Hi everyone! I am still chuckling at the havoc Larry's breakfast is wreaking on this forum all over again. hee hee I've had days of "high fatting" and I agree it is a major energy booster. I have decided recently that I need to try something different, but for the record I highly respect it.
And, the reason I stopped by this morning while my little guy is napping is to check in on everyone as well as give an update.
First I want to say how nice it is to see new faces and more chatting in this section again. It had gotten quiet for awhile and it's great to see new faces and others coming back, starting over (like me) and lots of other people from other plans visiting and offering suggestions.
To update you on me...basically I have struggled with a lot of challenges since having my son nearly 15 weeks ago. (He'll be 15 weeks this Thursday.) I am overworked and overstressed in ways that go beyond most new moms...but also blessed beyond most as well. It's a double-edged sword to be sure and I'm trying hard to keep my head about me as I go through this new phase of life. I'm happy to say my son is very healthy and happy and the time and energy I'm investing into caring for him is definitely paying off!
As for me, well I've been struggling with the weight that doesn't seem to want to come off and my appetite for foods that has been working well to ensure the weight does NOT come off...and changes have had to be made. But psychologically I've been vacillating because I've been so exhausted (sleep deprivation is not pretty) and one minute feeling I should be kinder to myself and another minute very frustrated with my food and exercise downfalls. Recently I hit a low point where my body just crashed on me. My immune system tanked and I had symptoms I hadn't seen in my body for YEARS (cold sore, sinus infection). I was so upset but it was a sign that things need to change and I had to come up with a new game plan for how to do that and still survive while my body transitioned and could thrive again like before.
The day I realized how sick I was, I took off and left Daddy to babysit and had a few hours to myself (which is a huge part of healing) to figure out how to approach things. As luck would have it I also came across an inspring "diet" of sorts call the "No S Diet" (
www.nosdiet.com) and I realized that I needed to use this kind of approach with myself. Yes, yes, I know from a technical standpoint that using food as a reward isn't good, but at some point I need to work WITH my tendencies and cravings as opposed to just fighting them.
So I devised a game plan that takes the principles of PP but blends them with the "No S" concepts...which simply defined are no snacks, seconds, or sweets except on "S" days. It's actually very compatible with the Eades' approach to treating themselves on occasion, except I'm allowing for it weekly. And the key is allowing...though not necessarily taking. It is my choice, just like with PP, as to how strict I'll be. And that freedom has actually been a wonderful relief and a success already! Who knew I'd actually act better with a longer "leash"? haha
I have actually upped my carb intake to a bit more transition/maintenance level, but I figure that is a good way to start to be satisfied and will allow me to inch back down to transition and keep living well in the interim, versus that "all or nothing" approach many of us so often default to when faced with extreme challenges. And on better days, I can go lower and will end up with a simplified carb cycling as a result, which is never a bad thing IMO. I have approached exercise in the same way, coming up with simple and short approaches to things I love and know work (such as interval training and weights). I've had to do this within the construct of chiropractic care because of the tendonitis in both wrists (another source of stress for me). But things are looking up as I continue to stretch and strengthen them while getting treatment.
I know I'm going on quite a bit but I felt it would be beneficial to share with you the progress I'm making especially now that it's on an upward swing. I also wanted to share something that is both interesting and possibly motivating for newbies. When I stared PP I was decidedly Hedonist. And as I've been re-reading PPLP in bits lately -- inspired by all the new folk -- I realized that I have actually transitioned most of the way to Dillitante!!! Just by making small changes over the past couple years I am probably 80-90% Dilletante with at least 10% of that not being in my control (certain foods not available to me). And although this applies mostly to when I'm eating correctly according to PPLP I realized it actually has applied to when I was off-plan as well. And it did my heart good to know that I've been eating healthier than most people out there even when I've been eating "badly" in my own eyes. It's one of those things where you look back after taking small steps and realize just how far you've come.
Thanks for indulging me on such a long update.