Thoughtful today. Reflective.
Every day on any diet we're slowly, gradually and definitely altering and refining our food intake for the better. What suits one person won't suit another. This is why it can be unhelpful and even counter-productive to compare one's food intake, losses and day-to-day experiences with those of another.
I learned a lot during my veggie Atkins journey. Not only did I lose a huge amount of weight and thereafter maintain at goal, I came to understand how sugars in particular affect my body and mood and just how drastically too much of the wrong food impacts on my weight, wellbeing and general outlook. It's not the volume of food we eat that is the problem; rather, it's the type of food. When successful dieters bang on (and many do! LOL) about the benefits of 'eating clean' they sound almost evangelical. The fact is that nourishing, preferably un-processed food is far better for us in every way than most dazzling, essentially empty creations of sophisticated food technology. Even so, low carb shakes, etc are a great help because they are convenient, quick to make and high in protein. Temporary meal solutions that help us to lose weight. They're not intended to be a long-term substitute for healthy, fresh produce, nor our sole source of nourishment for indefinite periods. It's a question of balance.
Make no mistake, food type affects mood. When I eat the average carby diet - with only moderate portions of pasta, etc - I quickly start to feel sluggish, weary and depressed. When I eat generous portions and throw-in some sweets, cakes and chocolate the negative effects are doubled or even trebled.
Eating sugar/carbs temporarily boosts blood sugar levels so we get a sort of 'high' that falsely translates as energy and optimism. 30 minutes to one hour later those levels have dropped again and we need more carbs to re-create that 'high'. And so on, and so on, all day long, seven days a week.
In rehab addicts of all types must give up their individual poison(s). They must immediately remove from their lives whatever substance or behaviour they'd come to admit was destroying them. It's often pointed-out that overweight people have to eat - food is not optional. It therefore follows that, if we are to arrest our addiction one day at a time, we must remove from our daily diet the type of food that is robbing us of health, fitness and peace of mind. In my case the danger substances are sugars and, to a lesser degree, starches. I fought against this simple truth at first. How could I survive without my binge foods?
Well, I not only survived the removal of those goodies, I thrived. I became slender and enthusiastic about life. I made lots of plans for the future and actually saw them through. I felt FREE of food obsession. I wasn't 100% perfect, particularly at the outset, but I mostly avoided carbs and got on with living my precious life.
I need to get back to that happy state of being. And by the grace of God, I shall! xx
. Thanks for the tip, lots to learn and many habits to break!!!
