Today at my WW meeting, we were talking about the danger of telling ourselves that we "can't" eat certain things. It puts us in that diet mentality, and makes us feel deprived. I have said that I'm having a much harder time this time around, because the newness has worn off. I also worry that my plan to do "Whole30" for the next 2+ months with only a few days off is too restrictive and unrealistic for me. I'm nervous too that, when I go on vacation in August after being so restricted for so long, I will go nuts.
I am considering switching to a Paleo approach, which is basically a less strict W30 with, I believe, 3 "cheat meals" a week. I would probably use these for my weekend dinners, because I hate having to cook on the weekends. I am also considering allowing myself one ice cream a weekend. My night sweats have continued despite stopping dairy, so I'm wondering if it WAS just a coincidence that they stopped in April. I still want to limit my dairy to the ice cream and maybe 1 or 2 of the cheat meals, and limit the sugar to those times as well. I'm definitely scared, because I don't want to go totally off the way I did before, but I also think I need to find a way to do this REALLY long term, and this is not it.
All that being said, I still encourage EVERYONE to do a true W30, and the reintroductions. I'm also not saying that I won't ever do another full one, but maybe it's just too soon, and I was planning it for too long a period of time. I can't let myself hide behind these "rules" forever, and need to make myself comfortable with moderation. I can't tell you I'm not excited about eating something other than chicken and cauliflower for dinner tonight, but I'm also pretty scared. I guess I'm going to make myself face that fear, rather than hiding from it. I've done moderation before, and I need to be strong enough to do it now. I'm hoping that, if I tell myself it's 3 meals and 1 dessert ONLY, that will be regimented enough for me right now.
I'd appreciate any feedback!
I think that is a great idea. I also have the struggle of trying to incorporate the eating habits of the others in my family, and on some days I am too exhausted to separate out my food. But, I think I *might* be able to do this if I have days designated for eating off-plan. As long as I only go SLIGHTLY off-plan, and limit it to those days, I will still feel a sense of control, without deprivation. It tends to be easier for me to stay on-plan during the week. So, I might try that also. The problem is that the Whole30 great feeling is the result of continued eating this way. So, I'm concerned that the cheat meals will undo or negate the good of the week. But, I do think it is worth a try!
ReplyDeleteI am just so sick of eggs and meat...neither of which were things I ate much of before. I know I feel better when I'm not eating carbs, sugar and dairy, but I also don't want to be bored to death with my meals. I will never enjoy cooking, and will never be able to whip up a new, exciting meal every night. I need to give myself the freedom to bring something in on occasion (other than bare bones Chipotle.) I agree that I need to not go TOO far off plan either, because that's when I get in so many types of trouble! I thought about doing "weekends off" too, but I think that's too much, and 1 meal off Friday-Sunday should be ok for now.
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