Notes from the 'fast' lane

I just finished a four day 'fruit fast'. I learned a lot...

'They' say that 'we' should eat slowly and saver our bites. However correct 'they' are very few of 'us' do it. You want to know how you can easily incorporate this into your life? Eat only fruit for four days. How wonderful a NOT sweet taste and a NOT soft food can be. OK, so the scrambled egg this morning was soft but the toast was deliciously crunchy.

'They' also say that eliminating sugar from our diet or at least limiting it is a good thing. But there is sugar everywhere. It's hard to miss it. And as an American, I like sugar...or should I say liked. After four days of eating only sweet fruit, I may be off sugar for a very long time. Eric's leftover oatmeal did not have the same appeal this AM as in the days past. I did eat the few walnuts out of it but the raisins did not entice me.

Speaking of leftovers...'they' tell young moms to be careful eating our children's leftovers. I found out how hard it was for me to 'waste' food by throwing it away. But unless it was fruit...throw it away I did.

As much as I enjoy fruit, in season and out, the sweet got to me very quickly. It was a great way to initiate portion control which is another thing 'they' tell us is important to healthy eating. When you don't particularly care for what's offered...it's surprising how little you have to eat to satisfy your hunger.

I also came face to face with my rebellious nature. When I told friends what I was doing, whatever comment they made--I took the opposite side. " I am so proud of you"--this is so hard and I hate it. "I'm not so sure about losing whole food groups"--It's only for four days, it's not so bad. So now, not only am I eating more consciously but talking more so, too. Keeping track of my attitude...it sucks...a lot.

So today, I eat regular healthy meals. Tomorrow, too. Then it's back to the fruit for four more days. I don't know how long I will keep this up. Til I lose the pounds I want to lose or until I can walk by a bag of snack food and not unconsciously grab a handful of whatever it is and eat it without thinking.

This whole thinking thing is not as hard as it seemed it was going to be six months ago. It's not easy but it's more other than hard. Conscious thought--is the key and the goal.

And let's not forget one other thing that has become even more clear to me...My husband loves me. Offers to make special trips to the grocery store to buy me a variety of fruit so I'm not bored. Supports me in this craziness. Fixes meals for himself and Ashley and eats them out of sight so as not to tempt me. Even skips going out to eat. Just for me. It seems so normal to say out loud. But with EVEYTHING so keenly in focus...It feels different, more intense. I can eat fruit for days and days with that kind of support.