My first goal

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.