read this, but it stuck with me.  Draw a circle.  And then divide it i
3 comments
Read more