Gaining Instead of Losing

And so begins week 20 of my switch to a plant based diet and an increased exercise regiment.   This week I gained a pound.  Ugggh!!!

Since the very beginning, I have dreaded writing this post and after 19 weeks it has finally happened.  The weight loss has just completely bottomed out.  Over 60 pounds down and now it is becoming really difficult.  I’ve essentially lost no weight in the last 3 weeks.  And because I publicly am broadcasting what I’m doing, it does really upset me so see the needle not moving or in this case going up.

Last week I gave up wheat (mostly) and that made me very hungry.  A lot more hungry than I had been feeling previously which probably highlights just how much wheat I had been eating up until this point.  Soy is no longer an option for me as I seem to have developed an allergy to it.  It seems like the list of things I cannot or should not eat has grown larger than the list of things I can/should eat.  As someone who has always loved food, it is becoming depressing.

I see a lot of room for improvement.  I still use food as something to calm me.  I will eat something high in protein / plant based fat late at night before going to bed.  It is not uncommon for me to eat nuts or seeds at midnight.  It’s just not  smart.  I need to find another way to better relax.  I need to put myself to bed earlier too.  I’ve been so busy with the many things I’m involved in that it is not uncommon for me to go to bed at 1 or 2 AM lately.  I’m not doing my body any favors by getting such little sleep.  My schedule continues to be too busy for me.  I’m way over extended and have no one to blame but myself.  So many good things to do and so little time but I absolutely must put that same energy into getting healthy.  That has got to be my focus.  If good health is in place all of the other things I love to do will be more successful and more easily accomplished.

65 pounds down…that is where I failed the last time I tried to lose weight.  I put it all back on and then some.  I’ve worked too hard to lose this weight.  I will not do that again.

So as of today I’m hitting the reset button:

No more cheat meals until I hit the 300 pound mark (and I have a ways to go – 39 pounds)

Exercise 5x a week – no ifs, ands or buts

No wheat….period

at least 7 hours of sleep a day

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I will get back on track starting right now.  I will inherit the life I was born to live.

Our Body is an Instrument… what kind of music are you making?

The best thing about getting in shape is that success or failure rest solely with the individual. I’m in charge and if I stay diligent and have discipline I will achieve my goals. If I lack drive, focus and commitment, I will fail to achieve what I have set out for. With health and wellness there are no excuses. The only one I have to blame for allowing things to get so out of hand is me. If I want to change my situation then I am the only one who can ultimately do it. Sure I can solicit advice from those already on the path, but I’m the person that will need to put in the hard work and the effort. I have no one to blame but myself if I have a bad week or a bad day. I can take the journey as far as I want. It is completely up to me. How different are so many other things in life? .

I think about my artistic pursuits in music. I’m in a band; the clubber lang gang. I sing and sometimes I add hand synthesizer or other efx. I’m definitely not talented enough to make anything sound worthwhile solely by myself. We’re in the process of recording a new album right now. I need my friends who are guitarists, bassists, drummers, keyboardists and singers to make the songs shine. It is truly a group effort. Creating music in a band can be difficult. Everyone brings their own talents as well as their idiosyncrasies to the mix. In order for good music to be created, everyone has to function together as one unit. This can be difficult because as people we are all different.

With health and wellness, my body becomes my instrument. With practice and dedication I can turn this out of shape mess of a body into a perfectly working instrument. One that will yield beautiful music if I work hard enough and remain patient. This is something I can do on my own without excuses. The journey is mine alone and I’m eager to get where I’m going. The worthwhile part though is the struggle to get there. Once I have arrived, there will be some other hill to climb. But this is the big one, and I’m going to savor it. It’s freeing to be in control of ones destiny.

Wishing you all well in your individual pursuits.
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This is a song from our first album, Now Here This, available on itunes and many places online. The song is about getting on the good path and making changes, living the life you want to live for you, cutting out the excesses that damage, healing, finally getting it right. The seed was planted awhile ago. Unfortunately it took longer than expected to put it into motion. It’s too late to go back now so forward I go.

The Get Right by the clubber lang gang

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