Thursday, December 10, 2009

In Case You Were Wondering, Yes, I Am Certifiable

Here is an example of the insane things you might do if you try too hard to stick strictly to a prescribed diet plan.

As I mentioned, I'm not really doing Phase 1 at this point, but generally I'm eating Phase 1. I say "generally" because I did sample the cookies I made last night. The majority of the cookies will be eaten at either Jason's party for the undergrads he teaches tonight or by my Young Women on Sunday.

In an effort to stick with the Phase 1 idea I bought some plain Greek yogurt last week and some sugar-free jelly to mix in, at the suggestion of some people on the South Beach board at SparkPeople. The jelly is made by Polaner and sweetened with Splenda.

OK, let's take a step back. First of all, I don't eat sugar-sweetened jelly as it is. I eat Polaner All-Fruit or any other completely fruit preserves that I can find. However, on Phase 1, fruit is forbidden. So I bought the stuff sweetened with Splenda because somewhere in my crazy head was the idea that eating the artificial stuff was somehow better than real fruit. Because it was compliant with Phase 1. Because I am insane.

Yesterday I piled a couple of tablespoons of raspberry Splenda-sweetened jelly into my yogurt. The first couple of bites tasted divine. Then the Splenda aftertaste hit me. I soldiered through most of the yogurt, but finally stopped because it was really starting to gross me out.

Today, in a moment of clarity, I realized how insane I was being. Tomorrow I'll be eating my yogurt with jelly made of fruit and only fruit.

Monday, December 07, 2009

Derailed

Despite my best efforts...

Saturday we had an activity up in Boston with the Young Women (read: teenagers) that I work with at church. We left Providence at 12:30 and finished the activity at 4. Then the bishop took everyone to Bertucci's for dinner and just ordered a bunch of pizzas. So I had pizza. And a Bertucci roll because they're one of my favorite things ever.

Sunday we went to a friend's caroling party. She always has a fantastic spread. Crackers and cookies were consumed. And cheese. Lots of cheese.

I came to a decision that I will do the best I can to stay South Beach-friendly, but will recognize that it's the holidays and events like this will come up. Also, these events won't be happening in January so I should be able to be more consistent. I mean, it's the holidays. I'm not going to be a martyr.

(Excuses, excuses)

This morning I packed a nice Phase 1 breakfast, lunch and snacks, then promptly left it all on the kitchen counter. Sigh. Dunkin Donuts turkey sausage egg white flatbread for breakfast (believe me, that's the best option I can find in downtown Providence). My plan is to get a burrito belly (just the fillings) for lunch with chicken, black beans, lettuce and cheese. At least I can cook a good dinner for myself. Anyway, here's hoping tomorrow I actually remember my food.

Friday, December 04, 2009

Knowing My Limits

Last night the Relief Society* had a Christmas cookie baking party. I admit, I ate half a pizelle (homemade! I didn't even know pizelle makers existed. Add that to my Christmas list) and a tiny Christmas tree cookie. So, you know, not so much South Beach Phase 1.

That said, there were also piles of sugar cookies, oatmeal raisin cookies, and other yummy treats that I didn't have. Also, I realized that if I wasn't focusing on minimizing carbs, I would have probably eaten about 10 cookies. One and a half is better than 10.

Yesterday morning I did a half hour on the elliptical and 20 minutes of strength training. Today my bum is sore from the sumo squats, so that's good. No gym this morning because I am still sore from yesterday and I'm trying to ease into the whole regular workout thing so I don't injure myself and put myself out of capacity like I have so many times before. I'll go tomorrow, then shoot for 4 or 5 days next week.

And, I've already posted this on Facebook, but last night 2 of the Young Women I work with at church told me they thought I was 23! Ha! Granted, they're 12 and 13 so their perspective is not the best, but it still made me feel good.

*Women's group at my church.

Wednesday, December 02, 2009

Third

Day 3 of South Beach and the headaches are gone. Day 3, you're the best!

Jason's brother is staying with us for the week. They got home from Cambridge last night around 10:30 and rather than toddle off to bed like I should have, I hung out and watched Heroes* with them and got to bed around 1ish. So when the alarm went off at 5:30, I said no to the gym.

I'll be there tomorrow. I'm dedicated, yo.

* Does anyone know why they still watch this show? Because I don't. The first season ROCKED, but ever since then it's been meandering. Now's there's T-Bag from Prison Break with his on-again, off-again Irish accent, and I just can't stop thinking of him as T-Bag and just a yucky human being. Then Hiro is there and the center of the story, then he's gone. I can't really remember what happens from one week to the next. Yet we keep watching.

Tuesday, December 01, 2009

The Scoop

So I know I said no extremes, but honestly I don't think the South Beach Diet is too extreme. Maybe Phase 1 is, but after that, it's very reasonable.

Anyway, after the Thanksgiving bacchanalia, I decided to just do it already. Today is Day 2 of Phase 1. My hope is maybe by the time we head to Utah for Christmas, I will have dropped a few pounds. I know for a fact my tolerance for sugar will be less by then, so maybe that will help me curb some of my Christmas indulgences

The good news is, my stint into eating less sugar before Thanksgiving made me sensitive to the junk in the food I was eating. For instance, I have always loved pecan pie and made one this year for our holiday dinner. I ate the leftovers, but every time I finished a piece, I felt kind of bleh. Too sweet! Also, we had real whipped cream with the pie. Gah! Too greasy! I didn't finish the whipped cream that I served myself because of the layer of grease it left on the inside of my mouth.

Yesterday, I had a serious migraine. That was either due to Phase 1, or due to working out. Lately I've been getting headachy after a half hour on the elliptical. It happened last Monday too, though not as badly as yesterday. I always have a little snack before I work out because I've learned if I don't I will definitely get a migraine. Maybe it's a hydration issue. I try to drink at least 8 oz of water before the workout, and drink another 16 oz while I'm on the elliptical. Then usually another 8-16 oz while I do my strength training. I'm kind of at a loss as to why I'm getting headaches.

My head is still a bit achey today so no workout this morning. We'll see how I feel after working out tomorrow. I'm hoping it's just a South Beach thing because usually by Day 3 I feel awesome so that gives me hope for tomorrow.

As an aside, I seriously need some new workout music. I'm getting so, SO tired of my current stuff. Any suggestions? I like stuff with a good, driving beat (Fatboy Slim, Black-Eyed Peas, Moby's fast stuff (Lift Me Up), Prodigy, Rihanna (Shut Up and Drive)).