When I was in 12th grade, I took part in a "Far Eastern Thought Class." The purpose of this class was to explore eastern philosophies such as Buddhism and Hinduism. I had a wonderful teacher who believed in the value of "doing" over "reading," so one day, he challenged all his students (all 7 of us) to take a vow of silence for the entire day.
I was determined to remain silent the entire day. My friends mocked me and offered me great treasures if I would just say one tiny word, yet I remained silent. My other teachers rolled their eyes at me and demanded that I speak, yet I remained silent. My siblings taunted me and withheld treates unless I asked for them, yet I remained silent. I remained silent the entire day except for one moment: I quickly walked through a door and accidentally knocked over a younger student. "Oh, I'm so sorry," I said without thinking.
My point is, if I decide to do something, I will pursue that goal to the ends of the earth, but it is the little things that are so ingrained in me that mess me up.
You are probably wondering why I am ranting about my high school days in the midst of my vegan experiment. I have been so good about not eating any meat or dairy until the plane ride home today. The flight attendant asked what I wanted to drink, and without even thinking about it I asked for coffee with cream and sugar. CREAM and sugar! I didn't realize my mistake until after I had drunk the entire cup. Oh well. At least I didn't eat the cheese crackers. Go me!
Thursday, December 31, 2009
Wednesday, December 30, 2009
going vegan
I am now on day 3 of veganism (I'm not sure that that is a word, but if it isn't, it should be), and it is going great. Giving up meat and dairy is not hard at all for me. I was basically doing that anyway living with Adam. The sugar has been a little more tough, although I have been cutting down the amount of sugar I eat daily. Today, I had one piece of chocolate and half a cup of chocolate soy ice cream. Not too bad for someone who would rather eat sugar than anything else in the world.
I started reading a cookbook called "The Kind Diet" while visiting with the family and discovered that it is exactly what I am doing. I need to get my hands on a copy as I hop on a plane tomorrow and have only read a few pages of the book.
I started reading a cookbook called "The Kind Diet" while visiting with the family and discovered that it is exactly what I am doing. I need to get my hands on a copy as I hop on a plane tomorrow and have only read a few pages of the book.
Monday, December 28, 2009
Trying a new approach
It is time for me to admit defeat. I am not in a place where I am capable of following the Weight Watchers plan. No matter how I try it, I always end up feeling deprived in some way (which I know is not supposed to happen). I HATE counting points and fretting about every choice. I'll be really good for a few days then go way overboard and eat everything in sight. It will then take me weeks of overeating before I try to be good again because I know that I am going to be depriving myself.
This is NOT working for me.
So, I am trying a new approach. After watching several documentaries including "food inc" most recently, I have decided to become a vegan...sort of. I have always been concerned about the impact eating animals has on our planet, and I used to be a vegetarian for this very reason. The only reason I started eating meat again was because my body was craving it during my pregnancy. I am no longer pregnant, and I don't even like meat that much, so no more meat. Except fish. But only fish that has been harvested in a sustainable manner. Adam doesn't eat dairy so giving up dairy is not really a big deal for me. Eggs, on the other hand, are a necessity in our family. I am committed to buying only organic free range eggs so I'm OK with this choice.
To sum up: I am giving up all meat except sustainable seafood and all animal products except eggs...and honey. I am also going to try to give up sugar (AGGGG). I eat WAY too much sugar and this is probably the root cause of my weight issues at present.
I am going to try this for one month and reevaluate. If at the end of a month, I like the changes that I'm feeling, I will continue. If I don't, I won't. I am starting now, but I will probably reevaluate at the end of January just because it is easier.
Day 1: December 29th, 2009
Weight: 177.2
I just weighed my self for the first time in over a month, and I can't believe how much I've gained! This is a new beginning. I don't really have much of a choice - I've got to do something.
This is NOT working for me.
So, I am trying a new approach. After watching several documentaries including "food inc" most recently, I have decided to become a vegan...sort of. I have always been concerned about the impact eating animals has on our planet, and I used to be a vegetarian for this very reason. The only reason I started eating meat again was because my body was craving it during my pregnancy. I am no longer pregnant, and I don't even like meat that much, so no more meat. Except fish. But only fish that has been harvested in a sustainable manner. Adam doesn't eat dairy so giving up dairy is not really a big deal for me. Eggs, on the other hand, are a necessity in our family. I am committed to buying only organic free range eggs so I'm OK with this choice.
To sum up: I am giving up all meat except sustainable seafood and all animal products except eggs...and honey. I am also going to try to give up sugar (AGGGG). I eat WAY too much sugar and this is probably the root cause of my weight issues at present.
I am going to try this for one month and reevaluate. If at the end of a month, I like the changes that I'm feeling, I will continue. If I don't, I won't. I am starting now, but I will probably reevaluate at the end of January just because it is easier.
Day 1: December 29th, 2009
Weight: 177.2
I just weighed my self for the first time in over a month, and I can't believe how much I've gained! This is a new beginning. I don't really have much of a choice - I've got to do something.
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