Sunday, March 25, 2018

Sometimes Things Don't Go as Planned

PAUSE.  Seems like it has been a long pause.  Fibromyalgia made me take a pause.  After day 5 of eating a nutritarian diet, I had a bad flare-up and not sure why but could have been several factors.  On day six I participated in a 5k walk to benefit a friend with breast cancer.  I felt okay that day but I knew that probably wouldn't last. 

It didn't.  The next couple weeks were bad.  Soreness of course but also swimmy head.  Not sure if I was fighting something or just part of the flare-up.  The exercise related soreness which was in my legs/shins due to walking on asphalt the whole 5k departed after 3-4 days but the all over aching took over and has stayed although mostly just in my arms now. I added back comfort starches (potatoes, rice, pasta) and didn't really portion them but I felt I needed that during this flare-up.  Eating all the salads and cutting veg just seemed too daunting as it takes quite a bit of time and my energy was non-existent.

I have maintained a 5.8 pound weight loss and feel like I'm about ready to get back to eating the nutritarian way.  I think I will add a serving of starch to the evening meal as I have a lot of trouble sleeping and feel this extra bit of starch helps with that.  I'm also working in a bit of intermittent fasting and trying to wait at least 12 hours after supper to eat anything.  I do feel better doing this although if I eat a non-starchy supper it makes for a long night and falling asleep is a lot harder.

I still have not had any cookies, cake, candy, etc. since giving them up for lent.  I don't miss them and every now and then I almost grab a cookie to eat with my coffee but then remember I"m not eating that.  Funny how things become a mindless habit.  I definitely won't go back to eating those things regularly but not sure as of yet, how I will allow them in my life.

I often wonder how I can need so much sleep and tiredness always seems to be with me.  I power through a lot but sometimes pay with exhaustion afterward.  Golf season has started so walking one to two golf courses a week will be the norm.  Last week it was a cold windy evening and cold always seems to affect FM.  That's life though and I will support my child during the season so what will be will be.




Thursday, March 1, 2018

Three Days and a -6.2 Pound Jolt of Encouragement

As of this morning, I have successfully completed three days on the Six-Week Eat to Live plan.  Scale now shows a 6.2 pound weight loss for those 3 days.  Sure, 90% has been water but that is still over six pounds that I do not have to carry around or that will stress my joints.  Joints are important as you age and you realize that with each passing year.

Day one of course was the most challenging as I was just hungry.  I wanted something to munch on but I stuck it out.  The next day I was 3.4 pounds lighter which was a pretty good motivator for day two.  I found that radishes could satisfy the need for crunch.

Day two, I woke to another 2 pounds gone.  Definitely feeling better and noticed that I slept through the night both nights after following this way of eating.  That is huge for a life-long insomniac.  

Day three saw another .8 pounds released.  I feel more energetic and feel lighter when I walk.  Hunger is much less today and I actually went several hours after getting up before I ate anything.  The 3-4 p.m. time is always low energy time and of wanting something to eat.  Yesterday and today, I ate a banana.  They are actually pretty filling. 
 
Today's lunch was:
1.5 cups spinach and arugula mix
3 artichoke heats
1oz roasted pepper strips
3/4 cup garbanzo beans
1 T balsamic vinegar
1 carrot
1 orange
1 apple

When you're hungry, food tastes wonderful  One thing that is great about eating a clean diet, each bite tastes complex and you can really distinguish flavors.  I've noticed this a lot since going plant based.  So many common products are just one note.  We switched to quality dark chocolate a couple years before going plant based. After that a Hershey's bar or other common candy bars just tasted like sugar.  It was so disappointing after you adjusted to good quality chocolate.  I find the same for regular restaurant food.  Since we are so used to eating at home, eating out is often disappointing.  Many things just taste salty.  Once you cut back on salt, it is quite shocking how much of it is in common foods.  

A couple of birthday celebrations are coming up.  Not sure how those will go, however, the sweets are off the menu due to my lent commitment.  

Looking forward to some fresh asparagus coming up in the garden soon.  Some new flavors will be nice.  If your are eating the Eat to Live, McDougall, or Forks Over Knives way, I'd love to connect.  Leave me a comment below.