Moving the scale ~ The Other Side of Thin series

I'm doing the happy dance on my scale! Gone 13 lbs. Over the course of 78 days, starting June 5th, my weight went from 153 lbs. to 140 lbs! I am approximately 1/3 of the way to reaching my goal of 120 lbs. I have not set a weight loss by date, as I didn't what to start stressing (resulting in eating more) if the date started to approach and weight was not coming off.

Since trying to loose weight was a foreign thing to me, I did not know quite where to start. What I did know was that this had to be a lifestyle change and not a quick fix "DIEt". After trying to research things on my own and becoming even more confused than when I started - Seriously, have you seen/read all the Quick Fix crap that is out there? It all sounds good in the beginning, but living on juices or diet pills for life is not an option I want.

One of the challenges I am faced with is the medications I need to take for pain, head aches, anxiety and mood etc. Medication though it helps also causes other challenges - water retention, constipation, toxins and excessive work for digestive organs which can't keep up with all the additional stress in processing = excess weight.

After consulting with one of my doctors, reflexologist, nutritionist and friends who take a holistic approach to living, a plan of action was created.


Since my doctor was not comfortable with me doing a Cleanse to jump start the process and constipation from medication is an ongoing problem; I took the reflexologist's suggestion of trying an enema to help clear out the bulk of Stuff, that had no doubt accumulated. If you have ever done one, I know you must have though the same thing - where does ALL that Stuff come from? Anyway that's a whole other topic. Of course, with all the Stuff also goes a lot of good stuff ~ so I used an Enzyme-Boosting juice plan for the first 3 days.

I tend to forget a lot - I either don't eat or will double eat (if I feel hungry, thinking I must not eaten and eat again). Keeping a daily log of what I was eating - was really important. When I felt hungry I would look at the book before eating something - it was really amazing to see what I had already eaten and had forgotten. This was a great help in making healthier choices ... such as perhaps my body is not hungry but thirsty, especially if I had just eaten. Apparently often when we think we are hungry (and this is everyone, not just persons with brain injuries) our bodies may actually be dehydrated ... so drink an 8 oz glass of water, wait 10-15minutes before eating again, chances are you'll not be hungry.

After the initial jump start and 3 day Enzyme Boosting Plan ~ (during which I lost 4lbs) I returned to regular eating with the following strategies in mind:

1) Proper portion size ~ it's amazing how distorted we can be with knowing what is actually a portion size
2) Taking time to eat ~ often we do not take the proper time to eat meals
3) Eating only what I truly enjoy ~ too often we will eat something just because it's there, it's quick etc.
4) Lessen sugar and gluten intake ~ it's amazing how much sugar is found in "fat free" labelled items and even whole wheat breads.

I'll go more in depth into the above strategies plus additional ones and some exercises I have discovered in future the Other Side of Thin series posts. I leave you with the 3 day enzyme boosting plan I used after jump starting with the enema. Also I have noted examples of what I am eating now.

Enzyme Boosting Plan:
Wake-up ~ combine 4oz organic apple juice; 1 Tbsp. psyllium husks; 1 Tbsp. (whole leaf) Aloe vera juice. I used a small whisk to stir it all together and drink IMMEDIATELY.

Breakfast ~ In blender combine: 1 cup of fresh strawberries; 1 small sliced banana; 8 oz water; 1 scoop whey vanilla powder and 4-5 ice cubes.

Snack ~ 10 baby carrots or an apple

Lunch ~ In blender combine: 1 cup pineapple chunks; 1/2 cup soy or non-fat milk; 1/4 cup fresh squeezed orange juice; 1 small banana; 1 scoop vanilla whey powder.

Snack ~ 1 cup LOW sodium soup I had chilled carrot-ginger and tomato (it was summer time)

30 minutes before Dinner ~ combine 4oz organic apple juice; 1 Tbsp. psyllium husks; 1 Tbsp. (whole leaf) Aloe Vera juice. I used a small whisk to stir it all together and drink IMMEDIATELY.

Dinner ~ In blender combine: 1 cup of water melon cubes; 3/4 cup fresh blueberries; 2 Tsp. finely minced fresh ginger; 8 oz water; 4-5 ice-cubes; 1 scoop vanilla whey powder.

Snack ~ 6 baby carrots or a small apple

WATER: Drink lots throughout the day.. I also had iced-tea, ginger tea, and chamomile tea

What's on the menu?: here are 2 days from my eating  journal
Starting the Day ~ My day still starts with the morning Apple Juice mixture from the plan above. I found that during the 3 days it actually helped with swelling in my right ankle (where I have pins and screws). Friends and the nutritionist think it may be to the anti-inflammatory properties of the Aloe Vera juice. I have noticed that it has helped my digestion.

Breakfast ~ Spinach Omelette; 2 pieces of whole grain toast with just a touch of rose jam (NO butter); 6 oz of black coffee.

Snack ~ 1 cup of pineapple chunks

Lunch ~ grilled salmon; orzo; steamed green beans

Snack ~ herbal tea; sometimes (ok often..) with a little treat i.e. cookie, or cinnamon twist, or fresh fruit

Dinner ~ grilled veal chop; 1 small Yukon potato with a dash of olive oil; red leaf lettuce,tomato salad seasoned with olive oil and balsamic vinegar

Snack ~ if I have one - fresh fruit and herbal tea

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Breakfast ~ Whole grain - gluten free cereal with 1% milk; 6 oz of black coffee; piece of fruit

Snack ~ Starbuck's hot chocolate - tall with skim milk NO whip

Lunch ~ grilled burger No bun; small Cesar salad

Snack ~ herbal tea; sometimes (ok often..) with a little treat i.e. cookie, or cinnamon twist, or fresh fruit

Dinner ~ Quiano pasta with sauteed spinach and red pepper; 1 slice whole grain bread; glass of wine

Snack ~ if I have one - fresh fruit and herbal tea


 I'm also trying my best to drink lots of water throughout the day!! This is important to keep the body hydrated - especially  if you take medications. What I find helps, is having a glass of water with lunch and dinner, instead of juice, milk or other beverage.

Note: I'm not a specialist of any sort when it comes to eating healthy, but I hope my journey from the Other Side of Thin inspires you to want to eat healthier or encourages you to not give up. Always check with your doctor/nutritionists before starting on any food changes or jump starting (i.e. enema) - especially if you take medication.

I would love to hear what tips you have for staying on a healthy eating lifestyle!

additional post in this series can be found Click here

Keep moving forward One Step at a Time!