Hi, it's me, simoncat and I thought I'd journal here to try and keep myself honest about what I am eating. I started McDougalling about 9 months ago and have already cured an autoimmune disorder that I was experiencing - hypothyroidism. I have told others, but most people don't want to believe that diet can make a difference. . . Oh, well. I went to 4 different doctors, including 2 naturopaths and they did not listen and were fixated on their own training and I felt that they did not believe me when I told them that my scalp felt like it was on fire!! These were trained people who didn't seem to give me answers. Then, I found someone on the internet who posted about the same problems and said she she cured it by becoming a gluten free vegan and not eating rice or corn either. I wish I could find her and give her a giant hug, but when I look her post is gone and there are adds for drugs!!! I am fortunate that rice and corn don't seem to affect me.
Anyway, I also found that I cannot have gluten or soy. Thus, my diet is a little bit more restrictive than some, but I am getting used to it. I know that there are quite a few people here with the same problem and I appreciate their input.
Well, my experience with dieting has been lifelong. I am 54 years old now, but I noticed when I was 14 that whenever I would eat bread or gluten, I would gain weight like crazy. It was then that I started avoiding it, so becoming gluten free was not as hard for me. I am not saying it was easy, but I realized early on that it wasn't good for me.
Right now, I am 15 lbs overweight. This might not sound like much, but I am small boned and I also believe that is the last 20 lbs are usually the hardest to lose. Anyway, for me, dieting is a psychological game, really. I think it is for most people. I think if one totally says you cannot eat chocolate ever again, then the diet will be hard to stay on. I know I cannot eat gluten again because it will actually kill me, so for me I have to keep that promise to myself. However, I sometime plan to have a non-gluten treat sometime in the next couple of weeks. if I'm good.
Anyway, today I had to go to the grocery store and thus, I thought of my favorite treat - Kettle Corn. I decided to "visit" with the Kettle Corn and walked down the aisle to where it was. I then talked to it (not out loud), but I touched the bag and said to it, "I miss you and someday, I may have a little of you once again, but for right now, I can't. I then said goodbye, walked away and patted myself on the head and said, "good girl". I know this sounds like a crazy person, but it made me happy and kind of cured my lust for Kettle Corn. (I will probably be dragged out of the grocery store in a strait jacket if they caught it on film
) However, it is my psychological way of dealing with loss, which I think not being able to eat something you like is. Also, I think it works for me instead of just saying, "No", I am instead rewarding myself and not feeling so deprived. I know this sounds funny, but I thought it might help someone else.
Someday, I probably will give up Kettle Corn altogether, but for now one step at a time. Just like one of my favorite quotes by Twain, "Habit is habit and not to be flung out the window by any man, but coaxed downstairs a step at a time".
Well, unfortunately, someone wants to use my computer and thus, I have to go. I'll write more what I am eating tomorrow.
Cheers!