So I started doing some research into different diets, and the more research I read on losing weight and the science of the body, the more I realized when I cut calories, all I was doing is lowering my fat intake and to replace the feeling of fullness, I was compensating with lots of carbohydrates--yogurt, granola bars, popcorn, etc. Well, carbohydrates turn things into sugar, and sugar turns to fat, especially if your body is not efficient in processing sugar, which, I have discovered, mine does not. I'm an Indian (a genetic group that only ate meat and vegetables), my family has a history of diabetes, I have ovulation problems (which has been shown to be caused by insulin levels and hormones regulation), and I take thyroid medication to regulate my sugars--thyroid also controls your hormones. So. Sugar is not good for me. And if carbohydrates turn to sugar, then. Well, this spare tire around the middle finally has a culprit.
Anyway, after all that boring stuff, I have started looking into different low-carb approaches, and I have settled on the New Atkins. Yeah, yeah. I know. Atkins died of heart disease. Your body needs carbohydrates. Sure. But your body doesn't need refined flour and sugar. Your body needs carbs that can be found in vegetables and fruits. Which is what, once you really start to read up and not go by rumor, is what Atkins is all about. The theory, and there's quite a bit of science to back it up, is this: your body's first source for energy is carbohydrates, with fat as a secondary resource. So, if you don't give your body more than 20 - 30 grams of carbs a day, you body will start pulling from your fat stores for energy. The kicker is that fat is a more efficient and concentrated form of energy, so there's no sugar high and crash. Proteins and (healthy) fats leave you satisfied longer than refined carbs, so you tend to eat less and crave less. It makes sense, really.
So it's Thanksgiving and Christmas. A bad time to decide to avoid carbs and sugar. So, I have decided to "practice" eating low carbs. Meaning, on days when there is not a party or a holiday, I will follow the Atkins diet best I can. On party days and and holidays, I'm not gonna try too hard. I'm going to eat my pies and stuffing and whatever else.
See, I'm just practicing now--remember when you were taking piano lessons, and you were told to practice so you could get better at it? Then you sat down, opened the music, and played it perfect the first time. Done. Right? Well, no, not really. You practiced and practiced, made a lot of mistakes, and hopefully by recital time, you have worked out all the kinks and you can play perfectly. Or near perfect. And if you make a mistake, no one really notices because the rest is so fabulous. That's what I'm doing. I'm living low carb and making all my mistakes now, and then come January, it's recital time. Diving in, following the diet to the letter, and going to the gym as much as my kiddos and hubby allow. Adjusting and making mistakes now, so when it's time to really commit, I am almost perfect, but if I make a few mistakes, no one will know because I'm looking so crazy fabulous.
So for now, low carb-ish. So far, I have survived by substituting anything I would use bread for with lettuce. For example, tonight, instead of creamy chicken taquitos, we had creamy chicken lettuce boats. It was yummy. And guess what? On a low carb diet, you can eat cream cheese, cheese, meats, cream, butter, and vegetables. All the stuff I love. I kid you not, spread some cream cheese in celery, and I'm a happy camper.
This week I have only been able to really follow the low carb diet perfectly for three days out of five, and guess what? I've lost three pounds. In three days. Yeah. I think this might work. Boring blog post. But I felt like I needed to put it out there.
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