Jayne Says

Healthy Choices, Happy Life

As threatened promised, here is the nutrition and exercise plan I've been on, more or less, for the last few months, in all the gory glorious details.

My wrists hurt, so I'm not going to be typing up any new posts for a little bit. The attached file is over 20 pages (but mostly bullet points, very easy to read).

And it's free, okay? This guide  summarizes what I have learned from dozens of books and online articles. And the shit works, trust me.

I really do want feedback on this, if anyone tries any of it and it is successful, etc. Or that I'm a crazy, elitist, New Age hippie trying to push her organic, meditating agenda on the world. Either way, thanks.

Download HealthyChoices.pdf

If there is a positive response, I may make it pretty and expand and even consider bookifying it for reals. If it's a bomb, I'll just slink away from it and we can all pretend this messy little incident never happened, 'K?

In Chapter 1: Cleaning House, Inside and Out, I talk about the importance of detoxification, and include several options (from "Full On" to "Free (or Cheap) and Easy") for internal cleansing, to give your bodily organs a break, while also clearing out any old undigested matter, parasites, bacteria, etc.

In Chapter 2: Let Food Be Your Medicine (and Vice-Versa), I talk about the other white devils - flour and sugar, and the glycemic index of foods--how quickly certain foods are broken down and converted to glucose, and if this is too quickly, you have insulin "spikes" that lead to a host of problems, including adult onset diabetes if the problem is not cured. I discuss the details of my allergy-clearing diet, focusing on sugar addiction and eliminating sugar, dairy and wheat and gluten. I also give some examples of delicious alternatives, with links to recipes, retailers I like, many suggested books and websites, etc. [Edit - I just found a good site called Milk Sucks, check it out.]

In Chapter 3: Get a Move On – Exercise Does a Body Good, I talk about the importance of aerobic, strength training and flexibility exercises and give examples of each, from Full On to Free and Easy.

In Chapter 4: Om, Where Were We? I discuss the importance of a meditative practice, and also delve a bit into (with ample "New Age Alert" warnings) motivation and manifestation.

Here is the Introduction, after the cover page:

Healthy Choices, Happy Life

Earlier this year, I realized that I had felt lousy--fatigued, congested, digestively ‘challenged’--for so long that I had come to believe that was “normal.” Like most Americans, I lead a busy life and reached for coffee (or “go-juice,” as my husband calls it) first thing in the morning to get me going, sought out a sugary snack late afternoon to pick me up, and ate whatever was quick, tasty and convenient in between. I was drinking often in social situations and as a stress reliever.

While I was not overweight, I did not care so much for how “squishy” parts of my body had become over the years. Also, my skin often broke out; as a professional in my mid-30’s, I was tired of having pimples.

But mostly, I was sick and tired of being sick and tired.

I Googled my symptoms and food allergies or sensitivities kept popping up as a possible cause. I read up on the most common food allergies, and even read an excellent book (with good recipes!) on the topic.

After reading about food allergies, I decided to give my body a 30-day break from the most common allergens, to see how I felt afterwards. I did this, along with an herbal “cleansing” program, exercise and meditation for a month.

I felt and looked (if I do say so myself) so much better afterwards that I continued the program and the “diet” turned into what I hope will be permanent lifestyle choices. I also wanted to share what I had learned; perhaps others could benefit from this program.

Here I am before diet and exercise . . . then after
several months making healthier lifestyle choices. 

I wish I could take a picture of my improved mood and energy, but you’ll just have to take my word for it! 

Good luck and healthy living,

~ Jayne (http://happy.blogs.com/)

Soon, Soon

I am on page 10 of writing out "the plan" I began to describe in my last post. And I am only halfway done. So the plan will be a PDF attachment to my next blog post. Who knew it took so much to explain how I got to be such a hottie? Er, I mean "healthy" person . . .

Here's a summary. Make it a regular habit to: regularly exercise (aerobic and strength training), eat healthfully, (cutting out sugar, flour and dairy from your diet--easier than you think so quit yer whining) supplement your food with healing herbs, vitamins and minerals, and meditate.

But you all know that.

In my little booklet, I'll explain why these choices are imperative for our happy, healthy selves, particularly given the latest research on longevity, and how I integrated these choices into my life. Also, I'll write about self-control and motivation, and how the mind works so you can work with the large part of your brain that is saying "I DON'T WANT TO!"

So I'm not stalling (any more) but am actually working to better humanity. Or something.

Body by Jayne

I have written before about my fondness for makeovers, especially before and after pictures, in any guise. Self-improvement, home improvement, I love it all.

For example, here is our kitchen Before:

And here it is After:

 

And by "After," of course, I mean, after The Pilot takes a crowbar and saw to it. This is more of an in-between stage, obviously.

I have also written before about my suspected food allergies, fatigue, etc. and my plan to feel better. The plan worked, and as an added bonus, I lost some weight.

I know I write about accepting our inner beauty, and about finding our beauty on our own terms, not  on the terms of manipulate corporate advertisers. I believe that with all of my heart and mind.

However, I do believe that--for me, anyway--eating healthfully and getting moderate exercise does wonders for a person. Not just in appearance, but in mood, endurance, energy and self-esteem.

I have been studying herbology, longevity and nutrition over the past few months and have made some fundamental changes to my lifestyle. This has not (for the most part) been an exercise in deprivation, but in learning to make healthier choices.

Here I am before exercise and healthful eating (this photo was taken about two years ago -- I began exercising almost a year ago, right around when I moved here and started this blog). I really like this picture, and how T made it black and white except my tattoo. At the time it was taken, though, I felt pretty sluggish, fatigued and congested most of the time.

Here's a picture of me last week (T and I played hooky on our 5 year anniversary and went kayaking; we found a little cove, which ended up at a great swimming hole with waterfalls, etc. So naturally, we went skinny dipping and T made me pose.)

Does anyone want to hear "the plan" I developed to clear my body of extra fat, clear my sinuses and clear my moodiness and fatigue? It's really nothing all that new or radical . . .

[UPDATE: You can find the plan on my post here.]
[PS I've updated my blogroll with a brief descriptons of your blogs - if you link to me and want me to do the same, please let me know!]