I had total knee replacement 9 weeks ago, and engaged in numerous indulgences during the last 10 weeks. I realized there was no way around staying on my restrictive diet while in the hospital, but had no intention in doing what I’ve done. It’s been an all out free fall. I have been eating whatever I want without a care in the world and have gained back a significant amount of the 30 pounds I had lost during the last 5 months.
So here I go again. I need to pick up the pieces and begin to eat with dignity once again. I guess I have been horribly disappointed being someone who can’t be on the detox diet owing to kidney stones. Did I mention I had three over the Christmas holiday? So I’ve come to grips with having to supplement fruits, vegetables, protein and fats with grains and legumes. In short, although I can and probably should be on a dairy free diet, Testing shows I have no gluten sensitivity and therefore likely do not need to follow a gluten free diet. Due to my history of kidney stones, I need to eat less animal protein and probably need to consume legumes and grains as an alternate source of a complete protein.
What I need to concentrate on is reducing empty calories and processed foods. The question is how can this be accomplished? I have to go back to Joshua Rosenthal’s concept of “crowding out.” It seems old favorites, like a small handful of nuts, baked beets or baked brussel sprouts with ghee or coconut oil, salads with lettuce, tomatoes and cucumbers, get seemingly forgotten amidst lasagne, submarine sandwiches, BBQ wings, pizza, hamburgers and hot dogs, chips and dip, cakes, cookies, candy and ice cream. Crowding out with more fruits, vegetables, legumes and grains causes you to have less space for foods that are devoid of micro and macro nutrients.
Today I had a salad at lunch along with a fake pizza made with a pice of pita bread, pizza sauce, cheese and salami. The fake pizza was only moderately good. The salad was delicious! Maybe tomorrow I can skip the fake stuff and concentrate on a satisfying salad! I could easily compliment that with a lovely bowl of Madras lentils and end of feeling nourished and full. I think that’s a great plan for tomorrow!
So how about you? How has your eating regimen been going lately? Are you on track? Do you need to straighten up your house a bit? Where will you start? What can you add in that is nutritious and satisfying? Can you think of one meal that would fill that bill that could become a go to meal? How about a menu for a whole day that sticks to your pre-determined standards as to what qualifies as eating well in your eyes.
Did you know that most people stick to about 8 different dinners and then repeat those over and over again. If you could think of 8 lunches and 8 dinners that are healthy according to you and then rotate those you just might be in good stead. Some breakfast seems to be a bit more formulaic for most folks, but you don’t have to be limited. Seems eating well could just come down to developing some basic good habits and several good recipes and then sticking to those. Certainly feel free to being more diverse than these 16 meals. You know what they say. Variety is the spice of life. When it comes to getting all your nutrients a diverse palette is king, so let your creativity take you away. Rely on those 16 menus as old standbys, but feel free to switch it up and try to eat clean while you’re at it!
Why not interview 3 freinds and see what meals they rely on. This might give you a few new ideas. If you aren’t quite that social, check out some cook books or recipes online and see what appeals. Why not attempt to incorporate two new meals this week?
So simple actions like returning to eating old favorites from a clean eating phase of your life will help you to get back to basics and begin your new journey of eating in a manner you find acceptable! Clearing out your pantry of foods that don’t belong there to begin with, may be another activity that will help you get back on track. Doing a bit of research to develop some new menus that are approved by you might also prove helpful. Can you think of any other activities that might help you get back in your own good graces?
You might choose a few weekly activities to pair with your eating regimen that might support developing a healthier lifestyle. Maybe a walk in the woods, or a swim in the lake or a bike ride or perhaps a walk around the block with a friend or loved one. It might be a game of hoops, or a bit of yoga alone or in a group. Lots of people are wearing fitbits these days to track their daily steps. Whatever form of movement compels you the most is the one to go with!
I look forward to connecting with you again in the future!
Lisa J Lafave, PhD, MBA, ACC, BCC
CEO & Founder of Coaching Rocks, LLC
The Wellness Coach form Building Better Bodies Rocks
A Single Mom By Choice Raising Surrogacy Twin Boys
Written in My Little Brick in University Heights, Ohio
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