I'm not crazy about that word, "diet." I mean, in the broad sense it refers to whatever you put in your mouth. But our society has made it such an ugly word... so many connotations of deprivation, restriction, and obsessing over food. What I'm doing is anything but. I eat fewer times per day than I used to. I spend less time thinking about food and when I can eat next than I used to. My meals are more flavorful and satisfying. So I'm not on a diet. I changed my diet (broadest sense), meaning I simply got rid of problem foods and eat whatever and whenever I want otherwise, but that's not what most people think when you say the word "diet." And it's not short-term either. I fully intend to do this for the rest of my life.
So, update on my success with it. I went to the doctor yesterday, and since I don't have a scale at home I consider this an official weigh-in. I officially weigh the same now as I did ten years ago, at 21. And I have better muscle tone and more endurance.
My acne is still gone (mostly... May is a big birthday month, which means alot of birthday cake, so I had a couple breakouts). My hypoglycemia is still gone. I have clockwork regular, painless (!!), 28-day cycles for the first time in my life. I'm more alert and more energetic than I've been since I was a young child. I sleep more deeply, and have started having vivid dreams again. I'm not sure how long it's been since I've been sick, but it's at least several months. I feel like my seasonal allergies are diminishing too... I have fewer sinus headaches and stuffiness.
The best part is that I do not have to count, weigh, or measure anything. I eat whatever I want whenever I feel hungry. Any woman over 30 who has had any weight at all to lose understands how wonderful this is. I did the counting and measuring thing for several months trying to lose weight, and it did nothing but make me miserable and obsessive.
I will post about TKD some time soon. I need to gather my thoughts.
I agree with you about the evil connotations over the word "diet". I was into the doctor recently and was back to my pre-2nd child weight, which was certainly an improvement. She and I talked about what I had been doing to lose weight--mostly portion sizes, removing processed foods and sugars, and upping the proteins and fresh veggies. I think that I could have come a lot further had I been working out as well, but changing my "diet" has been a big step for me.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad to hear that you are having so many positive results. I also have been having many vivid dreams the past week.
I hate the D word, too! I guess one can always use "alimentation," a completely legitimate word, different from talking about "nutrition" but still referring to "stuff you eat," in a nourishing, supportive kind of way without negative connotations. It does make you sound kind of nuts, but I've been called a walking dictionary so many times I've stopped caring. :)
ReplyDeleteI think my hay fever is also better this year, partly because of how I'm eating but also because I discovered goldenrod tincture late last year. Counting and weighing things would never work for me, either. I don't even cook that way!