amandamechele wrote:Landog - Happy Friday (and now Saturday) to you too! Wow, your consistent losses are very inspiring. Would you care to share with the group a couple of days worth of meals?
No!
I mean, I would, if I thought it would make a difference. I think the food part of the McDougall MWL plan is pretty well defined. if you have any doubts about how to achive weight loss, watch the Jeff Novick you tube on calorie density. (I watch it frequently, because it's good info and because, well, it's Jeff!)
My recent success is simply attributable to adherence.
This February, I challenged myself to a 'unprocessed' February. During February, I took a serious self re-assessment of why I started on this path nearly ten years ago. I started on this path originally to prevent heart disease. I had been on cholesterol and BP meds. Following this way of life, I quickly got off of them.
Despite this early success, over the years, I have let bits and pieces of the toxic environment that surrounds us creep back into my life.
Examples would be:
- eating out and having whole wheat pasta, but with the house sauce
- grabbing items from the candy bowls at work
- breads with oil
There's more. I'm not going to list them.
Okay, one more. Enjoying beer or wine would often lead to poor choices. Crackers, pretzels, bagels..
So, I started the 'unprocessed' February. I started becoming active on this board, again. I would review current or older threads. Some of them would resonate.
Here's one: Do you still have work to do? ..from Jeff Novick:
"If you are WFPB/vegan and have a BP of 135/85, you are not risk free because of your diet. You still have work to do."
"The solution is to use lifestyle and diet to get your level down to 110/70 or below (or as best you can)."
I came to realize that my "mostly" following the plan is not working. Looking back, I could see how I haven't been preventing heart disease. I've only been slowing its progression.
I can't change the past, but I can influence my future. I realize that good health depends on 100% adherence.
My unprocessed February was extended to March, and now April. Changes that I've made during this time include discontinuing coffee, salt and alcohol. If I go out to eat, it's only going to be at a place that serves steamed veggies and brown rice. No compromises!
My BP is normal. I'm monitoring my lipids. I'm exercising. I'm heading towards a lower BMI. I'm looking forward to see how living 100% McDougall will improve my health and well being.
You might ask yourself... Did you come this far to be the 90% McDougaller who develops a chronic disease? ..or can you go the extra 10% and be a 100% McDougaller and prevent chronic diseases? ..and achieve your goals?
This plan works, but only if you follow it.