I agree with you on the water! I always try to drink enough, and not confuse hunger and thirst. also, i made it a new year’s resolution (on a friend’s recommendation) to have 4-5 servings of fruits/vegetables a day. I wasn’t coming even close to that before, but now I feel so good about myself as I plan out all my fresh produce for the week!

I used to make a Jerk seasoned asparagus dish. It was spicy and had great flavoring. I’m thinking it would be delicious on a sandwich.
I’m going to have to make it again soon!

I definitely need to start drinking more water. The bf and I are on a mission to drastically reduce our caffeine levels this week and see how we feel. So far today, I’ve had zero caffiene and I feel great. Hopefully a headache doesn’t appear soon…

In regards to the best advice I’ve gotten, that is a tough one. I guess the importance of balancing out cardio w/ weights. I never used to do weights before, but have slowly started including them in my workout routine and I feel so much stronger and definitely notice a difference in my cardio workouts.

Sugar is sugar is sugar. White sugar, brown sugar, turbinado sugar, maple syrup, agave nectar, honey, date sugar, molasses, etc, etc, etc….
It’s ALL added sugar and it should all be eaten in moderation! There’s no such thing as healthy sugar.

That it’s all about balance and moderation!

I wish I had a husband who could stick needles in my leg and make it feel better. Glad the changes are coming along well.

Making changes like that is hard! If someone tried to take cheese away from me, I’d probably punch them in the face! Ha.

I think the best advice I’ve heard to date is Michael Pollan’s quote from “In Defense of Food”: “eat food. not too much. mostly plants”. I think that is a very basic and very brilliant thing to remember!

Cutting down on dairy made me feel even better than cutting down on meat, I swear. My digestive system feels great every day! And I started craving veggies way more when I made a point to eat 5 or 6 of them a day- it creates a habit!

Well, those are difficult recommendations for you to strive towards! I would struggle just as much as you!

One of the greatest tips given to me was to remove the pressure of eating/living healthy. Remove my preconceived ideas of what that should look like or feel like and start making SIMPLE decisions that make you and your body feel fabulous!

I pretty much quit dairy cold-turkey after taking a class in college that changed my perspective — we watched informative, scientific videos from Dr. Greger AKA “Vegan MD” (www.drgreger.org). Dairy is cancer-promoting, apparently. :/ I’ll have it once in a blue moon – 1x/month, maybe, if I’m really craving it. But, much like other things, the cravings REALLY DO go away after you give it up!

Hi Caitlin!! I guess all Chinese doctors tell their patients the same thing. I’ve definitely been told the warm water tip and dairy! Chinese people don’t really drink dairy or eat cheese so it was such a huge culture shock when i first moved to the US and EVERY dish had cheese in it!!! Eeek!

I always have a bunch of random do’s or don’t do’s, but I think one of the best ones is to ONLY drink hot liquids when I have my period because cold liquids will cause cramping and coagulation of the blood in your uterus. Ginger tea infused with black rock sugar is another fantastic natural drink that soothes my cramps. One another one was, when I lost my period for 4 months, the doctor told me to lay off green tea, carrots, and mint (the are all considered “yin” foods that can be excessively cold to the body/stomach if consumed to often)…and low and behold, I got my period!

My old CC coach used to tell us – “Drink til you pee. When you pee drink more.” It’s stuck with me for 10+ years along with “Kill the hill! KILL the HILL!” and “CREST! CREST! CREST!” He was an odd little man, but I’m always hydrated, never walk a hill and always push a little harder when I reach the crest.

I always crave veggies after I travel-it’s so strange sometimes! I think drinking water is such a good tip. I really need to find a way to do that…

I meant to ask this when you had the original appointment, but why warm or lukewarm water? Is there something I don’t know about that?

I too was wonderful why warm or lukewarm water. But I see your comment above. Makes sense. I just can’t stand lukewarm water, I like it ice cold. Maybe I will have to start drinking it without ice! 🙂

I think the best eating advice I ever got was to shop at the local farmers market and cook my own food so that I know what is in it.

Your lunch looks great! Also, changes take time, I think as long as you are trying your best, that is all you can do.

Lukewarm water…hmmm. I might have to try that.

I get like that with veggies sometimes, it’s like that’s all I want in the world to eat. I guess that’s healthier than say, cheeseburgers. 🙂

I am a firm believer in drinking lots of water. Whenever I’m feeling unusually tired or hungry, or when having a headache or stomachache, the first thing I do is drink water or consider how much I’ve had throughout the day. It helps so much! I don’t know how people don’t drink more of it 😉

Hi Caitlin — I just started reading your blog and I love it. I think you have such a great perspective on everything! After reading this post I went back and read your original post about the 3 changes and the reasons they were recommended — and while I’m sorry to hear that things have been rough lately, I have to say that I’m very happy you shared since this post really hit home for me. In my own life, I’ve definitely seen that stress/emotional health and physical health are tightly inter-linked. I’ve been incredibly stressed over some things in my life for a few months now, and have been having similar problems — feeling overly emotional, having trouble sleeping, not having as much energy as I used to, etc.

So I found these recommendations super interesting! At first I was wondering about the lukewarm/warm water thing but then saw the comments above. I already drink a ton of water during the day (I’m never without my water bottle and the only other liquid I typically have is a cup of coffee in the morning), but it’s usually cold. I think I might try the switch and see what happens. Also, I am a vegetarian and dairy-lover like yourself. 🙂 But lately I’ve actually been hearing/reading things that have made me think about starting to cut it down…I’ve just been reluctant to really do it. I REALLY appreciate your honesty with how you’re doing — and the fact that you’re making an effort. Thanks for the inspiration. 🙂

Um, that bagel just made me stop and stare. That looks so so so good!! Talk about food envy!

The best healthy living tip I ever received was to cut out soda and drink more water. I completely agree with you that it makes you feel more alert and overall healthier when going about your day!

oh i love your lunch-so yummy…just like somethingi would want to eat.
gosh that is so great about the changes-i MUST try to drink more water. how are you doing it?
gosh it is hard to think of a change that has made a huge impact…..i guess cutting way back on meat-barely eat it anymore and i feel so much better 🙂

Best tip is to listen to my body – it tells me what it needs – more veggies, more water, smaller meals. You should feel be happy and satisfied and not stuffed to the maximum after eating a meal.

In your post you said that you don’t like most veggies. You take pictures of all kinds of veggies, so WHY do you eat things that you don’t like?

All I know is I saw a massive jar of artichoke hearts at CostCo this weekend and thought of you.
Adding in strength training was a revelation to me…the fact that I can do it, make huge strides and see lots of improvement blew my mind!
Courtney
adventures in tri-ing

The best advice I ever got when it comes to working out is LISTEN TO YOUR BODY. Unfortunately, I can’t always say I follow it but I am getting better….