That four letter word .... DIET

For a while now, I’ve been overweight.  I’d like to blame it on having babies, and then the multiple surgeries and all the scar tissue it left behind, but I’ll be honest. I haven’t always eaten healthy, either.  For years my husband and I ran paper routes and we practically ate fast food the majority of the time.  I’m totally addicted to sweets and I know that certainly doesn’t help either.  About a year ago my doctor told me that my triglycerides were 5x the normal amount.  He said that diet alone would only lower that about 20%, that it’s probably familial (inherited), and that I’d be on medication for the rest of my life or I’d meet an early demise. I started eating low fat/fat free and no red meat, bummer. I love a good steak! I also had to take 1000 mg of Niaspan every day and an asprin 20 minutes before I took the Niaspan to help prevent flushing.  That is not an enjoyable experience. Medicine is EXPENSIVE and I told him that I would most likely not be buying it, so he loaded me up with free samples.  I also told my doctor that I do not expect to be on medications for the rest of my life, that I would overcome this, and he just sighed. Last year our church did a series on healing and I went up and received complete healing for this affliction. I believe it without a shadow of a doubt.  However, I’ve been more aware of what I eat and continue to eat low fat/fat free as much as possible. Then there were the holidays, birthdays, and a blizzard.  It seemed like everything was interrupting my plans to stick to a strict diet to finally reach my goal weight.  I was hesitant about setting a “New Year’s Resolution” for fear of not sticking with it and that would just make me feel worse about it.  I still feel hesitant about posting my goals for the world to see, just in case I don’t meet them, but I think it will give me a level of accountability. So here it goes…. 

Today is my first day of Phase 1 on the South Beach Diet (SBD).  I have read the book and even tried this diet in the past, and with success, however, you really must stick with it, as it’s not just a diet, but a lifestyle change. I do not eat SBD prepackaged foods. I’m not sure how those are possibly healthy after reading the ingredients list.  It’s almost impossible to avoid every bad for you ingredient, but we should when there are healthier options available. In addition to the foods to enjoy and foods to avoid list, I pick foods as close to their natural state, without additional preservatives.  Here’s a sample menu for the day:  Breakfast = 1 egg, 2 slices of turkey bacon (which I find tastes much better than regular bacon) and a glass of skim milk. Snack = ¼ cup mixed nuts and a glass of water. Lunch = 3 Bean Turkey Chili (homemade, recipe coming soon) and a cup of green tea sweetened with Stevia or Truvia.  Snack = 1 string cheese stick and a glass of water.  Dinner = Chicken and a vegetable and a glass of water.  Dessert = sugar free jello.  While SBD says you can eat as much as you want on their foods to enjoy list, I stick to portion control, have several small meals a day, and I don’t feel hungry.  Usually the first few days I’m still craving sweets, but then I’m not all that interested, just don’t tempt me. Phase 1 of the SBD lasts for two weeks and you are supposed to avoid starches and sugars to help reset the way your body metabolizes them. In Phase 2 you can reintroduce foods with natural sugars like fruits and certain vegetables.

I’m also taking supplements.  I take the Nature’s Bounty Prescriptive Formulas Optimal Vitamin Packs for women which helps promote healthy sugar, fat & energy metabolism, immune function, heart health, bone health and antioxidant support.  There’s a month’s worth of vitamins packs in the box and I found them the cheapest at Drug Warehouse for about $7 box. That’s pretty good. I also take Flaxseed Oil which I purchased at Sam’s in a huge bottle for heart and vascular health. I take Nature’s Bounty Super Potency Biotin for carbohydrate, fat and protein metabolism as well as its benefits for hair, skin, and nails. I must stay beautiful you know? And I take Nature’s Bounty Probiotic  Acidophilus, which promotes healthy digestion and intestinal health, every day, or at least when I don’t forget to take them. Did I mention that I hate pills? Well, I do, and I guess I need to find a good way to help me to remember to take them regularly.  

I don’t really enjoy exercising, however Wii Fit does make it more fun. I think what has always turned me off from attempting to exercise is that I’m always interrupted by something. I haven’t found the “perfect” time to do it.  My mornings are pretty busy getting ready for school. Then after school, I feel so worn out from the day. I’m hoping that if I am consistent with my diet and vitamin supplements, I will find more energy to keep up with my exercising. Now that the weather seems nicer, I’d love to find a jogging partner.  Maybe I can get up earlier in the morning to jog, or later in the evening if someone wants to go with me? This morning I weighed in at 167 lbs on the Wii Fit and my goal is 130-ish.  So, I have 37 lbs to lose.  But for me it’s not just weight, I want to be fit as well. After all, I have a lot of kids to keep up with these days! I’m hesitant to set a goal date for losing it all, but I’m confident that if I keep consistent, I will be at my goal weight by the end of the year.  I’m hoping for summer, though.