Day 7:

What aspect of the Re-Boot are you enjoying the most and why? Just slowing down from over eating and drinking alcohol, being more mindful of what I am choosing to eat and drink, and finding healthy options.  I became addicted to sweets last fall when an employee of my husband brought him two Costco size bags of regular and peanut M&M’s.  I had him hid them from me but once I found them I started having sugar and chocolate every day.  The perfect trifecta for a sweet eater is Halloween, Christmas and Valentines so I really needed the Re-Boot to put a brake on it.  I got out to eat a lot and I enjoy having cocktails so the Re-Boot helps me be aware of how often I do socially drink or casually drink at home.  Alcohol turns to sugar and the sugar turned into a muffin top on me!

What aspect of the Re-Boot are you find the most difficult?  Going to the store to have the right foods in the house, taking the time to cook and having snacks ready when I am hungry and on the go.  Another struggle during the Re-Boot is being social, going out to eat and not eating what the group is eating.  This past week I went with friends to two new popular southern restaurants .  I’m gluten-free anyway, but everyone was eating biscuits, mac and cheese and cobblers.  Even the Brussel sprouts came with breadcrumbs on them! Sometimes I just want to order off the menu and not worry about the ingredients or calories.  Restaurants love putting bread, cheese and salt in everything.

Quality of sleep? I am so lucky because I sleep really well all the time. I had 9 hours of sleep. I have felt really good today after doing the Yin yoga on Saturday. It was super cold and rainy Sunday when I woke up but I hopped up and went to the grocery store at 9:00. My mind has been really sharp and I feel happy today—have been laughing a lot. Really nice to feel that joy.

Energy level and mood during the day? It has been good for the most part.  My slump is around 4:00 p.m. The winter makes me want to go to bed early and I’m typically a night owl.

How has your mood been? I have been in a good mood. Today is a quiet day and I am doing some tasks at the computer and at home. I am having time to be quiet today which I need to feel creative or plan for the week ahead. My husband fixed me eggs and turkey bacon today for breakfast which is rare so his kind act set a nice tone for the day.

Are you having any specific cravings? Yes, and the first thing I can admit is I really want cookies and crackers for some reason. It must be the carb, crunchy thing. But honestly, I have a box of Trader Joe’s pumpkin gluten free pancake mix in my pantry. It has been calling my name for a long time and I have resisted. It would have been so yummy on this dreary day. It will be worth the wait!

Other observations related to your Re-Boot experience? I have not been perfect.  I had a celebratory two nights ago yet I didn’t feel bad about myself.  I think the aftermath of being on a six month super strict diet a year ago when I could only eat cooked meat, cooked veggies and brown rice to heal my stomach made me never want to restrict my self from foods or obsess over food again.  Over the years when I have “dieted” or “cleansed”, after the first few days I have the feeling of wanting to eat more or the wrong things and stop depriving myself, but now I feel like I have the power and control over these emotions.  I also don’t want to fixate on what I can’t have and spend so much time thinking about my next meal so that I jeopardizes the positive outcome of eating healthy.  I have been able to embrace this Re-Boot because it allows us to have real food and nothing is extreme.  It also helps knowing that I am not doing this along and I can check in with others during this time.

Tips or tricks that are working for you? I think the recipes in our booklet are fantastic yet to me can require a lot of ingredients and time to prepare. I like to take short cuts and I usually don’t cook from a recipe. So for dinner I am making beef spaghetti served over spaghetti squash. I admit I am using already prepared tomato sauce but adding to it zucchini squash, onions, spinach, fresh basil and organic beef. I will do a green salad with a dressing made of olive oil, Braggs apple cider vinegar, lemon juice, garlic, salt and pepper and honey. My husband really likes this dish and now prefers the spaghetti squash to the way he feels after eating a plate full of pasta.