Changes in Attitudes, Changes in Latitudes - Part 2

A little more than three weeks ago I started on my new lifestyle path. However saying ‘lifestyle path’ is just too much of a mouthful so I’m going to use that dirty word: Diet. It’s just so much easier to say and write, but please know that I’m not thinking of my new eating habits as a ‘fad’.

But let me back up to several weeks ago when I had lunch with an acquaintance—you know those people that you meet up with once a year to catch up, never really getting into too much detail about each other’s lives? You just have pleasant conversation and a nice lunch and you’re happy not seeing them for another year.

However this year I completely passed her at the table because I didn’t recognize her. That’s because she lost about hundred pounds. She’s also a type 1 diabetic like I am. She looked great and of course I had to ask what her secret was. I could not believe the change.

She told me she’s been on a no carb/low carb diet for the past year. I was surprised because I was told from the time I was diagnosed that I must always have carbs with every meal for my insulin to work. She then pointed out that because we don’t produce any insulin at all that it wouldn’t matter what we eat, for us we need it to help our foods break down for energy, just without the carbs, we would just need less of it.

It was as if something just clicked in my head and I had one of those ‘Oprah aha’ moments. I got clarity and I have to say I also got pretty excited.

I wasn’t unfamiliar with the no carbohydrate lifestyle. My nephew has been on it for almost two years now—he started it when he started gaining weight and while he wasn’t close to being fat, if he kept on the way he was, he could very well be.

Anyway long story short is that he looks fantastic.  I just never considered the no carb diet an option for me. I only thought it could only be done with ‘healthy’ people or more to the point, those that didn’t need insulin.

Well until that lunch. She did advise that before I even thought about it that I needed to see my doctor to see if I could do this diet, not to mention trying to figure out with him how much insulin I would need on a no carb/low carb diet.

But I decided that if my doctor gave me the green light to go ahead with this diet then I would start the very next day. It’s funny how much I’m reminded of when I decided to quit smoking once and for all. After so many attempts of trying to quit, I knew without any doubt that January 1^st, 1997 that I had my very last cigarette. That I’d quit for good. And that’s the feeling I had about this change in my eating habits. I knew this would be what will put me on that road to weight loss.

When I told my doctor I wanted to go as no carb as possible, he looked at me and said, “Jacqui, I’ve been wanting you to do this for years but you kept telling me no.” Ummm guess I never heard him or ignored what he told me because those bowls of pasta and chips and Cheetos kept calling me.

But he was very happy that I wanted to do this and we talked about how much insulin I would need, depending on my blood sugar before each meal.

The next day I gave up rice, pasta, potatoes and bread. I also gave up all refined sugars, so no cakes, cookies and other sweets. All high salty snacks as well. Quit like I did when I gave up smoking. Cold turkey. I also gave up a very big crutch: Diet Coke or Coke Zero.

My meals these days consist mostly of protein, vegetables, fruits and nuts.

But let me tell you something. While I felt and still feel good and motivated, those first three/four days were horrible. My headaches were bad and I could feel myself going through that sugar withdrawal.

And yet it was almost a miracle that while I was getting those ‘sugar shakes’ I also discovered that my taste buds were opening up and for the first time in my life I discovered that I liked vegetables. Even those green ones. Yes for those that know me well, I’m sure you’re about to faint *lol*

Once I got over the sugar withdrawal and started to feel normal, it’s been fairly easy to follow this new diet. Especially as I’m not getting any cravings for sweets nor salty snacks.

I’m also drinking a lot more water and getting more fibre from both fruits/vegetables as well as supplements and that has made a big difference as well because when you feel full you don’t want to overeat.

I’ll stop there and tomorrow I’ll talk about my truths in dieting. Yes that is three blogs in a row!

‘Til next time,

Jacs

p.s. I'm trying to figure out why some folks can't seem to comment on this blog. I have it set so that anyone should be able to leave remarks without having a 'user id'. Very strange.  In the meantime please continue to email me direct or on Facebook. Your feedback and encouragement are appreciated.