Thursday, January 20, 2011

It's not about the Cant's

I think I'm writing this post just as much for a pep talk for me as anything else.

About a month ago, I dutifully returned to my doctor's office for a followup on all the bloodwork and lab tests that she had recommended at my Well Woman exam. (FYI: my primary care doctor is a naturopathic physician-you may or may not agree with her results or recommendations-but I LOVE her. She spends a lot of time caring for me physically and emotionally)

To make a long story short, the tests revealed that I had "cellular exhaustion at the deepest levels."

Well, duh.....I think I coulda figured that one out without all those tests!

JK.

She recommended a list of supplements and a special diet to basically detox my body and get my cells to function better so that I could feel better in my "speshul" phase of life. She gave me a stern lecture about taking care of myself so that I can be around to take care of others....followed by a big hug.

Remember folks, this was December 15th, 10 days before Christmas.
Uh, yea....

She told me to do the best I could during the holidays. I'm a determined sort of soul so I plunged into the diet immediately. The diet?  Oh yea, no sugar, no wheat, no dairy, no fruits, except organic apples and berries, for at least 6 weeks.

Nice.....just 10 days before Christmas.

So I went forward, with all the gusto of a person on a mission and with the enthusiasm of a new goal.
Then Christmas Day hit.
Honestly, I really was good up until Christmas Day.
I did notice that I was feeling better, with more energy.

But who can resist the luscious coffee cake on Christmas Day?  Or the crunchy., buttery toffee that Jen makes every year (that I pretty much take sole possession of) Or the homemade cinnamon rolls? or the specially selected Christmas candy for the stockings?  (think crunchy junior mints.....mmmm...)

After a week of sugar-filled gluttony, I decided it was time to hit the diet again. Because I had promised myself to take care of myself and listen to my doctor's advice for a change.

But boy howdy, it has been SO hard. All I can think about is what I can't have.
Besides the fact that the TV is constantly tuned to shows like Cake Wars or Paula Deen, or somebody else who is cooking up something forbidden......
And I watch hubby slurping down creamy Chicken Alfredo at the local restaurant.
Whilst I pick at my grilled chicken salad.

Whine, whine, whine.

And it has been SO hard to go through the trials of the last month without the comfort of a bowl of chocolate ice cream.......or a piece of chewy ciabatta bread from the local bakery.....

Whine, whine, whine.

But I just realized the other day...
that there are hundreds of foods I CAN eat.
There are dozens of different grains.
There are multitudes of different veggies.
Maybe my palate can adjust to less sugar in the diet.

I had some brussel sprouts yesterday.
Honestly, I did feel good when I ate them. They were delicious.
(not a slice of chocolate cake mind you, but tasty)

So I'm challenging myself to look at the CANS
and not the CANTS.

It's probably a good lesson for myself.

Remind me the next time I start whining about how I can't do something.....

9 comments:

GGMA said...

I am absolutely convinced that the buttery toffee with chocolate and nuts on the top are addictive. If it is there I will eat it! Unfortunately that is one thing I can eat. Good luck.

angiedunn said...

you are my hero!!! i've knocked out the sweets & soda & it's making a huge difference for me too.

ps: you need to tell me who your dr. is sometime. i want a doctor like that.

Kerin said...

Great post!
Just what I needed today :)
I am up to my eyeballs in projects and running in between two different houses.
Sometimes I meet myself coming and going.
I appreciate your words of advice, and I will try to remember what I can get accomplished each day, instead of what I can't.
Have a great Thursday :)

Unknown said...

hang in there Marilyn.
whom is your dr.? And I am getting it all together myself being a vegeterian. I have really thinned but, have more thinning to do since the Big M put 60#'s on me before. Out of that for 2 years, lost 20 and is down to get 40 more off period.
take care

Unknown said...

p.s. I too am like Angie, I get 1 soda per week, makes a big difference. I get diet rite that I drank on nutri system( when I was so darn thin before) each day that I am not drinking my 1 diet pepsi for flavor. LOL Hang in there!

Jen said...

Yep, I want the name of your doc too. Great post.

Granny J said...

I did the South Beach diet for awhile and one day I realized that food tasted really good...especially fruit! (I ate a strawberry that was so sweet...my kids thought they were bland.) At the time I was only eating "pure" food...as in not anything baked or processed. So your tastebuds will change. Then I had some frybread and beans and I fell off the wagon and slammed into the ground...I haven't been able to get back on that darn thing again!

I hope this isn't as discouraging as it sounds...'cause I really want you to succeed with you goals!
PS: have you ever done the lemon,cayenne pepper, maple syrup thing?

Joy For Your Journey said...

Oh, I so agree with you!!! I had sugar running through my veins during December, and I felt AWFUL! So I decided to go off sugar and white flour. I was having a hard time the first week but then I did just as you suggested . . . instead of thinking I was being punished and tortured I started planning my meals and snacks around how I could nourish my body that day. That made all the difference in my attitude!! It has been three weeks now and it is MUCH easier--and I feel so much better!!

But that said, I am not sure I would be too excited about your diet. :-) Good luck!! If anyone can stick to it though, I am sure it is you.

Jessica said...

You rock mom. I feel bad everytime i shove a brownie in my face. I so need to get off sugar too.