I'm back on it! December didn't work out: I thought hubby was going away on business and I could do it then for a couple of weeks, but his trip was cancelled, then it was Xmas and it felt more sensible to do it in January. So here I am about to start day 6.
I did gain back some of the weight I lost in October but mostly over a short period of time at Xmas. Up till then I was maintaining ok. So I'm quite confident that I'm able to maintain. I follow the Autoimmune Paleo Protocol for maintenance and good health.
I want to do exante because for me losing weight really only happens when I restrict my eating to a level that makes me feel hungry and/or low in energy. And I'd rather have that experience of putting in the effort and feeling hungry for 2-3 weeks than 2-3 months.
I'm doing just shakes as it takes the eating out of the equation, I like them and I wanted a gluten free option. There are some great flavours too.
I like to have my shakes hot and thick. I get a giant mug and fill about 80% full with boiling water, I let it rest for a minute or so to cool down slightly and warm the mug up. Meanwhile I open the shake sachet and add a tsp of psyllium powder (it's called Colon Care in Holland and Barrett), which thickens it up and is good for the intestinal tract.
I shake the sachet a bit to mix the psyllium powder in to avoid lumps, then I add it to my jug blender, pour the water in from my mug and whizz it. Back into the warm mug after.
If I'm at work I just half fill my giant mug with hot water, add the sachet with psyllium and whizz with a stick blender. Once it's blended I then top up with more water.
I got a 4 week gluten free variety pack so I have enough to reach target.
My target is 9 1/2 stone. I started this time at 11 stone and was down to 10 st 5lb yesterday. I weigh every morning for encouragement as I see the numbers change.
I do allow myself some shiritaki noodles with Frenchs yellow mystard. It's very low in calories and gives me something hot to eat if I need it. Also I allow myself raw carrot. Up to 2 of each of those, but I usually don't need it.
I drink green tea and water, I try to avoid coffee as it can give me the jitters.
So all is good so far. I'm hoping this will only take another 2 weeks. My hubby is starting his more conventional diet today. Although he doesn't approve of my diet method we don't tell each other what to do. I gave him plenty of warning that I am doing this and that for the time I'm on it I won't be getting involved with food in the kitchen. It's an opportunity for him to be a bit more in control of managing the fridge/freezer/meal planning and prep which I usually do most of even though he is capable.
As I mentioned, my usual way of healthy eating (only for the last few months) involves cooking and preparing all of my food from scratch with basic non processed ingredients. That takes quite a lot of time to do properly and deliciously so I'm quite enjoying the benefit of having the extra time in my day on this diet.
I'm doing just gentle exercise for now: walking, yoga, Pilates. I'll go back to weight training after exante. Although from past experience I know it can take up to a week of eating normal food again for my strength to come back so I will be patient until the end of my first week transitioning back to real food.
Making a plan for the end of exante is really important.
