DF29: Cooler Plan, Day 2

Today was a little tougher than yesterday, mainly because I picked up bbq ribs for the guys and had to smell them cooking. I haven't really had sugar cravings, maybe because I had already cut way back on it in the past couple of weeks.

I have to admit, since I've started eating small meals every 3 hours or so I really do feel better. My energy level is much, much better. My blood sugar stays pretty stable, no big crashes, shakiness, or that "starving" feeling.

But geez Louise, is it ever BORING. It will be nice when I am on a little less stringent plan and can eat more than just plain food by itself. Just to give you an example, here's what I ate today.

Pre-breakfast: 2 8 oz. glasses of water.

Breakfast: 3/4 c. Quinoa with flaxseed, wheatgerm, and almond milk. 1 whole egg scrambled with 3 egg whites, and a cup of green tea (no sweetener). 2 8 oz. glasses of water.

During workout: 4 8 oz. glasses water.

Midmorning: sliced cucumbers, radishes, and 2 baby sweet peppers sliced and tossed with 1 t. olive oil, salt and pepper, topped with water packed tuna and a dressing made of fresh lemon juice and tamari. I know I'm not supposed to eat high-sodium foods, but I did work out and perspired ALOT, so I figured a little salt couldn't hurt. 2 8 oz. glasses of water.

Strength training: 4 8 oz. glasses water

"Lunch" (at 4:45 p.m.!) Roast turkey breast cutlet (4 oz.) on a bed of leftover Lacinato kale and 1/2 sweet potato. 1 apple. 2 8 oz. glasses water.

While fixing dinner: 2 8 oz. glasses water.

Dinner: (8 p.m.): 4 oz. roasted chicken breast, 1/2 sweet potato, broccoli with a splash of umeboshi plum vinegar. 2 8 oz. glasses water.

While cleaning up after dinner: 2 8 oz. glasses water.

That water-packed tuna is so dry, I had to put something on it. Because of not eating breakfast until 10 a.m., I was only able to squeeze in 4 of my 5 planned meals again. Because of this I skipped one of the lighter meals (the midafternoon snack) and had the dinner meal instead.

Meal preparation was a snap since I had already cooked several pieces of boneless, skinless chicken breast (it was on sale at WF for half-price, so I bought lots) and also roasted the turkey cutlets last night while the corn muffins were in the oven. I noticed I'm supposed to eat quinoa again later in the week so I cooked extra this morning and put the leftovers in the fridge.

I've noticed much less muscle soreness than usual when I'm coning back to exercise after a long break, and I think this is because of the extra protein I'm eating. It helps the muscles rebuild themselves more quickly after a tough workout.

Of course, with having to drink a gallon of water a day, I'm constantly running to the bathroom. But I know from experience this will get better when my body gets used to the extra fluid intake. I swear, I'm so well-hydrated I could practically sell my output as spring water. (Sorry if that was TMI.) I sweat ALOT during my workouts and get very thirsty, so I am drinking extra then. I'm supposed to be drinking distilled water, but I refuse to pay for drinking water, so I'm just drinking the filtered water from the door of the fridge.

One more thing I've noticed is that if something has sugar in it, I can tell instantly. For instance, just from tasting one bite of the salsa I brought home yesterday, I could tell there was sugar in it. Since I'm not eating refined sugars or any sweeteners at all right now, I can really taste and appreciate the sweetness of the fruit and sweet potatoes.

Tomorrow I've got to sit down and figure out what I'm going to feed the guys this week. Some of the dinner meals will be easy-- if I'm having ground turkey or ground bison, I can just make extra for them and throw in an extra side-dish or two for them. I'm supposed to have fish tomorrow night, which we all like. For some of the other nights, I'll use leftovers. We have leftover ribs and also some "red" chili I made and froze. The guys aren't suffering by any means. B&J ice cream was on sale 1/2 price at the Teeter,so I got each of them a pint of their favorite flavors: Cherry Garcia for DC, and Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough for DS.

If I make it through the week without going off "the plan," I'm treating myself to some no-dairy, no-sugar coconut milk "ice cream" on Thursday.

I definitely notice a difference in how I feel-- everything is better, including my depression, and I finally have the energy to work out again, which also helps in so many ways. I'm also encouraged that I WILL lose weight and be back in my regular clothes in no time.