Week 3 of Diet
Something strange has happened to me. I feel energetic, my sudden pizza cravings from the "pizza, beer, and phillies" joint down the street have (ALMOST) subsided, and I’m actually getting used to this foreign way of eating. No buttery toast with my eggs, no eating ice cream straight out of the carton at night. These bad habits that were standing in my way of a leaner figure have been replaced by pomegranate green tea throughout the day, and casein shakes at night. Yes, I knew VERY VERY well what I was supposed to be doing. I knew I needed that slow-digesting protein at night; I just liked to have ice cream to provide that right kind of protein. I thought I wasn’t doing any harm; and in fact, in any relatively healthy person’s mind it isn’t too bad. But for a person like me, the bare minimum just isn’t enough, looking like a regular health nut isn’t going to work. I have to be the extreme. I will be the extreme.
It took me 2 weeks and 2 days to finally get the hang of this shit. I say "shit" because that is how I truly felt about this new venture. The severe lack of Blue Bunny and 4 pieces of bread in my daily diet had me feeling like I was on a recreational amount of a muscle-relaxer-and-pain-killer cocktail. But at this point, that initial and overwhelming shock that I put my body through has turned into a superfluous amount of exhuberance toward the simplist task of showering. Life is grand. Now, it ain’t all sunshine and rainbows all the time, but my body seems to be liking this clean, raw food thing. The 2 weeks of prior suffering has made my new-found energy even more of a blessing. When energy is gone for even a short amount of time, it seems as if I forget what it is like to be able to jog a mile, or walk up a flight of stairs. All memory is tossed to the wayside. Before yesterday I was a miserable blob. A useless member of society. I am finally feeling human again, and have more empathy for those who do not have the discipline to shed pounds. It is nothing but a mental, (and at times, a growling gastric) challenge. You have to really really want it, and I mean REALLY want it to make the right changes…and having the right flavors sure doesn’t hurt.
A can of tuna with celery, ground turkey with tomato and onion, beans, brussel sprouts, and rolled oats. B-O-R-I-N-G. I had all the right intentions coming into this challenge. Chicken breast with broccoli here, salmon with a butternut squash there. I came from a lifetime of putting cheese and sauces on EVERYTHING. Name a cheese, and I like it; in fact, I lOVE it. Well people, there are more flavors in life than creamy, buttery, sharp and mild. I am speaking about the barrage of cheeses that obstruct me from going down the healthier isles every time I step into the grocery store. I had to change my mind set; I had to offer my palate some variety. So far, it has liked it. Cinnamon, chile pepper, garlic, basil (another love affair of mine), thyme (yet another mate to my tongue), and many others separately or mixed together in one explosive medley of flavor! I am a creative person in many other aspects of my life, why not in the kitchen? It may not be on the menu of the Paris Bistro or the Metropolitan, but I fancy my mixtures much more than the usual salt, pepper, and butter combination. For instance: I had a turkey burger with tomato and onion on my menu. Intended to be raw. Instead, I browned the onions, threw in some garlic, chile pepper, and tossed in the tomatoes. I cooked the ground turkey with some egg whites in bite-sized pieces and threw this homemade sort of salsa concoction on top. Much better than what I intended on eating before actually tasting that heinous dish. I tried it once, and it was a HUGE mistake. In fact, that meal should be a crime. That is when I discovered the beauty in spices and herbs. So readers, I have one hint: BE CREATIVE or FAIL. I swear to you, if you hate what you are eating, how are you going to maintain sanity for 12 weeks if you are swallowing food whole every 2-3 hours? Eating is supposed to be pleasurable, not just for survival. Why else would our bodies secrete the happy:) hormone after eating. Just like sex, it was created to gratify our ever-starving mind and soul for dopamine. So, people, don’t deprive yourself, you need to pleasure yourself!!! And food can be just that ticket when your hand gets too tired:)) If dopamine can trigger addiction, what a better addiction than a clean diet full of tasty herbs and spices? You make the decision. I’m going with the basil. And with the occasional side of cheese.
January 21, 2009 at 9:11 pm
Love it
Well said. This is a process and true transformation. Your right, you have to change your mindset or it will never work and most importantly you have to REALLY want it. That is the only thing that has kept me going thus far. You go girl!!!!