LittleTurtle's Epiphany

[LittleTurtle]

I've recently discovered some very interesting nutrition patterns that I've somehow acquired:

 

I seem to have two modes:  Under Eating & Binge Eating.  I under eat during the work week and binge on weekends.  Generally, during the work week is when I try to avoid foods that contain wheat and sugar at all costs.  On the weekends, I tend to eat all the foods containing wheat and sugar.

 

Even more interesting, I've noticed lately that my depression and chronic fatigue are much more manageable during the work week, but when the weekend comes, those two things are out of control.  I really think wheat and sugar are the culprits.  I desperately need to find a balance because eliminating them completely is not really a viable option for me.  Let's get something straight.  I fucking love things like pizza and pasta and sandwiches, and when I crave them - I CRAVE them (even being fully aware that they are evil and make me feel like shit) and trying to do a healthy or gluten-free alternative doesn't really do it for me.

 

Also, I recently reviewed some Fitbit reports of how many calories I typically burn in a day.  I tend to burn around 2,200 calories on average (Mon-Fri) and just a little less on my lazy days (Sat-Sun).  Now, if I look at MyFitnessPal during days I track, I typically average about 1,500 calories consumed.  When I do even more math, it looks like my net calorie intake for the day is under 1,200.

 

SO.  These next six weeks are going to be an experiment for adding more calories on work days so I don't binge on non-work days.  I'm also going to allow very small amounts of wheat throughout the week so I don't eat a hundred donuts on the weekend and spend the duration wondering what the point of my life is while falling in and out of sleep all day.

 

Specific goals and grading forthcoming.

 

 

Basically, I don't want my weekends to look like this anymore: 

 

 

 

We'll see how it goes.  

[Gobnait]

Sometimes you have to compromise with your cravings.  Keep trying the GF alternatives, but don't be strict about it.  There is a sweet potato tortilla chip that's probably not healthy even though it happens to be GF, but I bet it would taste great with pizza dip.  (Not sure how to make pizza dip, but it's probably tomato and cheese with the right spices.)

 

And eating enough calories will probably also help with the cravings.  Pasta and bread are great at delivering quick energy.

[LittleTurtle]

Sometimes you have to compromise with your cravings.  Keep trying the GF alternatives, but don't be strict about it.  There is a sweet potato tortilla chip that's probably not healthy even though it happens to be GF, but I bet it would taste great with pizza dip.  (Not sure how to make pizza dip, but it's probably tomato and cheese with the right spices.)

 

And eating enough calories will probably also help with the cravings.  Pasta and bread are great at delivering quick energy.

Yes, and I have to remember that just because something is GF doesn't mean it's a free for all either.  

 

I really believe that eating more calories and not letting myself get too hungry is the key.

 

I've also noticed that when I get overly stressed, my immediate desire is sugar and/or wheat, but I know that's all in my head too.   

[LittleTurtle]

Also.  I really want to start incorporating strength training (more than just yoga) into my exercise routine.  I've been doing some knee push-ups lately and I saw a little bicep muscle popping out of my arm the other day and it made me want ALL the muscles.

[The Swedish Ninja]

I can relate to the above, and I think tracking your calories can be a good way to get some control.

Will be here for support

[LittleTurtle]

I ate too much wheat this weekend and guess what?  It's Sunday and my depression feels like it has an icy grip on my throat.  I'm sitting here fighting a lot of bad thoughts and feelings.

 

Why do I do this every fucking weekend?

[The Swedish Ninja]

Hmm, I could almost swear I wrote the above post myself….

 

I think the reason you do it is because you want to be happy. Eating crap is a easy way to be happy (happier) right now. But afterwords, you usually (always) feel worse off. 

Perhaps an idea is to accept that things are crap right now and not look for easy ways (that are often harmful) to make it better. 

 

But what do I know, it feels like a blind is giving directions to another blind

 

But anyway, know that you're not alone. And tomorrow is a new week, a new challenge and things might change for the better.

[LittleTurtle]

Challenge Specific Goals

1. Only allow a meal with wheat after 10 successful days without wheat.

2. Eat more quality calories every day. (This means that my total net intake at the end of the day needs to be MORE than 1200.)

3. Start strength training two times per week with yoga on non strength training days.

 

Grading

Spreadsheet

[Gobnait]

Yay for wanting all of the muscles.

 

Going ten days for a stretch without wheat seems reasonable.

[LittleTurtle]

Going ten days for a stretch without wheat seems reasonable.

Here's the best part - if I can make it 10 whole days - I start to really realize how great I feel and then I typically want to go more days without it.  Life hack.  Now...I'll just need a LOT of motivation to make it the first 10 days.  

[The Swedish Ninja]

Here's the best part - if I can make it 10 whole days - I start to really realize how great I feel and then I typically want to go more days without it.  Life hack.  Now...I'll just need a LOT of motivation to make it the first 10 days.  

This is so true. You just need to get the ball rolling and the keep it up. If you feel the need/urge to eat wheat, post it immediately and perhaps one here reads it and can offer support. And if nobody is there at the moment, maybe it’s easier to fight the urge since you have posted that you have tried to avoid it. Makes sense? Don’t know

[LittleTurtle]

Day 1 = HUGE SUCCESS!

 

41 more days to go.  

[Heidi]

Day 1 = HUGE SUCCESS!

41 more days to go.

You can do it!

Totally in your corner, LT

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[Waanie]

Stalking .

 

For me, feeling down and being tired make me want to eat more sugary foods. Those do make it seem better in the short term, but I've never tried going without wheat and sugar, so I don't know what the middle-long term effect is.

 

Muscles are awesome! Which programme are you going to follow to become stronger?

[LittleTurtle]

Muscles are awesome! Which programme are you going to follow to become stronger?

No program…just…some days I do some squats and lunges till my legs hurt and other days I do planks and pushups until my arms and abs hurt.  And lots of yoga.  

[LittleTurtle]

3 straight days of epic wins.

 

I don't eat wheat.  I don't eat candy corns.  I don't eat wheat.  I don't eat candy corns.

 

NO CANDY CORNS!!

[Waanie]

Great job on the food!

 

I also did strength train without a programme for a while (and kinda do now). Just make sure you also get some pulling movement in, and you're going to see awesome progress .

[The Swedish Ninja]

Awesome days LT!!!

Epic wins FTW!!

[LittleTurtle]

Four days without wheat.  The first noticeable thing is how remarkably my skin has cleared up.  I had a pretty severe acne breakout on my chin near the start of the school year that would not heal.  The redness is diminishing and the roughness is smoothing.

 

NOTE TO SELF:

Bonus #1 for Eliminating Wheat

Radiant, glowing, smooth, clear skin! 

[Heidi]

No program…just…some days I do some squats and lunges till my legs hurt and other days I do planks and pushups until my arms and abs hurt. And lots of yoga.

I love this approach. Do-able by anyone, anywhere, I am dubbing it LTs No Excuses Program for Unlimited Progress.

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[Heidi]

Super proud of you for eliminating wheat and sticking with it lo g enough to have such a beautiful bonus result.

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[Gobnait]

Remember the clear skin and hope that you can keep going longer without the thing that messes up your body.

[LittleTurtle]

Super proud of you for eliminating wheat and sticking with it lo g enough to have such a beautiful bonus result.

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Remember the clear skin and hope that you can keep going longer without the thing that messes up your body.

Thanks!  And then I just had this thought:  If the most immediate result is such clear skin…I can't even begin to imagine the other results that might take a while longer.

 

Today marks my fifth day without wheat.  The TRUEST and most difficult test:  getting through the weekend!!!

[LittleTurtle]

Well, I made it through the weekend without wheat, but I don't think I ate enough calories.  I'm feeling very hungry and I was craving anything with wheat both days.  It's so much harder to eat a decent amount of quality calories during the weekends because I have no set schedule and usually go without eating until I've reached that "danger" zone and just end up wanting to eat everything in sight.  Yet another thing I'll need to work on.

 

On a different note:

In December 2013, I started taking Prozac.  Over the next 14 months, I put on 16 pounds and finally weened myself off (with my doctor's approval and guidance) because I didn't want to gain any more weight.  I thought that once I was completely done taking Prozac, the weight would start falling off again.  Well…it's the middle of September and I am still the exact same weight (almost to a tenth of a pound) that I was when I stopped Prozac in February.  It's maddening!!  And no, my measurements haven't changed.  I'm not really sure about my body fat %, but by looking in the mirror, it doesn't appear that it's changed.  

 

Does anyone know how to reset one's metabolism after it's been all messed up with antidepressants?  If I see the exact same weight on the scale for one more week - I'm going to lose my freaking mind!

[Gobnait]

Calories are important.  I think you didn't like GF, but they do have a lot of the simple carbs that wheat stuff has.  Perhaps a hot drink with some butter in it would also help with getting the calories you need.

 

Sorry, I don't know much about metabolism.