So it’s been 7 days since I decided to go plant-based and the change has been good. My mobility is better, not perfect but it’s only been a week or so. Since I’m a researcher at heart, I’ve been educating my self about plant-based whole food eating. Man, I made it but this week was tough, mostly because of my ailments, it was difficult to stand such a long time to do all the prep required to be successful. My husband, bless his heart, stepped in to help me finish. But the prep was a monster. It is only because I’ve been so “convienced” out.
All the on- the- go foods:
Dunkin’ D ( America runs on this stuff? No wonder we’re in trouble)
and Burger King ( I’m dating myself –but I’ve had it my way too long)
and MickyDs ( I’m not lovin’ it)
It all has to stop somewhere.
This is going to be a lifestyle change and a good one because I’ve long needed to be more organized and routine oriented when it comes to my eating. It’s been a journey to get to this point.
PREP, PREP, PREP
I made two bean soups/stews (spicy black bean and thai lentil curry), roasted veggies, my own salad dressings,and thai peanut sauce. I ate great the whole week. I’m going for progress as I learn more about this lifestyle but I love what it’s doing for my joints, achilles heel pain, back pain, and blood pressure so far. I was shocked my heart rate was not elevated like usual.
Usually, my blood pressure is on the higher end. My blood pressure was great at 119/71 today. I’m convinced after seeing other people’s stories that what you eat can change your life.
CHANGE IS A CHALLENGE
Whenever we change it’s a challenge. What I’ve dealt with more than once is situational hunger. Picture this. I’m not hungry but because I’m in the car, passing fast-food restaurants, and got a little money, then a feeling courses through me. What kind of feeling? The feeling I should stop and get something. I know no one has fixed dinner. You’d think I was starving.
But also, I know I’m not going to throw the last 7 days of success down the drain.
I stopped by Walgreens and usually, that’s my snack place and my weakness. I rarely leave without a pack of M & Ms, Chips, Popcorn, or those awesome Butter Cookies Walgreens sells from local bakeries.
UUUGH! But I walked out today with just what I went in for–my meds.
Do ya’ll hear me?!
The fact that I’m in there to get MEDICINE! You would think that would slap me in the face and make me stop and think but it never did, or rather I choose not to stop and think, feeling I deserve some sweet-confectioned comfort in my life. My taste buds and the need to get a treat to relax with that evening would take over. Was I really that stressed? Was food the answer to my stress? No, it wasn’t, but it sure felt like it. Illusions.
It’s amazing how convincing we are to ourselves in those moments. Today, I succeeded, I left the store like I should have, without the goodies, but oddly I felt like I left the store empty-handed. I was left to ponder what was in my hand and why. We all tend to think “it’s not going to happen to me” until it does. I reminded myself that all of this was hard just because it was a divorce from bad habits. Habits I have to change.
I’m gonna need some new hobbies.
How to Walk on Water 