Stop Putting That In Your Mouth!

June 18, 2019 - Tuesday

I'm tired of being uncomfortable in my clothes. That's my number 1 motivation for embarking on a "diet". I'm also embarrassed to be overweight, especially when I encounter people who knew me when I was trim. I sink inside when I watch the shock spread across their faces as they take in the plump person before them.  I realize that I need to cut myself some slack since I am disabled and can't sustain cardio, I wear a trach, and I have a raging case of hypothryoidism.  I'm strong as an ox (inside and out) but I just need to control what goes into my mouth! So, I'm going to STOP PUTTING THAT IN MY MOUTH! 

What's not going into my mouth anymore? Here's what:
Gluten
Carbs
Sugar
Dairy   (see update, below)
Bad Fats 
Excess salt

I'm not as concerned about cutting the carbs as I am about the sugar and dairy. Those are beasts! I have done this all before and it was relatively easy after the first week. I know the intense cravings and hunger are all in my brain. I know I'm not going to faint without M&Ms or pizza. I just THINK I will for about a week. Mind over matter...mind over matter...

I am going to amend my list for the first few weeks. I am going to allow dairy for the time being. I decided this because I need to ease into this process. I need to take one thing at a time and carbs, added sugar, and bad fats are easier. I am going to list my weaknesses and ways to overcome them. 

Weaknesses:
M&Ms
Candy (gummie bears)
Cookies
Chocolate (anything)
Chips (especially tortilla chips or Fritos)
Salt (I crave it as much as I do sugar)
Pistachios (high carb nut)
Salad dressing
Cheese sticks
Crackers (sometimes)
Vodka (when I want a cocktail with friends)
Wine (not a big deal since I rarely have it anymore)

I've thought about doing intermittent fasting rather than cutting out foods. I might end up doing that instead. Hmm. It would be a lot easier than all this depravation and planning. I could do Green Drink with Protein Powder for breakfast and lunch with a normal dinner. I could learn to do this every day. I wonder what would happen?  I think I might go this route but I am going to finish this blog (diary) post the way I intended when I sat down. 

Here are my ideas for over-coming temptations and weak spots in my diet:

The most important aid will be to use a mantra when I see a potential temptation in my path. I'll tell myself that I make smart, healthy choices. Healthy eating choices bring long-term satisfaction over momentary ones. I envision my clothing feeling comfortable and being in a dressing room with a size M. 

Putting on my thin clothes is FUN and it makes me feel beautiful. That feeling is way better than the taste of "xyz" (M&Ms, gummie bears, chips, etc)

M&Ms (just don't buy them or be near them)
Candy (just don't buy them or be near them)
Cookies (use mantra to avoid them when my family is indulging)
Chocolate (use mantras and substitute fruit or sugar-free chocolate)
Chips (try mantras or substitute celery, burnt cheese crisps, or have a cup of water)
Salt (I crave it. I've read that people with thyroid issues actually need salt. I will lick a finger full of celtic or sea salt instead. If I am out, I will use another spice or say a mantra)
Pistachios (substitute a veggie like carrots or celery)
Salad dressing (at home, make my own. out? oil and vinegar)
Cheese sticks (try burnt cheese crisps at first and transition to a veggie or apple when I hit dairy-free stage)
Crackers (substitute veggies or use a mantra)
Vodka (the first stage of new diet will be easy to avoid)
Wine (not a big deal since I rarely have it anymore)

Celery and Almond Butter

Apple and Almond Butter

Peeled apple wedges

Cherries

Blueberries

Sparkling water with cran juice (no sugar)

Herbal tea

Sip of AC Vinegar in water (clear out the palet)

Herbs over salt

Cocoa powder and stevia

Coconut Milk

Oats Milk

GF versions of things are still better than the real thing (unless they have a ton of sugar)

Guac and Avo's

Nuts

Crunchy salad packs with Oil and Vinegar dressings

Dried fruits in moderation

Eggs

Almond Flour

Mandarines

Coffee with coconut and cinnamon

Water with lemon (or lemon-aid with stevia)

Peanut butter in a pinch

Hot sauces and wasabi

Lettuce

GF wraps (as long as they aren't high in sugar or carbs)

Bean chips of some kind (if I just can't take it anymore)

Have sugar snaps, carrots, celery, and nuts handy

Carry individual nut packs and water with me 

Have burgers without buns

Have hot wings

Ask for veggies rather than pita bread or get a salad

Hummus (in moderation and with a digestive enzyme)

How to help my adrenal system:

GF

DF

SF

lots of water

ACV

Adrenal support tabs

Digestive Enzymes

Plenty of sleep (take something if needed)

Magnesium

Fiber

Exercise (not cardio)

Strolling walks; not power walks)

Get out in nature

Mantras

Meditation

Hemi-sync

I will add to my list as the dairy goes on. I know this diary is going to be part of my support system. I can create my own support system. 

Whenever someone is not supportive, I can use them as a reminder of what I don't want; they become a part of my support system. I can say that I don't want to end up with diabetes or heart problems. I can say that I don't want to end up with a lifetime of bad choices. For example; Whenever someone around me is indulging in things I have decided to avoid, I will "see" the unhealthy effects of their unconsciousness choices and remind myself that I have decided to make smarter decisions about what goes into my mouth. I will mentally tell them (and myself) "Stop putting that in your mouth!"