Today is the day!

I am starting my diet- first with gluten free and using myfitnesspal to count calories. To be honest, I still have a few gluten items in the house that I plan on eating, but once they are gone I won’t be purchasing more. I know that sometimes I will have gluten, and sometimes I will slip up, but my goal for the next 6 weeks is gluten free. At that point if I am making progress and feeling good, and my psoriasis is looking better, that is as far as I will go. But, if I feel I need to take it a step further, I will go to the next step, which I think is giving up dairy.
I weighed myself this morning and will update you on loss or gain every Thursday. Currently I weigh exactly what I weighed before I was pregnant.
Here are some pictures of my psoriasis. It’s pretty gross- so consider yourself warned.
I will update you on this every Thursday, too. I went to the dermatologist yesterday and got a million ointments. I have a follow up appointment in 6 weeks. So, in addition to the diet I will be using the medicines prescribed.

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(I have it in other places but these are the worst.)

Wish me luck!
Anybody besides Aunt Angie joining me in a lifestyle change?

Here is a pic of my boy from this morning:

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He is so adorable and a good boy. Now if only I could get him to fall asleep on his own….

Xoxo,
Beth WA

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Five more sleeps

Five more sleeps until I start my “lifestyle change.”  I am actually looking forward to it, and I am also nervous, since I put it all out here.

My mom and I are going to Trader Joe’s on Monday or Wednesday after my dermatologist’s appointment.  I have to make the menu plan before then.  I plan on trying Sunday meal prep for my lunches for the week, and parts of the dinners.  My mom said she would also help with some meals if I need it.  She is da bomb.com

I tried to have Henry sleep in his crib today using the cry it out method.  And it was awful.  He looked so terrified, and ended up getting himself hysterical, and starving.  So, I ended up feeding him, thinking he would pass right out.  But, he was so worked up, he just couldn’t fall asleep right away.  I am going to put that in the back burner for a few more weeks.  I thought he was ready, but at 2.5 months, I think he is still too little.  He didn’t look pissed he looked and sounded scared.  So, I am going to keep putting him in the crib when he is awake to get used to the area, so when the time comes that we are both ready, and I know it will – we can try again.  He does well at night in his rock n play, but he will be growing out of that soon, and into the crib he will go.  I hate the “making my baby cry” part of parenting.  It’s like the grading and disciplining parts of teaching, something you have to do for the betterment of the kids – even if it is really hard on you.

Well, I am going to finish watching this DVR’d show (Chicago PD), and then hit the hay.  Henry slept 7 hours straight last night which was awesome because I was EXHAUSTED.

I hope everybody is having a fun weekend.

xoxoxo,

Beth WA

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Hopefully.

This is what I hope happens when I start eating right.

I’ve only got a minute but I am really excited that my mom gets home from Houston today. Yay!!

I hope everybody has a great day. It is raining cats and dogs here. My husband is off work so I am going to go out solo in a bit and run a few errands. I love my bubbers (Henry) but I do love an occasional solo trip out of the house. Of course I miss him like crazy when I am gone.

I am getting prepared for next week by printing out short exercise routines and recipes.
What do you typically do when you are gearing up to start a diet or exercise program? How do you psyche yourself up?

Xoxoxo
Beth WA

PS. Here is my cutie.

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Posted in Compulsive Eater, Family, Gluten Free, Henry, Paleo Lifestyle, Psoriasis, Uncategorized, Weight, weight loss | 1 Comment

One Week from Tomorrow….

One week from tomorrow is when I am going to start making lifestyle changes.  I am going to chronicle my journey on this blog.  The goal of changing my lifestyle to a more healthy lifestyle is first for myself.  I need to feel more energy, and be more physically fit, and less lethargic.  Also, this is for Henry.  I am an older mother, but I want to be a mother who can play with her son – ride bikes, fit on roller coasters, and actually want to have her picture taken with him.

The first step I am taking is getting rid of gluten (bread and sweets).  This, alone, will make a drastic difference to what I eat now.  I am a carb/sugar addict!  I am going to keep track of calories and activity on MyFitnessPal App.  I know Paleo is not about counting calories, but that is something I need to do, as I am not an intuitive eater, or I am not intuitive at STOPPING eating I should say. Also, for the first 4-6 weeks I will be gluten free, not full on Paleo.   I will try this for 4-6 weeks and reassess where I am at the end of that time.

I am going to be making a lot of recipes from the AutoImmune Paleo Cookbook I purchased, as well as from the few other Paleo cookbooks I have.   I plan on doing meal plans each week, and exercise goals.  As I said yesterday, my first goal is to lose 50 pounds, and to help my psoriasis.  When I get to my 50 lb weight loss, I am going to reward myself with a fitbit or a jawbone.

Well, I am going to go fart around on the interwebs.  : )

I hope you are all having a good evening.  I am watching some of my DVR’d shows.  My favorite new show this season is definitely Madame Secretary, with How to Get Away with Murder as a close second. 

What is your favorite new show this season?

Posted in Auto Immune Protocol, Compulsive Eater, Gluten Free, Henry, Paleo Lifestyle, Psoriasis, Recipes, Weight, weight loss | 2 Comments

Good evening, friends.

Before I start – I want to give a shout out to my mama!! It’s her birthday today!!! I don’t know what I would do without her.  She has been so helpful with Henry…and always.  Love you, mama!!!

Well, my babes is in bed, and I am watching a show on my DVR, and catching up on some things.  The only time Henry will go down in his bed (or his rock-n-play, more accurately) is during the night.  I appreciate this immensely.  During the day, he only takes a full nap in our arms.  My friends assure me this is temporary and soon he will be old enough to put in his crib and let him cry a bit.  He just fights sleep during the day so much, it is sometimes frustrating.  It’s like he forgets how to sleep, or is afraid to fall asleep or something.  Even when he isn’t over tired.  Anyway, I digress.  He is a good boy, and we just love him so much.  There is not a minute of the day that I don’t thank God for blessing us with him.

This blog entry is actually not about Henry.  Or pregnancy.  WEIRD, right?

I had previously written about my psoriasis, and my Aunt Angie, my loyal reader : ), mentioned a gluten free diet.  So, I started doing some research, because I knew I wanted to make some drastic changes to my diet to lose weight, but I also wanted to help my psoriasis.  Some of my friends are Cross fitters, and Paleo Diet eaters.  It turns out Paleo has an Autoimmune Protocol for their diet.  I ordered two books about the Autoimmune Protocol; The AutoImmune Cookbook by Mickey Trescott and The Paleo Approach: Reverse Autoimmune Disease and Heal Your Body  by Sarah Ballantyne.  I also ordered Paleo for Beginners by Rockridge Press.  I read those books and several blogs and some articles about diet and psoriasis.  And, I decided I am going to go for it.  I am going to do an elimination diet for the first time in my life.  I am doing lots of preparation mentally, and drumming up support from my husband, mom and friends.  I am going to start on October 16th, the day after my dermatologist appointment.

The Autoimmune Protocol is very strict and eliminates all grains, beans, nuts, seeds, dairy, and things called “nightshades” which are vegetables like tomatoes, eggplant, whit potatoes, and peppers.  When I looked on the psoriasis foundation website, they only recommend a gluten free diet.  So, I am going to do a gradual elimination to see if things improve rather than a total elimination then adding things in.  I am going to start by eliminating gluten.  I will try that for 30 days and see where I am at that point.  I will post updates of my psoriasis with pictures.

I also want to lose weight.  I have about 100+ lbs to lose, and that number is so daunting.  My first weight loss goal is 50 lbs.  That will put me at the weight I was when I met my husband.  I will be this on the blog, too.  I think that this accountability might be helpful.

Anyway.

That’s what is new with me.  I hope this finds you all well.

Here are a few cute and funny Henry pictures.

xoxox,

Beth WA

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Posted in Auto Immune Protocol, Baby Allman, Compulsive Eater, Family, Friends, Gluten Free, Henry, Paleo Lifestyle, Psoriasis, Weight, weight loss | 6 Comments

Time to get back on the wagon.

Well, I am finally craving fruits and veggies which I haven’t really craved since before I was pregnant! I am holding steady at my pre-pregnancy weight but I need to start losing. I need to do it for me and to also set a good example for my son.
I don’t want to burden him with the eating issues and weight problem I’ve had most of my life. I want to teach him by modeling to make healthy choices and to be active.
I have been half-assedly doing Fitness Pal as I eat all the crap in my house. It’s almost gone. LOL and I am down to almost all healthy stuff. I am going to stop bringing crap into the house as a step to making the good choices. I’ve had more fruits and veggies this last week than I’ve had the whole year combined!
I am having problems with the skin issue I have on my feet and it is making it difficult to go on walks, which is too bad because we have had the best weather! 70’s and 80’s and no humidity and lots of sun! Hopefully that heals soon.
I will keep you posted as to my progress as I get more serious about eating right.
For now, I will leave you with cute pictures of henry.

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Henry updates

Henry is growing so quickly, sometimes it seems like he changes overnight. In the last few weeks Henry has learned to smile on purpose and it has been delightful.
Tomorrow he gets his two month shots and mommy is nervous while Henry sleeps peacefully. I hope it all goes well.

The adjustment to motherhood has been a big one, just like everybody says. It’s so complex – wonderful and emotional. I will expound on this some time when I am not about to go to sleep.

Here are some Henry picture!

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Off to get my few hours of sleep. Hee hee…

Xoxoxo,
Beth WA

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Exhausted and happy.

Man Alive! I didn’t know what exhausted was until now. What a difference a kid makes! Ha ha. But, he sure is cute. And I love him so much. He is such a good boy and I could spend hours holding him and staring at him. In fact, I often do just that.

We are almost at the one month point and I can’t believe it. I spent the first two weeks crying due to hormones and breastfeeding not working out, but each day is getting better and we are figuring things out.

My mom and mother in law have been an immense help. I can’t even begin to describe how much they have done for us!

Here are some pictures of Henry Francis- our little angel!

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Well, gonna go catch some z’s while Henry is sleeping.
Xoxox
Beth WA

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It’s a BOY!!!

Well, I haven’t had much time to blog but I wanted to introduce you to Henry Francis Allman!!
He was born on July 20th, via C-Section. He was 7 lbs 11 oz and 21 inches long. And he is perfect.

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Xoxo,
Beth WA

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Weeks 35 and 36

Well, as of Monday I start week 37 and I will be considered full term. WOO HOO. That milestone is really big to me, and I am so happy my body has cooperated in this pregnancy.
And also, I have decided I am a major wuss. I am so glad I am not working full time, or chasing around other kids. I am so tired and I get uncomfortable easily, and I can’t sleep for more than 2 hours at a time. But, the closer I get to the due date, and the more baby stuff we put together, the more real this whole thing is becoming. I am going to have a baby. Crazy. Really crazy.
I feel like my belly is getting bigger every day.

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I am starting to get nervous about the labor and delivery, but I am also ready to meet this bambino!!!

xoxox
Beth WA

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