It has been so difficult not weighing myself!! Every morning, I have wanted to get on the scale, but I don't want to report here that I did it. This morning, I actually contemplated weighing myself, but not writing that I did...but I didn't. No really, I didn't.
The cleanse is going well, finally. As suspected, I felt pretty lousy on Wednesday. I was very nauseous and had a killer headache. I didn't eat much of anything, and couldn't stomach the shakes. When I was finally hungry that night...here's what I had...
Lentils with carrots, onion, garlic, ginger, cilantro and scallions....YUM! Even my boyfriend had some. I sliced up a portobello mushroom, sauteed it in grape seed oil and served it on the side. Little side note on another behavior needing to change...while I was sauteing the mushroom and cooking for my boyfriend's son, I kept "tasting" the lentils. I probably ate....well I don't have a clue how much I ate, which is why I need to stop eating while cooking!
Later that night, I was wanting something crunchy, so I made kale chips. I've made them before, but never cut out the center stalk until this time. They were much better with it removed.
I tossed bite size pieces of kale with grape seed oil and salt, and baked them on 350 until crispy...about 10-15 minutes. I ate too much of these, as well, and suffered for it the next morning. Yes, there is a trend of me eating too much, surprised? But I'm aware of it...although, becoming more conscious about what I'm eating doesn't always mean that I'll make the best decision. I guess a kale chip binge is better than a Doritos binge, but the behavior is still the same.
What's for dinner tonight?? I'm about to saute green beans, carrots, onions, scallions, spinach, broccoli and orange pepper and serve it over spaghetti squash.
Today, I started a 21-day purification program. I've done this same program before, and love the way I feel on it.....that is, after the first few days. Day two was my most difficult day. Both because of the drastic change in diet and because of the symptoms I had - headache, irritability, generalized achiness...oh, and did I say irritability?? Imagine a toddler throwing a tantrum...it is all I can do to refrain from doing the same. By day four, I had regained my composure and felt in control of my eating.
You see, I am a carbohydrate addict. How do I know this, you ask? Well...in 2007 bc (before chiropractic), I did an elimination diet to find out if something I was eating was causing the nausea I was experiencing. Basically, I eliminated any allergenic food from my diet until any symptoms were gone, then reintroduced foods one at a time to see what bothered me. Sugar was one of the foods (I use that term loosely) eliminated; and because I wasn't eating sugar, I wasn't craving any sugary food. I felt in total control! Then came time to reintroduce sugar back into my diet, and see how it affected me. Soooo....on that day I was eating teaspoons of table sugar. You are supposed to eat the food in its purest form, so that there are no other ingredients that might be the trigger. That night I had the worst cravings for ANYTHING sugar, and I ended up breaking the diet. I remember being so furious!!! No wonder I feel like I have no willpower, but I realized it isn't about willpower. It's like asking an alcoholic to only have one beer. I knew then that if I wanted to feel in control of my eating, and not feel like dieting is always an uphill battle; I needed to severely restrict carbohydrates (sugar). But I didn't....and so here I am.
The purification program goes a little something like this: 2-3 shakes per day, unlimited amount of vegetables (except the starchy ones), fruit (vegetable intake should be twice the amount of fruit intake), lentils (1/2 cup serving, 1-2 per day) and wild/brown rice (1/2 cup per day). There are a few supplements to take, as well, to assist in the purification process. Foods/items not allowed: alcohol, caffeine, tobacco, nuts/seed, dairy, grains (except wild/brown rice) and processed/refined foods. On day 11 I can add 2-4 servings of protein (3oz = 1 serving) per day in the form of lean meat (chicken) or deep sea fish (salmon, cod, sea bass). When I did the program before, I had chicken on day 4...it was either that or a Snickers bar, so I went with the chicken and BOY did it taste delicious!! High-quality oils can also be used - coconut oil, extra-virgin olive oil, fish oil, flaxseed oil or grape seed oil.
This morning I made coffee like I do every morning....prepared a mug of it for myself....sat down at the computer and had a few sips...only to realize that I start the cleanse today!!! I actually contemplated starting tomorrow for that stupid cup of coffee, but instead I brought the mug out to the kitchen and dumped it. I've been wanting to eliminate coffee from my diet, anyway; not because of the coffee, but because of what I put in it - coffee-mate french vanilla or hazelnut creamer. Did we discuss my issue with sugar??
I'll check back in once I'm over the rough patch...you don't want to talk to me then.
