I wont be officially joining the "challenge" but want to offer some inspiration as the last several months have been very eye opening for my husband and I. We now eat nutritiously ....not caloric-ly (is that even a word?
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We saw program on PBS with dr Joel Furhman and after being intrigued by his ideals we bought two of his books. Since July my hubby has gone from 280 to 235 to date.....lighter than when we met 18 years ago. He has been doing some work outs but not any more or less than he was doing prior to the change in diet. I myself am down from from 195 to 178 (also since July) by simply changing my diet alone.....if anything my already limited exercise level has been less since then due to my job and circumstances had me working 50-60 hours a week also since July...sitting at a desk for 12 hour days. Whats my point here? My point is that I have always been what you would call "plump" my whole life. It seemed the harder I tried with diets & exersise the worse I failed. Over the last 16 years I just kept gaining a pound here...a pound there....nothing seemed to work for me until now.
At first we used his books as a guide to get started....basically more (or mostly) fruits & veggies. We did not stick strictly to his plan by any means because it was to extreme for us but we drastically reduced our fats and meat intake. We by no means eliminated these things or went vegan. We started with his recipes for ideas but then "tweaked them" and made them our own. I know it may sound a little hokey but believe it or not you really CAN feel full and stay satisfied on a plate of veggies, nuts & seeds! A fruit smoothie for breakfast will hold you over until lunch and frozen banana "icecream" with walnuts & blueberries IS as delish as the real deal. Trust me I LOVE my buffalo wings smothered in Blue cheese as much as the next overweight person so for me to say this is do-able.....it is do-able!
We feel better, more energy, less grogginess, sluggishness, etc. The less refined sugar you have the less you want it and the less you can tolerate of it. I cannot drink a regular dunkies with cream and sugar anymore because its too sweet. The more nutrition you get the less you crave food because your body is gettig what it needs!
I can go on and on but I will stop boring you now! Hopefully I have unspired some of you to try just simply adding more fruits & veggies. We as americans do not eat enough and know it but rarely do anything to change it. The fact that if I of all people can do it...anyone can do it. Yes I falter from time to time but when I do I usually regret it because I now know how eating pasta or drinking a soda makes me feel afterward and I dont want to feel bloated and crappy anymore!
Best wishes to the 2012 Portlies! I wish you all the best and hope over the next year I regret not being an "official' challenger myself!
P.S. we still enjoy our beer
