After trying (and failing on) every diet known to humankind, I’ve decided to go back to the only approach that ever both worked for me, as well as made me feel fabulous. You might be wondering why I abandoned it in the first place, if it made me feel good and lose weight. Good question.
The simple answer is that I simply wasn’t ready for a new me (I’ve been overweight since childhood), and I listened to the current nutrition establishment. In the years since I’ve packed the weight back on, I’ve had a change in mindset: I no longer want to lose weight strictly for vanity reasons, now, my health is the primary factor. And yes, I do want to look better, but it’s no longer the driving force.
As far as the nutrition establishment, it seems they keep floundering. While they do that, I will listen to my own body and use it as my guide. Here’s what I learned: starch makes me sleepy, lethargic, and irritable. But, I have to be flexible enough to include a little here or there to keep life interesting and fun. I’ve also learned that sugar is my heroin – just a little taste has me wanting more and more, especially when it’s combined with starch. That combination also has a very calming effect on me, but it’s short-lived. See, sugar is just like a drug!
I suppose you could say that I’m dieting right now, but since I don’t ever plan on abandoning what I’m doing, it’s not really a diet. It’s my life, with very little sugar and starch. I keep a daily food diary, and at the end of the day I do tally up my carb intake, but that’s more of a guide for me than anything. Right now, I’m eating about 30-40 g of carbohydrate a day, not including fiber. I eat protein and fat with every meal and try to include a fruit or vegetable with each meal. I feel amazing, I no longer think about food all day long, and my entire outlook has changed.
I like to think of myself as a fairly accomplished cook and baker, willing to tackle anything in the kitchen. Now, I’m throwing my efforts into creating interesting meals that meld with my lifestyle and continue to allow me to lose weight. I started this blog to share the recipes for anyone who needs to restrict their carbs, whether for weight loss or health reasons. If you’re wondering if watching your carb intake might help your health, here’s a quick way to possibly make that determination: if you feel you need a nap after a plate of pasta, but you feel energetic and alert after a steak, this lifestyle just might be for you, too.
I welcome any feedback on the recipes, or even my progress, but please keep any criticism constructive! I hope you enjoy my blog.