Call Me Crazy, But Call Me Determined

Abrams Falls - GSMNP

December 2, 2011

It is December and I am DETERMINED to begin 2012 at a lower weight than last January 1.  My hiking bud (who probably doesn't weigh 110 fully layered for a sub-zero hike!!) pronounced me "crazy" when I told her I had started a diet.  But I'm not crazy and if I've learned one thing over the years, it's that when the inspiration hits even if it comes in the strangest way, don't stop to think about what time of year it is.  Don't THINK at all!  JUST DO IT!  And I did!  And here's the story - crazy as it seems!

As you well know, I don't do "diets" so I'm starting out going against the grain of my own philosophy.  I strongly believe that (for me) the proper way to lose weight and keep it off is a balanced eating plan using the simple formula of calories in vs. calories burned = pounds lost.  I have also learned that I am somewhat carb sensitive and heavy carb ingestion even if total calorie intake is correct will still result in slow or no loss plus every one of those carbs attaches itself directly to my thighs and posterior.  

But on a rainy, cold morning, I was perusing the shelves at Barnes and Nobel when a book entitled, "The 17-Day Diet" caught my attention.  Why??   I have NO idea.  It was amongst 10,000 other titles each hoping theirs would catch some ignorant  gullible sucker and rob them of $25.  Maybe it was the pink and blue cover.  Maybe it was the "rapid results" part although normally that turns me off pretty quickly.  That's why the whole thing was so weird.  Usually, this is something I wouldn't have given a second glance.  At any rate, I picked it up, grabbed a cup of coffee, found my favorite window seat and began reading.  And there I sat until I had finished the book.  I wasn't sold, but I was intrigued.  

Did I buy the book?   Of course not - I'm far too cheap!  But I went straight to my public library, checked it out, then headed home where I ordered it from amazon.com at half the price it was in Barnes and Noble.  I won't go into detail explaining the plan - that's not the point here and you can read plenty for youself online.   Basically, it follows three 17-day cycles with a fourth cycle that is "maintenance" if one stint through the first three cycles gets you there.  It's high protein and very low carb.  But you do have a variety of choices from the protein list and probably a primary reason the plan attracted me is that you are allowed two fruits (from the list) each day plus two servings from a list of probiotic items i.e. yogurt, kefir, Breakstone LivAction Cottage Cheese (which I was not familiar with and LOVE), and a few other selections.  In Cycles 2 and 3, your choices become much wider.  In fact, I could probably LIVE on Cycle 3.

Let me repeat that I have no idea why this drew me in when I've struggled so for the entire past year just to find ANY momentum to lose this weight I've regained.   Why now?   Why one more book when I've probably got 50 diet books stored away?   Whatever it was, the intuitive sensation that said, "try this" was very, very strong.

I am happy to report that all this happened on the Wednesday before Thanksgiving.  I began the first 17-day cycle on the Friday following Thanksgiving (coincidentally, the same day I reached my 300 mile hiking goal) which means I have successfully completed the 10th day.   Other than a slight slip-up when Mr. B put a tiny bit of butter in some asparagus, I believe I have toed the line all ten days.  As of this morning, I have lost 7.4 pounds.  The two daily fruit and probiotic servings are wonderful as those are both items I consider "treats" at any time.  The Cycle 1 list of fruit servings includes most of my favorites, so doesn't feel restrictive at all.  In retrospect, perhaps that's the reason I was drawn to this plan.

With the exception of a total "bonk" on the third evening, it has not been difficult.  There is plenty to eat and one need not go hungry.  I suspect the "bonk" was when the carb/sugar withdrawal kicked in.  I spent a couple of miserable hours biting Mr. B's head off alternating with sobbing on his shoulder.  Doesn't sound pretty, does it??  Believe me, it wasn't.  But he handled it well as I'd tried to prepare him that SOMETHING would happen.  I just wasn't sure exactly what!   Once I was past that, my energy level has soared and I feel great.  Cravings are pretty much gone.

And as Forrest Gump would say, until one week from today when I reach the end of the first 17-day cycle, "that's all I'm going to say about that!"

I'm happy to report that I did reach my 300 mile 2011 hiking goal and am now up to 309 miles.  In my head, I'm kind of playing with trying to get to 350 before December 31st, but that all depends on our weather and the availability of hiking partners.  I'm becoming increasingly comfortable with solo hiking and am certain the snake phobia factor is no longer present, but there are still those big black things known as bears and as you recall, I've had more than my share of encounters with them this year!!  In another couple of weeks, they'll be warmly hibernated doing whatever it is bears do in their dens that cause MORE bears next spring.  LOL!!

 SHE DID IT! - 300 mile 2011 hiking goal REACHED!

At Arch Rock on the Alum Cave Trail - GSMNP

November 25th, 2011

Have you heard of the 17 Day Diet?  How difficult would it be for you to follow it?  Is it something you would ever consider?