Letting it all go!

Hi All!

Sometimes we all get so wrapped up in expectations. Expectations of where, what and how we THINK we should be, how we should live and how we should think. New York City is a tough place to just "be" sometimes. Before our honeymoon to Israel, I found my self so wrapped up in all things needed to lose weight. A therapist, a trainer, a gym, Weight Watchers, and 24 hours a day of thinking and planning of how I was going to make it happen. So wound up, that I lost sight of what I had learned at the Rice House. To let it all go.....

Israel gave me the ability to let it all go. I can imagine any vacation for 2 weeks could do that to a person. Everyone needs to get away. To reevaluate what is what in their lives. And I did just that....

I am not seeing my therapist anymore, I'm not seeing my trainer, I'm not going to Weight Watchers and I'm not thinking about "it" 24 hours a day. What I am doing is just "being." We got home on a Friday morning. Friday afternoon I had gone to a local bookstore and picked up a copy of The Rice Diet Solution. I figured if that is what worked in the past, why wouldn't it work now? The problem was, is that I HAD tried the Rice Diet since I've been back. The difference is, though, I was doing the program as it was in the clinic. After I read the book, I realized that they had adopted a "home version" that was similar, of course, but quite different as well. There was definately more food. The reason why I was failing at the program the past two years when I tried it was that I was too restricted. I was doing Phase I as they do it in the clinic for 2 WEEKS! The "home version" is that you do for 1 DAY a week! The Phase I in the book is really almost like a Phase III for the clinic!! There is completely no dairy at the clinic and in the first week it is suggested to have dairy. Now..I can kick myself all I want and wonder why hadn't I purchased this book before...but I'm not going to do that. In one week, I have lost 14 pounds...yes mostly water, I know (especially with all that yummy Israeli hummus!! :)...but I HAVE to tell you...the concept of eating a whole food diet (not being ON a whole food diet...note the difference) absolutely gives you so much more energy, makes you feel so much better on a daily basis and I can only imagine how my heart, lungs, feet and skin must be thanking me!!!

So throw away all of the processed/prepackaged "health" cookies, frozen dinners and low-fat junk food and make your way to the fruit and vegi aisle of your local supermarket or better yet..farmer's market! Get some whole wheat pasta, some sundried tomatoes and eggplant and squash and make yourself an amazing dinner!!!!!

Keep me posted!!

Warmly, Susan

Here's something to think about....

Hey all!!!

WOW! What a trip! Has anyone ever been to Israel? Well there are two major things in Israel...LOTS of HEAT and LOTS of HILLS!!!! WHOA...just when you thought you were finished with the hills and you were FINALLY going down a hill...right in front of you was another huggeeee hill. Now, this was a good thing in most ways because..hey...nothing like a good butt buster hill to burn off all that hummus! But in 100 degree weather??? Yes...I must have missed that day in class when we talked about deserts! Two suitcases of "cute" clothes and I LIVED in workout pants and short sleeves!!!! That was only the least of it...it was the MOST amazing, MOST romantic, MOST inspiring, MOST incredible trip I have ever taken. (Doesn't hurt that I had two blissful weeks alone with my new hubbie!)

But this all leads me to something....How do we take time for ourselves? More than a few people have said to me, "You were able to take 2 weeks off from work?" Is that a lot of time when you were a full year? I love my job. I'm passionate about my job. I help people...there is no better job than that. But if I'm going to do my job the best that I can...I need to take care of myself as well. I'm going back to work today, and I feel inspired, rested, energized, passionate and ready to take on new challenges. I have a clear head, new ideas and renewed vigor. Isn't that worth 2 weeks to any employer?

So the next time you contemplate whether or not you should ask your boss for a few weeks of R & R at your local beach spot or some exotic island...think about this blog post. You both will be the better for it!!!

Keep me posted!!!!

Warmly, Susan