The Days Before...

I'd like to capture how I feel leading up to the change. Early 2011 I had been on a roll, working out 8 hours a week, eating green smoothies and veggies more frequently and other "healthy" foods. I gained 7 lbs over the course of 6 months. That was discouraging. So I tightened my lapband and then fell out of working out as often. I never quit yoga though. But I can tell I don't feel as good as I did then.

I actually dislike complaining about "aches and pains" because it makes me feel old and weak.

But here goes:

Acid reflux (I may need unfilled a bit)
Morning fatigue
Afternoon fatigue
Left spine, hip, hamstring and IT pain (constant)
Feeling bloaty
Slow mobility
Difficulty concentrating
Left shoulder/neck pain (for months now)
Lethargic (intermittently)
Some breakouts
Less ambition / energy
Maintaining but never losing weight
High triglycerides (haven't had them tested in a while but I know they have been high)
Cell dehydration (Had testing that showed not enough hydration)
Don't naturally fall asleep at night (force myself to go to bed, and usually too late)
NOT a morning person

The Beginning...

Well, I've had quite the journey. I'd lost 75 lbs through lap-band surgery, yoga, healthy thinking, and working out. My nutrition was impacted mostly through the amount of food eaten, although some of the change did come from the change in types of food. I definitely eat less carbs. However, I have gotten to a point where I feel I can't get the last 20lbs off, AND I feel I'm not really getting the right nutrition.

All the steps I've been taking have led me here. I've changed a lot, but now I feel it's time for a dynamic shift in mentality. I want to dedicate a healthy future and a healthy body to myself.

I have never been able to operate under the concept of perfectionism. The perfectionist in me gets too frustrated with the impossibility and constant failure. So, I'm not promising to be perfect. I'm not giving up chocolate forever. I'm not going to be vegan or vegetarian. At least not today. If my path leds me there, so be it. But for now, my nutrition goals are this:

A 15 day juice fast
Afterwards, juicing at least once daily
Cooking from scratch
60-70% of my food intake would be from whole food vegetables, fruit, nuts and legumes.
Eating as naturally and organically as possible.
Keeping it fun and enjoyable.