My day of reckoning has come. The dreaded nutritional analysis that I also get as part of winning this contest. Its important to understand that I wanted to have this analysis done, but its equally important to understand that I also wanted to be told what I wanted to hear, which went something like this:
You eat really well, Chrystal, and we are not sure why you are not loosing weight. Don’t change a thing really, and every thing is fine.”
I don’t eat a lot of meals out, I cook my own soups and do weekly meal planning so I am not tempted by processed foods, I take a lunch to work, I eat low fat products and also try and eat local based on the season. I felt like I was on the right track for the most part.
Unfortunately, I heard something more along the lines that my diet is very sugar heavy and I pretty much need a complete overhaul. The main issues were:
- I eat too much sugar
- I eat too often
- I don’t drink enough water
- I don’t eat enough vegetables
- I need to eat more protein
Well, it came as quite a shock that I eat a lot of sugar but I guess I eat it in ways I didn’t realize. I am not exactly sure where the sugar is coming from. Its easy to identify the ice cream, the brown sugar on my oatmeal, maple syrup on my pancakes and ketchup sources but its less clear to me why my Shreddies and oatmeal are sugary (well except for the sugar I put on them).
I have to confess that a meal does not feel complete unless there is is a little something sweet at the end. So now, for the next 10 days, I am off sugar. which is someone problematic as
1. I love it
2. I am not sure what is meant by sugar.
However, I am sure this will get corrected as I also have to continue to fill out a food diary, and it will be reviewed by Lauren, the nutritionist on the team. So, please excuse me if my posts are grumpy but remember all I want is a cookie or some honey on my yogurt. I am going to give this a try. Unfortunately, I am only suppose to eat every 3 hours and its only been two, and I am already hungry so I better go do something. Perhaps I will get even more fit from running to the bathroom all the time as I am drinking all this water. I am feeling more grumpy by the second.
I am hopeful that this new eat regime will assist me in my speed in running and allow me to get under 1 hour for the 10K. Hauling around this extra 30 pound does make me slower and so what does it hurt to try it. I must admit I am not terribly convinced but the proof is in the pudding (another one of my favourite daily snacks). Oh did I mention I also have to give up aspartame too ( I want my daily diet cola fix.)
Well, we have a seed cake hanging outside our kitchen window for the birds I wonder what that taste like.
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I hear you! Wow do I hear you. I was asked to give up sugar for a time as well, and it was like going through withdrawal – my husband will tell you that for 2 weeks, I was a bear!
But then the strangest thing happened…I stopped missing it. Then when I finally returned to sugar and had my first piece of the most decadent looking dessert on the menu, I have to tell you, it was not nearly as good as I was anticipating.
If you can get through that 10 days, you will feel better, really!
No Sugar! I can’t imagine! I don’t think I could do it. But, I can’t wait to follow your blog to see how you are doing. Who knows, if you find happiness without sugar, maybe I can too!
Mostly I just have a headache and feel sort of, well, out of sorts. I am also quite hungry as I am eating less frequently. This is day 3 without it and no diet pepsi to help me out.
I received similar advice about focusing my eating every 3-4 hours rather than grazing. My experience is similar to your response, it is challenging to change this habit and a bit scary to actually feel hungry. I have tested this approach over the past few months. I have run thinking I was hungry – on fuel from a meal eaten 2 or 3 hours earlier, rather than grazing right up to run time. Surprise, I am finishing workouts and long runs strong! I am eating with intention. Every calorie matters and I am careful to pick the best ones to support my next planned activity. An additional plus has been the change in body composition – I finally lost my final 5 pounds of baby #2 fat over the past 6 weeks!
Ladies – I have to step in clarify some important things from all of the above posts:
1. Chrystal you are not off sugar by any means – you are off processed, refined sugar like the Fiber One bars, the pudding you love, the diet coke etc.
2. Shreddies and oatmeal are carbohydrates and all carbohydrates are sugar, including fruits and vegetables and whole grains – so you are allowed sugar – just the nutritious kind that will not spike blood sugar levels and cause cravings
3. Oatmeal is awesome but when combined with some protein
3. Sugar/Carbohydrates are a primary source of energy – we can never cut them out completely but we do want to make sure you are getting the good ones and ideally always combined with some protein to sustain energy and manage appetite
4. If you are hungry within 3 hours of eating you maybe did not eat enough at the previous meal or have enough protein with your healthy carbohydrate to sustain you
5. Finally on the note of aspartame – it can increase appetite and cravings for sugar so yes you need to get off it – sorry to be the bearer of this news!
Chrystal you are so motivated – I know you can do this. Change is never easy but the results will be well worth the effort and these new habits will become second nature if you are just consistent with the changes.
Hang in there and focus on the positive aspects of the nutritious foods you are eating!
Just an update. No headache today and felt more myself after the last couple. I accidently slipped up and had the candy in mouth before I even knew it, just a habit as I was standing in front of the candy dish waiting for an appointment in an office.
No aspertame in my diet since Saturday at 1.00, and I am missing my diet pepsi. So, its settling in a bit, but now people are trying to tempt me with sugar. Today someone waved a chocolate candy under my nose. Be impressed people, I walked away.
Thanks for the clarification Lauren. It all helps to understand the background. However, as any good east coast girl knows, sometimes you have to embellish a bit to make a good story( or a blog) so the melodrama is cultural tradition.
That is very impressive – you keep walking away, in fact why don’t you run! Well done! Keep it up Chrystal!