Let me guess, your New Year's resolution is to:
1) Exercise more (OR)
2) Lose weight
No news there. 80% of all resolutions include one or both.
Last year, I didn't resolve to do either, but was successful with one none-the-less. I lost those "what took so long, hope I never see you again," five pounds, Eating Anything I Wanted Except For Two Days A Week.
You can get rid of them too. No matter what you eat right now, change it up 1-2 days a week with a diet of predominantly fruits and veggies (AKA an alkaline diet) and 400 calories or so of protein thrown in to satisfy the humors. You WILL lose weight.
Here's a sample of how it breaks out for me:
Breakfast: Big fruit bowl with some nuts (another piece of fruit mid morning if I'm hungry. Really hungry? Add plain yoghurt).
Lunch: Big main dish salad with dressing and approx 200 calories of protein. I usually eat 1 carton cottage cheese, 1 slab baked tofu, or 2 hard boiled eggs). Include variation.* Maybe save some to eat later in afternoon.
Dinner: Piece of fish, chicken or tofu (approximately 200 calories) and a whole plate of veggies (1-3 sides of raw, cooked and pickled, assorted styles* of veggies, seasoned different ways. Often, I eat a whole head of broccolini as one choice. )**
Snacks: tomato juice, small amount dried fruit or raisins, vegetable sticks, lots of water, sparkling water, tea.
Not only did this "diet" work, it made me realize how little leeway there is for the average America adult to eat unnecessary calories. I eat pretty healthy, but I was still consuming too many calories, mostly from wheat, sugary things, and alcohol, that kept those extra pounds hanging on. I can eat some junk or high calorie foods some days, too much other days, but not too much all the days!
I might feel a touch of hunger at times during the day ? but that's the object. Not blood sugar-crashing hunger, but hunger that makes you really appreciate the delicious, delicate flavors of fresh fruits and vegetables. In our "over-stimulating, food everywhere" culture, we've become used to never feeling hungry. The result is losing appreciation for simple foods such as a raisin. Cut out the crap a day or two a week and experience a heightened appreciation. It's actually a wonderful break.
To be successful eating mostly veggies during the day ? remember that variation causes us to eat more. The junk food industry has this down. There is a reason why nine flavors of Dorritos are calling you over to grocery shelves right now. I munch down a Nacho Cheese, follow it up with a Cool Ranch, and once the chewing is done, I am ready again for the Nacho! The change keeps my taste buds activated and begging, "One more please." So, use this same idea in a healthy way. For instance, season one (raw) veggie with Italian seasonings, one (cooked) veggie Asian-style, and one other veggie (pickled) with Mexican spices: you get the idea. Your taste buds will be turned on thru the entire plate and you'll get full. On vegetables. What a delicious concept!
Find days that work for your schedule and don't conflict with many social gatherings. My days are Monday and Thursday. And just do your best. If you screw up one day ? wait for the next one to come. You will lose weight if you reduce your average caloric intake each month. Plus you'll teach yourself how to deliciously season vegetables quickly, which may just be the most important thing you learn all year.
As we go thru 2014, I'll blog now and again about what I cooked/ate on my EAYWEF2DAWD days. Maybe it'll help you too.
* There are different styles of veggies that add variety (even with no seasoning). Tomatoes are much different than leafy greens, which are different from root veggies, or winter squashes, or hard green veggies, or avocado, or beets. Play with different types for starting variation. Also, cooked vs. raw vs. pickled. Use all!
** For an important tip about cooking veggies, please read blog #1, "Welcome to The Food Party! ? Kitchen Science Tip #1."
