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Why I am fad dieting.

low-carb-diet

I debated on whether to even share this. But it didn’t take long to realize that I can’t blab on here about good eating practices with occasional treats if I’m doing a crazy diet. It’s like saying all my praise and support for clean food (and treats) is a bunch of bull malarky. And some may see it that way and that’s ok. I have to be honest.

Carbs. That’s my biggest problem. And something sweet after eating carbs. Then some carbs right after eating sweets. It’s a horrible vicious cycle and it started off slowly about 2 years ago. It is now so out of control, my running and obviously my blood sugar is suffering.

I know from experience that I have to cut them cold turkey to get myself back under control. I’ve tried to lose some extra weight by cutting calories. I’ve tried to start over each Monday with “this week, I won’t cheat!”. I’ve tried to run off the sugar and carbs. But if marathon training doesn’t run it off, then I’m probably not going to find a distance that will.

So, I’m right back to my post diabetes low carb diet. With a twist. Ever heard of the now famous Dukan diet that is raging all over England? Yeah, me neither until I did a google search for low carb diets. It has 4 phases like every other diet. It’s basically Atkins without the fat (without the fun. Who doesn’t love bacon?). Literally you eat just meat-as much as you want so you’re not hungry, 2 TB of oat bran (it’s sort of sweet but expands a gazilion times in your stomach so you are full and it helps with constipation) and a teeny bit of low fat dairy. No fruit or veggies. This phase lasts 2-10 days depending on how long you can take it. Phase 2 is protein and non starch veggies every other day. The other days are pure protein. You stay on this phase until you reach goal..yes, no fruit until you meet goal. Phase 3 is adding in fruits. Phase 4 is eat how you want, since your body now does not crave sugar/carbs, but have a pure protein day once a week to reset any new cravings.

So yeah, it’s ridiculous. Any diet that prohibits fruit for so long is crazy. Eating protein only is ridiculous. So, why am I doing this? Two reasons:

  • to cut the cravings
  • I like the one day pure protein day.

First 3 days, I’m down 9 lbs and yes its water weight, but the cravings for sugar are gone. I’m back down into some happy pants sizes. Did I mention that I don’t think about comfort carbs 24-7?

I do realize that I can’t cut carbs forever and run a marathon. I’m not that stupid. I will start adding back fruit and non starch veggies (I did cheat and have a sweet potato the night before my biggest loss). I will still have some starchy Thanksgiving food because I refuse to give up everything. But I needed to get back to a real moderation. My body just swells on TOO MUCH sugar and carbs. It literally feels inflamed. My heartburn is gone. The headaches went away after the 2nd day. My energy is better.

I firmly believe that once I get the cravings under control, I can go back to my usual way of eating-mostly veggies/fruits/protein and small portions of whole grains and dairy.

Will I still post pictures of yummy stuff? Yes. Stephen is not on any kind of diet and the holidays are coming up. I know from previous years that I could make/bake many things and sample just a bite and then take the rest to work or a family gathering.  Just because I post a big plate of the yummiest pecan pie, but don’t assume I ate the whole thing. That rule has always applied to cupcakes 😉

So there you have it. Why a “healthy living” blogger who loves the clean eating philosophy is now on a crazy fad diet. For a couple more days anyway.