It is customary to fast and to make other sacrifices in preparation for such ceremonies. I noticed that during weeks when I had a sweat lodge to prepare for, there'd be a nice drop in my weight -- a great bonus----not only was I providing a spiritual service for my community, but I would lose extra weight as well.
Over the summer, I realized that alternating brief fasts with low carb eating was helping me to lose weight more efficiently than anything else I ever tried. So in August I decided to get more serious. I added exercise and began to be more portion conscious during the cycles when I am eating.
I also bought some protein powder and added periods of liquid protein dieting to my program. Basically, I do cycles of low carbing, liquid protein dieting and complete fasting, This has been working for me so far.
My daily routine consists of drinking a lot of water whether I am low carbing or fasting. When I am low carbing I eat just enough to satisfy my hunger and do not gorge myself--as that is the type of behavior that got me this fat to begin with.
My husband has a ritual of taking our dog for a 20-minute walk in the woods most evenings after supper. I began to go with him and was so out of shape in the beginning that I felt as if I had run a marathon when we were through.
I do 30-minutes of low-impact aerobics 3 to 5 times a week. On the alternate days I do strength training. I do 15-minutes of yoga every morning. I am doing all of this at home as I don't yet feel comfortable about joining a gym.
After my daily shower, I rub moisturizing lotion over my entire body, paying extra attention to those areas that carry the most weight. I have been neglecting my skin for years, so I incorporate caring for it into my routine.
There is a dietary supplement called "Udo's Oil" that provides Omega 3 and Omega 6 fatty acids that the body needs. I put a big spoonful of it into a cup of clear chicken broth once a day and generally take my multi-vitamin at the same time. My skin has become much softer since I started doing this and I've noted other benefits as well. So I will most likely continue this practice.
I was a runner at one time and hope to be able to incorporate running into my program in the future. I will have to take off a considerable amount of weight in order to even begin training to run. It is something to work towards. I am hoping that by early spring I will have taken off enough weight and conditioned myself enough to begin a running program. I have set this as a goal.
Tunkasila Nici Unweyepo
May the Grandfathers take care of you
