After Ana

Week one successfully completed! Well… I took Sunday off, PMS and a funeral, didn’t bode well for ANY type of self control. Not that I was that bad, just a regular day of eating three meals with a few more carbs than I needed.

I was back on track by Monday, and I’m finding it very easy so far. My energy is good, especially since I cut out the coffee (finally did it, apparently Jo is next… hehe). I’ve been drinking lots of herbal teas and water and eating a piece of fresh fruit and a few bites of protein throughout the day. I’ve been having a piece of cheese or a bite of protein bar or some cashew butter, just a little bit to tide me over. The protein bar I bought has lasted me 4 days so far… still going! Economy plus.

I’ve discovered some pitfalls that seemed to distract me last week, which I’m attempting to address this week. Here goes:

1. Don’t shop for groceries at lunchtime. When you are fasting and your sense of smell is heightened, it can lead to bad choices in the basket. I unpacked when I got home to find bread (rubbish bread from the supermarket), chocolate (I told myself it was for my husband… sheesh!) and snacky items (all with excess packaging, salt and made with vegetable oil)! What were THEY doing there? I never buy things like that. So now I’m sticking to LISTS.

2. Don’t go to staff meetings. These are good to avoid at ALL times, but especially true when you are presented with muffins, sandwiches and cakes. I managed to escape by nonchalantly feigning indifference, but looking at all that food made me hungry. I went back to my desk and ate the WHOLE protein bar instead of just a bite or two. Hmmm…. this is not bad per se, but could have been averted by avoiding peer-pressuring food situations that are not on your terms.

3. When dinner comes around, don’t wait until you finally get ready and go out to eat at the restaurant. Have a snack when dinner time arrives yet no dinner appears. I did this and avoided ordering a three course meal which would have left me OVER stuffed. Instead I was pleasantly full, satisfied and sleepy, belly full, happy Lou. Hee hee

4. Don’t reach for starchy carbs as your fast breaking meal. They make you HUNGRY. This has always been the case for me, if I start off eating them, I get ravenous. So now I start with my protein. Helps me feel full and not to overeat because of a massive insulin rush. Starting with protein also stimulates your digestive organs, which I discovered from my naturopath. I asked her because I had always thought starting with raw food was the best for stimulating digestive enzymes, but the latest research says that protein first is the best (especially if you’re older). The carbs first also led to my Sunday off this week!! I started with rye pita bread (rolls eyes).

So this week I’m older and wiser and will tackle my WD differently.

The thing I LOVE about this plan though, is being able to eat large meals with no guilt. I feel great when I have a hearty, nourishing meal at the end of the day. It seems to make the day’s stresses and worries go away making me feel completely relaxed. This is an amazing development because I rarely eat without guilt feelings! I can enjoy my meal and stop worrying about it so much.

Oh yeah and JO I’m loving hazelnut flavoured Teecino! So yummy, I feel like I’m having a Bailey’s coffee! Got it from Mrs Flannery’s health food store.

About the Author...

I've finally overcome my destructive eating habits by learning to accept myself, applying the WAPF nutritional principles daily. I'm now at a stable, healthy, slim weight, have lots of energy and no more guilt. I've been happily married for 7 years and am a graphic designer. In the near future I'm hoping to start a nutritional course and start practicing as a qualified nutritionist. At the moment it's all self education.