I’m pleased to report that I made it through my intensive 3-day diet and even more pleased that it’s over! I have to admit that it was very hard, especially in the beginning. Here’s a recap:
Day 1:
The worst, by far! Abruptly quitting caffeine caused a splitting headache and I felt irritable without coffee/soda. (I guess that’s why they call it a junk food addiction.) I drank only water with lemon and ate salad and veggie soup. Even though it was New Year’s Eve, I felt so tired and out of sorts, I went to bed early and missed the ball drop.
Day 2:
I woke up on New Year’s Day feeling slightly better, which I attribute to extra sleep and time for the cravings to subside. I still wanted my junk food/drinks, but not every minute like the previous day. I ate a sweet potato for breakfast and lunch (weird, I know), because I read cinnamon can be a sugar replacement and 2 big bowls of salad. To keep my mind off food, I colored my hair, did my nails, and took a long bath—basically pampering myself with a home spa day.
Day 3:
By Saturday, I was starting to see results (less bloating). A friend called and invited me to lunch at her house. After hearing the menu—3 cheese lasagna, garlic bread, brownies!—I had to decline. We discussed my diet at length and she was so supportive and encouraging. She recommended watching a documentary called Hungry for Change and I’m so glad I did. It was informative and inspiring.
Aftermath:
Today is day 5 and while the official diet has ended, I continue to be careful with my food choices. I have not touched a bite of dessert, but I did start drinking coffee again (unsweetened). Lots of fresh veggies and 1-2 servings of fresh fruit remain a priority, along with drinking water and using less salt. The plan is to add in lean protein, moderate amounts of carbs, and some healthy fats (nuts, salmon, avocado) while making treats an occasional thing (no more than once a week, probably only on Shabbos).
If you’re dieting, I’d love to hear about it.
Wow! I am impressed with your hard work! I did really well until yesterday and slipped (just a little) Did you feel like you had a ton of energy after the diet or very tired? I am not going to give up on coffee just the Starbucks stops for now. I did gain weight in 2015 but will take it off in 2016. I better go walking now… that is my big motivation…exercise all day so I can get into my jeans better! :.)
I had extreme exhaustion when I started, but each day gets a little better. The no coffee part is just plain hard! I wish I could walk outside. Not a chance during the winter with the cold and snow. Let me know how your diet goes. Don’t worry about a teeny slip. You are doing great and I bet your jeans look awesome.
I hate dieting!! Just the thought of it makes me hungry. I would rather go to the gym than have to cut out something I’m eating.
Dieting can be awful, I agree! But I was so desperate to make a change that I just jumped in.
We have been trying to watch what we eat. And I know it is very hard to do.
awesome job! when I was 16 I gave up a bunch of stuff for lent like fast food, snack foods, soda, etc. it completely changed the way I eat. I no longer “diet” its my lifestyle.
You are 100% right, it’s supposed to be a long-term way of eating for life, but sometimes I give in to temptation.