Three weeks ago the universe slapped me upside the head with the ultimate AHA! moment.
Universe: “Stop eating sugar. And crap. No more junk food. Or processed food. Except for chocolate. Because every girl needs chocolate.”
Me: “Mmm’kay.”
And I began eating like this… Real food. Nom nom. Stuff that grows in the ground or on trees or in a pasture. Lots of good fats. Nothing that came out of a box from a factory. Imagine that! And no grains. Seriously, no grains.
And no weighing. No measuring either. Just eat when I’m hungry, as much as I want. Which is usually quite a bit.
In the beginning, the first week or so, it sucked. I was cranky and out of sorts and all I wanted to do was sleep and take my arguments to the dark side with Mr. Spouse. But that phase passed before one of us could ask for a divorce and soon enough and an interesting thing happened . . . I realized I was . . . relaxed. She who was once the queen of late night found herself going to bed early, falling asleep right away. Without the adrenalin fuel of sugar and simple carbs, she whose heart and mind were always racing found herself settling into a slow easy rhythm. Things that had once been important weren’t that important anymore. Less time online, more time in the studio.
Settling down in the evening with lapdogs instead of laptop.
These are the changes I’ve seen in three weeks. I’m sure there’ll be more:
- My formerly reptilian skin–and I’m not exaggerating when I say reptilian— is now smooth and soft. I mean before this, moisturizers didn’t do a thing. WOOT!
- The mirror shows weight loss–how much, I don’t know. I don’t weigh myself so I can’t say.
- Cheekbones! I has CHEEKBONES!!!
- Better sleep. Much better. OMG, yes!
- Slower heart rate
- Less anxious. In fact, not anxious at all.
- No desire to waste time on email and facebook
- More quality time in the studio
- A general feeling of well being
I know we’re all different and not everyone would find this way of eating right for them. But it works for me, better than anything I’ve ever tried before. Three weeks into a change of lifestyle I never thought I’d do. Now I see it as the most natural way for me to eat, for me to be.
And it’s a good thing.
I’d love to hear your thoughts about this in the comments below. And remember:
What a coincidence that I’ve been thinking of doing this very thing myself! There’s no way my boyfriend would give up his soda and bread… and me… I would really miss my cheese most of all. Maybe I should just go for it myself and divide the kitchen into his and hers. Do you have an onlice source for your recipes? I’d love to know 🙂
I haven’t eliminated dairy, Rebekah, not all the way. But I’ve upped the quality to raw (for the enzymes) and cultured (for the probiotics). I’ve discovered a raw goat mild cheddar that’s one of the best cheeses I’ve ever had. And my after dinner treat is a big bowl of berries with a glass of kifer. It used to be chips, more chips and chocolate.
A good source for online recipes is draxe.com You’ll be amazed at all the wonderful things you can make without grain and sugar. There’s a recipe for a cheesy bread that looks delish. Maybe your BF won’t even know. 🙂
Well done you! That salad looks positively yummy. I have to say I cottoned onto this lifestyle before you and was doing rather well until the Return-home-of-the-kidlets. And that macarons class I took. My daughter and I made some yesterday (with varying degrees of success) and I quaffed more than my fair share. These puppies are loaded with sugar. Loaded. Had a hell of a time trying to get to sleep even though I’d been on a lovely long walk yesterday. So my turn to slap me sideways. Silly Kelly. I’m off to make a salad. And yes. Do a food shop.
Thanks for the reminder.
Kelly L McKenzie recently posted..The Original Wedding Crasher
Ah, kidlets…the reason I started eating crap in the first place 🙂
It’s so true that you are beautiful. I’m happy to hear or all these wonderful changes!
Naomi recently posted..Lit From Within interview
And you are beautiful too, Mz Naomi! Thanks for stopping by 🙂
This style of eating has worked really well for me in the past – once I got through that initial huffy stage of wanting to eat every carbohydrate in sight. Last time I did this, though, I started to develop low thyroid issues after six months or so. It can be an issue for some women who go low carb (and I wasn’t going all that low in the carb dept). I was already genetically prone to the thyroid issues, though. Not everyone has this issue, but I just thought I’d mention it as a little thing to watch out for. 🙂
Harmony Harrison recently posted..The Great and Sorrowful Loss of the Trees (The Dog Blog Clowns Return)
I’m not really low carb, Harmony, just off processed carbs and all grain. For carbs I’m eating fruit, yams and starchy veggies. For some reason, aside from the initial fatigue, cravings have not been an issue for me. In the early days when I HAD to have something salty I ate nuts. Haven’t really had sugar cravings and I’m surprised about that since sugar (and bread) was my main source of fuel. I haven’t even had chocolate although I’ve told myself that I can when I WANT it.
Right now I’ve got so much energy I’m surprised at myself. Yesterday I did TWO body weight workouts (and yes, I’m feeling it today!) This morning I woke up and knew I HAD to run. It’s been years since I’ve done that. I did about 15 minutes of sprints/walking intervals and then I went home and swung a kettlebell. I’m sure I’ll do something tomorrow before work too!
As far as the thyroid goes, I think any issues I may have had with that have been healed by abstaining from gluten. My skin has always been rough, dry and cracking and now it’s so smooth and soft I can’t believe it. And then there’s all that energy 🙂
Susan, good for you! I’ve been gluten free for over a year and that has made a difference in how I feel. The sugar thing is huge for me. How did you do it? What have you substituted for sugar? It’s so bad for us and yet I still crave it. Thanks for sharing your journey!
Nancy Jambor recently posted..Believe it, Receive it!
I haven’t substituted anything for sugar, Nancy. When I want something sweet I eat fruit, mostly berries. I also eat yams and sweet potatoes. It hasn’t really been a craving for me. I’m totally shocked because I was a total bakery fanatic.
I think eating all the healthy fats gives me a sustained energy that I used to get from the sugar (except that was crash and burn)
How wonderful to make changes that feel so nourishing and supportive for yourself! And that is indeed a yummy looking salad.
Deborah Weber recently posted..Peony Extravaganza
It IS wonderful, Deborah. This whole experience is leaving me feeling grounded and connected to myself.
Congratulations…..amazing…finding the right path and being rewarded in so many wonderful ways. Wishing you continued success!
Debbie Goode recently posted..My Life on hold….
That’s what this is, Debbie, a path, not a diet. One I intend to meander along for as long as I can foresee.
Oh, yes! I love this post. You are amazing and it is amazing what happens when we listen to what our heart and soul tells us we need. I am so glad you have found this space.
Michele Bergh recently posted..Sorry, Folks. I Don’t Play Candy Crush or Any Other FB Games
People have asked me how I have the discipline to do this, Michele. All I can say is I was ready and it was my time. I think that’s why it’s been so easy to stick with it, despite the initial side effects.
Yes! That is what it takes. I can’t fully related to the food but I can absolutely relate to shifting to a morning person whereas I used to be up until all hours of the night and being more active and enjoying life and enjoying what I eat rather than engaging in the negative self-talk around it. Rock on!
Michele Bergh recently posted..Sorry, Folks. I Don’t Play Candy Crush or Any Other FB Games
🙂
Yah for you!!! This makes me so happy. As someone who guides something through this process for my business, I love seeing someone jump in with both feet AND wade through the craziness to see the benefits.
Keep on this journey and if you’re ever looking for a “community” to help you though the tough times look me up. xo
Thank you, Sara. I may just do that!