Mark Bittman’s new book “VB6” or Vegan Before 6:00 is a great concept for anyone looking to improve their health without the arduous task of calorie counting or portion control.
This way of eating is also an exercise in mindfulness, bringing your awareness to your daily eating habits, your lifestyle choices and how you manage your time.
This way of living has been a wonderful growing experience for me in the last 2 years. I have experienced so much more Life since I became more aware of my daily habits.
Before starting on this path, I was watching up to 5 hours of TV a night, sitting on the couch “snacking”. I was over weight, bloated and (tmi alert) my elimination was not always an everyday experience. I had tendinitis in my elbow, acne, bad breath, brittle nails, I was depressed, constantly exhausted and couldn’t get enough sleep. I was stressed out, smoked almost a pack a day, drank too much wine, ate fast food and processed foods. My life was out of control! I couldn’t even walk up my stairs to my apartment without stopping in the middle and it’s only 20 stairs! I would actually plan my cigarettes and my physical activity without even realizing it. If I had to go down or up the stairs I would think when my last cigarette was, because I would be out of breath if I did those two activities too close together.
I was truly falling apart. I went to my doctor’s office to see what kind of 'magic pill' they could prescribe for me. My P.A. and I talked, she prescribed to me Chantix to help me quit smoking and also for my mild depression. She explained that Chantix is just another name for a common anti-depressant. When I left her office I thought “Awesome, now I'm on the road to being better!” A month down the road I am still smoking and more depressed, I “failed”.
What should I do now? Easy, I gave up, it was easier and less stressful. I thought this is the way I am and I will just have to live with it. It is my lot in life to be depressed and one day, I may have the power to quit smoking. I was living in the dark, completely unaware of the endless possibilities to get me out of the rut.
So fast forward to 2006 and I’m still smoking, still depressed, but I’m eating a little better, I’m in a new relationship where I am happy and loved, I got a higher paying job with better hours and less stress. I feel life is getting a little better each day. Then the ax falls! I am diagnosed with breast cancer. Now what? The only people I have ever known who had cancer died from it. In the summer of 1977 our dad was diagnosed with stage IV pancreatic cancer. In my little 10 year old mind I was hopeful that at any moment there would be a “cure” and he would be ok, after all, our government did declared war on cancer in 1971. Of course that day never came, my father died in October 1977. A few years later my two favorite uncles died of cancer, too.
Today the war still rages on against cancer and we have come a long, long way and I am grateful. The standard procedure for a women with breast cancer, (prior to 1975), was to have a radical mastectomy, which included the removal of the breast, underlying chest muscles, and lymph nodes. Now, there are surgeons who specialize in just the breast, there are more surgical options and they tailor it to the particular cancer and the size of the women. Back then, the chemo use to be a one size fits all prescription, now it's tailored to the cancer and the women.
So now how do I spend my days? I wake in the morning refreshed and before 8:00am. I have a big glass of lemon water followed by my lovely hot cup of coffee and a delicious green smoothie. I am certified holistic wellness coach and the owner of Nu-Me Wellness Coaching.
These days my mornings are more relaxed, I can think clearly and focus on what I love. I have started practicing yoga and will be a certified yoga instructor in February 2014. I’ve joined a CSA (community supported agriculture) which gives me a share of a local organic farm in Southern Maryland. I have a wonderful vegetable garden that is in the best shape it’s ever been. My relationships have blossomed and some have died off which is typical with any change. I am no longer bloated, exhausted or depressed. I no longer suffer from acne or bad breath. I have radiant hair, skin, nails and eyes. I have energy and a zest for the day that I’ve haven’t experienced since my childhood.
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I can hardly wait to see what the day brings me now. Where will it take me? Who will I meet? How can I be a catalyst for change in other peoples lives?
So, I invite you to take the time to practice mindfulness throughout your day. Start with just being aware of how you spend your time and what choices you're making. Be aware of how your body feels after you eat or snack. Are you bloated? Did you overeat? Do you remember what the food tasted like? How is your energy now? How is your mood? Then tomorrow you can add something that nourishes your body like broccoli or cucumbers, then ask yourself the same questions. Continue on this way, everyday adding colorful, living foods throughout your day and crowd out the foods that do not serve your body well. Before you know it, you will have more energy, mental clarity, better sleep, less mood swings, and the lbs will be leaving you for good :)
Investing in yourself, instead of what is fleeting, will get you a better return on your investment!
Contact Nu-Me Wellness for a consultation to get you moving in a different directions :)
