Why in the world would anyone CHOOSE to give up BACON???
Yet, here I am. Eating plant strong and feeling the best I have in years. The energy levels that I am feeling are seriously blowing my mind. I (you may want to sit for this) got on the treadmill the other day just because I was feeling like I NEEDED to expend some energy! .....aliens have not invaded my body.....I don't think...
My mind is so much clearer. I don't feel like I'm walking in a fog anymore. I feel stronger and like I have a spark, my spunk is back! I asked Mr if he'd noticed any differences and he said that he sees more energy and that I seem happier. Happier? Yes, that is one of the crazy things I've noticed....I wasn't UNhappy before. I would say that in general I am a fairly happy and positive person but now? Pollyanna ain't got nuthin on me!
I feel like I am actually getting to watch myself change in the mirror every day. My face looks different. My cheek bones are starting to be more defined, my jawline too and that second chin I thought would never ever make its way back to wherever it was from.....its disappearing. Clothes fit differently. Shorts that were tight not that long ago slide on easily now and with extra room in some places! New clothes I bought only 2 weeks ago are now baggy! I had to buy new undies too. The weight is coming off slowly, but the fat....the visible markers of weight.....are melting off. I can see it in my hands, face, shoulders, legs....all over! Yesterday my brother in law saw a new picture of me on facebook....."this may seem like a dumb question but is that you?" I assured him that it was me and he proceeded to tell me how great I looked in the funniest best way possible that a younger brother in law can. It made my day!
I cancelled my weight watchers account. Yep, I did. I don't have any need to count or measure anything anymore. $$$ saved.
If you've been reading here for long you know that my struggle with food has been exhausting and consuming. My relationship with food has been more based on fear than nutrition. When I talked about food my only perspective was to preach about its danger.....this didn't go over well in many ways....but it was authentic. It was my truth and where I was standing, food had lost its goodness and was more of a cage for me. It was about restriction.
Not any more.
For the first time in several years I feel a freedom and enjoyment with food that goes beyond my kitchen. Last night we planned to go out to dinner to celebrate the Dude graduating from elementary school. (no kids menu for him, thank you) I checked out the menu ahead of time and decided I'd have a greek salad, no chicken, cheese or pita and a plain baked potato on the side. NO ANXIETY. No fear. Hesitation and negativity were not my dinner companions. There was no cloud of resentment or boredom hovering over me. I didn't need to struggle to not make negative comments about being bored by the same old restaurant dinner. I enjoyed it. Even my very first baked potato without butter was good! I felt full and satisfied at the end. No mental cloud or wave of confusion, no bloating or intestinal discomfort. I felt GOOD. I enjoyed going out!
This is one of those times where I feel so good I want to shout to the world that everyone should do this! Everyone should eat this way!! Like the euphoria of falling in love making you want to fix up everyone you know so they too can be THIS happy. Yep, that's how amazing this is. But I've learned from my past. Preaching to people who haven't asked or expressed interest....doesn't get you anywhere. Kinda works the same way with Jesus sadly. Restraint is my companion now. I have made choices that are working for me. I have made choices that are enhancing my life and even my relationships....because my attitude is positive. Preaching the poisons and sins of meat and processed foods will get you nowhere fast....and reduce your conversations quite a bit too. Before - fear and restraint were heavy in my conversation. Now, I am taking a new approach. I am living. I am living my choices, making them with joy and enjoyment and letting the world see the change in my body, my demeanor...me. I am choosing to allow the world to ask instead of getting on a soapbox and pointing my finger at the offenders. My job is to take care of MY body, not everyone else's. The nurturer in me struggles with that. Others in my life need to make their own food choices....even those closest to me....and I need to be able to respect them even if their nutritional choices concern or disgust me. It's not going in my body, so I need to shut up and be an example instead of a downer.
In my heart I would love for everyone I know to try this for a week, 2 weeks or take the Engine 2 challenge. I would love for everyone I know to feel this good and see the benefits that I have. Reality tells me that most will look at the choice I'm making and slap on the "vegan politics" and see "restriction" in neon flashing over my head. I don't feel restricted though. My craving for meat or dairy is totally gone. Has it been tough to learn to do a few things differently? Sure. All new adventures have their challenges and puzzles to solve but among all the food based Rubik's cube puzzles I've had to solve, this one has been the easiest.
Do I miss ice cream? Yep. But I'll figure that one out in time. For now I've figured out how to make amazing sherbet. (I'll show you how soon!) I have discovered the most amazing maple banana nut breakfast cookies and I am totally in love with them. They are so fast and easy to make! Double the recipe and freeze some. When you are in a pinch and don't have time for a full meal - grab and go! I've done it, it helps! I'll show you those too! Last night I had popcorn. How? I popped organic kernels in a paper bag in the microwave, drizzled a little walnut oil on and sprinkled with salt. It was good enough (even though I did slightly burn it) that Mr stole more than a handful...or three.
I hope to start being able to show you more of how I'm doing this and that it isn't hard at all. If you want me to address anything specific let me know.....though that would require someone to comment....ever....for this to not be just a one way conversation. ehem. Just sayin.
Blessings for a wonderful weekend to officially kick off summer!
the Mrs.
Loved this post!!!
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