The Dragon's Way may be the wrong way - for now, anyway

After seeing a Naturopathic doctor, who suspects I have both Hypothyroidism and Hypochlorhydria (all those Hypos!), I've decided that this is probably the wrong time to start The Dragon's Way program.

There's a strong emphasis in this program on fruits and vegetables. Well, that oughta be fine, right? Yeah, for most people. But those are just the foods that have been playing havoc with my digestive system!

I may try The Dragon's Way in the future, when these other issues are under control. As I mentioned in my first post, my main reason for trying The Dragon's Way was not so much to lose weight but to gain energy.

For anyone who was watching this blog to see how the diet worked, I apologize.

Meanwhile, the blog will stay up, but with a different focus.

Pretty soon I'll explain what Hypochlorhydria is. You should know, because it's suprisingly common for something you've probably never heard of. And I'll offer the basics on the official diagnosis, the treatment, and how it's all going.

Until then...

Namaste,

Janet

Fatigue

Tomorrow I'm going to see a naturopathic physician about my fatigue.

As I had mentioned, I wanted to use The Dragon's Way to deal with fatigue, but last week the problem got so bad that I decided I needed to find out if there's a problem causing this. I'm almost sure the fatigue was exacerbated by the exceptionally cold weather, but I also think there may be a disorder causing it.

I suspect Hypochlorhydria, a very common yet little known disorder that causes a wide variety of symptoms, including fatigue. Hypochlorhydria means low stomach acid.

The naturopath I'm visiting suspects Hypothyroidism, but that can actually be caused by Hypochlorhydria!

I'll give you more information later about Hypochlorhydria. If you're curious now, just Google it. There's a pretty good amount of information out there, though you're unlikely to hear about it from your doctor.

Namaste,

Janet

A cold, snowy January week ushers in Preparation Week…

And I sure hate it! The cold always gets to me and this week it is really doing a number on me.

As I mentioned before, I’m more concerned about healing my fatigue problem than losing weight. So a week like this, which is making me more fatigued than usual, is really bugging me.

I’m feeling ineffectual, which is making me feel guilty, which is making me feel … well you know, it’s one of those vicious downward spirals. So I’ll just have to spin that spiral back in the other direction.

Good thing Preparation Week is so easy! I need to:

• Buy a notebook
• Review the list of healing foods and recipes and shop for those foods
• Gradually cut meat, fish, fowl, and cheese from my meals.
• Learn the 10^th qigong movement
• Relax and rest

I really like that last one. ;-)

I’ve been practicing the first 8 qigong movements. Today I did all 10 along with the video, so I’m learning #10.

I’m not much of a meat eater, and it won’t be too hard to cut those foods from my diet. Keep in mind, this is just for seven weeks. In fact, Dr. Lu (the developer of the program) lists salmon, shrimp, tuna, and other seafood as beneficial. So don’t think you’ll have to give up these foods permanently if you use The Dragon’s Way.

In fact, Dr. Lu discourages people from feeling guilty about what they eat. He claims that this healing program will bring your body into balance so that after the program you can eat whatever you want, and you’re not likely to want unhealthy food. I hope he’s right.

I have yet to shop for healthy foods or a notebook, but I’ve gotten really good at relaxing and resting. ;-)

In my next entry, I plan to discuss the qigong movements that are a part of this program, as Dr. Lu says they are central to its success.

Namaste,

Janet

Guinea Pig Stats

I realized that you should have some stats on me (your official guinea pig) if you're going to be able to gauge this program's effectiveness. So here you go:

Name: Janet
Age: 46
Height: 5'4"
Weight: 141 lbs.

My main goal with this program is not to lose weight. It's to increase my energy level. I've had a lifelong problem with fatigue. While I have a lot of goals right now relating to parenting, working, developing a relationship, and more, I'm realizing that it's my problem with fatigue that is holding me back with all my other goals.

So increasing my energy is my first goal.

As for weight loss, at 141 lbs., I'm within my normal weight range, but I am at the tippity top of it. So I could stand to lose a few pounds.

The Dragon's Way program promises to help me lose 12 lbs. So if it works as it says it will (and if I do my part), seven weeks from yesterday - on March 7, 2007 - I will weigh no more than 129 lbs. I'm curious to see if it happens!

Next entry will be coming within a day or so and will describe the requirements for this week, which is "Preparation Week." Until then....

Namaste,

Janet

Live Classes In NYC & NJ

Well, speak of the devil! I got an email today from TCM World Foundation announcing that classes will be forming next week in New York City and in Montclair, NJ. If you're in the area, you may want to check it out. For more information, visit The Dragon's Way section of the TCM World Foundation website.

Follow my diet in real time

Have you ever wanted to watch someone on a healthy eating plan so that you could see if it really worked?

You’ll know at the end whether or not she lost weight, but will you know how hard or easy it was? How realistic? Will you know if it made her feel really crummy in exchange for the weight loss? Here’s your chance to follow me on a healthy eating & weight loss plan, one with an ancient twist.

It’s called The Dragon’s Way and its based on the ancient exercise Qi Gong. This is a program of The Traditional Chinese Medicine World Foundation, a not-for-profit organization based in New York City.

I want to emphasize that I am in no way affiliated with this program. If it sucks, I’ll tell you.

So far, I have a good feeling about it.

This is a six-week program, but it starts with a preparation week. Today, I am about to embark on preparation week. On Friday, I’ll give you more details about what that entails.

The blog will be updated at least every Wednesday, probably much more often, at least in the beginning. But if for some reason, I can’t update it on a particular Wednesday, I’ll update it the next day, Thursday.

Meanwhile, if you want to find out more about The Dragon’s Way program, you can visit The Dragon’s Way section of the TCM World Foundation website. Until tomorrow...

Namaste,

Janet