Navi221

It's almost back to the regular schedule-- how's everyone doing? @Obsessedfan, I will send you a pic of my tattoo as soon as I can get some time. The peeling is mostly complete so it's looking awesome!

Emma-- I'm good. Down about 16 pounds. I kinda like eating this way (believe it or not). I'm going to keep the Whole30 thing up another week or so and then gradually transition some yogurt in. I have tried some ice cream-- because I couldn't resist, and I didn't like the way my body felt a few hours after. It's not really worth it to me anymore. How's everyone doing? Emma-- how did the last week or so go for you?

Emma, you and i are very much alike. I understand completely EVERYTHING you write about. Relearning how to eat is the key-- you're right. And it's hard and it sucks and I feel like I screw it up all the time. But each meal is a new chance. The thing with programs like Whole30 and many true Paleo foods is that portion control isn't such a huge deal. Remember, I'm no dietician or scientist, just someone like you working my way through this junk. Let's deal with on the road first... Are there places like Subway in your orbit? Someplace with regular bread (not overly puffy etc) and simple ingredients? Go there first. Hey it worked for Jared, right? Can you go out of your way for places like Panera (if you have those by you). Do you have the calorie "law" where you are-- restaurants are supposed to post the 'average" calories per portion. I find that very helpful as well, especially when i take the kids to Mcdonalds. And that thing about putting half the portion in the box-- I'm with you. I can't do it. You're not alone. I'm going to keep thinking about this today and focus on the consistency. I'm a teacher. Many of my kids are special needs and troubled high schoolers. No day is ever the same and I'm lucky if I can get through my lessons some days wo doing some kind of drug or relationship counseling, or calming a kid down who is in suspension. I'm the queen of eating the same thing for meals each day for weeks-- people laugh at me. I know you hate salads-- but perhaps try something different ON them? lots of little oil and vinegar stores are popping up-- we have one here. I LOVE the flavors of balsamic vinegar (orange vanilla is my current fave). MAYBE purchase some really neat flavored vinegar and try that on spinach or romaine? Pick ONE thing you can do differently in your approach to food or in terms of the food itself. Just do it. ONE THING. Baby steps. If you want, tell me what it is, and I'll check in with you. I can give you my email or my facebook for messenger or my phone # to text if you want. Think about it. Damn, gotta go-- stupid zombies. This one seems attracted to my orange vanilla vinegar. Crapola!!!

Emma-- wait. What's not going so well? Explain. Maybe we can help or see something you can't see. Worth a shot. Come on girl! Don't make me quote Waywardson' s song lyrics here... seriously-- wazzup?

UPDATE: So, S Skywalker told me about this program she has done (and is going to do again) called Whole30. If you never heard of it, as I didn't, you can check it out here. Whole30 I bought the book, which was a really interesting read and explained a great deal of what may have been going on in my body. The 30 day plan seemed much like the elimination program from my dr, so I combined the two to help me. I added eggs, because I wasn't eating enough. I also subscribed to their daily emails because they explain what's happening and reinforce that how I feel is normal (cravings, lethargy, etc). I do feel better-- ultimately. After cutting out caffeine, I broke down and had a half a diet coke today, and I wasn't really interested. Believe it or not, it was too sweet. Huh? A few days ago I took the kids out and I ordered a grilled chicken sandwich (took off bun) and sweet potato fries (ate about 15). My tummy roiled. I know, the oil. But it was certainly an experience. This is a challenge, but I'm so deep into it I can't stop now! ugh...

Hey Wayward Son, I read "Stonework". Neat stuff! I'm a writing and literature teacher, and I would put myself at your service if you ever feel comfortable. Keep writing

Thanks for the welcomes!!! So, S Skywalker told me about this program she has done (and is going to do again) called Whole30. If you never heard of it, as I didn't, you can check it out here. Whole30 I bought the book, which was a really interesting read and explained a great deal of what may have been going on in my body. The 30 day plan seemed much like the elimination program from my dr, so I combined the two to help me. I added eggs, because I wasn't eating enough. I also subscribed to their daily emails because they explain what's happening and reinforce that how I feel is normal (cravings, lethargy, etc). I do feel better-- ultimately. After cutting out caffeine, I broke down and had a half a diet coke today, and I wasn't really interested. Believe it or not, it was too sweet. Huh? A few days ago I took the kids out and I ordered a grilled chicken sandwich (took off bun) and sweet potato fries (ate about 15). My tummy roiled. I know, the oil. But it was certainly an experience. So what can you do for me? Well, tough love? I'm used to doing everything on my own, so this is new for me. I'll keep checking in-- let me know where is better. I'm pretty hidden on Facebook, but if that's easier I can tell you my newest name. Um, I'm a high school teacher-- hopefully that explains a little about social networking. I'mm looking forward to helping you all navigate you own successes-- hah-- get it? NAVIgate? um...yea. Hope all of your weeks are going well!

Thanks for the welcomes!!! So, S Skywalker told me about this program she has done (and is going to do again) called Whole30. If you never heard of it, as I didn't, you can check it out here. Whole30 I bought the book, which was a really interesting read and explained a great deal of what may have been going on in my body. The 30 day plan seemed much like the elimination program from my dr, so I combined the two to help me. I added eggs, because I wasn't eating enough. I also subscribed to their daily emails because they explain what's happening and reinforce that how I feel is normal (cravings, lethargy, etc). I do feel better-- ultimately. After cutting out caffeine, I broke down and had a half a diet coke today, and I wasn't really interested. Believe it or not, it was too sweet. Huh? A few days ago I took the kids out and I ordered a grilled chicken sandwich (took off bun) and sweet potato fries (ate about 15). My tummy roiled. I know, the oil. But it was certainly an experience. I can't wait to return to the gym and my Buffy watching-- I had a brilliant tattoo cover up done last week on my foot, but the surface area is so large that shoes are not an option quite yet. At least not for long. I'm aiming for Friday. Hope all of your weeks are going well!

You can do it!

Hi! I feel like a little kid who came late to the party, but can I play with you? I just started watching Buffy at the gym on my ipad, and I really like it. Moreso, I read all of your posts and I like your personalities. So would you mind if the new little strawberry blonde girl joined in the fun? I'm a quick study

Heya! Perhaps I can lend some navigation skills? That is, after all, what what my name implies. Only... I'm prone to daydreaming and have been known to get lost even with a GPS. BUT I know I've been pretty successful staying on course and away from the detours this last week. I pledge to do my best to look after your welfare as long as Emma deals with the zombies. They distract me...

What about swimming? Is there a YMCA near you? They should have classes in water aerobics or walking or even water therapy meant for people with arthritis. I used to go with my mom and I remember so many women with the same issue seeing wonderful results. You can do this-- look-- you took the first step. You're here & you posted! The force will be with you

Good luck. You can do it-- the hardest part is writing it down. Take a step, girl! Every day closer

Greetings I am a gamer at heart but not in reality; after college (oh so long ago) my role morphed to teacher and mother in the startling world of Realtime. It is vicariously,for now, through my students that observe the worlds I so miss. Main Quest: Strongly, to set forth on the path to vanquish migraines through healthy eating and weight loss Motivation: After losing 40 pounds in the past, I allowed my weight to creep back ever so slowly; however, this time it has been accompanied by what I have come to learn are migraine headaches. I was diagnosed with them in January of 2013. In the time since, though their frequency may have slightly diminished, they are a pesky lot. My energy is zapped, my drive is zilch and I have zippo motivation to begin to work on the things I love that make me, well... me. I believe our bodies and minds are whole and connected. My first step was to visit a doctor who is deemed a "functional doctor". She began her career as an internist and now works, using that past knowledge, more holistically. As a result of this very interesting visit, I am now 7 days into a "regimen" (or Elimination Diet) in which I have removed: gluten, dairy, red meat, and processed foods. I am very slow on the learning curve here, but since students have not yet started school I can afford to chip away at this slowly and correctly. I will meet with a nutritionist this Friday. Hopefully she can help me stop eating just salmon and stir fry. My husband would thank her As of this post, I am 5'6'' tall and I weight 248 (actually down from last week's 256). I've always been "built bigger" and not fat-- strong. I am convinced weight has something to do with overall body function as well. Overall, I would love to get to 170-- my weight before children. From there I can reassess and decide if I want/need to weigh less. My Missions: To learn more ways in which I can incorporate the tenets of this elimination diet so I son't have the dreaded "headache of hunger."To add more water into my day-- she decreed 120 ounces. To return to the community of the YMCA-- after all, there's no flaming moat around it. I wish to enter that community a minimum of 2 days per week. Along with my return, I commit to use my (Navi221's) Navi Fitbit to my advantage and incorporate 30 minutes of walking each day. I believe these are, in fact, mini-missions? But they are as SMART as I can get right now. BTW... (about me) This is the first time I have ever posted to ANY online community. I have a hard time believing people "care" about what you do (don't take that the wrong way. I've been conditioned to think 'every man for himself'). I'm hoping to change that notion a little. * I've followed this site for almost a year. * I am a researcher by nature, so I have been reading blogs about adopting Paleo into a family lifestyle. * I recently shifted the focus of my own blog, as well as the name. It has nothing do with weight loss; I am still trying to find a focus and direction so now I just write a bit about everything. * I think I hit all the preliminary targets. Off I go!