Healthy Eating Habits

Well, it's been months since I posted about weight loss.  Basically, I haven't made any progress since my last progress post.  I don't really have a good excuse.  I hit a lazy patch and have had recurring digestive issues for probably about 6 months now.  After being tested for food allergies, celiac disease, thyroid problems and a gall bladder ultrasound... all returning negative, I saw a gastro intestinal specialist.  The glamorous result was Irritable Bowel Syndrome or IBS.  I particularly enjoy when it's called "spastic colon."  That's a great adjective for it.

My symptoms were loud and painful digestion, bloating and what I describe as "air in the pipes."  It feels like I have pockets traveling through my system and randomly bursting or making their way to the "end."  I know, this isn't pleasant.  It got to the point where it was uncomfortable enough for me to be concerned.  Otherwise, I generally prefer not to go to the doctor.

So now, I am taking a probiotic (Phillip's Colon Health) and fiber supplements (Citrucel).  It's been a couple of days and I haven't really noticed much change yet, but I haven't had pain lately, so that's good.  I was also given an antispasmodic drug to relax my abdomen when it's painful.  I'm happy that I'm not taking a bunch of prescriptions for it.  I'm not big on drugs.  I prefer to take as little as possible and only when I am dying from the pain.  Although, daily supplementation is difficult for me to remember!

All of this trouble with my digestion has made me feel uncomfortable and lazy.  I will admit that. Finally, I sort of have an answer.  Now, I am feeling the urge to jump back in to my weight loss.  During these past few months, I dropped to 220 at my lowest, I've been hovering between that and 224.

Last week, Cheeky Monkeys Coffeehouse in Portland started their yearly Biggest Loser challenge.  Happily, I joined and this will hopefully inspire me to get my tail moving again.  The cost was $10.  Half of all the money raised goes to Relay for Life and the other half goes to the winner after 15 weeks of weigh-ins.  My goal is to lose 40 pounds by then with the help of p90x and a healthier diet.  I'm slowly cutting down my Diet Coke habit and working in more water.  Also cutting out eating after 8 PM and resisting the urge to take seconds, EVEN when it's really delicious.

I posted pictures of healthy foods I want to start eating more often on my kitchen cabinets, I put healthy recipes in a binder and I started baking tonight with...

BLUEBERRY HEALTH MUFFINS
(it's a long page, just use the find tool and search the title)

I left my camera card at work, so I had to use the snapshot feature on my digital camcorder.  Pictures aren't as nice, but they will do.

I left out the wheat germ, because mine was growing things inside.  After the one time I used it, I didn't read on the box that it should be refrigerated after opening.  Whoops.  Luckily, there wasn't much wasted.  I added an extra half cup of flour for extra dry ingredients.

Made a double batch, but it was more than 24 muffins would hold, so I made about 16 minis.  I accidentally left those in too long, trying to put the boys to bed.  However, they still tasted great and some had tons of blueberries inside, like the following...

And my personal favorite photo.... *nom*nom*nom*