Renovating Kaeti

The UltraDetox extravaganza is over over over.

Seven days later, I’m feeling good and definitely more in control of my eating habits. And while I usually don’t put much stock in inches and pounds, I was curious just how much weight my body was holding onto because of inflammation so I took some measurements. After seven days, I have lost:

9 pounds overall

3 inches off my waist

3.5 inches off my hips.

All of that without resorting to one of those “TurboPump SuperMax” workout videos that are always hawked on infomercials Saturday morning (it can’t be all Meet the Press all the time, after all. A girl needs balance).

So overall, this detox thing was a smashing success. Unfortunately, because of a calf injury and resulting hip soreness, my running has been … lacking. In fact, that 10k training schedule looks something more like this now:

OK, maybe it’s not that bad, but I definitely don’t foresee that whole “10k” thing happening. I am running the Recycle Run 5K on April 20, so I haven’t given up completely. But all the chutzpah in the world isn’t going to get my injured butt ready for a 6.2 mile race in three weeks.

This is my plan for getting back on track:

• Keep doing long runs, even if “long” ends up being short.
• Cross-train to avoid imbalances.
• Amp up strength training.
• Get back into yoga classes.

Because, really folks, missing your weekend long run because you just had to sit at home and watch the Home Shopping Network is not a good excuse. Unless of course they’re selling Tahitian-print high-water pants — then who could blame you?

Welcome to my UltraBlog. Are you having an UltraDay? I know I am. This UltraMorning, I got up and to take a shot of extra-virgin olive oil and lemon juice, followed by an UltraShake — all the while smelling vaguely of baking soda and Epsom salts from my UltraBath last night.

We’re two days into UltraDetox (if you don’t know why I’m using “Ultra” incessantly, check out the previous post), and I’m feeling great alive. Further bulletins as events warrant.

In the meantime, check out the guest post over on Cranky Fitness today. It reminded me that I really need to get back into yoga. Without it, my body falls apart. Or, more accurately, constricts into impenetrable knots. It’s always good to hear that you don’t have to be a Certain Way to be an athlete. And while accepting yourself as you are right now is often one of the most difficult challenges we face, once that hurdle is conquered there’s nothing to hold you back.

Now I’m off to drink some UltraBroth.

I’d like to say that I entered into this whole world of health and fitness for entirely altruistic reasons — because it’s a better way to live, in and of itself. But honestly, weight loss was a big motivator for me.

Somehow during college I managed to accidentally gain upward of 60 pounds. Seriously, I don’t know what happened! (Er, I guess there were a few pizzas, trips to fast-food joints and sleepless nights thrown in there.) I was a classic case of denial, telling myself it wasn’t that bad and that I would get healthy after college, you know, when I had “more time.” Ha.

Well, long story short, I did make some important changes after college, and in the past nine months have been steadily losing weight and reclaiming balance in my body and life. But in the last month or so, I’ve kind of hit a wall. Blame the holidays or inertia or erratic eating, all I know is that my body has stopped shedding fat. And in talking to my friends and reading many of your blogs, I know that a lot of you have experienced the same thing.

So I did a little digging, and here’s a list of five reasons that weight loss can stall. This is by no means a comprehensive list, so be sure to comment and weigh in with your thoughts. (I didn’t even try to make that pun. I swear it was an accident.)

1. You’re not weight training. Weight training increases mitochondria, our cells’ calorie-burning powerhouses. So basically, more muscle means that your body is naturally burning more fat just by existing. Gina DeMillo Wagner explains it here. This is an area where I am oh-so guilty. Taking a cue from those of you with balanced fitness programs, I’m trying to work in some more resistance training.
2. You body has adapted to your fitness routine. Routine isn’t always bad — in fact, it can be eseential — but ruts can definitely derail your path to weight loss. Check out “Spring-Clean Your Routine” and investigate some of the resources listed. If your body has adapted to your same-old, same-old regimen, you need to mix it up to start seeing results again.
3. Inflammation. In “How Exercise Heals,” Susan Gaines writes: “Inflammation can be measured by the presence of C-reactive protein (CRP), and it flares when your immune system is in a state of chronic reaction. Messenger molecules of the immune system, called cytokines, are fired up by poor diet and a sedentary lifestyle. A regular, moderate exercise program can sharply reduce CRP, according to a 2002 study published in Epidemiology.” What does all of that mean? Inflammation causes our bodies to hold onto extra weight. Experts like doctors Mark Hyman and Elson Haas attribute our chronic inflammation to a diet loaded with processed food and our increasingly stressful lifestyles. Food intolerances and allergies also play a huge role in inflammation, so if you suspect that you have food sensitivities, it may be worth it to try out a detox/elimination diet like the one described in The UltraSimple Diet.
4. You’re not eating enough. So many people are consumed by cutting calories and monitoring their food intake that they end up sabotaging their weight loss. If you’re eating less than your basal metabolic rate (i.e., the amount of calories you would burn if you spent all day in bed) your metabolism will slow down. I know y’all have heard this before, but it bears repeating. Our bodies function best when we fuel them with fresh, natural, whole foods, and worry more about the nutrient value and less about the caloric impact. Our bodies have an amazing capacity to regulate and adjust to the amount we eat if we’re eating quality food and staying active.
5. You’re working against your body, not with it. If you’re pushing yourself too hard in the gym, trying to trick your body with less-than-satisfying “diet” foods, or aiming for an ideal weight that is downright unhealthy, your weight loss will be inconsistent. And losing weight too quickly will just slow you down in the long run. The healthy, sustainable way to weight loss is not The Biggest Loser, it’s retraining your body to function as efficiently as possible. If you give your body whole foods and regular activity, it’s amazing how willing it is to work with you to get to a healthy weight.

Just writing these out has reminded me of some things I need to work on (a balanced fitness program, avoiding processed flours and sugar, accepting the speed at which my body is able to change, etc).

Here are some other great resources to check out:

Weight-Loss Rules to Rethink

The Simple Way to Slim

Maximize Your Metabolism

Spring-Clean Your Routine

Weight Loss 101