openlyrefined

Okay, so I decided a long time ago that I would not make New Year's resolutions anymore. They have done studies that even prove that we are more inclined to fail at resolutions when we force them on ourselves suddenly because it's a new year.

Having said this, I have had the same resolution for 5 years now. Live how my grandfather would live - not as a resolution but as a way of life.

- family are always the most important.
- be the best friend you can be to everyone.
- be proud, yet humble
- work hard for everything you do

sounds easy, right? I have let myself down more times than I can count.

My latest in my attempt to live better & be a better person (inside) is seeing a nutritionist.
I have 3 lists that he's given me. An Anytime list, a list of foods I can est in moderation (of course) and a Do Not Eat EVER list ( (if it's not on a list I can not eat it!). This is Phase I. It's meant to get rid of all sugar & carb cravings.

It's only supposed to be for 2 weeks, but I wasn't able to go to my follow up appt so it's now been 1 month. But don't you worry, in addition to being medically supervised, I also cheated plenty. I started before Christmas, so there was a little cheating then and now, it's been a month & I just want to eat something with flavour, DAGNABBIT!

Yes, I have been cheating, but only little bits. Still doing waaaaay better than before I started this Nazi diet.

So why am I writing it here? I'm hoping for support. Anyone who has every had to deal with a weight issue (ever) knows what it's like & the disappointment that inevitably comes with it.

I am going today for a blood test (to make sure my blood sugar levels are all good) and Thursday I go back for the big weigh in & the new instructions for Phase II.

I'll let you know how everything goes.
Keep your fingers crossed for me!


I'm on a diet, but the rest Family isn't


ANYTIME ‘YES’ FOODS

Meat - all kinds (red, dark, white) as long as it is extra lean & skinless
- SOME deli meats are okay as long as they are from behind the counter & low sodium

Egg Whites - pure protein. Cook w/o salt

Green /Leafy - leafy part must be green
- can only eat leafy part (not stem)

Oils - Olive & canola are okay to use

Sweetener - Splenda is good b/c you can also cook with it
- Stavia is natural so there are not chemicals

Drinks - Diet drinks (including diet pop & ice tea)
- Splenda flavoured drink mix
- Crystal light (or similar products)
- coffee
- teas (black, green or herbal only)

Jell-O - Jell-O Light (or similar)
- does NOT apply to Jell-O Pudding products

Jams - Walden Farms Calorie free Fruit spread
- do NOT use sugar free jams

Pasta - Shirataki or Tofu Shiritaki noodles (no sugar or starch)

Soups - Low sodium vegetable broth or bouillon

Spices - any as long as they do not contain salt


Quantified ‘YES’ foods

Bran Crispbread - 2 pieces no more than 3x /day
from Norway * high fibre, low starch *

Shellfish - 1 lobster tail OR 5 large headless shrimp

Egg Yolk - 1 per day
* only if Serum levels are not elevated *

Dressing - Calorie Free ONLY
* 1 tsp per serving, dressing, BBQ sauce, ketchup, Mayo, PB etc *

Cream - 5-10% or soy creamer
* 1 tsp per regular cup of coffee or tea *

Candies - sugar free gum, mint, gummy bears, marshmallows, chocolate, etc.
- 5g servings of each no more than 5x per day
* sugar free & fat free is best *

Cookies - 1 piece every 4 hours
* low carb cookie or biscotti *

Sugar free Halva - no more than 2 pieces per day

Fresh Vegetables - no more than 4 cups of any of the following:
artichoke heart, asparagus, cauliflower, celery, cucumber, mushrooms, green bell peppers, green onions, broccoli, green string beans, wax beans, zucchini, bean sprouts, eggplant.
* no corn, tomatoes, peas or legumes *

Freezies & Popsicles - (Sugar free) 1 per serving

Smap cereal - ½ cup
* NO milk. Eat it dry or with coffee *



Off Limit’s List

High Salt Content - most smoked/deli meats, canned foods, pickled goods

Root Vegetables - anything grown underground (carrots, potatoes, etc.)

Dairy Products - milk, cheese, cottage cheese, yogurt, etc. (cream is ok for coffee)

Breaded or Deep Fried Foods

Sugar - glucose, fructose, sucrose, galactose & maltose

Flour Products - cereal, bread, pasta, noodles (incl. whole wheat, spelt, rice…)

Starches - potato, yam, rice, dry beans/legumes, etc.

Fruit - all kinds

Juice - all kinds

Alcohol - all kinds