With New Year's resolutions all the rage, I decided to take our coaches 23 day Advocare Challenge. Yes, basically a diet. Now I know a lot of people look at me and say "You don't need to diet, your fine!" or they tell me I'm skinny or what-not. But to me it wasn't that kind of diet, really. It was more about changing how I eat rather than losing weight; more about how some foods may affect me, such as gluten or dairy, and some of my minor health issues. So, for the first 10 days it was a 'cleanse', then the rest of the challenge was, well, modifying my eating habits.
Day 1 was horrible. It was a Monday that involved some testing at work (school) so I had a lot of set-up to do that morning and knew I was going to be there late that evening with a community SAC meeting. Going without coffee was going to be HARD! I was so worried about all the timing of the supplements and shakes and fiber and....AAaahaah! I didn't bring enough food so I was very tired, irritated, and hungry. When the evening meeting came, and they had quite the food spread. I was determined to hang tight, but it was difficult. After that first day, though, I was told not to stress too much about timing of supplements, and the rest kind of came easy.
So, things I have learned:
Sunday's made for great prep-days. I made a good chunk of the weeks lunches out of stir-fries, rice & beans, soups or salads - all homemade of course. No bread, no cheese, no sugar or salt was difficult, but easier than I thought it would be.
You can go without coffee. It may take a day or so, and Advocare Spark helps a lot! It's also good for a mid-day pick-me-up that won't keep you awake at night.
I missed foods more than I craved them. Bread makes sandwiches easier, which really means I just didn't have sandwiches. Seeing a kid eating a chocolate muffin (EVERY MORNING) really made me want a muffin! And it's funny to realize how much of our food is gluten based - especially convenience foods like cookies, cereals, breakfast bars. And I really missed our Friday night pizza that Gil makes on the grill. Toward the end (last week) I did find I was craving something - I think sugar - figs & dates helped. But seeing ads for pizza, pastas, sweets of all kinds... Do you realize how much we are bombarded with food commercials?... that sure didn't help any. Darned that subliminal advertising!
Salt is extremely prevalent in a lot of things. If you cook without it, most foods are very bland. To get beans, chicken broth or tuna without salt is almost impossible, so you have to look for low sodium products instead. Is sea salt any better? I see that in many health foods.
Braggs Liquid Aminos (basically soy sauce) is an amazing seasoning!!
Figs & dates are like candy. Be careful as many dried fruits have added sugar. Dates are high in sugar naturally, and can make you sick if you eat too many - just like candy.
I was surprised I didn't notice more of a change in my overall health with the change of diet. My body adapted easily without much difference. Nothing really changed with my skin so my psoriasis is not influenced by gluten - I had read it could be a sign of gluten intolerance. I lost about 5lbs - which is all I really needed to lose. So I guess, overall, I must eat pretty healthy on my own. I do feel stronger during workouts. It just seems easier to get through them and sometimes even a little faster!
I recently started working coffee back into my routine. The last few nights I have had some fruit herbal teas with honey. It doesn't take much sweetener, or salt for that matter, for me to notice it now. That is a good thing. I had a Belgian waffle this weekend in honor of my dads one year death anniversary, with strawberries, (skip the whip) and my stomach actually objected afterward - I felt a little sick.
Now that I'm done, I plan on keeping up with making lunches (and better choices with dinner?), sticking more to fruits, veggies,
meats/protein. It should be easy since I've done it for a while. And if it makes me stronger, and feel better, then why not!?
