Day 8 - 30-Day Challenge - Small Successes

I’ feeling kind of confident cocky today. I have lost 2 ½ pounds since day 1 of the 30-day challenge! And this in spite of my digressions from the rules. Woot!

In reality, I know I should lay low on the bravado. I’ve had my weight fluctuate up to 4 pounds in a five day period according to how much salt I put on my, er, broccoli french fries, ahem.

All the same, a small success really helps in the motivation department. Plus, I notice the sugar cravings have decreased somewhat – one of the big goals of the challenge. So today is a good day. And it’s Monday!

Day 6 - 30-Day Challenge

I'm on day 6 of the "30-Day Challenge," which I'm thinking of changing to the 10-Day Challenge or better yet, the 6-Day Challenge.  Because I'm a whimp.

Really, the problem is that while I have done very well on the sugar - I've only had a few pieces of 100% whole wheat bread with trace amounts of sugar it it; and not terribly bad on the white flour, I went quite a bit off course yesterday.  Our were nephews visiting from up North so we ordered a variety of Thai food to share.  I had the brown rice - good choice...but also the noodles - white flour.  I also bought a sugar free pie and sugar free ice cream for dessert and of course the pie was made with white flour.  But it was a special occasion you see...

On the exercise front - not so good...only twice in the past 6 days.  I have to work on that. 

I suppose I need to rethink my desired outcomes for this challenge.  I want to be healthy, stabilize my blood sugar and get rid of those pesky sugar cravings, but I also want to lose weight.  It always comes back to the old, "calories in - calories out" mantra.  So, barring the occasional sugar free dessert or Thai dish, it is important to remember that these digressions must be VERY infrequent and in very small amounts. 

On a side note; I read this week about how Bill Clinton, after the last time he had a stent put in his heart, changed to a primarily plant-based diet with no dairy and very infrequent servings of fish.  He lost weight and said that his body has been repairing itself.  That really appeals to my inner vegetarian which has lurked beneath the surface of my life since I was very young.  I've toyed with it on and off.  In fact, last summer, Tim and I ate no meat at all for 3 months...a little expirement.  We did eat dairy but relied mostly on whole grains, legumes, vegetables and fruit.  And it was great - we felt good and liked the food.  Although we're not huge meat-eaters, we did end up gravitating back to meat.  I think about that alot, but it takes a lot of effort to completely change your diet and way of living.  We talk about it now and then but with busy lives, never make a commitment.  We shall see.

Anyway, regarding my 30-Day Challenge; I'ma keep at it.

Day 1 - 30-Day Challenge

This may be a little trickier than I thought.  I started my 30-Day Challenge today - no sugar and no white flour.  I'm also adding exercise, healthy whole foods and smaller portions to the mix.  Sounds simple enough, no?  No! 

I had my egg whites and my 100% whole wheat bread for breakfast and everthing was cool.  I was all, I can do this!!  But while I was eating my black-eyed pea soup for lunch and purusing the ingredients list on the bag, I discovered to my dismay that sugar is one of those ingredients.  Drats!  So, it appears if I am to avoid sugar in its unnatural form completely, I have to find bread that has no sugar or forgo bread completely.  A well intentioned friend at work mentioned Ezekiel Bread that is sold in the health food section of some supermarkets.  I have seen and tasted this bread and while it is not terrible, it will be a cold day in hell when I spend $5 on a loaf of bread. Not gonna do it...wouldn't be prudent, ha!  What to do, what to do...

I didn't exactly exercise, but I did work in the garden for an hour. Dinner was lefovers from the semi-lowfat eggplant parmesan that I made yesterday.   Feeling ecstatic that I didn't have to cook, I sat down to my meal.  Only that's when I realized that the breadcrumbs I used for the eggplant are made with white bread that more than likely has sugar as well.  Hrmph!  And yes, I ate it anyway...but I didn't enjoy it quite as much...

I may have to tweak this thing a bit.  I don't eat that much bread anyway so if I do have some here and there, is that cheating on my 30-day challenge? I don't know.  In the words of Scarlett O'Hara, I think about that tomorrow.

30-Day Challenge

Today, I have made a decision that I hope will positively affect my life both now, and in the future. I have found myself at a crossroads. I have been doing a lot of growing spiritually and emotionally these past few months…I have also been growing in other ways that are not so wonderful. You see, my body is in a sad state of disrepair. I am at my heaviest ever since I began my weight gain regimen some 18 years ago. Yes, I’m being facetious…. I didn’t do that on purpose but circumstances and medications have taken their toll. I have dieted, lost and regained over the years. Add to this the fact that I have become inordinately fond of sugar and have, in the last year, pretty much abandoned any thought of diet and exercise. I have come to realize that my poor physical condition will never enhance the spiritual me that dwells within. I also find it hard to remain positive when I feel weak and tired and uncomfortable in my clothes. And if that’s not enough, I think I may be having some blood sugar problems. So, looking reality hard in the face, I find compelling inspiration.

After careful thought and more than a few M&M’s, I decided today to give myself a 30-day challenge. One can do anything for 30 days, right? I’m not going to go all crazy and inflict an extreme life change on myself all at once. Instead, my intention is to cut out all sugar and white flour for 30 days and see what happens. Hehe…actually, that is pretty extreme considering – you’ve got to start somewhere. I also intend to add moderate exercise at least 4 days per week. That can mean a 30 minute walk, 20 minutes of beginners yoga or just 20 minutes of stretching exercises – BUT, it must be done a minimum of 4 times per week. Here are my parameters:

• No sugar or white flour: Any bread, or pasta must be 100% whole wheat and in small portions. Brown rice only. No sugar unless it is natural, i.e. fruit. No ketchup or anything with high fructose corn syrup. I will allow sugar substitutes for now.
• Very minimal dairy products.
  Meals will consist of mostly vegetables, whole grains and lean protein.
• Snacks will be mostly fruits and veggies.
• Try to maintain point levels according to the Weight Watchers calculations that I’m familiar with.
• Post at least bi-weekly on my progress.
• I decided to post this plan – not that I exactly have widespread following – I think Tim is my only reader, but whatever. It will make me feel accountable. I start tomorrow 09/20/2010.

So, wish me luck, good success and all that jazz!