Meat vs Clock

Food and I have a good relationship, that is, on a scale of good better best. Like most relationships we’ve had our ups (weight gains) and a few lows (weight loss and fitness spurts) and where there have been issues we’ve negotiated, tolerated, avoided and to a less extent actively treat , but what we have never done is Quit. So as the new year approached (from November) I’ve been thinking about how we will move into the next phase of the scale and establish a better relationship.

We’ve been here before as I am reminded in a blog entry March 10, 2011 – DAY ONE. But things are different now. I am forty years old, and I plan on living another forty (doing the things I can control) and how I age gracefully. 

Clock A few months ago I stumbled on intermittent fasting and gave it a passing thought; more recently with an increase in my work-life im-balance the evidence of which can be observed through weight gain, consistent fatique, pains without any genesis, and eczema breakouts – I bumped into yet again  the Keto ( Meat) diet. I called a friend, read all I could to remind myself why it is a good plan , I then joined a support group. 

I wasn’t at ease though- I had a moral and personal dilemma. I love food especially carbs (fruits, plantains, rice, bananas) actually the thought of a ripe banana makes me smile and I really think Fruits should be had in all its glory and meat less so– this is going to be a challenge.

Facing the challenge, I revisited my objectives. Lifestyle change for wellness, not for weight loss. I actually want to have a flat belly, clean/ clear skin, toned limbs and a tight ass residing in a healthy  weighted body! Let me check this Intermittent fasting thing again.

Intermittent fasting isn’t as scary to me as Keto; I’m predisposed to it. Growing up in a dogmatic protestant home, fasting two days per week was an on-going exercise. The draw-back was that I don’t remember any weight fluctuations among the participants – maybe I was too young or maybe the religious take have different side effects. But at least I know going in, its something I can more than do.

I put both to  my doctor – and she recommended I try the Intermittent fasting. So here’s to Day One!

Approach to Aging

I recall a conversation with my  girlfriend of 35 years. She had just turned 40 and I was looking at 40 in another few months. The white sprinkling in the hair roots, bloated belly and eerie pains and discomfort were popping up. I looked over at her, we were relaxing under a shaded tree (I was under the shade) looking out at the ocean and sipping chilled fermented potatoes (vodka) with a fruit juice chase while she puffed on a small more than medically recommended roll (scliff) of weed (for her fibromyalgia- but we will get into this later).

“I want to age gracefully.”

“Gracefully” she moves her head in my direction, to garner clarification on this concept. 

“Gracefully?”

“Yes, eating, exercising, positive thinking, kind of thing – naturally, embracing aging’

She almost chokes on her puff, ‘Why the hell, - you know what- you do that – Eating – Ok, but Natural bla bla bla,  I’ll be nipping, tucking, sucking and plucking my way through aging.’ She laughs, throws her head back and lets out a puff. 

I laughed aloud, our strategy for aging was as far as the east was from the west but our destination the same – Aging but looking and feeling fabulous!

Day One - What to eat after 6pm?

Day One.
Good thing I was smart enough not to eliminate meat- today was curried mutton. I think it was a test though- I hardly ever eat the stuff- maybe this is the first since the start of the year, and I might have had it twice last year!

Sop today, so far so good.
Before breakfast a nice sized mango
For breakfast i did oats with bananas in my magic bullet, followed by some water.
For lunch a cup of vegetable soup using chicken stock
For dinner curried goat and white rice with a few slices of tomatoes with a tall glass of water.

My only temptation was the sound of the pied piper selling ice-cream which I got for the kids. My greatest challenge is what to eat after 6 pm? I had dinner at 5:30 and I dont get to bed until about 10:30 -11...and a girl gets peckish at some point- so what do I eat?

I went a looking but instead found a list of stuff I should not eat...here goes

Here's a bigger list of Foods NOT to eat when trying to lose weight...

1. Fried foods
2. Hamburgers & French fries
3. Table sugar
4. Plain Jam
5. salted nuts
6. smoked nuts
7. refried beans
8. Baked Beans
9. Chocolate Fudge
10. Candy
11. Toffee
12. Gums
13. Boiled sweets
14. Mint Sweets
15. Liquorice
16. Honey - Honey has minimal nutritional value & has the same calorie content as sugar.
17. Soft drinks
18. Tinned fruits
19. Chutney
20. Pickle
21. bacon
22. sausage
23. cured meats ( no sausage, franks)
    
24. ham
25. fatty cuts of steak like T-bone & rib-eye
26. Puddings
27. Corn syrup
28. Fruit juice - It's better to eat raw fruit instead of fruit juice because fruits contain more fiber and the juice will always contain more sugar than the actual fruit.
29. Cake
30. Bread made with white flour
31. Soda pop, such as Coke®, Pepsi®, Mountain Dew®, etc.
32. All baked goods made with white flour
33. Coffee
34. Biscuits
35. Fast foods
36. Pasta made with white flour
37. Canned fruits w/added sugar
38. Most packaged cereals
39. Alcohol can slow your metabolism down by 73%
40. Potato chips
41. Popcorn
42. Cookies
43. Ice cream
44. Cakes
45. Pies
46. All deserts
47. Artificial sweeteners
48. Most bottled green teas have more ingredients in it to help you gain weight than the actual green tea itself to help you lose weight.

Let me know

LENT 2011- Give Up Sugar

I must document this experience to be. Every year I try to commit to do something to mark the season of Lent. It is not so much that I am a religious fanatic, but really because I like events. I find it much easier to accomplish things if I have a goal that can be realized in the short-term- I think ijust like celebrating really.

Having said that, I sat or lied down a few weeks ago and started thinking about how can I mark this season of my life, and like a whisper it came to me- Give up Sugar!

I nearly asked out loud, what the hell for? but instead I took the time to mull it over in my head.

Let me just say, I like sugar. I like cakes, muffins, doughnuts, bun, juices, biscuits, breads etc, however I tend to eat these things all the time if offered but more often at nights when I am sitting at the computer or watching a movie, or just being- sometimes i get up and just make a banana bread- it only takes 20 minutes!

So I have mulled it over, and I have decided that I am going to introduce some discipline in my life if only for 40 days ( if I do 46 I am taking Sundays off) and address the real issues. Therefore this is the contract I am making with myself:

1. No sugar for the period (processed - fruits are ok)
2. No CARBS after 6 pm for the period
3. Consistent exercise for the period (at least 4 days per week)

If I can do all these things, I will treat myself to a kindle at the end of LENT.

I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me

IT

Instructional Technology.

We will see how this one goes, two new class two sets of 'fun' people..wowoowo

Current affairs

Got married, having a bbay soon.

Update

Hello Guys,

Its been a while since I updated you all, but I am doing well. Back at work, and getting back into the social life.

One Month Old