Intermittent Fasting- Works For Me

After turning the big 40, I noticed the pounds slowly creeping up on me. Before I knew what was happening, I had gained 30 pounds in three years. Yes, I did the math. That was 10 pounds a year. Now, it's not like I had let myself go or anything. I am still one of the healthiest people I know. I was still working out 3 to 5 days a week.  I was still eating healthy foods, save for a treat once in a while.  Plus I noticed belly fat increasing.  We all know that belly fat is the most dangerous fat because it settles around our organs, especially our hearts. I had to do something, and fast.

That's when I discovered fasting. I mean, it's got fast right in the name.  Actually, it's intermittent fasting.  I discovered intermittent fasting while reading one of my health based emags.  The science behind it seemed compelling.  Study after study proved improvements to participants' risk of heart disease, diabetes, and dementia. Count me in.

I decided to try The Fast Diet by Michael Mosley first.  This is based on the 5:2 system. Basically, you eat normally 5 days a week, then fast 2 days a week.  Now, by fasting, I mean you cut your calorie intake to 500 for women or 600 for men. You can choose the two days you fast.  I chose Mondays 

( because I'm miserable anyway) and Wednesdays ( because that's my busiest day).  My first fasting day was not bad. I really didn't feel too hungry.  I decided to eat most of my calories at dinner since that's what I was used to.  Easy as pie!

I breezed through my first two weeks and lost 5 pounds.  The next week, I lost 0 pounds.  Fasting days started to become tiresome.  I was feeling hungry.  The following week, I lost 0 pounds.  I knew I needed a change.

I liked the science behind fasting.  I wanted to find an alternative.  I realize that each person is different.  It's a journey to find what's going to work for you.  That brought me to The 8 Hour Diet by David Zinczenko and Peter Moore.

The 8 Hour Diet requires you eat all meals within an 8 hour time frame, 3 days a week.  Again, I chose Monday, added Tuesday, and kept Wednesday.  I made it through my first week easily and lost 3 pounds.  After my second week, I'd lost 2 more pounds.  I also enjoyed this system more.  It mimicked the way I ate before I fell into the trap of eating 6 small meals a day.  I always felt like I was shoving food in my mouth.  I mean, people work for a living. We can't always be eating, eating, eating!

By the end of my fourth week, I'd met my goal of 15 pounds down.  I decided to continue this method of intermittent fasting for its health benefits. I feel so much healthier and have energy to burn.  I now practice 8 hour eating every day instead of just three days a week.  It works for me.

My advice is, if you have any interest in intermittent fasting, try these methods out.  I know many people who have found success with both. It's all about finding what's going to work for you.

I feel the need to mention that I have not received any compensation for reviewing these methods. My review is solely a reflection of my personal experiences.

Me- 15 pounds down!

Dangers of Household Products

A seven month old baby died on August 9th after ingesting a detergent pod.  If his death is found to have been caused by the pod, it will be the first.  However, it is worth noting that 5,753 US children (5 years or younger) have been sickened by eating detergent pods this year alone. This is according to the American Association of Poison Control Centers.

This is my motivation for doing what I do.  How many children have to suffer before we wake up and change our ways?  There are alternatives out there to using these toxic chemicals around our children and pets.  I would be happy to introduce you to companies that produce safe, non-toxic products.

I know most of us think we're being careful by placing cleaning products out of children's reach. But, why do we need these toxic products in our home to begin with?  You know how kids can get into things they shouldn't. 

I implore you to at least look into other options.  Check out my website for more information,  www.bohoandmo.com.  

Poison Control Center, National number 800-222-1222

Saved By The Houseplant

I know! I know! I've neglected my blog!  I've been stuck in a hell of my own making- Renovation Hell. My husband and I have embarked on a huge remodeling project, the kitchen. I would never have guessed that it was so difficult and expensive to find Eco-safe replacements for everything in our kitchen.  I think I did good, though.

But, of course, then came an even bigger concern. What to do about the toxins released during the removal of our old stuff? I knew I couldn't run around the work crew as they were demolishing it all. They tend to frown upon that.  I vowed to do the best I could to stay out of their way.

Off to the garden store I went.  There I picked up seven tropical house plants in a variety of sizes and styles.

My husband's eyebrows furrowed as I made each trip from the garage to the kitchen with an armful of plants.  I placed a few of them in the kitchen, out of the way,of course. The remainder were scattered around the rooms off the kitchen.

" Are we starting a nursery now? What's with all the plants?" My husband asked.

" I'm glad you asked, " I replied. Then, I told him what I'm about to tell you all.

Household plants help to remove indoor air pollution through photosynthesis.  In studies done by NASA in the late 1980's, it was discovered that plants are able to absorb carbon dioxide and release oxygen into the air. But, even more importantly, it was proven they also absorb benzene, formaldehyde and trichloroethylene. These are some of the very chemicals found in the dust of my demolished kitchen.

The most effective in purifying the air of your home are tropical or sub- tropical. You can find a list of the best plants to use in this months Health Naturally Magazine in an article titled Green Living-Improving Air Quality With Common House Plants by Dr. Lisa Watson, ND.

She suggest using one good sized plant in a 6 to 8 inch diameter container for each 100 square feet of indoor space.

Sooooo, I may have gone a bit overboard. When it comes to my family's health, I rather be safe than sorry.

Anyhoo, I'm still dealing with the noise and disruption in the meanwhile. I'll be glad when its all done! I do feel safer with my house plants working overtime. Until next blog, check out this list of pollutants found in most homes and the symptoms they can cause. Maybe you might want to pick up a few plants of your own.