Protective Diet

I've tried almost every diet in the book.  I've been successful at many of them...but it was always short lived.  I lost over 100 pounds eight years ago, only to regain it and then some.

At the beginning of 2012, I started an anti-inflammatory diet, hoping that I would be able to ease some of the arthritis pain I deal with.  For three months, I ate nothing except chicken, fish, vegetables, and fruit.  I weighed in at my doctor's office, only to discover that I'd gained weight!  I was so discouraged!

I'd already cut out dairy, and then I cut out meat, too.  I still didn't lose.  Eventually, I became discouraged, and started eating sugar and some dairy again.  I also continued to gain weight.

After getting my hormones under control with medication, I decided to try again.  I looked at Dr. Fuhrman's plan, but so many of the recipes have nuts in them, and we can't have nuts in the house because of my son's allergies.  I watched Forks Over Knives, Fat, Sick & Nearly Dead, and Rip Esselyston's movie.  They all made sense to me.  I tried some of their recipes.  Some were good and others were not so good.

I'd run across some recipes from Plant Purity, but I hadn't tried any of them.  I later discovered that the name had been changed from Plant Purity to Protective Diet.  I was happy that the plan didn't include nuts.  I was a little hesitant about eliminating oils from my diet, especially since I was eating a lot of organic coconut oil.  People told me that I needed oil, that my hair and skin would dry out if I didn't eat it.

Still, I decided to go for it.  I've loved every single recipe I've made so far.  It's hard to believe that some of them are healthy because they taste so rich and decadent!  I don't feel like I'm giving up a thing, and I look forward to preparing and eating my meals. 

Wednesday Weigh In: Week 1

I lost nine pounds my first week!  After my past experiences, I was so afraid to see the scale.  So, I was extra thrilled when it showed such a big loss.  I am so motivated now!

Start Today

  

The Beginning

Today I joined the Biggest Loser weight loss support group.  I wasn't going to join because I didn't want to spend the $40.00, but realized that I needed to do so.  I've tried to lose on my own for so long, and I really need the support.

The group runs from today through September 11th.  Both dates are significant to me.  June 19th is the date that we had our last failed adoption, and September 11th is my birthday.  This is my gift to myself.

I was so discouraged after trying to lose weight, really sticking with my diet plan, only to gain!  I'm good at beating myself up, but the reality is that I have health problems that cause me to be sedentary.  I have severe osteoarthritis in my neck, spine, and knees.  I have degenerative disk disease and ruptured disks.  I have lymphedema in both legs.  I have no idea what my legs weigh, but they feel like they're filled with cement.  The lymphedema makes movement difficult, too.  I also have a brain tumor in my pituitary that causes me to have high levels of prolactin, the hormone that regulates other hormones.  Even when I heard about a number of different people who gained over 100 pounds after being diagnosed with the same tumor, I continued to beat myself up.

I'm finished beating myself up.  I deserve better.  Yes, I'm overweight.  Grossly overweight.  No, I don't like it.  But, it's where I am right now.  It's also not who I am inside.  It's taken me a long time to believe that, but something has shifted. 

This is my journey, which I'm taking day by day, each of which is a gift.

Kitchen Helps

Instant Pot






Vitamix






Cuisinart Food Processor








Cuisinart Immersion Blender








Kitchen Aid Mixer








Cuisinart Toaster Oven





Juicers - Champion, Breville

Braun Citrus Juicer

Krups Coffee Grinder (for grinding flax seeds)




Microplane Grater

 

Jonathan's Wild Cherry Spoons

Pampered Chef Garlic Press
 


Pampered Chef Citrus Juicer



Spiral Slicer

 


Salad Spinner

Mandoline





Pampered Chef Food Chopper




Henckels Four-Star Knives





Matfer Exopat Nonstick Baking Mat





Pyrex Glass Storage Containers




Canning Jars - in all sizes

Stainless Steel Measuring Cups




Stainless Steel 2-cup Measuring Cup


Glass Measuring Cups

5-ounce Measuring Glass - Measures ounces and tablespoons






Pampered Chef Measure-All Cup - for House Mayo and other thick ingredients

Stainless Steel Measuring Spoons




Silicone Baking/Muffin Cups





Pampered Chef Scrapers

Stainless Steel Whisk



Pampered Chef Stoneware

Muffin Tins

Baking Sheets

Stainless Steel Utensils
 

Stainless Steel Cookware Set

Cast Iron Frying Pans
 

Wok

Potato Masher

Mortar and Pestle

Peeler

Julienne Peeler

Cookie Scoop


Chinois Strainer

Colander

My Shopping List

Organic Vegetables

Asparagus

Broccoli

Cabbage

Carrots

Cauliflower

Celery

Corn

Cucumber

Garlic

Ginger Root

Green Beans

Green Leafy Vegetables (Arugula, Butter Lettuce, Chard, Collard Greens,

Kale, Leaf Lettuce, Mesclun, Radicchio, Red Leaf Lettuce, Romaine, Spinach etc.)

Jicama

Onions

Peppers

Portobello Mushrooms

Scallions

Tomatoes

Zucchini/Yellow Squash

Organic Fruit

Apples

Bananas

Berries

Cherries

Grapes

Lemons

Limes

Mango

Oranges/Clementines/Tangerines

Peaches/Nectarines

Pears

Pineapple

Pomegranate

Watermelon

Fresh Herbs

Basil

Chives

Cilantro

Oregano

Parsley

Thyme

 

Seeds

Chia Seeds 

Hemp Seeds

Flax Seeds

White Chia Seeds

Sea Vegetables

Dulse Granules 

Kelp Powder

Nori Sheets

Baking Supplies

Baking Powder
Cacao Powder
Vanilla Extract

Canned/Jarred Foods

Applesauce

Jackfruit - Green (in water or brine with no citric acid or preservatives) 

Pineapple - Crushed (no citric acid)

Pomi Tomatoes - Chopped

Pomi Tomatoes - Strained

Pumpkin

Soymilk (unsweetened, no carrageenan)

Tomato Paste

Vegetable Broth - Pacific Low Sodium

Condiments

Apple Cider Vinegar - Organic

Coconut Aminos

Liquid Smoke (check ingredients for sugars, artificial flavors, etc.)

Miso

Mustard - Organic Dijon
Mustard - Spicy Brown
Nutritional Yeast
Tamari - Organic, Low Sodium

Grains

Brown Rice

Corn Flour

Cornmeal

Cornstarch - Organic

Corn Tortillas
English Muffins - Brown Rice

Ezekiel Bread

Ezekiel Buns
Ezekiel Pockets
Noodles: Annie Chun, Maifun (brown rice)

Noodles: Annie Chun, Pad Thai (brown rice)

Oats - Rolled
Oats - Steel Cut

Pasta - Brown Rice: Spirals, Spaghetti, Linguini, Lasagna, Penne, Ziti

Quinoa
Tortillas - E2 Ancient Sprouted Grains

Herbs/Spices/Salt

Basil

Bay Leaf

Black Pepper

Black Salt

Celery Seed

Cayenne

Chili Powder

Chipotle Chili Powder
Cilantro

Cinnamon

Cloves

Coriander

Cumin, Ground
Cumin Seeds

Curry Powder

Dill

Garlic - Granulated
Garlic Powder

Ginger

Mustard, Ground
Mustard Seeds

Nutmeg

Onion Flakes
Onion Granules
Onion Powder

Oregano

Paprika, Regular
Paprika, Smoked

Parsley

Poppy Seeds

Poultry Seasoning

Red Pepper Flakes

Rosemary

Sage

Thyme

Turmeric

RealSalt

Legumes

Black Beans

Chickpeas

Great Northern Beans

Kidney Beans

Lentils, Green
Lentils, Red

Pinto Beans

Split Peas, Green

Split Peas, Yellow

Dried Chile Peppers

Ancho Chiles
Arbol Chiles
Guajillo Chiles

Sweeteners

Stevia
Stevia, Vanilla

Food Addiction: Gains vs. Losses

What I've Gained from Food Addiction:

Instant Gratification
Delicious Tastes
Yummy Taste of Chocolate
Calming from Chocolate
Pick me up from Coffee
Comfort from Comfort Foods
Sugar Rush
Calmness from Alcohol
The inability to stop eating certain foods
Poor health
PAIN
Obesity
Sadness
Poor self-esteem
Depression
Anxiety
Panic Attacks
Loneliness
Arthritis
Pinched Nerves
Meralgia Paresthetica
Rosacea
Worsened Lymphedema
Sleep Apnea
Psoriasis
Breathlessness
Alienation
Anger (mostly suppressed)
Heart Palpitations
Eczema
Memory Loss
Numbness in Hands and Arms
Insomnia
Disapproval
Embarrassment
Shame
Dread
Worry
Hopelessness
Indifference
Disrespect
Humiliation
Resentment
Powerlessness
Discouragement
Loneliness 
Rejection
Fear
Insecurity


How I Feel as a Result of Food Addiction:

Ridiculed
Dehumanized
Inferior
Invalidated
Insulted 
Criticized
Beaten Down
Labeled
Mocked
Offended
Put Down
Stereotyped
Teased
Underestimated
Worthless
Controlled by Food
Unheard
Imprisoned
Inhibited
Unloved/Unlovable
Suffocated
Trapped
Insignificant
Left out
Misunderstood
Uncared about
Unwanted
Cheated
Judged
Robbed
Unimportant
Intimidated
Scared
Violated
Deceived



What I've Lost from Food Addiction:

The Ability to Walk
The Ability to Stop Eating Certain Foods
Clear Thinking
Participation in things that I love: walking, gardening, hiking, camping
Active play with my kids
Dates with my husband
Dates with my kids
A good sexual relationship with my husband
Socializing
The ability to go out
Vacations/Trips
Relationships/friends
Sleeping in bed with my husband (I sleep in a hospital bed)
The ability, both physical and emotional, to participate in life

Before

Written 4/21/11:

Morbidly obese
Constant pain from arthritis, especially in neck, back, knees, hands, hips
Carpal tunnel pain
Insomnia - usually go to bed between 2:00 and 4:00 am
Sleep apnea
Wake up during night from pain in knees, neck, hip, shoulder, and from right hand going numb
Lymphedema in both legs. Swelling, pain, discoloration, serious infections, scars from infections
Neuropathy pain. Right thigh is numb, painful to the touch, stabbing pains, itching
Pituitary Tumor, hyperprolactinemia, amennorrhea
Extremely itchy back and neck
Rash all over back, neck, chest, stomach, arms (Candida)
Rosacea
Itchy, irritated scalp
Broken out across cheeks (not sure if it's acne, Rosacea, or from the CPAP machine)
Cannot walk for more than a few feet without extreme pain in back, hips
Cannot stand for more than a few minutes without the same pain
Occasional sciatic pain
Sinus problems, problems breathing, clearing throat
Frequent sore throats
Wheezing, easily winded
Memory problems
Depressed, overwhelmed, angry, discontent
Rarely leave the house
Never want to leave the house
Don't want to talk to people
Addicted to the computer
Crave carbs: bread, crackers, sweets

Addiction

I've come to a realization.

I've known for years that I suffer from food addiction. Some people argue the concept; I have no doubt that it exists and is very real in my life.

People tend to trivialize it in comparison to alcoholism. I used to do the same.

I knew that I was a food addict...but I never considered myself to be as desperate as an alcoholic.

Yes, I couldn't stop eating when I ate certain foods, namely sugar, fats, and refined carbohydrates. Any creamy "comfort" foods were impossible to stop, too.

Still, I felt that I was in control. I could, and did, choose to stop eating those foods, and within a week or so, I'd be free of cravings.

But, the time came when I once again chose to take just one bite, of bread, or a cracker, or a cookie. Just one bite...and it was all over.

Now, I have a whole new respect for food addiction. For the first time, I feel totally and completely powerless. It is destroying me and destroying my life. I am desperate, feeling like it has gotten so huge that I no longer know how to battle it. I see it destroying everything but I can't seem to get out of its clutches. It is winning; it is killing me.

I've read that food addiction becomes stronger as time goes on.

I agree.