Author: Sheila “Spiral Sister” Murrey

Intro

Right from the start, let me tell you that I’ve been gently releasing the excess weight I’d gained during the COVID lockdown, by eating all different kinds of foods and challenging my former thoughts about what foods I should eat. It has really surprised me! And those “surprises” challenged me to analyze what was going on and how I could sustain ongoing weight loss (as I’d been overweight, technically obese), BEFORE the lockdowns.

Food History

I’d lost 20 pounds during 2019 with the help of a modified Keto diet as suggested by my chiropractor, restricting certain foods, and dining out less, (and scrutinizing food ingredients when we did go out). Mostly, I went out to socialize with my husband and not even eat a meal. I had taken a lot of supplements too, to help balance my hormones. But during the summer of 2020, I regained those 20 pounds (mostly due to COVID lockdown depression).

When I say I am not unfamiliar with diets, it’s true. I’ve done so many different diets over the course of twenty years, it’s not funny. It’s actually kinda sad. I didn’t even learn (throughout all of the time I spent on various diets), how to tell when I was hungry—until I was ravenous (belly gurgling with hunger pangs)! I learned the particular diet, but I didn’t align my MIND-BODY, and integrate these aspects and LISTEN to my body and analyze what changes I needed to make in order to experience RESULTS. (I am in alignment, Now.)

So, what I’m about to share may shock you. It has, and continues to shock me!

Food List

Here’s a list of some of the foods I’ve eaten and seen the number on the scale DROP the next morning, foods I wouldn’t have eaten a year ago:

• Steak
• Barbecue sauce (I found one brand that works for me. Yes, ONE.)
• Cheese (I found a couple types that work for me.)
• Half and half
• Canned soup (I drink an extra cup of water after to help flush out excess salt.)
• Rice (rinsed very well before cooking)
• Soy sauce (always thought it was a no-no)
• Pasta (egg or veggie noodles)
• Potatoes (even tater tots, and potato chips! Gasp! Small portion, but yes. Shocking!)
• Dark Chocolate (small portion, on a fancy plate)
• Margaritas (homemade, no sugary mixer)
• Red wine (limited to 8 ounces a night, though depending on my meal, I’ve had more)
• Universal Yums (a monthly subscription of snacks from around the world-tiny servings—added this because we’re foodies and love trying new foods from other countries! Since we can’t travel currently, this monthly fun box supports our mental health and Connects us ALL.)

UPDATE: About fats

UPDATE: Integration Diet: The Sacred Science 7 week Herbal Detox

UPDATE: Integration Diet: 4 weeks into the 7 week Herbal Detox

Tracking

What started it all? I credit a pillar of my weight loss success to the Omada program (that was offered to me by my health insurance program: Florida Blue), because they sent me a free scale that communicates back to their app and diet coach, via blue tooth technology (so, I am held accountable). Accountability is KEY!

I weigh in every morning, nude, and before drinking any water and after going to the restroom. I’ve also integrated this into my morning meditation ritual which includes a brief gratitude ritual (along with some Yoga postures and Energy building Qigong activity) to release any gas in my body, strengthen my immune system, and release stress. And this was the impetus for developing Integrated Spiral!

Tying these activities together has been a huge advance in my ability to stick with the weigh ins and track my journey. In the first three months, I released 15 pounds, but UPDATE: By March 24, 2021 I lost a total of 32 pounds (which included another 17 pounds lost during my time of participating in a 7 week Herbal Detox with KP Khalsa and The Sacred Science)!

I’ve communicated with my coach on the days I gained a pound or so, and worked through the mental hoops and associated feelings. I’ve also incorporated small celebratory actions that do not involve food, as a new way to thank my body for following through on my desire to lose weight.

The Omada program also came with an app, which has helped me focus on the size and health of my meals, rather than the calories of the food (as I’d tracked before in the LoseIt! app). Now, I watch for the trends of how many veggies I’m eating in a week, and what I’ve eaten the day before I see the number go up or down on the scale. It’s a pretty cool bio feedback loop and is definitely working for me.

NOTE: If you’re not in the Omada program, you can still do the weight loss portion of my Integrated Spiral program, because I have found even better blue tooth scales that measure 17 health markers! I’m gonna get one if and when my Omada scale fails. 😉

Supplements

Aside from the liquid supplement that both my husband and I consume daily, when we moved off grid, I pretty much quit taking any other supplements, except Vitamin C, Vitamin D, Zinc, and Magnesium. But when I first stepped on the Omada scale and saw how much I had gained from February to September, I started looking into anything and everything I could take to support my weight loss journey. For the first time in a long time, I felt desperate.

I tried a few supplements and I could tell what didn’t work by how I felt and that I’d gain ounces the day or so after taking them. I think my body is so sensitive, that I gain a bit of weight anytime I introduce something new to it. That’s a theory I am tracking via my food and weight log (which, circles back to why tracking is sooo important)!

There are few supplements (weight loss aids) that have helped me, and I’ll be writing reviews on those products on Being Wholly Vibrant.

I’m not including any supplements in my Integration Diet per se, because I don’t want you to feel that you have to take certain supplements in order to participate in this program. Take It Upon Yourself, as I always say, to do what works best for you. Plus, I’m attempting to keep all product reviews on my other blog. 🧐

Portions and measuring

I’ve found that my 1/2 C measuring cup has become my best friend in the kitchen. I scoop out chili and soup with it, and measure rice and pasta with it too. If I am in doubt, I measure. And I don’t just “trust” my eyes and brain with that “eyeball” method of measuring food, because that has been known to fail me.

The limit I set for myself on these kinds of foods is 1 C at a time. If for some reason I absolutely find that I need or want more, I go back for 1/2 C more. But, in three months, that’s only happened twice.

Timing

One trend I’ve noticed is that when I stop eating anything by 6pm, the number on the scale goes down the next morning.

I’m a big fan of intermittent fasting, but for it to work for me, I’ve observed that I need to go to bed on an empty stomach. I’ve tried all the other ways to do intermittent fasting, and no other combination works for me except going to be feeling hunger pangs. (This became less and less the longer I stayed committed to this program.) For me to practice intermittent fasting long term, well, it takes a real commitment and mindset. I’ve haven’t always been successful, but somehow, I feel this time, I will reach my ultimate goal weight.

Another trend I’ve noticed is that if I abstain from night time snacking, I can eat the same snack midday the next day (after lunch), and it doesn’t make the numbers on the scale go up, like it would have done, had I consumed it at 9pm. Weird, but that’s what I’ve observed as true for my body.

Creating the habit

All of this has been about helping me establish good habits that I can maintain for life. I know walking daily, or not, is a choice.

And honestly, the number on the scale has gone down on the morning after I didn’t walk and I’m not sure why. Maybe it’s because I need to rest and allow my body time to repair and reduce the inflammation that came from my walking the day before. I don’t know. I’m continuing to monitor that.

Clearing the static from our Energy Body.

Sustaining habits or subconscious practice

So far, I’ve had the best outcome from tying two or more tasks or practices together. This is why I formed my Integrated Spiral transformational, small group, self-coaching program.

I know in order for me to make the commitment to a healthy, whole, and vibrant body means I must be held accountable. By serving others, I will serve myself. And in Bob Dylan’s famous words, “You gotta serve somebody.”

I know spiritual types that aren’t in touch with their bodies. And I know body conscious types who want to learn more about Spirituality. I think (and feel), I can serve both.

Learn more about my Integrated Spiral program here:

Integrated Spiral transformational coaching 

A bit about me, your Spiral Sister

I would love to speak at your bookstore, crystal shop, acupuncture / chiropractor office, or other holistic / natural fair or festival. I support healthy lifestyle businesses. For information on ALL of my books, visit my Amazon Author page.

An Amazon bestselling author of two co-authored books: Transform Your Life Book 2 Inspirational Stories and Expert Advice, Energy of Receiving, and author of the captivating Blue Eyes: Ethereal Messages of Connection as well as the incredibly helpful 2nd edition of Have Yourself a Wholly Vibrant Life: Reversing Asthma and Other Chronic Illness Naturally.

Be the best version of who you want to be.

Information provided is for educational purposes only and is not intended to treat, diagnose or prescribe.

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