NEW CHAPTER, NEW ME!!I have sooo much to report on today!! I have had MANY weeks of trying to be good, making umpteen promises to myself, mom, best friend, and so on, and each time, failing to uphold those promises DAILY, each day starting off ok, but somehow giving up and going for nuts, pizza, chinese, and whatver carby thing I could sink my teeth in!! HEalthy, induction foods just didn't seem appealing. So after much analysis, I came to three conclusions:
1) I need to find a way to make diet foods really exciting! So, hot soups, flavorful sauces, fresh veggies, fresh herbs, and tasty main dishes (not simply stir fries)..I read up on lots of interesting recipes, made many copies of them, and have come up with a lovely binder of my favorite dishes, not too complicated, but exciting enough for me to look forward to.
2) I debated between which diet to go on: Induction, WW calorie counting, just watching and avoiding bad carbs, or unnatural/processed foods.
a) I have concluded that I do want to give induction my best shot...for once see it through its two weeks (I always came close, but never completed it in the past, so now I want to see it through).
b) After that, two more weeks of OWLS--wherein I'd add some fruit and nuts.
c) And thereafter, assuming I'd have lost 10-15 pds, for the last 15 pounds or so, I will start a lifelong habit of maintenance...thus, calorie-watching (under 1000 calories), and adding in good complex carbs (lentils, whole wheat stuff, and grains), and fruits. That's when I will add back in alcohol, but work out to compensate its bad effects immediately.
3) In order to finally commit to something that's still so daunting (and still has the potential to seem unappealing when the cravings hit), I decided I needed a firm commitment and something fun to make this a journey. Thus, as of today, I have made a
CONTRACT WITH GOD to keep my plan for the next two weeks--and that seems to be something I'll do everything in my power to uphold!
As for the fun part, I have decided to
take pics of the interesting recipes I experiment with daily, and blog about them here. I thought it'd give me something concrete to do and look forward to daily. Assuming it works, it'd be something I'd have for posterity to always look up should I need inspiration again down the road. Besides, if the pictures are appealing, it might inspire others to want to eat healthy too...and most imp, I have found that as a vegetarian, carbs-watcher, there is no systematic help or plan. Thus, if I whip up my experiments and write about my serendipitous discoveries, it might help others that have struggled like me to come up with something for their unique dietary needs....
So with that said, here's the menu for today:
1) Bfast: atkins bar (2c) and coffee with cream (3c for splenda)
2)lunch: salad with shredded cheese (1c), ranch (2c) and coffee with cream and splenda (3c)
3) Dinner: Garlic/sage creamy mushroom and zucchini with parmesan and heavy cream (1c for cheese..)Roasted vegetables (roasted in olive oil, basil, rosemary, and dry parmesan)..fennel, mushroom, zucchini, eggplant, and red pepper (no carbs except veggies)
Hearty creamy mushroom soup (with garlic, onion, mushrooms, cayenne, heavy cream, and butter) (4-5 c?)
Total: under 20 carbs
Exercise: Running/walking for 30 mins + yoga for 45 mins. So, if you read this far, what do y'all think of this??? Would love to hear your thoughts--good or bad! :)