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A few days ago Felicia at 'Life Happens' put up 'youngin' photo challenge up to the age of 10. I was a couple of weeks late coming into the world and have probably been late for everything else eversince. So a few days late here are mine.
I put up some once before in November so a couple are repeats.
With Grandfather
Always Hungry!!!!
Can't find many photo's (I like) at 10. I'm wearing brown
The words "Know Thyself" were long ago inscribed in Greek on the Temple of Apollo at Delphi. Ancient philosophers understood the great value in truly knowing oneself, because with such knowledge can come change. Introspection and self-understanding can help us examine ourselves so we can develop the character we desire, and avoid behaviors that lead to unhappiness.
So what made you fat?
I saw these questions the other day on escape from obesity and thought they'd be useful to address. My blog for me has been very much about understanding the causes in order to move forward.
1. What types of food were you most likely to overeat? Cheese, bread and anything sweet. Plus, for me, a meal had to be a complete meal, by which I mean that, hungry or not, a main meal wouldn't feel complete unless it had dessert.
2. What times of day did you overeat most often? I'm a very habitual eater and although my real danger times were in the evenings if I started a daily habit such as a donut with coffee, it could easily become a daily habit. For example, I was once temping on a job and on the way I changed at a station which had a particular latte and caramel donut I loved. Before long I started to treat myself daily for breakfast. On my journey back to the station I started visualising that stall/latte and donut and before long I started picking one up after work too. Even when I changed my job and no longer passed through this station I went off route in order to get my hands on my daily donut.
3. What feelings were you having most often when you overate? At the times I've overeaten I really wasn't there I can't recall feelings as such; mindless, trance like and very relaxed. Only afterwards would I investigate or find the wrappers and think OMG what have I done.
4. Do you think you have a binge eating disorder? Yes, although someone once said to me that every woman has an eating disorder which I think could be true. Looking back most many female friends I've known have had an experience somewhere on the spectrum of eating disorders, including several friends, my mother and sister. I also think at the age of 15 I almost gravitated to the opposite end of an eating disorder.
5. What circumstances in your life do you believe contributed to your weight gain? Lack of time for myself and eating quick and convenient cafeteria foods. When I really started to gain my excess weight I was an undergraduate and financially stressed. I'd then broken up from my long term then fiance because of the intense negativity from my family. He'd then passed away unexpectedly but I had to silently grieve for him because my family had never accepted relationship and since they didn't care for him didn't recognise my sorrow. I think I used food as a comforting crutch. Additionally I was commuting 3 hours daily each way and this left very little time for food preparation and plenty of opportunities to snatch junk food on the run.
6. Do you 'blame' anyone for your weight? Mmmm I think I'm going to skip this one, for now.
7. What other behaviors made you overweight? Lyn mentioned avoiding activity and withdrawing from friends in her answer to this question. It's kind of chicken and an egg. I was inactive and also withdrew from quite a few friendships and activities but I was feeling pretty rough and tired and I didn't really have the energy to maintain them, so I'm not really sure which came first. I used to enjoy exercise, but I never really got myself in a position where I felt well enough to get going again.
8. Were you active or exercising while you gained weight? No
9. Why did you choose that activity level? Lack of leisure time. I would wake for work at 5am to leave and on a bad day I may have not been home at 10pm and I really couldn't see an opportunity to exercise (the commute did include time spent on a 10 minute brisk walk to and from the station at either end).
10. What made you finally want to change? Health, and I want to stop seeing a stranger daily in the mirror.
It's funny isn't it how it's recommended that a standard and balanced diet is one where everything can be eaten in moderation.. .
Think about the acronym used for the standard diet.
For me its the Standard UK (SUKD) which doesn't really tell you a lot but I like the acronym used in American and Australia.
* * * * * * * *
- S - A - D -
yes
S A D
* * * * * * * *
Doesn't sound like the standard diet has much to do with health vitality.
I'm just going to file this under random since I'm in such a random mood today.
Can you take me to the Earthship?
Yes the driver did do a double take when I stepped into his taxi and gave this instruction on Saturday.
Time to come out.
If you didn't realise my post last week nature is bountiful post was related to raw foodism and the fact that it has over the last 6 months become a significant element of my own paleo diet.
Indeed, it's becoming a dilemma as to which direction I'm ultimately going to take myself since, generally, those practising raw foodism tend to be raw vegans/vegetarians, whereas 'the paleo diet' has its obvious meat content. There is, however, quite a bit of crossover such as foraging, not eating man made foods and, whilst foods on the 'paleo' menu food can be cooked, anything consumed should be edible even when raw. So, you can see how surfing the web led me to the delights of raw foodism, and it was hard for me to ignore.
The discovery excited me with its plethora of raw food recipes that take you out of the little cooked food box eg. how to make a cake without butter, sugar dairy or flour.
Although often viewed as quite an extreme and alternative lifestyle raw foodism, for me, is another cuisine, like French, Italian or Chinese. Simply another way to manipulate food and extension to my diet of natural foods.
A bonus for me is that living near Brighton, which has been the stomping ground for most of my life, I'm actually near the City which has been adopted as the raw food capital of the UK, and I didn't know.
So anyway to take my raw food 'uncooking' to the next level I'd booked up for a raw workshop to be held on Saturday which was unfortunately cancelled a couple of days before the event. A little deflated, my motivation flagging and needing a boost I researched and quickly found another workshop and was fortunate to book into it at the last minute. 
This was led by one of the leading UK raw food promoters Jess Michael, and held at the exciting venue 'the Earthship'.
What an inspiring day in a fantastic setting with an absolutely delicious meal and tasters, expertly demonstrated by Jess. Jess was vibrant and simply radiated good health. Interesting to note that she'd originally come to raw foodism through illness, you certainly wouldn't know that now.
I walked up to the venue with a lady who's been practising raw foodism for a couple of years now. She told me that her mother had been morbidly obese for most of her life but had been juice feasting since January and had lost 6 stone. The raw food fast and feasting reportedly can really speed up weight loss. My experience over the last few months is that when I've been predominently raw my weight loss has stopped and stabilised, although I may have been going about aspects the wrong way. However, when I've been doing 'strict caveman' I've lost weight has returned, probably through the ketosis. My taste preferences though I must admit are veg/raw. I am convinced about the benefits of enzymes and vitamins by eating predominently raw, however I have been for a long time convinced about the protein/fat element in my paleo diet.
So where am I going with raw/paleo now. I'm not sure at this moment in time. When did man discover fire?
As I travelled home a very young lamb was dashing across the field and I looked at his little face and thought to myself I don't think I can eat you anymore.
No decision to be made quite yet but raw food is here to stay.
I guess I still need a little practice with my photography skills!
I'm pretty excited to have *finally* bought my first digital camera (a modest 8 mp) and Felicia's 'fun photo challenge' over at 'Life Happens' presented the perfect opportunity for some practice snaps. Hence, there are a few:)
Being a digital camera newbie I had a teething problem the view and glare on the glass - I couldn't see a darn thing on the screen when aiming for a snap. Any hints or tips gratefully received.
In fact I went a bit mad and made an album on the side bar. All the pics you see are within 2 minutes walk from my home. The photos below are (i) looking into my street and (ii) the view to the sea looking away from my street.
I was bereft.
Yes I was.
No more cookies, no more cakes, no more dairy, no more chocolate....
Believe you me I resisted, I stamped my feet and I fought.
When I've followed other diets the goal at the other end has always been to be able to eat 'normally' again. Yet, somehow manage my weight along with my favourite products.
Pray to stay thin, pray to be well.
No, no, no...
Well I wanted to cook. I enjoy the cooking process but when I started the paleo diet - well - it would be just for a while, just while I lost weight. Cooking the way food as I knew it (standard UK diet) well that's not exactly paleo is it?
Life was about to change, so yes I was bereft. I felt limited by my future paleo foods, and I was scared to be bored.
But I've gone through a gradual process of realisation - that I could *never* really go backwards.. and *shock* I enjoy my new way of life.
As it happens I've never been in the kitchen more. Believe you me, I am enjoying my food so, so much more than before. You can't really overeat on this diet. This is a totally safe arena for me to play in.
I've been dabbling in another way of eating and style of food preperation and eating that works well alongside my paleo diet. Now, I'm not going to come out about that yet but it's a foodie wonderland and boy am I having fun playing.
The fun has only just begun...
~ nature is bountiful ~
I think I'm starting to reign myself in after a couple of weeks of slipsliding. As my weight had been so static I'd cut back and kept even my paleo nibbles out of arms reach. A mistake, as for almost a year now I haven't really suffered cravings or bad eating behaviour and, even though they're slowing my loss, I'd rather have the benefits of the nutrients they provide. Without having my dates and nuts to hand, and still being in the holiday mood I'd made a few concessions to non-paleo foods and the cravings were snowballing. There'd been some social visits to the coffee shop at work and over 2 days I'd indulged in an apricot dannish and a couple of lattes and crisps.
Anyway, after a year without milk I'm really starting to question whether I do actually have an intolerance to milk. As usual it affected my scalp and forehead; my forehead and scalp became itchy, inflammed and red. Not only this but the skin literally started to peel off, was weepy and sore and for a day I suffered an embarrasing case of severe dandruff. Pre-caveman this was a chronic problem but had completely cleared up once I'd cleaned up my diet. I had the latte on Tuesday and it was Tuesday night and Wednesday that the problem flared up and cleared up as I re-established control.
I'm treating this last couple of weeks as a lesson learnt and know that if the willpower slips then my body will as usual be quick to complain.
Although I returned from holiday without any diet damage I'm not doing March's progress this month.
Why?- because I've had a mini diet tumble this week. One large enough to make the scales an ominous no go zone. I don't need them though, I *know* the damage has been done. My clothes, which were wonderfully loose pre-holiday, in one week have tightened and my skin is inflamed and itchy.
Of course any binge has to have a trigger and this was no exception. 'The move'. Yes I know, you thought that had happened months ago....
Well it's not on schedule and I'm preparing myself for disappointment regards my potential move to Devon.
I'd left for hols having completed all the necessary paperwork and arrangements made for for the exchange to happen before my return. But, what was in the letterbox on my return, yes a duplicate of the contract I'd previously signed. Then to top it off I'm still feeling really rough - I've had the same continuous painful dry cough and can't even talk or sleep for persistent coughing.
The appearance of this contract and uncertainty has triggered a carb and salt hunt.
The mission has been to get to all the things that are usually kept out of sight and mind. Yes well generally things I shouldn't eat is hidden away and out of reach. Acquiring them is purposely an expedition.
Picture this. My apartment is Victorian and has 16 foot ceilings. I have a hidy-hole cupboard knocked into the top of wall at the the far end of the kitchen work-surface, although you can't climb directly up without falling backwards because of the wall units. So, anything I don't eat I like to keep of sight and hidden (by those nimbler than me) and so usually are safe from chubby fingers.
But when you're determined and on a mission nothing's gonna stop you!
Anyway said expedition entails taking kitchen chair to the opposite end of 16 foot work space. Here you can climb up without immediately confronting the wall units. Remember to collect fish-slice or other long implement on route; climb on chair and then step up on to work-surface; on tiptoes balance along the edge of work-surface, using fingertips on the top of the panels for balance; sideways edge along stretch of work-surface; at half way point step across cooker; to avoid extractor lean backwards as you do so before continuing along the work-surface; take the fish-slice and insert under door of high cupboard that has no handle; prise open; stretch up and blindly rummage for goodies; once acquired grip bag of crisps between teeth and return via the same route; hanging onto the underside of cupboard, pray and *hopefully* step back onto chair and jump down.
Mission accomplished.
With my character type being that of the half full bottle you could look at this (diet failure) another way - I am becoming more agile:)
"Oh, so that's what strawberries taste like" and "I didn't know lettuce came in that size"
No honestly, I need to vent. The holiday again highlighted what's becoming my major annoyance about the fruit and veg for sale in my local supermarkets. Is it any wonder the government has to have a campaign to convince people they need to eat their 5 portions a day - it tastes as plastic as it looks Much of the vegetables we buy at the moment doesn't taste as it should, and if the flavours lost what else has been! In Portugal when shopping I did have to check what was chosen, watching out for the occasional piece of fruit that was on the turn - I took that as a good sign - you never have to worry about that in England.
I used to adore strawberries. In fact I even spent one college holiday in the fields picking strawberries (and eating many). That was the last time I remember actually enjoying them. I simply thought that over the years I'd gone off them. It's amazing when taking uneaten strawberries from my fridge a couple of weeks after purchase they'd be in the same immaculate condition they were when they went in. It wasn't until last week in Portugal that I bought myself a punnett of strawberries and it reminded me of the joy of days gone by. The strawberries tasted strawberry!
Over the past couple of weeks on holiday I've been in vegetable and fruit heaven, strawberries most nights for dessert, buying huge bags of orange from the roadside for freshly squeezed juice in the morning. It really made me realise how uniform our food has become in the UK. Pretty but with the flavour completely sacrificed. I've always enjoyed my veg and I never thought I'd be wondering around the green grocers picking things up and wondering what the heck they were or what you do with them.
Maintaining the diet over the holiday had its good and bad days. Apart from a couple of cafes we only ate out once on the last day. A typical day consisted of juice in the morning, a tortilla omlette to take out for my lunches and in the evenings we just made salads. I did have a few slip ups though - I enjoyed some local cheeses, I had some local bread and honey and I local pastries!!! Oh and Portugal had some lovely pastries! I'm trying not to feel too guilty about that though. I was on holiday and I didn't go over the top or use being on holiday as an excuse to *feast* on local treats, but simply tried a few local specialities and then stopped.
Round of applause please. A successful fish challenge! It was quite strange as despite not eating fish for so many years it tasted so very familiar. As a child I did eat fish but I a choking incident put me off until it developed into an absolute dread of being served fish. I still can't see what anyone would see in prawns, salmon or calimari but tried sardines (cooked at home) at the beginning of the holiday and was surprised to find I liked them. It wasn't until the last day that we finally ate out. We found a beach where the local traditional fishermen launched their boats on the shore. There we found an unpretentious restaraunt there which was frequented by the locals and it was so worth the wait. As we hadn't really done too much towards my fish challenge I decided to really go for it and ordered the grilled fish platter!!! When it came out it was 5 huge fish, heads and all, momentarily wished I could backtrack and order the tuna steak. But OMG it was wonderful. I can only remember two of the fish - red bream and sardine. I know to anyone who regularly eats fish it probably sounds so bizarre - me getting so excited about eating fish, but what I've missed out on for so many years.
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