As the new year begins I began groaning and rolling my eyes as I heard each family member, friend, and coworker talk about
the new diet they were trying. I purposely skip all the makers diet/SCD diet posts on here. I was adament that my safe foods were starchy white carbs. My one vice was sugar. They were things I could eat without feeling sick. But at 5'7", 130 lbs. I seemed to have a kind of bigger belly than the rest of my body. I also thought I was bloated. I blamed some dairy that I might have ate or the gassy feeling I had from crohns, or if it was that time of the month I blamed that. My husband, to my dismay, just started the South Beach Diet. I was upset because he cooks dinner when because I am in school and I work. I couldn't imagine my crohns surviving sans carbs and gasp, with more vegetables. He assured me that I could eat whatever I wanted in front of him and he would be fine. That if i needed him to he would make me a seperate meal.
But, the food that he is making, despite only being on phase one looks delicous. Tons of fresh veggies that he bakes or steams until they are soft. None of my staple potato and rice combos. No bread. Healthy cuts of meat and fish. I have been eating the same dinner as him for about a week now.
Begrudgingly, I started to read the book. I couldn't believe how despite being "skinny" so much of the book applied to me. Specifically the sugar highs and crashes, bloating and gas, eating making me hungrier, never consuming enough liquids, eating carbs straight instead of pairing with a protein to slow absorbtion and raise my blood sugar slower and therefore lower it slower. I was enthralled. Despite me being the number one opposer, I decided to try bits and pieces of the diet.
I am adding protein to my yogurt breakfast. A slice of sandwhich meat or something. Maybe an egg. I am drinking tons of water. I have cut back (not cut out) my carbs. I try to eat healthier carbs. I am trying to eat less processed foods and more fresh foods. No more canned or frozen veggies. Less sauces and more olive oil and spice- meditaranian style. I am also in a good space crohns wise so I feel safe experimenting with these veggies etc.
I now have to say that after only one week, despite the fact that I have my period, my stomach looks flatter than ever. I have lost at least 4 pounds although I was not trying at all to lose weight. I haven't exercised this week but plan to today or tomorrow.
Here is why I post: I was any low carb/low sugar diet's number one opposer. I was SO sick of hearing about everyone elses diet. And then I read the book and tried it a little bit. And it is working. And I am impressed. And I wanted to just remind you to never say never. I am slowly trying to make some lifestyle changes without being too drastic. I still have my dannon yogurt despite the sugar. But next time Im at whole foods I might try plain unsweetened yogurt w/ fresh fruit and honey. You don't have to deprive yourself. You don't have to stop everything. Just little changes and being more consientous to what you put in your body makes a HUGE difference. I must concede that fact.