The 2019 Transformation Post

In the spirit of posting a New Year’s Resolution – themed blog entry, I thought I’d share how I lost 15 pounds.

This is my journey and it may not work for everyone. I am not a dietitian, trainer, or a therapist. I found the results from a couple of life style modifications to be profound. Perhaps it can be of service to others.

Before the transformation I wasn’t comfortable in my own skin. I would never consider walking around the house undressed or sleeping naked. I could not let go and enjoy myself during sex without worrying about my body. I probably wasn’t an amazing partner in bed.

At 5’8” and 145 pounds, I looked proportional. No one would say that I had, “A weight issue.” Truthfully, I wasn’t comfortable at that weight. But I wasn’t motivated to make a change.

Meanwhile, thanks to quite a bit of sitting at my desk/driving to visit clients, I suffered from psoas pain. The pain radiated into my knee. It was uncomfortable sitting for hours in a movie or on a plane. Yoga, stretching, physical therapy didn’t help. In my quest to find a remedy, I made a visit to a body-worker, (such an LA-thing) known for fixing everyone, especially my family of dancers and acrobats, either through a spinal adjustment, deep tissue work, cupping, etc. During the consultation he said, “There’s nothing wrong with you. Lose 15 pounds and start Pilates.”

Thanks for being direct! 15 pounds?  I didn’t realize it at the time because I was horrified, but I credit this conversation for jump-starting the journey to the new me! Here’s my program…

Exercise:

My introduction to Pilates started with The Studio MDR. It is a version of Pilates called the Legree Method on an apparatus called the Megaformer. Next to Cross-Fit, this is a ridiculously difficult workout. What was I thinking? I could not get through the first few classes without taking multiple breaks. One time I cried during class.

After several Pilates classes, I was able to perform the exercises called, Planks, Pikes, Bears, French Twists, and crunches using a magic circle and a squishy/ bender ball! My psoas and lower back certainly felt better because this work strengthened my core. I now do less of Legree and more of the classical variety of Pilates. I balance the Pilates with 45 minute speed walks and dance classes.

Eating:

Consider starting your day by eating a slow-carb breakfast. I learned about slow-carbs from Tim Ferriss, an author, investor, guru. Ferriss experiments on himself and then writes and podcasts about his learnings. I discovered Ferriss’s breakfast while skimming through his 592-page resource called the 4 Hour Body. I found 2 subjects of interest:

1.) The female orgasm– that’s how I learned about OM’ing (it’s a bit odd and yet educational, there’s a ton written about OM’ing including videos that you may find …interesting)

2.) Tim’s breakfast/slow-carbs

I work from home, so I have the luxury of making breakfast. My version of the Tim Ferriss slow-carb breakfast starts with sautéed onions and mushrooms, 2 eggs (free range or from my cousin’s chickens when I’m lucky!). On top of the scramble I toss in a big handful of baby spinach and a ½ cup of red kidney beans. I portion myself a serving topped with either avocado or guacamole. It makes a huge amount of food, so I nurse on it until about 2pm. I also use a Bialetti to brew a single cup of Peet’s French Roast coffee.

During the rest of the day simply eat when you’re hungry. Stay away from processed foods and sugar. When you crave something sweet, go for Trader Joe’s Dark Chocolate with Almonds PoundPlus bar– and take a block or two. Drink water.

The 8pm Rule: Here is the most important part, eat all your calories prior to 8pm because on this program there is no food within 3 hours of bedtime. Not a morsel. Nothing. Nada. Zero. If that pang of hunger haunts you, drink water with lemon, herbal tea, plain sparkling water. BUT NO FOOD or caloric beverages touch your mouth after 8pm.

Try it for 3 days just to prove out the 8pm rule. If you don’t drop a half pound+ per day, then you’re either over eating or not being honest about the no-eating-after-8pm-rule. That’s the magic! You still must eat properly, but the 8pm rule gets you results and keeps you motivated! Why drop a pound/week when you can drop 3 pounds/week?

Eat as consciously as possible. Ask questions including, where does the food come from? Is it sustainably harvested? Everything in moderation. Order a sandwich and eat half of it for lunch and the other half the next day or for a snack in 3 hours. The brain takes 30 minutes to realize the stomach is full, so slow down. Eat bread. Drink wine. One glass. Enjoy a martini with 3 olives. Sip tequila. No more alcoholic beverages with sugary/fruit mixers. Get rid of the sweeter in your coffee.

No dessert. Be honest, no one can have just 1 bite of chocolate cake, so skip it. You’ll thank me when you wake up the next morning down another pound. Even though I’m at a weight I’m happy to maintain, I continue to stick by this simple philosophy as much as possible. The lifestyle never ends.

I lost the weight over 3 years. At first, I lost around 8 pounds and kept it off. I was delighted to be under 140 pounds. Then I took it to 135 and then to 132. Now I’m toying with maintaining 128 pounds. I love how my clothes fit. I feel terrific! I’ll never go back to being 140+ now that I understand how to be disciplined and conscious about what, how much, and when I eat.

At 128 pounds, my bra size is a 32D from a 36DD. I purchased a bikini and it doesn’t sit in my drawer, I wear it! I no longer give a second thought to walking around the house naked. I slept with my man without pajamas. That’s a breakthrough for me! I look in the mirror at my naked self and my Pilates-abs and I’m finally content.

Let’s be honest here, did I really share something you didn’t know – except perhaps the 8pm rule? The key to a healthy weight is to make a lifestyle change, not to go on a diet.

This mind-body change coupled with a jar of Modern Love Essentials creates a whole new world in the bedroom. As of writing this blog, I’m newly single. In time, I look forward to a new love or lover – a girl’s gotta live – in order to express myself and enjoy fun and intimacy again!

For my friends who are fortunate to be with their partners for many years, I share this transformation with you in case you’re looking to making a change. You can take control of your exercise and eating. Based on my own experience, it will translate to an amazing new you in the bedroom!