September 3, 2011

Hey, hey - rain coming to Georgia.  Bring it on, God!   Water in the natural coming to the earth and lots of water for each of us today.  Make sure you're getting all your water in and SOME.  I always find on days that I slack on this ONE area, I see a change in my weight.   It's crazy.  :)  And - don't forget the Epsom salt bath.  Great detox solution.

Let's talk today about resting and sleeping and it's impact on the scales.   When I was at the doctor recently, she was talking to me about the REAL side effects of stress - one of which is releasing cortisol which gathers and stores fat around the belly.  I said, "I thought that was a joke - a media hype."   But she VERY much confirmed that stress is really the culprit in the production of cortisol.   There are other factors, but stress is at the top of the list.  I thought about how being heavy was at the top of my stress list - no clothes that fit, bad self image, no energy, eating to compensate and depression.  What a vicious cycle.  YUCK!  No wonder my belly was fat.

But, once I got on the journey to health with HCG, and got my addiction broken - that belly fat melted.  Then, my natural sleep returned because I wasn't depressed and frustrated and COULDN"T sleep.   That's the other end of the spectrum.   Cells need rest just like we do.   CELLS regenerate and replenish while we are at TOTAL rest and sleeping.   Then, when they are copying well, our body heals itself.  We MUST fight for more sleep and less stress.  It has everything to do with our journey.

And the million dollar question.......how?   I am not a doctor, but there are herbs that promote REM sleep - melatonin and valarian root are both really good.   Eliminating stress is more difficult.  I walk, sit in the swing, make lists, and meditate/pray.  How about you?  But the greatest stress release FOR ME was loosing 56 pounds.  I would love to hear from some of you as to how you handle stress.  I will pass along to the fam.

I am beginning my preparations for Labor Day today - making peach jam for the cheesecake (all sugar free) and pre-baking my chicken without fat - adding my herbs - so I can grill Monday.   This year - NO potato salad, NO mac and cheese, NO bread, BUT.........salad, sliced tomatoes, broccoli and cauliflower, chips for the kids, watermelon and sugar free cheese cake.  SAY YUM!!!    What about that?   My first Labor Day eating a healthy lunch and enjoying my family as opposed to covering up the fact that I was hurting because of my weight. 

Freedom feels amazing!  Did you ever listen to  the song from the Consumed album?   It's my theme song.

Love you!   Talk Monday morning.....

Choose life and eat to live,

PK