Rice Diet

So, I just finished reading The Rice Diet Report, by Judy Moscovitz, and have visions of pounds magically melting into oblivion, dancing through my head. And yet, I am still eating horribly. You know -- we've all been through it a million times -- gotta get it in NOW, or I'll never be able to eat it again!

I really like the premise of this program. Eat moderately, eat whole foods in their natural state, and drastically reduce calories. The most difficult thing for me will be the sodium restriction. I am an absolute FREAK when it comes to salt. I LOVE IT!!! When I am premenstrual, I will go from salt to sweet to salt and back again! Perhaps with some diligent re-training, I will be able to kick the salt monster to the curb, along with his bastard sister, high fructose corn syrup.

I am also curious to see what happens with my GERD symptoms when I cut out all of the high fat, high sugar crap that I've been eating. It will also be interesting to see how long it takes someone in the family to try to sabotage me.

My commitment to this regimen will be for three weeks initially, just to give it a fair shake. If I feel good, and it is not absolutely killing me to continue, I may re-think my goals at that point. I figure I can do ANYTHING for three weeks, right? (ha ha) The school term is coming to an end, so I will have some major time to devote to this endeavor over the summer break. Wouldn't it be absolutely fabulous to return in the fall, having dumped some major excess tonnage? Not to mention the improvement in my physical health and stamina!

There are several events that have been planned that I simply cannot opt out of at this point. They are not rice diet friendly at all! But instead of waiting until they have all passed at the end of the term, I plan to start this program now, with the exception of these three individual event meals. I figure, it beats binging for the next two weeks, and can help me to get into the program somewhat more slowly than I might have otherwise. It also may help me to control my intake at these events in ways I might not otherwise be willing to.

BE the change you wish to SEE

I have been doing quite a bit of thinking since last Thursday night. You know, one of my favorite sayings is: Comparison is the root of all dissatisfaction. Soooo.....to that end, and in keeping with all of the other change that has been happening since the beginning of the year......I am beginning to see that some more change needs to take place! Oh boy! I SO like to shake things up!

I think, that in order to change my life in ways that will benefit me in the end, I am going to HAVE to make some changes in my thinking. I really must own up to MY part in the things that I am terribly dissatisfied with. AND to decide that IF I want to see change, I must first start with my own disordered thinking. Stay with me here -- if I'm not rambling too much!

Starting with this book group I have been attending on Thursday nights, and adding a walk afterward have been REALLY good for me! It's getting me out -- making me think -- allowing me the time and freedom to really examine some of my thought processes. It's also confronting some bad thought processes that I have had my whole life. Kind of exciting, and kind of scary all at the same time. Thank you, thank you, thank you, God!

BE the change you wish to SEE. Isn't that catchy? Doesn't seem as daunting as: Eat less, exercise more. But in practice it would mean the same thing! Somehow, though, BEING the change seems less overwhelming to me.

A shift in thinking. A shift in being. The thing that scares me about this shift, is that it would require me to be more selfish than I have been in years. My focus would have to shift to my own needs for a time as I sort out what changes need to be made. How will I need to sleep? How will I need to eat? How will I need to move? What do I really want? I rarely EVER ask those questions of myself because I have been so consumed with how my children/family should sleep, eat, dress -- oh, and if there is any time left over before we have to be somewhere -- think about myself. Needless to say, I'm barely put together half the time -- not to mention under-rested, over-fed, and over-stressed. Hell, I haven't even had a professional hair-cut in five years!

Well, things are going to have to change. I feel like I've been moving in a very positive direction since the beginning of the year. And this just seems like the next logical step. So hang on baby -- it's gonna be a bumpy ride!!! (Not for you, of course, for ME!) You know, that whole "change back" thing???

Hope this wasn't too rambling for you. I've had entirely too much free time this weekend to think. Strange how that opens up the possibilities.