Monday 19 August 2013

Week Four - Take Two!

Well, after a pretty disastrous diet last week it seems all hope is not lost... Week four, take two was a success!

It was a tough one, and I did slip up once and have a deliciously crystallised date at a middle-eastern themed dinner, which was almost too sweet with my new reinvented tastebuds. There were about 15 shiny golden bulbs sitting there on the plate, and as I was watching my dear friends demolish them one by one I just couldn't resist. Interestingly, it didn't really excite me that much and I immediately bloated up like a balloon (lucky I had on my giant aladdin pants to hide my pooch belly). That helped me to later refuse the semolina and chocolate pudding and baklava - but it was still REALLY hard. Having each and every person screaming over these tasty little puddings telling me they were the best thing they had ever eaten, yeah, that was a struggle. A gigantic epic struggle in fact. But, I know what's waiting for me at the end of this detox so it kept me strong. I will find a sugar free version out there one day...

Over the case of this week, I managed to rediscover those lovely eating habits from the beginning of the detox. I went straight back to my trusty green smoothie for breakfast, which it seriously satisfying - I'm full of energy and not hungry until lunch when I start with one of these green bad boys. I've been sticking with Sarah Wilson's meals for lunch and dinner; always super fresh and packed with veggies, protein and flavour. I've been snacking on natural peanut butter on celery, an occasional piece of Halmoumi cheese or some homemade hommus with veggie sticks. Oh, and nuts. Lots of nuts. Maybe I've been going a bit crazy with the cashews and almonds, something i'm going to have to ease up on if I want to really trim up.

You know it's funny; this doesn't feel like a detox anymore. This is simply my new, sugar-free life.

I became really disheartened last week when I slipped back into old habits; I slipped those 2 kgs back on, and couldn't slip into my jeans. I found myself questioning why I was doing this, if it was worth it, and at one stage was ready to throw it all in. I was getting so swept up with those pesky numbers on the scales. But then I stopped and thought about why I bought Sarah Wilson's book in the first place. I remembered those awful feelings of guilt and shame after a binging session; the feeling of losing control; the feeling when standing in front of the mirror when I outgrew yet another favourite dress. I don't want to get back there; it's not a nice place.

I'm sure Commando, my new slightly crazed ex-army personal trainer, will help me shed the extra pounds when the time is right. It's still a struggle to walk after our completely mental Saturday session - he shows no mercy! Although in saying that, once I decided I didn't care about the scales and was just going to focus on being healthy and happy, I had a weigh-in with Commando and had lost that extra weight i'd put on. Woooo! So there's the secret - just don't think about it! As soon as I looked at the bigger picture and stopped fretting about my body, everything made sense again. So here's to clarity and wobbly post-gym legs.

     





7 comments:

  1. Wow you really make me want to give this a crack. Good on ya and thanks for writing about it!

    ReplyDelete
  2. What do you put in the smoothie? I've been wanting to try a green one but it sounds kind of gross lol. And do you think you could do this as a vego?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hey Caitlin, the green smoothie did take a little bit of getting used to, but now I love it!

      The recipe is on Sarah Wilson's 'I quit sugar' blog, and it's kale, cucumber, fresh mint and parsley, coconut water, fresh ginger, chia seeds and a little flax seed oil. Yup, it sounds pretty full on if you haven't tried a green smoothie before. You might want to add a banana and some Stevia at first, then gradually make it sugar free.

      You could definitely go sugar free vego! Particularly if you eat eggs. I'm eating less meat every week - I just seem to be craving veggies like crazy!

      Good luck!

      Delete
  3. You're AMAZING!! What a perfect week. And with the combination of your Commando trainer (ooh I do have a crush on that Biggest Loser coach! ;)) I know you are going to LOVE yourself at the end of these 8 weeks!!

    Oh wow, isn't it amazing how you bloat up instantly when having sugar (your date)??? When I had some yogurt at about week 5, which had sugar in it, I was HUGE within an hour. Crazy...

    ReplyDelete
  4. Isn't it crazy? The reaction in my belly after that damn date was pretty much immediate. I've certainly learnt my lesson.

    I can't walk due to that Commando! But I do love it (and him, just a little bit) I must admit. The thing I'm battling with this week is a huge increase in appetite due to all the training... I feel like i'm eating twice as much, it's doing my head in!! Something i'll post about next...

    How's everything going post-detox for you?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Increased appetite is very normal! I was eating nearly double in the first few of detox and still lost weight. You'll be ok as long as you make most of it veg. Massive helpings of Sarah's "hash" meals would be perfect. And quinoa (protein to repair after your workouts). Just beware of too many nuts, dairy and coconut (as you know!).

      Post detox is going well. I say "no" to sugar all during the week (with ease) and then have a cheat day on the weekend (usually when we are with my in-laws). I do admit to going a bit crazy and overeating on bad stuff on those cheat days, but I've stopped that now (the overeating), because I find that the bloat can last for 3 days even when I'm back to eating clean. It's just too annoying to be eating clean and yet look like crap from the weekend!

      Delete