I had been really excited to write this post in anticipation of reporting out the findings from my annual physical. I wanted to share with the world the miraculous results based on my healthy lifestyle changes. I trotted into the doctor’s office feeling super confident and ready to impress. The visit started out strong as the medical technician did not choose to put me on the scale instead just asked me how much I weighed (that was a first – never knew you get skinny perks – haha). Another technician came in to perform an EKG and she could not believe that I was 58 (High 5- woo hoo). I met my new doctor, and I shared my goals, concerns and it seemed like everything was going perfectly as planned. I was sent to another office to take my blood, and I was feeling GOOD with a little pep in my step.
And then… the results came in…. To my shock, my cholesterol was high (which has not been an issue in the past for me), LDL borderline higher and my thyroid was off. Cue music – wah wah wah… Ugh, you have to be kidding me – how did I get this wrong. I had recently learned that women who are post menopause suffer from cholesterol issues due to lower estrogen production, but I am supposed to be the pillar of health – so I thought. My endocrinologist shared that with weight loss, medication for the thyroid needs to be adjusted and can contribute to throwing off cholesterol and LDL. Both doctors agreed to get a recheck in two months and see if things change.
Meanwhile back at the farm (otherwise known as my house), I reflected and absolutely knew I was eating better. However, I had gotten a little sloppy with my food choices and it was time to reign it in a bit. I am a pescatarian (fish and dairy) and have been eating a lot of vegetables too but still had some harmful stuff in my diet. I decided to go to my bookshelf and refer to the OG of health, Dr. Joel Fuhrman. He has preached a nutritarian lifestyle consisting of nutrient dense foods such as vegetables, nuts, seeds, and legumes. He is research and data-based in his approach helping thousands of people escape heart issues, obesity, cancer, and all other life diminishing diseases. He has authored multiple books with a medical practice and health center. I have known about him for years but always considered this way of living for people who were extremely sick. It kind of felt extreme to me in the past but this time something clicked. As I learn more about food and nutrition, I think with a few tweaks, I can align my eating to produce better overall health results.
Basically, the nutritarian philosophy focuses on GBOMBS (Greens, Beans, Onions, Mushrooms Berries, Seeds and Nuts). These are super foods and when combined in a strategic way, they help build protection in your system, promote health and weight loss to the correct set-point (healthiest weight for you naturally). These foods are dense with nutrients and fiber that enter your system in a slower and methodical way to fuel the body and optimize its function. You feel fuller, satisfied, and don’t have to monitor the amount of food you eat. Coupling this methodology with time restricted eating, which encourages the last meal to be completed four hours before you go to bed supports the body to digest the food, better sleep which in turn naturally helps you lose weight and be healthier.
Now, you may say this sounds horrible and I felt the same way. But in the last year, I have retrained my taste buds where I actually like vegetables, beans, and fruit better than processed. Foods now taste too salty or sweet for me, they have an artificial taste that is not appealing as much. I guess the bottom line is that this is a journey and changing your preferences does not happen overnight. As I have gotten older, my body is sensitive and when I eat packaged food not in the purest form – I feel it and not in a good way.
So… I have taken the last few weeks to educate myself, restock the kitchen and learn how to cook these recipes (thank g-d I have a chef as a boyfriend – he has been a real champ and doesn’t mind chopping tons of veggies). I completed my first week with about 80% compliance and I think I am getting the swing of things and can already feel some difference (let’s just say the colon is seeing a little more action 😊). Wish me luck and I will report my progress. My hope is to knock off the last 5 pounds and bring my blood work inline. Most of all, trying to Benjamin Button myself to live a longer and happier life in order to torment my daughter Isabelle by never leaving – ha-ha. BTW – Dr. Fuhrman says people should live to 97 – 107 years old. Not sure I want to be that ambitious … but what the hell – it is a good “North Star.” Till next month …
Seeking Wellness 