Same, Same

It is the beginning of my fourth week without sugar. I guess I should say "mostly" without sugar.  There has been no added sugar, like granola bars, cookies, graham crackers etc.  There is that piece of chocolate almost every day and a little chocolate syrup twice...but all in small amounts. Today we went swimming and boy, did that feel good after two days of going without. I am happy to say-no headache today....hey, that makes a good day for me. 
Joy Boy needed a quick babysitter this morning and we were happy to oblige.  He is much more independent now and really quite funny.  Of course, they (the grands) are all quite amusing.  The stories I could tell.....ha!  But I digress....chicken for dinner and good old sweet potatoes and green beans....sounds good to me. Oh, and that one piece of dark chocolate...maybe :)

Potent Quotable

"The Spirit also helps in our weaknesses." Rom. 8:26
"The Spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak." Matt. 26:41

How many times have I said that last verse to myself these past 3 weeks of "No Sugar."  It seemed to have gotten easier this past week which is three weeks.  And I have lost 4 lbs and have seen a weight number I haven't seen in a long time.  "Has it helped the headaches?" everyone asks.  "No" is my reply, but I am not giving up.  A busy weekend prevented us from swimming, but we will be back at it tomorrow.  Can't wait!

Progress

Back swimming today and a weigh-in on the scales showed a 1 1/4 lb. weight loss, so I am happy about that. 
Still doing well, although I had more fruit today-but they were small portions: a few blueberries, an apricot (my favorite) and some raspberries with my banana "icecream" tonight (sorry Kathy-I know that sounds yucky to you :)  We skipped the bananas last night, but opted for them tonight.  So that pound will probably come right back on :)  I also had only one piece of dark chocolate.  But you know, some days you are just naturally more hungry than other days.  And today was one of them; maybe because the sun finally came out after a week. Well....it was in and out, but at least we saw it.  Tomorrow is another day.  It seems to get easier as the weeks go by. 

Still Working At It

No Chocolate for two days; yea!  That's not saying it is forever though :)  Tuesday I was craving a dessert so I made my famous banana ice cream.  I mash two ripe bananas on a dinner plate and stick it in the freezer.  Then, to eat, I thaw them for about 20 seconds in the microwave and dish them up in 2 bowls. I add a few chopped walnuts or pecans, a little drizzle of chocolate sauce and a dollop of whipped cream.  It satisfied and seemed a little on the sweet side since I haven't eaten anything like that for awhile. 
Yesterday and today went great-today we had steel-cut oatmeal for breakfast with lo-carb toast and a veggie omelet for lunch with another piece of toast (peanut butter and a little fruit-only jelly). For a snack this morning I had a handful of mixed nuts and an apricot. 
Dinner is going to be salmon, sweet potato, and asparagus. Might have the banana ice cream again.  We skipped swimming this morning-first time we elected not to go.  We just needed a break and felt like a quiet, slow morning. 
My clothes are starting to feel a little different especially around the waist. Even though that is a slow go, I feel good about being fit and eating right. 

Discouraged

Major headache day-me thinks I will stop the chocolate and umm....maybe nuts. And...it is spring-so there is that "spring wheat" to consider. HA!  Still no sugar and no more weight loss; which was a little discouraging today-but I am still swimming and trying my best.  I think the older you get the more you have to eat like a bird.  Right now, don't feel like eating, so that's good. 
Don is reading from a "Wellness Letter" that says Butterbur can help headaches; it is sold as Petadolex in Health Food Stores.  Hmm...will think about that one. 

Fresh Out.........

Of new ideas for meals/snacks; although what I am doing is good, it gets a little boring.  So I have been going through "Cooking Light" Magazine for some meal ideas.  I want to plan a whole week of meals and buy the groceries all at once.  I cut out the recipes I want and put them in a notebook.  I saw a new "Cooking Light" in the mail today that looks really good.  I am afraid I didn't drink enough water today, so will step that up again tomorrow.  Sometimes I feel genuinely hungry.  I need to let that feeling pass for awhile before I look for something to eat.  The most filling snack I eat is a handful of mixed nuts.  In the morning I have have "Ezekial 4:9" sprouted whole grain cereal with golden flax.  I eat a 1/4 of a cup with a few blueberries.  The verse is right on the front of the box; "Take also unto thee Wheat and Barley and Beans and Lentils and Millet and Spelt and put them in one vessel and make bread of it...."   Have you ever heard that verse?  In fact, I HAVE to look it up now.   Well yes, there it is-Cool!   Okay so, having a little spaghetti tonight with Barilla Plus Pasta (multi-grain with Omega 3) and a salad.
Shopping tomorrow will include some fresh veggies which I have run out of. 
Loved going swimming this morning after missing it TWO days in a row.  A first since the 3rd week of February! 

Still Trying

It's been a little harder this weekend since I am on a retreat. I had a little more fruit than I should but I stayed away from the ice cream @ lunch and the yummy-looking chocolate pie with whipped cream and caramel drizzled on top @ dinner. I did have a no- no; diet caffeine coke after my humid walk yesterday. It tasted oh so good! We are supposed to stay away from artificial sweetners because they make you crave sugar and they really aren't good for you. One more meal today to resist dessert.