My Year of Healthy week 4
Welcome and Thank You for coming!
For those curious, Yes, I am still Dry this January. Many people have asked, “Why go dry?” Enjoying the challenge and feeling good about accomplishing it so far is the easiest way to explain my motivation. (You can still go out and have fun without it, it is just a mindset to do so.Not that I am pushing you to try!) I was hoping to sleep better but I guess drinking wine was not the main culprit for my interrupted slumber.
Looking ahead to February, I am beginning to think about diet. A four letter word that has almost become politically incorrect and most definitely taboo. The word actually comes from the Greek word “diaita,” which means “way of life.” For many it means what you are eating ...to lose weight.
There is eating for health, wellness and longevity and there is eating for weight loss. They can go hand in hand but they don’t always. I have peers who promote and sell products for weight loss but they are filled with processed ingredients and often added sugars so weight loss is not always the path to health and longevity. I am interested in the combination of weight loss, health, wellness and longevity so I WON’T be trying Optavia, Isogenix or other similar brands and products during my journey.
There are so many ways people are reaching their wellness goals from food freedom with no limitations to strict diets like vegan or keto. My Year of Healthy is all about trying many of the trends that incorporate real, whole food and eliminate added sugar and processed foods.
I am excited to try many of these different eating styles.
How will I feel?
Will I sleep better? Have more energy during the day?
Some diets are more realistic than others regarding what would actually fit into my life on a long term basis but I still want to try them. I just need to plan my calendar accordingly. With this in mind, I am starting my journey with easy to follow lifestyles when eating out and traveling. (I have several trips planned during February and early March)
Fighting inflammation and eating to help my hormones function well are two health topics I am currently educating myself about. ( I am 52 for those that don’t know) I am currently reading Dave Asprey’s book, The Bulletproof Diet. For those not familiar with Dave Asprey, he was a successful entrepreneur in Silicon Valley that was overweight and unhealthy until he decided to hack his own wellness similar to how he hacked technology earlier in his career. He ended up losing 100 pounds and meeting with health professionals and gurus globally to gain his knowledge and find his own success. He claims his diet and fasting protocol nourishes your cells, balances your hormones and ends food cravings.
I ordered Bulletproof coffee on amazon. Dave Asprey claims it is healthier and he has a trademarked recipe that purports to boost energy and reduce appetite, among other health benefits. ( We will see) His recipe includes adding grass fed butter or ghee to his coffee. This was inspired by a woman he met in a remote part of Tibet in 2004. He later went on to learn that not all butter gives you the same result. Grass fed butter is key. Combined with a coconut extract, Brain Octane Oil or other high quality MCT Oil. (Yes, he is promoting his products but he also claims he created his products to fill a void in the market for higher quality ingredients needed to be effective. We will see.)
Recipe (for extra energy and brain power to be done when Fasting in substitute of your breakfast)
1 cup coffee 8 oz Bulletproof coffee ( claims to have less mold and be healthier due to production process)
1-2 teaspoons MCT Oil (Brain Octane Oil if possible, his product as well)
1-2 teaspoons of grass-fed butter or ghee
Blend before serving (blending creates a biohack in the butter that makes it more effective in your body)
Similar to the other book I just read by Dr Mary Claire Haver, The Galveston Diet, Dave Asprey promotes a diet high in healthy fats and one that avoids added sugar and processed foods. Her book supports a healthy lifestyle and she recently shared on social media that she may rename her book to get rid of the word "diet" since people are having problems with her using it! (interesting...)
My New Year’s Resolution to implement healthy habits throughout the month of January is going well.
Healthy Habits I am continuing: Intermittent Fasting ( at least 12-16 hours, often longer) Workout Routine ( strength training at least 3 days/cardio at least 3 days) Drinking at least 8 glasses of water/decaf green tea daily Being mindful when eating (chew more/eat slower)
Healthy Habit I am adding in this week:
Reading a little before bed after we turn off the tv to help improve my sleep quality
As always, Fill Up On Healthy, have less room for the other stuff but enjoy the other stuff too! Regards, Paula Gladstone
Books I recommend
to learn more about Fasting:
Fast Like a Girl by Dr Mindy Pelz
The Obesity Code by Dr Jason Fung
to learn more about developing Habits
Atomic Habits by James Clear
*DISCLAIMER: While Paula Gladstone is a certified Health Coach from Precision Nutrition, this website does not provide medical or nutritional advice. The blog and related articles have been developed for informational purposes only. The content on this website and blog does not substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Always seek the advice of y
our physician, nutritionist, dietitian or other qualified healthcare provider with any questions you may have regarding certain dietary needs or restrictions before proceeding with a new diet or health care regimen.