Trying out a new way of eating

[purplemuffin]

So I am doing a new thing now. But first, a little back story and a rant.

My family has always struggled with weight, and they've tried diets, some have worked, but usually we get busy and go right back to eating like we used to. And it's so frustrating! I got sick of diets that promised ridiculous(dangerously ridiculous) fast results, they just never sit right with me. And paired with the fact that they basically are in it for their own gain("Oh only use my own sugar replacement for your desserts/buy the food I designed/only recipes in my books") and all that.

My parents are on one now, and this one works for them, but it's driving me absolutely nuts. It's completely strict to the point of it being ridiculous, the science is half bogus to me(really? You, an actress, figured out the secret to weight loss but no one else is catching on?) but you do lose weight--just not for the exact reasons she claims. The diet basically forces you to cut back on caleries without saying that's what it's doing(claiming any weight loss all in the secret good foods and funky foods and the right food mixes and timing and whatever) But the problem is because of this, the diet has no limit to what you eat--you don't count caleries, so who needs serving sizes! But like I said, the food mixing still almost guarantees you eat less than you would with a carb and a protein. BUT..if you cheat, even once, forget losing any weight at all. That's the catch, the rules are ridiculously strict.

But yeah, it works for them. They lose weight, they are being healthy, it's fine. It's just not for me. I like thinking of things on a more nutritional level(partially t hanks to owning reptiles and balancing their nutrition) and trying to eat BETTER foods, and getting more out of what I eat(sweet potatoes are awesome, ridiculous amount of nutrients. These things are banned in practically every diet. Just be careful on portions and don't eat it every day!)

Anyway during this diet my parents have been following her recipes which are mostly meat based. Just chunk after chunk of steak, pork, chicken, steak again, more steak, steak, burgers with no bun, etc. again and again!(okay, to be fair, it isn't so bad, but I just get sick of eating the same thing again and again, and my mom is a picky eater, so she picks the same recipes a lot) I live at home, so I've been eating with them, and I've just been getting sick off of so much meat! Don't get me wrong. I love a good steak. But it's gotten ridiculous. And honestly, I find that my favorite meals are a little lighter on meat. Instead of a big parmigiana chicken, I like alfredo with bits of chicken or shrimp. I like ceaser salad, etc.


So, I remembered back to when my friend had the exact opposite problem, when she tried to go vegetarian to support her boyfriend. She ALSO was a picky eater and pretty much ate nothing that gave her any protein! She kept going to the doctors from feeling ill because she was depriving herself of nutrients! She ended up going back to eating normal, but we talked about it, and if she ever went back, she'd probably not be full vegetarian, and maybe eat some chicken every week or two.


And honestly, that's what I'm sort of about to do now. I know veggies are good, and there are a lot of vegetables I just love(I have been snacking on roasted garlic artichokes and zucchini fries..delicious!!) but there are also meats I enjoy! I figured out there is actually a diet that fits this exact description called "flexitarian" which I think is a clever name, lol! Honestly, the nice thing about it is the diet itself is flexible--you don't have to just buy the book, just use any vegetarian diets, keeping in mind health(maybe switch out for whole wheat if it calls for white flour, etc.) and you can add meat every once in a while--some people have one meal a day with some meat, some people have it every other day, or just on weekends. And if you cheat and have a burger at lunch and you come home to chicken for dinner, that's cool, just try not to eat too much, and be good later. It's flexible and common sense. I like that a lot better, and it's easier to get around in life(you don't have to just sit and starve at a party, you get some options)


Plus, I've been obsessing over cooking lately, and this doesn't limit me as much as other diets do. I've already got like 50 vegetarian/semi vegetarian recipes bookmarked, so you can tell I'm SUPER excited!!


but yeah.. the plan..less meat, more veggies. Yummy food. Eat better! Right now my main goal is to be healthier--while many people link health and weight together, I know a lot of studies that show that they are not(skinny people who eat nothing but potato chips will be less healthy than heavy people who eat good nutritious vegetables and better give their bodies what it needs!) So health comes first for me, and weight will follow(probably right alongside health)

But if I don't lose weight quickly, I'm okay..I still feel confident that I will eventually, but I know that eating the right things is important, and I'll feel a lot better doing it!


I can say I haven't been under 200 pounds in several years now, and it would be super nice to see a 1 in place of that 2 someday. Honestly I like being curvy, but I'd like to be it at a more reasonable weight. 150 is my first goal, after that I may shoot for lower. But I would feel confident in myself if I can get to that size. Anyone who has any recipes or support is welcome to comment.. It's gonna be an interesting road ahead of me, and I'd like to think I can stick to a meal change like this. It sounds easy, and I'm hoping it will be, but it never hurts to have people there for you! I know I have been optimistic before, and had things crash and burn..but I am trying to keep myself driven and positive, so I don't slip back into old habits!