December 29, 2008 11:03 AM
Diet prep
I know a lot of you are on board for joining me in bringing in a new year of becoming as fit as we can be by losing unnecessary weight and getting more exercise. Many of you have bought the Fat Flush Detox or the Fat Flush.
I just want to be really clear that I am no diet guru. I am just someone who in 2006 set a goal of losing 100 pounds, successfully shed 90 pounds, then bounced back up 10, which I have been carrying around for several months, preventing me from wearing most of my pants. Because I refuse to buy bigger pants - figuring that's how I marched up to a size 22w before - my wardrobe is limited. And because I have a fondness for clothes, this is very motivating to me.
I have made several false starts over the past year of getting down to my goal weight of 150. As I mentioned, I never embraced the strict regimen completely, but tried to keep coffee in the mix. I realize that the effectiveness of this diet depends on my complete submission to the detox aspect. I must be willing to divorce myself from my attachment to everything pertaining to food. For those of you worried about recipes and making something appetizing and satisfying on this diet, I would suggest looking at it more as a spiritual exercise and learning to eat to survive - no frills. Try not to think about food or plan. Just eat simply and stoically. When you see the weight come off, you will become more motivated and it will become easier.
Then again, I am convinced that each of us has unique issues and obstacles and if you feel led to do things differently, then please don't try to do it my way if it isn't working for you.
I need to tell you that I must change my start date to January 5th. I want to give myself the best possible opportunity to succeed and I naturally gravitate toward starting new things on Monday. The kids start school then too and we will be keeping normal waking/sleeping hours. I need to have that knowledge that there will be a routine for the first five days. Plus, I am expecting an excruciating caffeine withdrawal and may just end up curling up in a ball for a few hours the first few days.
My disclaimers about the Fat Flush Detox: I used this diet my own way. While I did buy the special supplements Gittleman sells at her website at first, I never bought them again after the first were used up. They are expensive and perhaps helpful, but I wouldn't let not having them stand in the way of doing the diet.
As I've explained, I skimmed The Fat Flush to understand the principles which make the diet work, but I used the Fat Flush Detox exclusively - cycling through with a fast every eighth day.
I am basically a Lone Wolf personality when it comes to recovery issues. When I went through Alcoholics Anonymous, I was told I had to attend meetings every night, but I didn't need that much group support. For those who need group support, there is a Fat Flush website and message boards. I don't know how hard it would be to set up a message board just for MommyLife dieters, but if you all would like to do this and someone would tell me how - or even be willing to moderate - we could have a discussion group of our own. This might be a good idea, as I am convinced from my own experience that the most important aspect of dieting successfully involves confronting our own spiritual/emotional/psychological issues. I do hope that you will take the time to read my own Diet Journey as I blogged it in 2006. Hopefully, some of my insights will make your own journey easier.
While I think Weight Watchers works for many people, I do think there are a significant group of fat people (I think it is important to be honest about this - I mean, take a look at this picture of me my Last Fat Christmas in 2005:
who need a good strong dose of reality. My blood pressure was 180/130 when this picture was taken. By next December it was 130/80 with no meds:
While my family had spent years loving me unconditionally, think how much better they must have felt taking me out in public!!! Let's face it, there is a point where unconditional love can kill a person and prevent a family from being all that it can be.
For those of you embarking on this 2009 Diet Journey, I want to urge you to be prepared to suffer. It is not easy. But you will once and for all kill that part of you that thinks you deserve to have anything you want. Just like drugs and alcohol, food can stand in the way of facing things we are afraid to face. Be prepared to grow emotionally and spiritually.
He must increase, but I must decrease.
John 3:30
Posted in Diet, My life | Permalink
Comments
Barbara, I just want to encourage you on the diet adventure and to say that you cracked me up with that ever-so-appropriate scripture reference!
Posted by: Lynette | December 29, 2008 12:19 PM
Barbara, I am an emotional eater. My weight gain has followed the most stressful times in my life. I would like to know if this has been your issue, too. And if so, what do you do with the emotions that push you to make poor food choices?
Posted by: Elizabeth M Thompson | December 29, 2008 1:19 PM
Since the birth of my 6th child, 7 months ago, I have gained another 15 lbs. (probably more). I REFUSE to buy size 18 clothes!! So, yes, my wardrobe is very limited and that's my motivation--I want to feel good and be able to fit in my size 14 clothes again! Maybe even my sz 12 clothes that I have boxed away in my attic for the past 8 years. ;)
Posted by: Amy | December 29, 2008 3:15 PM
For a great resource for dealing with the emotional/spiritual issues connected to overeating, check out the Lord's Table study at
http://www.settingcaptivesfree.com/lords_table/#
I haven't tried it, but it is a free 60 day course to help people with eating issues.
Posted by: Stacy | December 29, 2008 6:10 PM
Barbara,
I'm so thrilled with what you're doing here and am following your journey eagerly. I'm actually embarking on a food journey of my own: addressing my issues with food *while pregnant*.
I'm in the third trimester of my 4th pregnancy in five years, and have felt called to focus almost exclusively on my issues with food (BTW, reading your entire Diet archives was part of that wakeup call). It's been *very* interesting to attempt this during pregnancy, when I can't make it about weight loss. It's helped me divorce the sin of vanity from the process (something I personally struggle with) and focus solely on how my relationship with food comes between my relationship with God. I wrote about some recent lessons I learned here if you have any interest: http://tinyurl.com/87kk9x
Anyway, I will be blogging about this right along side you and can't wait to read more about your own journey. You're inspiring so many other people -- thank you for sharing your experiences!
Posted by: Jennifer (Conversion Diary) | December 29, 2008 6:21 PM
I am starting the plan post epiphany. We celebrate our Christmas on Jan. 6th and I have in-laws visiting that week so I will begin the detox after they leave - around 9th.
Posted by: Barb | December 29, 2008 7:45 PM
i am in. i had my second daughter 6 months ago and the weight is NOT moving. and so i must.
Posted by: ruth | December 29, 2008 8:21 PM
Barbara, you are an inspiration. I bought the cranberry concentrate tonight and like you plan to start the 5th. I would so like to be of a normal weight by the big 60th birthday in June and I know I can do it if I really put my flesh on the altar. So count me in please. Have the fat flush book but not the detox book - will try to pick it up right away. My goal is 35 lbs.
Dorothy in Maricopa, AZ
Posted by: Dorothy | December 29, 2008 10:45 PM
Barbara, I lost a large amount of weight (100+ lbs) four years ago, but unlike you, I regained all of it. I've been working diligently at losing for the past couple of months, and the only thing I'm doing differently now than I did then is that I have yet to give up the caffeine. I know I have to do this, and I dread it. I will commit to getting off of it between now and January 5th.
I think a message board is a great idea. I've never set one up, but I could talk to friends who have. I'm willing to help in any way I can.
I'm very serious about making this a health and a spiritual journey, and I'm really looking forward to it!
Denise
Posted by: Denise | December 29, 2008 11:19 PM
Hi Barbara, I know you won't remember me, but we met at Mount Hermon in 2007. I've lurked here on your blog in the past, and just re-found you.
Long story short, I'm facing some very serious health issues, and I know that losing a substantial amount of weight would help with those. (If you want details, check out the "My Story" page at my blog URL.)
I've been praying for the last month or so, asking God what to try next. I've tried virtually everything over the years, and had limited or no success. I'm so tired of failing at this. I really want His guidance and confirmation, hoping that will help keep me on track during those days when I'm wondering why I even bother trying.
I've been asking God if the Fat Flush program is the one, and then I stumbled back on your blog and saw this post. I am praying about joining you on the 5th. There's more I could say, but I'll stop there for now.
Thanks for the encouragement!
Posted by: Kari Brodin | December 30, 2008 2:36 AM
Count me in. I did the Fat Flush for 6 weeks in 2004 (and lost 22 pounds) -- got pregnant, miscarried, then it was Christmas, then got pregnant with our youngest in March of 2005. I am convinced the Fat Flush was the reason I was able to conceive, as our then-youngest was 5 years old at the time. Anyway, I now have a *significant* amount of weight to lose. I just turned 41, and am watching my in-laws and grandmother battle obesity-related health problems. I don't want that. I want to be able to play with my children. I would also like to wear jeans again... So I'm printing out all of your Diet Journey posts, and I have the Fat Flush books beside me. I know it works. I'm scared (I'm not sure why), but I think having online buddies will help a lot.
Posted by: Wendy in VA | December 30, 2008 9:55 AM
I'm in, too! I lost 45 on the South Beach four years ago, then over the past three gained it all back and then some...though there was a period of about 6 weeks on Fat Flush that took off 10 (which I regained, sadly). My trick for coming off caffeine was to start the week ahead, and go half-and-half with the dandelion root stuff; I had no withdrawal problems at all. My start date is a week later, though, on January 12. Not only am I stubbornly committed to "feasting" all through the Twelve Days and Epiphany too, but I've joined a team for the "Scale Back Alabama" competition beginning then. Don't want to waste that first two-week's kickstart!
Posted by: Kalynne Pudner | December 30, 2008 10:36 AM
Barbara...
I recently found your blog and have read as much as I could read in the past 4 days. I have ordered the book thru your site and I am waiting for it to arrive. Count me in .. the caffeine issue makes me nervous because I dread the headache I will get... but I need to lose about 70 pounds. I am so thankful to have found your site and believe God had a hand in it.
God Bless,
Kelly
Posted by: Kelly | December 30, 2008 10:25 PM
