28 days later and we are here at the finish line. I emerge from this victoriously wheat, sugar, dairy, alcohol and caffeine free and feeling bloody good and also very pleased with myself. I have not strayed from the path - not even stolen a chip from my kids plate!!
Things I have realised:
- I dont miss potatoes
- Bread is over-rated
- Lamb is probably the tastiest meat in the world
- You can never have TOO many eggs
- Success lies in making the effort to cook more, think more and be mindful of what's on the ingredient list.
- You will do it if you plan ahead, and prepare in advance
- You can stick to it AND eat out
- I have more willpower than I ever realised I had
- I will always miss cheese and chocolate. There are some things in life that cant be replaced.
So I bet you are all thinking how is she going to celebrate? Well, in complete honesty the last thing I want to do is go out and eat a massive meal full of all the things I've been cutting out... Can you imagine how that would feel now im purged of all those evil foods?
I may celebrate this week with a glass of organic red wine... or maybe even a square of dark chocolate, but to be honest I can take it or leave it.
This has changed how I want to eat. Full stop. Sure, I will have meals that are completely full of all the bad things... but its going to be an occasional thing, rather than an everyday thing.
The Punisher has recommended a new way of eating which is referred to as the Palaeolithic Diet. For those of you wondering, this is how our ancestors would have eaten as 'hunter-gatherer' types. Its very similar to what Ive already been eating, but with the addition of a few other bits and bobs to enhance variety.
This is how I will maintain now I have finished the elimination plan. In order to keep sane, and after all, we all deserve a treat now and then, The Punisher recommends one meal a week where its a complete blow out... i.e go eat lasagne and chips if you want it and a tub of Ben & Jerry's for good measure... but then eat 'Paleo' for the rest of the 6 days of the week.
I plan on continuing the blog in this vain, and will also include recipes for some of the meals and alternative ways to eat things without going back down that slippery road to ruin....
To be continued....
Sunday, 28 November 2010
Days 17 - 24... the final frontier
I write this at Day 24. The past week has flown by, food hasnt even registered that high on my agenda, and if anything, the thought that this plan finishes in a few days leaves me feeling like a prisoner about to be released from a life sentence - and by that I mean, the anxiety at what that world of freedom means.... I dont want to go back to eating what I was eating before... all that choice now in front of me again.
I havent missed potatoes, celeriac mash is a much finer alternative without that feeling that I might implode after eating it. Bread has only been missed now and then, and the idea of eating it will be much more pleasurable than the reality of it. I have missed cheese, but then who wouldnt!!! But not so much that its made this feel difficult, because in all honesty... after the first week its been a breeze really...
As The Punisher and I were discussing during a resting moment in the gym, that this plan is as much about Eliminating food as it is Eliminating emotional and cultural rituals and habits we have with our food. We eat cereals in the morning only because Mr Kelloggs has brainwashed us to believe that his sugar riddled, processed grains are convenient, low fat and healthy. We eat bread, pasta and potatoes because they are cheap to produce and process into convenient packages that fill us for for a while until our bodies want more.... and more... and more.
We wonder why we feel depressed and lethargic when most of our daily diet is just various forms of insulin-spiking sugar, wheat and processed white carbohydrates. We dont always realise it but we eat so much Dead Food.
What we also dont realise are that there are so many alternatives.... but I'll save this for my next blog.
I havent missed potatoes, celeriac mash is a much finer alternative without that feeling that I might implode after eating it. Bread has only been missed now and then, and the idea of eating it will be much more pleasurable than the reality of it. I have missed cheese, but then who wouldnt!!! But not so much that its made this feel difficult, because in all honesty... after the first week its been a breeze really...
As The Punisher and I were discussing during a resting moment in the gym, that this plan is as much about Eliminating food as it is Eliminating emotional and cultural rituals and habits we have with our food. We eat cereals in the morning only because Mr Kelloggs has brainwashed us to believe that his sugar riddled, processed grains are convenient, low fat and healthy. We eat bread, pasta and potatoes because they are cheap to produce and process into convenient packages that fill us for for a while until our bodies want more.... and more... and more.
We wonder why we feel depressed and lethargic when most of our daily diet is just various forms of insulin-spiking sugar, wheat and processed white carbohydrates. We dont always realise it but we eat so much Dead Food.
What we also dont realise are that there are so many alternatives.... but I'll save this for my next blog.
Tuesday, 16 November 2010
Days 12 - 16... eating like this feels almost normal.
Well I passed the milestone of a trip to London to see old friends this weekend. It was mithering to think that we had to deprive ourselves of alcohol and all fun food whilst our friends would be drinking like fish and eating cake and chips at every meal. Luckily I have amazing friends who were both supportive and considerate when choosing where we should eat out.
Breakfast in the hotel was a very limited choice, but one that was not too difficult. Scrambled eggs and mushrooms (yes I know they aren't green, but The Punisher said in light of circumstances beyond our control this was just about acceptable). The rest of the morning buffet was a smorgasbord of slightly dry looking pastries, cured meat and bread, and fruit that had long dropped off the tree to be canned in syrup for two hundred million light years before arriving to the table. This was understandably easy to avoid.
When eating out in the evening, we did that celebrity favourite of ordering 'off menu'; asking for some kind of meat or fish, without any of the sauce or dressing / carbs etc. and getting a side of salad or greens. This again proved to be easy, especially somewhere like London. Its not so easy in a local cafe in Nottingham where the waitress looks at you like you might be demented for not wanting chips.
I have to admit that on both evenings I was initially desperate for a glass of red wine. I wanted to relax with friends and it was very monotonous to keep drinking mineral water. BUT, how nice it was to wake refreshed on both mornings. In hindsight I had no worse a time for not drinking. I cannot remember the last time I went out socially and didn't drink (apart from being pregnant). It was probably when I was about 15 or something! Lessons are being learnt in many ways during this programme. One being that I really don't need to drink quite so much when we go out.
We returned home victorious. It was a great feeling to have stuck to our guns and not just though 'oh **** it, we'll just have one....'.
Monday arrived, and I have hit the halfway point. The Punisher greets us at the gym with good news. We are allowed to introduce red cabbage, red/yellow peppers and other low GI fruits (50 or less on the glycemic index). The reality of this plan is that it starts off completely restrictive, and then by week two, the addition of a few extra vegetables and fruits makes ALL the difference at this stage. Its beyond exciting.
Eating like this has now become normal. I think about it less and less. The only tiny craving that plagues me is the thought of a simple cheese sandwich now and again, although somehow I know that the actual eating of it will probably leave me feeling bloated and tired and I don't want to to go back to feeling like that any more.
Breakfast in the hotel was a very limited choice, but one that was not too difficult. Scrambled eggs and mushrooms (yes I know they aren't green, but The Punisher said in light of circumstances beyond our control this was just about acceptable). The rest of the morning buffet was a smorgasbord of slightly dry looking pastries, cured meat and bread, and fruit that had long dropped off the tree to be canned in syrup for two hundred million light years before arriving to the table. This was understandably easy to avoid.
When eating out in the evening, we did that celebrity favourite of ordering 'off menu'; asking for some kind of meat or fish, without any of the sauce or dressing / carbs etc. and getting a side of salad or greens. This again proved to be easy, especially somewhere like London. Its not so easy in a local cafe in Nottingham where the waitress looks at you like you might be demented for not wanting chips.
I have to admit that on both evenings I was initially desperate for a glass of red wine. I wanted to relax with friends and it was very monotonous to keep drinking mineral water. BUT, how nice it was to wake refreshed on both mornings. In hindsight I had no worse a time for not drinking. I cannot remember the last time I went out socially and didn't drink (apart from being pregnant). It was probably when I was about 15 or something! Lessons are being learnt in many ways during this programme. One being that I really don't need to drink quite so much when we go out.
We returned home victorious. It was a great feeling to have stuck to our guns and not just though 'oh **** it, we'll just have one....'.
Monday arrived, and I have hit the halfway point. The Punisher greets us at the gym with good news. We are allowed to introduce red cabbage, red/yellow peppers and other low GI fruits (50 or less on the glycemic index). The reality of this plan is that it starts off completely restrictive, and then by week two, the addition of a few extra vegetables and fruits makes ALL the difference at this stage. Its beyond exciting.
Eating like this has now become normal. I think about it less and less. The only tiny craving that plagues me is the thought of a simple cheese sandwich now and again, although somehow I know that the actual eating of it will probably leave me feeling bloated and tired and I don't want to to go back to feeling like that any more.
Thursday, 11 November 2010
Days 7 - 11... I forgot myself
Sorry - no blog for a few days - possibly because the penny is dropping and Im slightly less obsessive about what I can and cannot eat.
I have to say the first week was hellish and I was genuinely ready to almost give up on Black Saturday. Part of that feeling was because it was the first weekend, and somehow I think we all feel like we've earnt a treat by the weekend's arrival. X Factor isn't quite the same without a little cheeky glass of wine or a bit of chocolate. Weekends really are that time when the emotional / lazy eating kicks in.
Since the weekend when the pan fried duck went in the bin (The Punisher was horrified at this) things have steadily become easier. My caffeine withdrawal headaches are gone, although I'm still not totally over my relationship with Tetley. I've definitely got the upper hand with the sweet cravings - they have subsided, even in the midsts of my children devouring Rachel's Organic mini rice puddings and leaving half... which would usually, accidentally fall into my gob.
What I am craving is TASTE. The food is limited, but do-able, but I really want something like a curry... ideally a Thai green curry. The other thing I've been craving madly is a cheese and pickle sandwich (ideally on thick white bread... Oops)
But the upside of this self imposed deprivation is that I actually feel better than I have done in a long time. I have never given up anything for this long, like,ever. My head is clearer, my energy levels are consistent, I can wake up naturally at 6:30am as opposed to feeling like I've been dragged out of a 7 year coma every time the alarm goes off. The Mothership is a much steadier vessel without the toxic fuel of sugar and caffeine to power her through the day.
The cherry on top of all of this (although I might add, its not the main objective... honest) is that I have lost 7lbs. Yes that's right ladies... 7lbs in 11 days. That's enough to motivate any of us isn't it?
And what's more, The Punisher has said that as of this week, I'm allowed to re-introduce garlic and oranges. Immense! The week just gets better and better...
I have to say the first week was hellish and I was genuinely ready to almost give up on Black Saturday. Part of that feeling was because it was the first weekend, and somehow I think we all feel like we've earnt a treat by the weekend's arrival. X Factor isn't quite the same without a little cheeky glass of wine or a bit of chocolate. Weekends really are that time when the emotional / lazy eating kicks in.
Since the weekend when the pan fried duck went in the bin (The Punisher was horrified at this) things have steadily become easier. My caffeine withdrawal headaches are gone, although I'm still not totally over my relationship with Tetley. I've definitely got the upper hand with the sweet cravings - they have subsided, even in the midsts of my children devouring Rachel's Organic mini rice puddings and leaving half... which would usually, accidentally fall into my gob.
What I am craving is TASTE. The food is limited, but do-able, but I really want something like a curry... ideally a Thai green curry. The other thing I've been craving madly is a cheese and pickle sandwich (ideally on thick white bread... Oops)
But the upside of this self imposed deprivation is that I actually feel better than I have done in a long time. I have never given up anything for this long, like,ever. My head is clearer, my energy levels are consistent, I can wake up naturally at 6:30am as opposed to feeling like I've been dragged out of a 7 year coma every time the alarm goes off. The Mothership is a much steadier vessel without the toxic fuel of sugar and caffeine to power her through the day.
The cherry on top of all of this (although I might add, its not the main objective... honest) is that I have lost 7lbs. Yes that's right ladies... 7lbs in 11 days. That's enough to motivate any of us isn't it?
And what's more, The Punisher has said that as of this week, I'm allowed to re-introduce garlic and oranges. Immense! The week just gets better and better...
Saturday, 6 November 2010
Day 6.... Today was NOT a good day - this might turn me into a vegetarian
I'm not sure what happened, but today is rapidly turning into a meltdown...
I have been headachy and suffering with kidney pain.. not sure if this is partly due to the ketosis (ive been reading the body builder forums and they talk of similar). Apparently I need to up my water intake.
My energy levels are fine, my head is a little foggy...
But the biggest problem I am facing is the prospect of eating some kind of meat or fish or eggs AGAIN... Its driving me slightly deranged. Im currently making seared duck breasts... which would usually be nothing short of a treat, but tonight I'm almost retching at them as they cook. And when you cant use a cheeky bit of redcurrant sauce to liven it all up... its feeling bleak.
Im getting to the stage where I feel REPULSED by meat and fish. I'm desperate for something as simple as a banana or a salad with beetroot and avocado, or even just a bit of garlic... I'm not even craving cake - this is a breakthrough!
Cutting out the dairy / sugar / wheat / caffeine and alcohol is dare I say it... getting to be quite bearable because I feel so much better for getting it out of my system. I just need more variety with the good stuff!
Although I may genuinely become vegetarian after day 28....
I have been headachy and suffering with kidney pain.. not sure if this is partly due to the ketosis (ive been reading the body builder forums and they talk of similar). Apparently I need to up my water intake.
My energy levels are fine, my head is a little foggy...
But the biggest problem I am facing is the prospect of eating some kind of meat or fish or eggs AGAIN... Its driving me slightly deranged. Im currently making seared duck breasts... which would usually be nothing short of a treat, but tonight I'm almost retching at them as they cook. And when you cant use a cheeky bit of redcurrant sauce to liven it all up... its feeling bleak.
Im getting to the stage where I feel REPULSED by meat and fish. I'm desperate for something as simple as a banana or a salad with beetroot and avocado, or even just a bit of garlic... I'm not even craving cake - this is a breakthrough!
Cutting out the dairy / sugar / wheat / caffeine and alcohol is dare I say it... getting to be quite bearable because I feel so much better for getting it out of my system. I just need more variety with the good stuff!
Although I may genuinely become vegetarian after day 28....
Day 5... Today was a good day.
Today was the first day I have felt really good. Clean and serene is how I would describe it, which kind of indicates I might have reached the Ketosis Kingdom...
Had a real sense of my energy levels being managed, rather than up and down due to the caffeine and sugar that cycles round on a usual diet. It felt good to be in control of that....
The only tricky part of the day was due to it being Bonfire Night, we were getting together with family and it would have been the perfect end to the week to have had a large glass of red wine - lemon and ginger tea was a very poor substitute :(
Had a real sense of my energy levels being managed, rather than up and down due to the caffeine and sugar that cycles round on a usual diet. It felt good to be in control of that....
The only tricky part of the day was due to it being Bonfire Night, we were getting together with family and it would have been the perfect end to the week to have had a large glass of red wine - lemon and ginger tea was a very poor substitute :(
Thursday, 4 November 2010
Absent Minded eating... Day 4
Today I have discovered how many times I eat something without actually even thinking what I'm doing. For example, last night, making the kids tea, I had to catch myself before I just whizzed a chip in my mouth.... then this morning... again, putting houmus out on a plate for G, and almost just had another spoonful for mummy.
Again, at the hairdressers, forgot my plan for a split second and was about to grab for one of those little sickly coffee biscuits that they have in a large bowl..... All these things go un-noticed, and its not always about eating something 'bad' - but just the very concept of automatically eating little things without actually thinking it counts or being 100% aware of what I'm consuming.
I know at this stage, that any little slip means going back to square one. According to the Ketostix*, I have not yet reached ketosis *sigh*... so I must have shit loads of sugar still rampaging around in my blood that I am managing to live off.
Today started off quite easy... although I did not feel hungry at all at lunchtime but forced myself to start eating last night's left overs. Before I knew it, again I was tearing through a leg of lamb in some primeval fashion and the more I ate the hungrier I felt. Strange. Even more strange for my 4 year old Son who wondered why Mummy was eating her lunch like Captain Caveman. (And not just eating the leftovers from his plate like normal).
Interestingly enough, whilst in the hairdressers, I was reading an article in 'Elle' which likens giving up sugar to giving up heroin. Possibly a slight exaggeration? But sugar and heroin both stimulate the same parts of the brain which accounts for the difficulty people face when having to cut it out.
As the day draws to a close I have hit a bit of a brick wall. I genuinely feel a bit sick of eating meat or fish.
I really really really really really want a cheese sandwich.
*If you are wondering, Ketostix are what the Dr uses to test your wee wee (especially when pregnant etc). I brought some from Amazon to make sure I know when the fat burning benefits are about to kick in. See, told you I was borderline mental.
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