01-23-2012, 04:03 PM
Well, I have had some interesting results the past few days- some of which i didn't even realize right away WERE results!
When I first found out I had diabetes, and what that would mean in terms of drastic diet change, I felt pretty hopeless- that it would be too hard, that all the joy i used to find in food was gone forever, etc... but to my GREAT surprise, I have found (thanks in large part to the sub, i am sure) that its actually been fairly easy to stay on task. Now, given that I have huge motivation to do the right thing (like, fear of blindness and many other nasty side effects of untreated diabetes) you might not understand the magnitude of my finding this transition easy. Let me explain how my diet was PRE diabetes, being totally honest... During the week, I would typically have a large Dunkin Donuts iced coffee (with lots of cream and lots of sugar AND flavoring), a breakfast sandwich of some kind, one or TWO orders of hash browns, and sometimes a donut too. For lunch I'd probably have fast food of some kind again, most likely a sandwich, fries and a coke... somewhere during the day I would have a snack or two- which could be melted cheese and crackers, a candy bar, ANOTHER donut, chicken nuggets, or something similar. THen, for dinner- if I ate at home, I would often have a HUGE plate of pasta (I'm talking at least 2 "normal" servings worth, sometimes 3 or 4), some kind of veg, often with cheese on it, soda to drink, some kind of bread side. THen we have either a post-dinner dinner or snack- buttered popcorn (a whole bag), a grilled cheese sandwich, etc.... and finally, at least one more sweet thing for dessert- either a giant bowl of ice cream, 4-5 cookies, a piece (or two) or pie, etc.
Now i know thats a lot of detail to go into about the foods I used to eat... I only did that to point out how VASTLY different my diet is now. My typical breakfast is either eggs w/diced veggies and a little cheese or a small sandwich (made at home!) and a portion of fruit.... For lunch its a big salad with lots of fresh veggies, or possibly grilled chicken or fish and veggies, maybe a small homemade sandwich and baby carrots if I was in a hurry. Dinner is almost always some type of grilled meat, a BIG portion of veggies and a small piece of toast. I have fruit for dessert, or if i REALLY want a treat, I have one sugar free pudding snack.
Now... can you see the vast difference in before and after? I hadn't even really though about it until a few days ago, but the foods I'm eating now are all the same types of foods most people who are dieting eat. I am eating a LOT less in quantity (though much better quality) as well. Every time I have tried to go on a diet like this, I have failed miserably- I love to eat, I love "bad" foods, i HATE depriving myself- even with good reason, like the diabetes.
THe more I think about it, the more positive I am that the weight loss sub is responsible for the ease in my transition. I truly don't think I could be sticking to my diet so well otherwise- and the most amazing thing is, I don't even feel like I am trying!
I am still experiencing a decline in hunger, and I've noticed that I seem to be choosing fewer and fewer carbs, even without conciously trying. I am just so amazed at how well this program is working for me, and can i say a big THANK YOU to Shannon- because without this program, I would be having a terrible time of trying to make myself eat healthier. And this is only stage one, woo hoo!!!
When I first found out I had diabetes, and what that would mean in terms of drastic diet change, I felt pretty hopeless- that it would be too hard, that all the joy i used to find in food was gone forever, etc... but to my GREAT surprise, I have found (thanks in large part to the sub, i am sure) that its actually been fairly easy to stay on task. Now, given that I have huge motivation to do the right thing (like, fear of blindness and many other nasty side effects of untreated diabetes) you might not understand the magnitude of my finding this transition easy. Let me explain how my diet was PRE diabetes, being totally honest... During the week, I would typically have a large Dunkin Donuts iced coffee (with lots of cream and lots of sugar AND flavoring), a breakfast sandwich of some kind, one or TWO orders of hash browns, and sometimes a donut too. For lunch I'd probably have fast food of some kind again, most likely a sandwich, fries and a coke... somewhere during the day I would have a snack or two- which could be melted cheese and crackers, a candy bar, ANOTHER donut, chicken nuggets, or something similar. THen, for dinner- if I ate at home, I would often have a HUGE plate of pasta (I'm talking at least 2 "normal" servings worth, sometimes 3 or 4), some kind of veg, often with cheese on it, soda to drink, some kind of bread side. THen we have either a post-dinner dinner or snack- buttered popcorn (a whole bag), a grilled cheese sandwich, etc.... and finally, at least one more sweet thing for dessert- either a giant bowl of ice cream, 4-5 cookies, a piece (or two) or pie, etc.
Now i know thats a lot of detail to go into about the foods I used to eat... I only did that to point out how VASTLY different my diet is now. My typical breakfast is either eggs w/diced veggies and a little cheese or a small sandwich (made at home!) and a portion of fruit.... For lunch its a big salad with lots of fresh veggies, or possibly grilled chicken or fish and veggies, maybe a small homemade sandwich and baby carrots if I was in a hurry. Dinner is almost always some type of grilled meat, a BIG portion of veggies and a small piece of toast. I have fruit for dessert, or if i REALLY want a treat, I have one sugar free pudding snack.
Now... can you see the vast difference in before and after? I hadn't even really though about it until a few days ago, but the foods I'm eating now are all the same types of foods most people who are dieting eat. I am eating a LOT less in quantity (though much better quality) as well. Every time I have tried to go on a diet like this, I have failed miserably- I love to eat, I love "bad" foods, i HATE depriving myself- even with good reason, like the diabetes.
THe more I think about it, the more positive I am that the weight loss sub is responsible for the ease in my transition. I truly don't think I could be sticking to my diet so well otherwise- and the most amazing thing is, I don't even feel like I am trying!
I am still experiencing a decline in hunger, and I've noticed that I seem to be choosing fewer and fewer carbs, even without conciously trying. I am just so amazed at how well this program is working for me, and can i say a big THANK YOU to Shannon- because without this program, I would be having a terrible time of trying to make myself eat healthier. And this is only stage one, woo hoo!!!
