Back to Reality

Wow, was the last post really March 12th?! It's hard to get back to reality after vacation. I think my whole body slows down and I relax and then it's hard to get the engines back to full throttle when I return. My suitcase typically sits, unemptied, on the bedroom floor for a week or so before I get motivated to fully empty it. Before I left for vacation, I'd decided that when I return, I was going to try the Fat Flush Plan. I'd seen the book at a friend's home about a month ago and she said the doctor whom we both see had recommended it to her. In essence, it's like the Atkins diet with a liver detox program added. This means no alcohol, caffeine, sugar, artificial sweeteners, grain or dairy and only low-carb fruits and vegetables. So, I rallied the necessary vitamins and supplements and lots of meat and vegetables and began. Day one: I felt fine. I thought, "this is no big deal, I can do this". Day two and three: hit by the caffeine truck. I would typically have 2-3 servings of caffeine a day, and fooled myself that this was "no big deal". But, let me tell you, to come off of that, was powerful. I also felt very irritable. Days four to six: mood improved but I was still tired and very hungry. Then, day seven, like magic, the fog lifted. I feel better, although I'm not experiencing the burst of energy I hear about. I'm now cruising through week two. My hunger is under control and I feel stable. The book has lots of great information and what to eat so as not to over burden your body's ability to detoxify. I think a lot of what I'm learning will be a new lifestyle for me. It's raised my awareness about the sinister roles of caffeine, sugar, and wheat in my life! I feel like I do eat fairly healthy, but there is always room for improvement. A cup of coffee and a cookie is such a comfort that it's hard to give that up. A handful of almonds and a glass of water isn't quite the same. I'm a big believer in finding balance and moderation in life, so I know that if I continue to follow the maintenance plan, there can still be the place for an occasional glass of Merlot or piece of birthday cake from Shaker Baker.