Today is Day 7 of the first week of this plan that I’m following. I’ve made it so far without any refined sugar (except that little bit in the occasional bite of dark chocolate that the plan allows) and without any processed grains. Honestly, I’m pretty amazed. I’ve resisted even the lightest coating of bread crumbs or a single crouton on a Caesar Salad. I’ve passed up cookies and even chocolate that was less than 70% cacao. In short, I’ve been abstinent of the substances that I declared I wouldn’t eat.
I’ve keyed in on my satiety, hunger and any cravings. If I’ve craved something with a truly physical motivation, as opposed to an emotional craving, I’ve chosen to eat something from the plan, as suggested. Nuts, veggies, hummus, even a small piece of fruit, are all part of the program. I can eat them, remain abstinent, and also know that they are healthier choices overall.
I’ve been willing to try foods that I don’t normally eat, like tofu which I used in a black bean-tofu hash. (Recipe in the book.) It was delicious. I bought some more tofu to use in other meals. I’ve finally realized, after many years, that tofu will provide a great extra protein source for me. This morning for breakfast, I followed the book’s recipe for gluten-free/grain-free pancakes. They’re made with garbanza bean flour, egg, Greek yogurt, and milk (soy, almond, cow, whichever I want), along with salt, baking soda, vanilla and oil. The whole garbanza bean flour thing to me initially seemed odd and I admit I was skeptical.
Happy to report that these pancakes were flat out delicious! Seriously, yummy. Oh, and I ate them without maple syrup but with peaches and some fresh whipped cream. I think this week there are recipes that call for more of the flour for thickening a sauce, for example. It’s a new staple in my pantry, for sure.
Abstinence for me isn’t just refraining from specific food items. I also need to not go into the behavior of compulsive eating or binging. That’s where paying attention to why I crave something matters, and then how much I eat if I’m physically hungry. I’m getting in touch again with my stomach and feelings of fullness. Learning how much is enough and when another bite or two is going to push me over into belly pressure and uncomfortableness.
The emotional waves have swelled and ebbed. I’m doing my best to cleanly surf them and not wipe out. Looking back, having that meltdown Tuesday night was helpful because it led me to identify what I was experiencing. I had a few other intensely emotional incidences over the week, but knowledge and awareness helped me remember what was going on. Sometimes I just let myself feel them until they passed; other times I shook myself out of them as appropriate.
The plan recommends reducing regular physical regimens for the first week. I’m not 100% clear why, but I followed the instruction. I did both Tai Chi classes but only rowed once. The book does advocate a few minutes of “joyful movement” morning and night, so I stretch and do some additional Tai Chi at home as usual. It also suggests short walks after each meal, so Nat and I have been out and about.
That’s the week’s summary. All in all, it’s important for me to look back and reflect on the program and my commitment to following it. I’m reviewing the chapters in the book and making my shopping list so that I have the foods in house to prepare. That’s so key to me being able to succeed – prepping ahead of time for meals. I also look at the suggested meals and know when I need to substitute something because of my schedule. For example, on a day that I row, I don’t have time when I get home to make a frittata. I have to shower, get dressed and get to work on time. So on those days, I make a power smoothie or yogurt and fruit that I can bring with me and eat at work. There are a couple of nights when I won’t be home to cook, so I’m substituting in leftovers from a previous meal.
I have another week of Phase One with no grains and no refined sugar. I’m ready and committed to doing it one day at a time.
Oh, by the way, I jumped on the scale this morning. (Yes, I almost made it until tomorrow.) I’ve lost eight pounds. Even figuring some of that is water weight, it’s the first significant weight loss that I’ve seen in a while. I am cautiously optimistic that the program and my efforts are achieving what the book said it would… retraining my fat cells to give up the calories instead of hoarding them. Fingers crossed!
Weighty Matters 
Congrats on that eight pounds… but more importantly, congrats on choosing a feasible, healthy plan, and then sticking with it!
Mary, congratulations on regrouping and refocusing your efforts using your new plan. I think that most of us that have had many years of trying different diets/weight loss programs inevitably find it impacts on both our metabolism as well as with our self belief. Your new focus seems very carefully considered and I wish you the greatest success with it. .
Thanks! I agree that many of us share the same or very similar challenges.
You are inspiring!
Thank you. On any day I keep trying to do the best I can.