I'm Stephanie and I love starch... I am forever grateful to Dr. McDougall for empowering me to take charge of my health back in 2003 - when I picked up his book on Women's Health (purple cover) at Half Price Books. I was seeking help - as I had a severe case of JRA from ages 3-17. When as an adult, I felt similar symptoms beginning to emerge, I promptly gave up meat, followed by dairy -- and ramped up potatoes and veggies (with some fruits and no added oil). This way of eating stopped aches and pains in their very tracks! I have continued to follow a diet that doesn't include animal products since I read Dr. McDougall's book. (Have also read as much as I can that he has written!)
However, I have gone through periods of eating higher fat plant foods and leveraging convenience vegan foods (which have continued to grow in number)! As you may imagine, this has resulted in my weight and general health fluctuating based on the concentration of these types of products in my diet. Over the years, I have "fallen off the wagon" and re-started to adhere to some of the core principles of the program (like minimize processed food). 2017 was an especially challenging year - where I did not have much energy or optimism.
For 2018, I made a commitment to myself to get healthier. I spent some time considering why my prior efforts were so successful in eliminating animal products (black and white for me), but not in sticking to whole foods (centered on starch), no oil. I came to the conclusion that I tend to get overwhelmed by something - work or personal circumstance, and then fall back on the convenience habit. This consistently results in a complete derail back to processed food (think eating a can of Amy's low fat soup instead of homemade soup, buying veggies in the cafeteria instead of preparing at home, eating meat analogs instead of making bean burgers).
So, for 2018 -- I have the simplest of expectations / strategies - to avoid becoming overwhelmed and continue to be mindful. I am making several "lazy" recipes and journalling in a hard copy notebook (food, exercise, miscellaneous thoughts). My objective is to follow the program by building habits that will become rote and require minimal thinking. This journal will be a positive expression or rambling of easy recipes, quotes, books, podcasts, etc. that I have found helpful.
I have spent the year so far making easy unprocessed foods and cutting produce to pack with me! The food has been good and I haven't been hungry. I've had my share of challenges and have overcome them without resorting to processed foods... Also, started walking on the treadmill in the mornings for 30 minutes on most days. Many more things to do, but my gig is not to get overwhelmed...
Results to date: I feel great! Energized! Optimistic. Better relationships with friends, family, co-workers. Higher self-esteem. If I had to try to quantify, I would say that I went from a 2 to an 8 on a 1-10 happiness scale this year (without significant change in circumstances).
In 2018, I have lost 15.8 lbs. and gone from a 25.4 (overweight) BMI to 22.8 (normal). I likely have at least 20 more lbs. to lose to get to ideal weight (don't have a goal weight, but will know when I get there).
I am so grateful to all who post on this Forum. I have learned so much from others and hope that one of my future ramblings may help someone somewhere (if nothing else, not to feel alone on this journey!).
P.S. Today I bought Jeff Novick's 4 DVD's as my "reward". I bet there are some kernels of wisdom there to help me to make this easy and real.
Going to make more this weekend! They are awesome! 
