Christmas in Eugene, 2009

It's Christmas!!!!!



Cannot believe another year has gone by so quickly! This Christmas has been so wonderful. I got amazing presents and had a wonderful time cooking yummy fattening meals and sitting by the tree.

This is the first year I actually got a tree and decorated it. It was so fun sipping on hot chocolate and listening to Holiday music while decorating it. I will be sad when it's time to take it down.



I got more than I ever expected for Christmas. MAC makeup brushes, (I Love MAC), MAC giftset, a DUCKS shirt, socks and a beautiful warm sweater. And even though I am working this Christmas, it's fun to be around my co-workers who are all in the Holiday spirit!



What's even better is that tomorrow I take a flight to Minnesota! I will be there for a week and I am so excited to see my family and friends!

Water Fast Day 3, Maaan my Head HURTS!

Last night was another foodie night. I cannot stop thinking about food. I miss the texture, the taste. I want people to describe food for me. I want to know how it smells, I imagine the softness of bread. I may be going crazy.



In the morning, I felt a huge headache as soon as I woke up. I drank some water and is subsided somewhat but, it was still pretty constant all morning. Here it is now 5:30PM and it's still a dull ache in my head despite drinking two glasses of water and some green tea for energy.

Today was also Cake Day at work and of course of course they had to bring out delicious cheesecake instead of the usual cake we have. Even though I couldn't have some, I did put a slice off to the side for when I can eat again on Friday.

It's amazing how much revolves around food. I learn this more the longer I stay on this fast. Watching TV last night almost every single commercial was about food. Eating is such a big part of our culture, our way of life. It's something you never even think about until you do something like this.

I also promised my 12-year old mentee that I would bring him Subway for lunch today and the smell of the fresh bread almost made me faint from the sheer agony of not being able to have it.

It's the home stretch now. Two more days. And YES I can do this!

Water Fast Day 2! I WANT FOOD!

Last night was hard. Okay very very hard.

I am used to snacking or having at least a glass of wine before going to bed usually and not being able to have anything was a challenge.

The WORST part of it however was when I was actually in bed. I could not sleep at all. I kept thinking about food. It's amazing how much you miss it when you cannot have it. If anything it makes me realize how lucky we are that we have the money and resources to eat whatever we want when we want to. I was having the craziest cravings. I wanted Mac and Cheese BAD. Like cheesy Mac and Cheese topped with Sriracha. Then it morphed to a juicy Cheeseburger with Jalepenos and a side of fries. See here I go again! Food Food Food!
That must be how pregnancy feels. Constant Cravings! My stomach also kept rumbling all night.

When I finally went to sleep it was all about the dreams. I'm pretty sure I dreamed of a mashed potato monster that I ended up eating. :)
Also I could NOT get out of bed this morning. I felt like I had been drugged. My body would not and could not contemplate getting out of bed. I probably could have slept for half the day if I didn't have to come to work.

So here we are at Day 2 and right now things are not bad. Woke up this morning and didn't really crave much of anything. I had a glass of water with Apple Cider Vinegar and then went for coffee (I had green tea) with a friend.

Now we are halfway through the day and I feel okay. A little spacy, YES ..a little light-headed YES but, overall feeling okay.

Amazing how much of our lives revolve around food! My friend wants to take me the The Eugene Country Club for lunch on Thursday. How can I say no to that? I must be strong though....willpower!

I should have expected this!

WARNING...

This water fast will make you very emotional. I just started experiencing that towards the end of the day. Of course it makes sense, no food equals major mood swings but, wow I didn't expect to be so moody. It's similar to that time of the month. Regardless I am going to keep plugging along.

I also for a brief second contemplated eating something when I got home. A little broth wouldn't hurt right? But, then the guilt set in. Lets see how tomorrow goes. I have a feeling it will be a hard day tomorrow.

Water Fast Day 1, Am I Crazy?

Anyone who knows me knows that I get very excited about new things. Whether it be a new product on the market, a new vitamin or health regimen, I can work myself into a frenzy of learning new information about whatever it may be.

Much of last week was spent researching and googling the topic of "Water Fasting". This is not my first time actually doing a water fast. In fact, last year I spent 5 days cleansing my body through the "Master Cleanse" or "Lemonade Diet" as it's sometimes referred to. I found the experience powerful to say the least. Day 1 and 2 were pure misery. Headaches, Nausea, and light headed-ness (never a good thing when a big part of your job requires you to stand and read the news for half an hour a day). Nonetheless, by Day 3, I was amazed at the amount of energy I had and how good I felt.

Think about all the crap we put into our bodies on a single day? From fast food to chemicals, frozen meals full of preservatives, alcohol ...the list goes on and on.
For thousands of years, people have fasted as a way to rid themselves of toxic build-ups and generally cleanse the body.

Have you ever skipped a meal and a headache came on, or you felt irritated, stomach growled, etc? Well, none of these are signs of actual hunger, but rather the first stages of a detoxification phase, known as acidosis. As soon as the body has a chance, i.e. as soon as you haven’t had any food in you for a while, this detox phase will start. During acidosis the body cleanses itself of stored up toxins that are in the body due to poor diet.

And I have to admit, the thought of dropping some weight is also very appealing. You can lose upto 10 pounds in 6 or 7 days while fasting. Of course it's likely to return when you begin eating as most of this is water weight.

So here we are at Day 1. Woke up this morning and wanted a bagel slathered with cream cheese so darn bad! LOL
Had a glass of water instead. The headaches started around noon but, it was nothing I could not handle. I am now sipping on some Green Tea for energy and feeling pretty darn good. Of course it's still early in this whole fast and that could change.

Am taking extra care when getting up from my desk as well. My body is not used to this light-headedness and I want to make sure I don't fall over :)

Overall, at 5:30PM on my first day I am feeling fine with little side effects. Will let you know how the rest of today goes!