Zen of weight loss

BY KARI ANDRADE

I have adopted several spiritual practices that have helped me on this journey. The Zen has been in the practices that to me seem like meditations:

1. Weekly yoga and Pilate’s that integrate my mind, body and spirit.
2. Planning my food and writing down all I eat. I am in the present, focused and observant of my choices.
3. Daily weighing.
4. Walking in nature, especially by water I find to be very spiritual.
5. Writing this blog.

This weight loss journey has been like a labyrinth, a spiritual journey to my center. “Your life is a sacred journey. And it is about change, growth, discovery, movement, transformation, continuously expanding your vision of what is possible, stretching your soul, learning to see clearly and deeply, listening to your intuition, taking courageous challenges at every step along the way. You are on the path ... exactly where you are meant to be right now ... And from here, you can only go forward, shaping your life story into a magnificent tale of triumph, of healing, of courage, of beauty, of wisdom, of power, of dignity, and of love.” Caroline Adams
If I remember that I am exactly where I need to be and follow the path, knowing it is the right one, it will lead me back to the world with a greater understanding of who I am at my center.

Weekend Effect
I am so glad that it is Monday. The house is quiet and I am back on my diet after getting completely derailed over the weekend. I am up 5 pounds from my lows. How can that be?

The ‘weekend effect” is well documented. Washington University in St. Louis did a study and participants had a steady dip in weight Monday through Thursday and then no weight loss Friday through Sunday. Everyone cheats on the weekends.
How do you manage the weekends? Step up the exercise. Next weekend I will double exercise rather than giving myself a break. Plan and count the calories. Maybe a protein powder shake for breakfast and lunch on the weekends to allow for more calories later in the day when hubby wants to go out or party?

I keep expecting this to get easier, that one day it won’t be a struggle. I don’t see that happening yet, and I can’t see it on the horizon. So I slug it out day after day, fighting with the hungry pig inside that keeps wanting.

Pumpkin Pie
I have to make a pumpkin pie for my husband to take in to work tomorrow for a holiday potluck. I will do so in a bit, but I thought I’d tell you about two options to really cut calories for the holidays. Instead of pumpkin pie try
pumpkin custard or pumpkin mousse.

Pumpkin Custard
(a reduced calorie version of crustless pumpkin pie)
Two cups pumpkin
2 eggs
1 cup skim milk
10 packets of sweetener
1 T. Cinnamon
1 t. cloves
Spray glass or ceramic pan with pam and bake like you would a pie, about one hour at 350. Calories for seven servings total 350, or 50 calories per serving. Top with whipped cream, add 20-30 calories.

Pumpkin Fluff
1 large can pumpkin
1 8 oz. low fat whipped topping
1 box fat free vanilla or butterscotch pudding
Pumpkin pie spice to taste
Mix together and refrigerate. 50 calories per half cup serving.
You can have your pie and eat it too. Just stay away from the high calorie ones and especially the crusts.