I'm in the dressing room and realize I can't get out of the shirt I just fought to get into without ripping it.
What to do! Think Lana! THINK!!
Wednesday, February 24, 2016
Tuesday, February 23, 2016
What happened? Everything.
Man...
So much has happened since I last wrote. So, so much. But I can't tell you all of it now because:
a) it's 3:20am, my time and I could crash at any moment
b) it overwhelms me emotionally so I need to overcome the fear involved with writing about some of it
c) I have to keep my posts short so that you will read them... but it's soooo much!
But, I gotta start somewhere, right? So here we go. Let's talk about how much I've been battling with my body image lately. Yeah, I mean, I know I'm not huge or obese or overweight but even fit chicks have body image issues so let's now get stuck in the details. Everyone has a type that they are comfortable with. Mine is about 10-15 lbs lighter with a mid-section that isn't afraid to make occasional appearances.
After I had my daughter, my abdominal area went into hiding. And from the looks of things, it will NOT soon be back... unless, I make some changes. Also, my eating over the last month or so, has been deplorable. I tout myself as a whole food, organic only, non-GMO, healthy eater. Most of the time, I am. But lately.... well, let's not even talk about it. I've been eating out and making poor choices in general. I have also let my sweet tooth get out of hand. I think the reason for all of this is because I'm discouraged about my mid-section and if I'm honest, I am probably thinking "eff it," most of the time.
But, me, being the eternal optimist that I am, knows that it's never too late to make a fresh start! So I first decided to cleanse but I want to cleanse my way so I researched all the all-in-one versions out there and noticed the following similarities:
1) Lots of water intake in crucial
2) enzymes
3) pre and pro biotics
4) protein
5) fiber
I'm going to tell you what each thing does in a completely random order now. Why? If you are asking that, you don't know me at all. Go and read previous posts to catch up, then come back. For the rest of you, here we go:
If you don't know this, then you are probably going about your health the wrong way. Soak that in, and then read on.
1) Prebiotics are food for the probiotics. They both live in our gut. Prebiotics basically make probiotics more efficient, therefore they become more powerful and effective. Prebiotics are a form of fiber. You can find it naturally in certain vegetables or take them as a supplement - which is what I do. They are both good bacteria, which we need to increase which decreases the bad bacteria in our bodies.
2) Protein - well, everyone needs protein. The issue is how we get it. Usually it is attached to some meat along with extra sauce, fat, calories, etc. So I'm doing a vegan protein shake which I got from my Arbonne representative. Want to know more about this? Let me know. I will connect you! Basically, we need protein to live. Do not stop eating protein. You will die. And I'm not even trying to scare you. That's just true.
3) Enzymes help the body to break incoming food down into usable nutrients and to help the body to dissolve and eventually expel non-helpful tissue in the body. Basically, it's going to be addictive and make you feel really good. Don't get addicted. Don't over do it.
4) Fiber does a lot of things: smooths out digestion, provides "fuel" for good bacteria, expedites waste removal, regulates bowels. Basically, it gets stuff moving and gets stuff OUT!
5) Water - now this is possibly the most important addition of all. 60% of the human body is water. We use it constantly and it needs constant replenishment. Water is zero calories and zero sugar so it's a great add on to any weight loss regimen. It moisturizes our largest organ - the skin. Keeps things flowing in the digestive tract like aiding in the expulsion of toxins floating around all loosey goosey in the body. See my upcoming post about infused water if plain water bores you.
Finally - don't do this for too long. A reasonable period of time for a cleanse is about 14-45 days, in my opinion. There are differing views on this. But do listen to your body. I will post my cleansing plan by March when I officially begin.
Feel good!
So much has happened since I last wrote. So, so much. But I can't tell you all of it now because:
a) it's 3:20am, my time and I could crash at any moment
b) it overwhelms me emotionally so I need to overcome the fear involved with writing about some of it
c) I have to keep my posts short so that you will read them... but it's soooo much!
After I had my daughter, my abdominal area went into hiding. And from the looks of things, it will NOT soon be back... unless, I make some changes. Also, my eating over the last month or so, has been deplorable. I tout myself as a whole food, organic only, non-GMO, healthy eater. Most of the time, I am. But lately.... well, let's not even talk about it. I've been eating out and making poor choices in general. I have also let my sweet tooth get out of hand. I think the reason for all of this is because I'm discouraged about my mid-section and if I'm honest, I am probably thinking "eff it," most of the time.
But, me, being the eternal optimist that I am, knows that it's never too late to make a fresh start! So I first decided to cleanse but I want to cleanse my way so I researched all the all-in-one versions out there and noticed the following similarities:
1) Lots of water intake in crucial
2) enzymes
3) pre and pro biotics
4) protein
5) fiber
I'm going to tell you what each thing does in a completely random order now. Why? If you are asking that, you don't know me at all. Go and read previous posts to catch up, then come back. For the rest of you, here we go:
80% of your immune system is located in the digestive tract
If you don't know this, then you are probably going about your health the wrong way. Soak that in, and then read on.
 |
| I use the one on the right. It's flavorless. I add it to my protein shake. :) |
2) Protein - well, everyone needs protein. The issue is how we get it. Usually it is attached to some meat along with extra sauce, fat, calories, etc. So I'm doing a vegan protein shake which I got from my Arbonne representative. Want to know more about this? Let me know. I will connect you! Basically, we need protein to live. Do not stop eating protein. You will die. And I'm not even trying to scare you. That's just true.
 |
| This is the digestive enzyme I use. I also sell it through doTERRA. Click here to buy. |
4) Fiber does a lot of things: smooths out digestion, provides "fuel" for good bacteria, expedites waste removal, regulates bowels. Basically, it gets stuff moving and gets stuff OUT!
5) Water - now this is possibly the most important addition of all. 60% of the human body is water. We use it constantly and it needs constant replenishment. Water is zero calories and zero sugar so it's a great add on to any weight loss regimen. It moisturizes our largest organ - the skin. Keeps things flowing in the digestive tract like aiding in the expulsion of toxins floating around all loosey goosey in the body. See my upcoming post about infused water if plain water bores you.
Finally - don't do this for too long. A reasonable period of time for a cleanse is about 14-45 days, in my opinion. There are differing views on this. But do listen to your body. I will post my cleansing plan by March when I officially begin.
Feel good!
Tuesday, February 16, 2016
It's My Birthday!!
So... sorry for the quiet few days. But I have a great excuse! My birthday was last week and WOW did I celebrate! I mean, I'm kinda proud of myself. I was partying like it was 1999. It was a three phase celebration.
For Phase One, I hosted a vision board party, which was AMAZING! 11 of my girlfriends showed up and brought my favorite champagne and we enjoyed wine and cheese for snacks. We opened up about our desires for ourselves and were honest about why we decided to come to the party. It was very insightful. I love my friends.
Phase Two happened on Thursday night. Dinner at my favorite restaurant. I figured since it was a weeknight that not many would attend but almost 40 people came! I don't know a time when I felt more special. Really.
Phase Three was in support of my cousin who starred in a play called, The Meeting. It's about a secret conversation that supposedly took place between Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr and Malcolm X. It was riveting. Truly. About 8 of my friends and I went to watch it and then we went to a local restaurant to celebrate together.
Last week was pretty amazing. Not because I partied. And not even becuase I may have partied a bit too hard and gotten sick. (Yeah, I know. smh) It's because I was surrounded by pepole who love me. The people in my life now are supposed to be here. I felt genuine love, without pretense or convenience. People blessed me with gifts... GIFTS!! At my age, I didn't expect gifts but I accepted them - LOL! It reminded me how long it had been since I celebrated myself. more than 9 years. Can you believe it? I can't.
And guess what? It won't be another nine years... That's what I learned. I learned to celebrate. Pause, take time to plan something for me and then ENJOY IT. Be fully present and have a blast. Life is too short for anything else.
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| Why no cake? Because I had a giant cobbler made to share for my birthday. Why? Because I like cobbler more than cake and it's my birthday so back off! |
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| 2 of my Besties from the dinner |
Phase Two happened on Thursday night. Dinner at my favorite restaurant. I figured since it was a weeknight that not many would attend but almost 40 people came! I don't know a time when I felt more special. Really.
 |
| A few of us posing, with the cast, after the play. |
Phase Three was in support of my cousin who starred in a play called, The Meeting. It's about a secret conversation that supposedly took place between Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr and Malcolm X. It was riveting. Truly. About 8 of my friends and I went to watch it and then we went to a local restaurant to celebrate together.
 |
| Doesn't it feel like I'm peeking around the edge of this blog at you? Creepy right? |
And guess what? It won't be another nine years... That's what I learned. I learned to celebrate. Pause, take time to plan something for me and then ENJOY IT. Be fully present and have a blast. Life is too short for anything else.
Tuesday, February 2, 2016
Let your hair down...
Okay so clearly this video was shot before I cut all my hair off but I ran across it while organizing files on my computer. I clicked it and I smiled the whole time. Look at me! Having fun! For no reason at all. Singing loudly like no one can hear me. Dancing like no one can see me. Not worried about much at all.
I want to share this moment with you and encourage you to find your own moments like this. If you can't do it daily, then definitely weekly. Tell me about it in the comments. Video tape or audio record it and share it with me or your friends and family and encourage them to do the same. It is soooo freeing! I can't believe I haven't done that since before May of 2015 (when I cut my hair off). Time flies... but so can we. Let's do stuff like this more!
Enjoy!!
I want to share this moment with you and encourage you to find your own moments like this. If you can't do it daily, then definitely weekly. Tell me about it in the comments. Video tape or audio record it and share it with me or your friends and family and encourage them to do the same. It is soooo freeing! I can't believe I haven't done that since before May of 2015 (when I cut my hair off). Time flies... but so can we. Let's do stuff like this more!
Enjoy!!
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| So what's the issue? |
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