taking flight into art, love, and life (the blog)

Thursday, August 16, 2012

operation wellness.



Haven't lost a single pound since I declared my overweightness, but I'm slowly making some diet changes over here and making some other big changes as well. In fact, I've moved from Operation Weightloss to Operation Wellness. Because that's what it's more about. Yes, I want to lose the weight, but more importantly I just want to feel better, more energy. Not saying that I feel particularly awful, but I suppose I'm curious about the pursuit of optimal wellness.

Also, I'm realizing that this is a journey that is more about spiritual/physical/mental wellness than it is about losing weight.

Here's where I'm at.....

  Lb

I've signed up for three months of intense training! Think 5:30-6:30am workouts with a group of women. Think careful food monitoring, calories in and calories out. Think sore muscles. Think punching bags. Think resistance training, cardio training. Think bad ass! I love it!

I have an intuition that starting my day this way will be good, very very good for the overall structure of my life. By the time I get home from these morning workouts, True isn't even up yet!


Delish. #vitamix

I am the last one you'd think would be enjoying a green smoothies but I am! I'm having one or two a day.

My favorite one is the one above:
two or three handfuls of spinach
about a cup of frozen pineapple
about half a cup of frozen strawberries
whey organic protein powder scoops
couple spoonfuls of almond milk yogurt
flax oil OR fish oil (flavored)
about 8oz or so of crushed ice and water

Put it all into the Vitamix (BEST INVESTMENT EVER) and out comes deliciousness.

  Hello sunshine.

Although I would not say I feel spiritually depleted (the opposite, really - incredibly grateful for the blessings of life), I am finding that I'm more curious than ever, more open than ever before. I'm reading books like this one and this one while also seeing energy healers, psychics, and more. I'm having deep conversations about past lives, metaphysics, karma, the journey of spirits, God, and how love is the only energy/currency that matters. I absolutely believe that we are spiritual beings having human experiences and am currently fascinated by the man who says this is so.

So there you have it. No answers really. Just progress in the forward motion on wellness. I will keep you posted!

24 comments:

Jessie said...

Best of luck to you and I wish you much success!

Elizabeth GLz said...

Awesome! Thanks for sharing that intriguing recipe...I will try it! All the best on your training!

Marie Tere said...

A dear friend of mine does energy work. I love her and love the work we do together. I feel "lighter" after every visit. Best to you. xoxo

Silvs said...

Thank you for your post today Kelly. Three years after having my second baby and things not moving forward at all in my life, I am also on an operation wellbeing mission starting next month when the youngest starts preschool and I have a tiny pocket of time to myself to start exercising and painting more and just taking care of myself. I have signed up for the first exercise classes and hoping this will all help me to feel more myself, in tune and aligned somehow. All the very best with your own journey and keep the beautiful paintings flowing. x

Gennifer said...

Ooooh, I love this! It was tough for me to stay motivated when I first started my wellness journey. But I decided to try it for a month and then reassess. I kept telling myself that one month is a drop in the bucket of my lifetime. By the time the month was over I was hooked! Active, healthy lifestyle choices come naturally now. Good luck to you!

Emily said...

Try kale instead of spinach. It makes it even healthier, and I promise you will not taste it. And, do not use the small/baby kale. Use the nice large dark green leaves. Cheers to your health!

Kathleen said...

I love this post! That is my outlook on weight loss, when you look at the overall picture and not the number but to find that inner true contentment...it all falls into place. Lovely post!

pstrong said...

God does want us healthy, not only inwardly but spiritually with Him. Dont get fixed on the scale, go by how your clothes are feeling on you. Remember muscle weighs more. If you are searching read books by C. S. Lewis. "Mere Christianity" is a great book. Like Emily said... Kale is way better for you, give it a try Keely search God. Read the Bible it has the best stories ever in it. Paula

Lisa Dabbs said...

I adore your work Kelly and have been a follower for 3 years. I my self started a weight loss journey in March and it took 3 months to lose 12 lbs. It's August and I've not gained it back, but not lost more. Have 20 lbs to go to reach my goal weight for my height 5'3 and build, petite. Used weight watchers and my own partially gluten free diet, and will be incorporating more of that this next leg of the journey.
I so love that you are using this time to also seek the deepening of your spiritual self. Blessings to you in this process of lovely awakening.

Susan said...

Best of luck...I also saw an energy healer last year and she's fantastic. I really feel like the right people come in your life at the right time, just when you need them the most.
Also - maybe think about getting your thyroid function tested (it's a blood test). After my son was born I was exhausted - beyond normal new mom exhaustion - and the weight didn't budge. It turns out the all the hormonal changes messed with my thyroid, and I chose to go the medicinal route. I feel way, WAY less tired than I used to, and I'm hoping my (stuck) metabolism will speed up soon.

Brenda said...

I add chia seeds to my morning smoothie. I think they're also called salba seeds. Really high in Omega 3 and they swell a little so you feel fuller for longer! Good luck on your wellness plan! Trying to do much the same thing here!

Jenny Petricek said...

Thanks for sharing your wellness journey, Kelly Rae! I gained about 35 pounds a few years ago, a side effect of some medication I'm taking. I tried dieting but due to the meds wasn't successful. This summer, I decided to quit worrying about what it says on the scale and just focus on getting into shape. I started jogging, and it's just made me feel much better about my body, regardless of pounds gained or lost. It also helps me deal with stress, and has given me more control over my asthma. Best wishes on achieving your goals!

Diane Rooney said...

You're on the right track changing lifestyle. Everything else begins to fall into place. I'm on the same journey. I love my green juice every morning now. It's become a routine. I have a lot of weight to lose but my main focus is change if lifestyle. I really recommend Kris Carr's Crazy Sexy Diet book - its not a diet book but a very inspirational change of lifestyle book. Best wishes on your new journey x

Carrie Monroe O'Keefe said...

I'm on week ten of a similar journey and the difference in how I feel, and think, and coincidentally look, is truly amazing. Good luck!!!

TwynMawrMom said...

We've all been there, or are still there, or want to be there. You are not alone. The only thing that gets me TO the workout, and THROUGH the workout is, "I will be so happy/proud when it's done and I can start my day already accomplishing something!"

Cherie Murray said...

I like the ring of 'Operation Wellness.' It sounds very Secret Agent-y somehow. I love books that open my heart/mind. I'd recommend to add to your explorations - 'Faith; Trusting Your Own Deepest Experience' by Sharon Salzberg.

Much love & light on your journey!

Hilary Blackwood said...

I'm also currently reading Marcus Borg...The God We Never Knew. I love his books. Karen Armstrong is also really good and in the same vein. I'm kinda struggling with my own journey as well, with art, new mamahood (9 month old!) and trying to make sense of it all and not give up but move forward. Peace and good luck.

Christina Minasian said...

I have a Vitamix too and it is one of the best kitchen tools ever! My favorite morning drink lately is: almond milk, spinach, 2 pineapple slices and a lil juice, half a ripe banana, a nice big slice of ginger and about 5 cubes of ice. I gradually blend it all the way up to ten then high for a cool, thick juice. Sweet and delish!

AngC said...

I love that you call it "Operation Wellness"... that is where I am at the moment. Before I had my 2 kids I'd lost 30kgs and kept it off, but most of it has found it's way back. Sweating it out at the gym just doesn't seem to be having the same results as it did so I'm also changing the way we eat completely. I watched "Hungry for Change" and it has opened my eyes up a bit. It will be a gradual change, but it will be worth it. :)

WrightStuff said...

The trouble with losing weight is that it contains the word 'lose' which isn't very positive. I like your wellness goal much better. Go girl!

Renee said...

I know the path you are on very well...very well. Read "praying in color" - it is an AWESOME read - it is about dooddling your prayers. With this, I am able to sit and prayer for 30 minutes verses 5.
Not sure if you have every heard of the Daily Word from Unity Church - great stuff.
Also, have you read "the secret" or the follow up to it "the power"
I listened to both of these on audio books while I work - but they are great reminders to be thankful for everything - even the things we find mundane. She talks about the "universe" but I believe the universe to be God and anytime she says to thank the universe or put good thoughts to the universe, I just think of it as thank God or give good thoughts to God.
Hope these help you on your journey - I know they helped me a ton on mine.
With love,
Renee

simplydelicious said...

Tthanks for sharing your wellness journey. I went right over to Amazon to see what you are reading and ordered copies for myself. I am having terrible anxiety and trying to center myself. I am getting massage and reiki and it's helping but creating and reading is a goos option too! Thanks!!

Karen

Anonymous said...

I respect your openness. It's a great quality. There's a great saying, "Keep your mind open, but not so open your brains fall out."

Eating well? Fully vetted by science and plenty of cold hard facts.
Exercising? Same.

Unfortunately no psychic has ever, and I do mean ever, passed any kind of double-blind test for what scientists would call accuracy or anything approaching it.

Alternative therapies such as energy healing have yet to show any better outcomes than placebos.

When searching for healing and wellness, I hope all those who seek it include the many proven methods and solutions that have helped people in documented and measurable ways. Just because they are "mainstream" doesn't make them evil.

Melissa G. said...

I just love your blog and your energy...best of luck on your health journey. I love the message and I can not wait to try the smoothie recipe!!





circles