Making Some Changes...(Being Real)

So.....


Did ya miss me???


My blogging is way too sporadic. I need to work on that.


I've spent the past week making some major lifestyle changes. It's something I've been thinking about and planning for several weeks. I didn't have much faith in myself, however, so I just kept putting it off.


You see, I'm not really happy with myself. I don't do well with mirrors or cameras. You'll notice that I very rarely post pictures of myself. I am so not photogenic. I do NOT photograph well. I'm self conscious because I'm, well, clutzy, and I have gained some weight.


I never lost the baby weight after my last three kids. And then I spent so much time and energy worrying about my youngest and his health issues. I blamed the extra weight on that. I just didn't have time to think about myself.


Then he had open heart surgery and did really well.


And I gained even more weight.


That's when I realized that I've never been successful at losing weight and keeping it off because I don't really place that much importance on me.


Eating healthy foods has not been a priority. Exercising has not been a priority.



As my 45th birthday is fast-approaching (later this summer), I realized that, yes, I want to look good for my age, but more than that, I want to feel good. If I keep sitting on my, uh, laurels, it will be too late.



As I was reaching all of these conclusions, I received an email from a representative of Source Books, offering me a shot at a 'blogger challenge'. The blogger challenge? A 3 week trial run of the Perfect 10 diet.






A diet book! *sigh* Three weeks blogging about a diet. In public. I'm. Not. Sure.


I read through the email and the last sentence grabbed me. "We hope you'll join us in starting a revolution against obesity-one person at a time."



I clicked on the links and looked at the information the rep had provided and realized that this program was solid, common sense. A clean way of eating. The timing of this challenge, well, it had to be a sign! (God cares about the details in your life, you know....)



I took the challenge.



This is where I tell you, in full disclosure, that Source Books sent me a free copy of the book, a folder filled with links to interviews and reviews, cheat sheets, grocery lists, etc., and Dr. Aziz's email address in case I had any questions. In return, I was asked to take the 3 week challenge, which is Phase One of the Perfect 10 diet, and to share with my readers about this program.



Phase one of the Perfect 10 diet is a very healthy, balanced plan of healthy carbs, protein, and good fats. You must eliminate sugar, grains, and caffeine, processed foods, and you must try to eliminate snacking-3 meals a day, with breakfast as your biggest meal. This is supposed to replenish your body's natural hormones that are negatively affected by the average American diet.



Can I just stop here and tell you that I have the worst diet on the planet?!?!


The Perfect 10 diet claims that you can lose as much as 14 pounds during Phase one. In Phase two, you add whole grains.



I started Phase one last Monday. I went cold turkey. No sugar, no processed foods, no grains, and cut my caffeine to one cup of coffee every morning. (I'm down to every other morning now!) I followed some of the recipes in the book and, surprisingly, have had very little problem staying with it. (I cheated one meal. *blush*)



Yesterday was one week and I had my first weigh-in yesterday.



Six pounds! I lost six pounds! In one week....



I am so excited!



And I realized today that I am really comfortable with this plan. Don't get me wrong. I will be really happy when week 4 gets here and I can have a little whole grain bread! lol!


But, today, I noticed that I feel better than I did a week ago.



That's what seals the deal.



So, no, there's no before photo posted on this blog and no, I'm not going to post my weight. (eek!)



I'm already stepping out of my comfort zone! I don't know, but I feel like this is something I'm supposed to do. (Such a time as this?? Esther 4:14??)


Maybe when I get a little further along, I'll go back and post pictures. But not now. Not yet. I've got major work to do on my self-image.


I'm feeling so good about this that I joined the Biggest Loser Pound for Pound challenge! I even place a link to the PFP challenge on my blog. It's on the top right corner. You can click it to learn more about pledging pounds for your local food bank.



Does this sound like something you have been searching for? I'll try to answer any questions you have.


You can read more about Dr. Aziz and the Perfect 10 diet here.



And you can buy a copy of his book here. (It's on sale!)