So it's been almost a MONTH (!) since I've posted; my apologies! I've been so busy focusing on this new eating plan, that I haven't felt there was anything to report. Today really isn't that different, but I'd like to share an update. I’ve already eliminated all dairy and coffee and caffeine from my diet. I found a non-dairy ice cream sandwich (Tofutti Cuties) that is super yummy so I don’t miss my real ice cream at all. I’ve found a soy based dairy free cream cheese (Tofutti) that doesn’t taste any different than regular cream cheese and I’ve been having that most evenings on my tortilla. I’ve replaced coffee with a vanilla chai rooibos tea (Adagio Teas) – rooibos tea is naturally decaffeinated, so that’s a nice healthy morning treat too. I’m working on understanding what I need to do for me, and finding alternative “safe” foods for those things I like that are “triggers” for me. I’m tracking every single thing every single day, and have upped my daily water to 130 oz. per the recommendations. I’m still uncomfortably sleepy most days, but the attacks are lessening. It’s a process. I'm making muffins from the recipe book each Sunday for the week for breakfasts, and making something avocado based for a weeks worth of lunches too. I'm tracking all my food and water in MFP still, and find it is so helpful. One key to eating safely for IBS is to really take charge of fat - certainly have fat, but most of my fat now comes from avocados, and soy based cheeses. And much less of it. MFP helps me be very aware of where I stand each day. I've eliminated all red meat from my diet as well, and even though I wasn't a big meat eater to begin with, a good steak was a nice treat every few months and I'm having a hard time emotionally with not being able to reward myself with food. Wait, what? Yes, I know we're supposed to find other ways to reward ourselves. I'm just still in mourning I guess. An added challenge for me this month is it is the second anniversary of my Daddy leaving us. I let my new boss know that I wasn’t sure about working on that day (she’s incredibly human). However, I did work on that day. Well, I didn’t really work as much as showed up and sat there spacing out most of the day. I left early to wander around Sunset foods, a fancy local grocery store, to see what kind of soy based dairy free cheese and snacks they have. I skipped the family Easter and Passover celebrations, as they're meal-centered, and being that I can't eat alot of regular stuff right now, and don't want the stress of trying to explain what I'm going thru, I've decided the less stress the better for me. I'm not that close to my own family anyhow; my husband's sister has always treated me as more of a sister than my own ever has. So this month has been focused on the new eating plan and how to make it a thought-free part of my everyday life. I'm getting there for parts of it. I find it very easy to turn down things that have ANY dairy in them because of the fear of an attack. That means easily turning down store bought donuts someone brings to the office; saying "no thank you" to the home baked goodies someone brings in because I KNOW they're made with real milk and butter; and not even thinking twice about candy bars. Milk chocolate = MILK chocolate. Nope. But I miss pizza. I mean I MISS PIZZA!!! So I'm going to try to make my own with the soy mozzarella shreds and a tortilla and see how that goes. And, today I weigh 160. So, 3 pounds down since I started not paying attention to loosing weight. Nice fringe benefit. And, I finally got my hair done - new place, cut and color. Feeling more confident in myself a bit now. So it's still an emotional journey, and one I certainly haven't mastered yet, but I'm "Getting There", taking baby steps.
4 Comments
Melissa
4/27/2014 03:52:28 am
First WELCOME BACK!!!
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Sheri
4/27/2014 04:00:26 am
I love your confidence, determination and resolve to find what's best for your body. Awesome job, and thanks for posting!
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Pat
4/27/2014 05:46:25 am
I'm so impressed that you're tracking everything... I think we eat more than we think we do cause we're not writing it down, and getting all your water in is awesome. Sounds like you're feeling pretty good about yourself - and you should be. Job well done and good luck this week.....
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Amanda
4/28/2014 05:46:28 am
Laila! We've missed you and been thinking about you! So incredibly glad to hear the positive report! You should be so proud of yourself! Keep up the great work and can't wait to hear about how it's going!
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In an effort to gain control of some part of her life, Laila has decided the “secretary spread” has gone far enough. Eating well and exercising has come and gone over the years, yet consistency remains elusive. Currently a size 12-14 her goal is to be a firm and confident 8-10 in time for her husband’s birthday, December 22, 2013, and still be there for his next birthday.
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