YES, I DO still have a pulse!!

Hadn't realized how long it had been since I posted anything here... so thought I'd just confirm that I AM still alive and kickin'.

Newest phase of my life?  HEALTHY EATING....  yes, that right healthy. NO, no one has stolen my password and hijacked my page, it's really me.

Something clicked a few months back and I started looking at what types of "programs" were available that could provide some assistance and REALLY DID NOT LIKE most of what was offered, for a number of reasons:

• WAY TOO RESTRICTIVE, weekly meetings, our foods only, no alcohol (even occasional)
• WAY TOO EXPENSIVE, $4100-5300 for a 7-8 month program
• DID NOT HELP WITH HABIT MODIFICATION, how to get to the next step of life
• REQUIRED MEAL "REPLACEMENTS", artificially sweetened shakes, non-soluble proteins
• MANDATORY SUPPLEMENTS, provided by the program (pills, powders, and/or injections)

I did find one program that I thought might be viable called "Lean MD", but even that one would have cost about $2700... and had some of the elements of the ones mentioned above.

And I found one I'd SERIOUSLY RECOMMEND PEOPLE steer clear of, completely.  The "Ideal Protein Protocol" , which is ANYTHING BUT "Ideal". It's from Europe, moved to Canada +/- 10 years ago, and has been moving across the US for around 3 years.  The first warning signs for me were my Gastroenterologist,. a Registered Dietician friend (who is employed at a local hospital) and the Nutritionist at my work (who runs a Mayo Clinic approved program) had NEVER HEARD of the "protocol".

Another concern is that it's a 'franchised offering' and the majority of those running programs were chiropractors.... NOT physicians.  And after attending the 'social meeting' detailing the program, the fee structure, including mandatory non-food proteins, supplements (essentially vitamins and protein powders) and meal replacements that you HAD TO BUY form them to remain in the program?  A definite turn-off.  It was like sitting at an Amway meeting, including the "loaded deck" of testimonial providers.

I did a lot of research about the commercially provided programs and on a number of healthy lifestyle and eating sites and decided to design a program, including many of their components, suited to my lifestyle, my diabetes, and would also accommodate my limited ability to exercise, due to a severely damage knee.

My "lifestyle change" has me eating:

• 1000-1400 calories per day
• 3 standard meals and an occasional evening snack, if needed
• under 60 grams of carbs (more than 50% of that coming from fruit and vegetables)
• under 50 grams of fat
• +/- 100 grams of primarily lean protein

And, after 8 weeks of being on this program?

• I've cut my insulin dependence by more than 60%
• I've essentially given up bread, rice, potatoes and pasta
• The "snack shelf" in the house is empty, and NOT being refilled
• AND I've DROPPED OVER 25 pounds!!!

It does require more planning and effort to pre-prepare foods, especially for lunches during the work week. I'm making egg white scrambles and "egg beater" frittatas for breakfasts, grilling chicken, lean pork and beef, shrimp and salmon and preparing a lot of vegetables and salad fixings for lunches. I'm also grilling, pan-searing or broiling lean protein options for dinner nightly, accompanied by steamed vegetables and a HUGE salad.

And I don't eat STRICTLY and RIGIDLY by these guidelines, we do eat dinner out once a week, but I'm choosing much healthier options.... like sashimi style seafood instead of rolls or nigri sushi, or lettuce wrapped burgers instead of on a bun, and veggies or salad (dressing on the side) instead of fries, and once a week, when I do the grocery shopping, I buy a single sour french roll as a "treat".

What do I miss the most?  Well, I try not to focus on it, but there are certain things I do miss.

• Empty Carbs.... like bread and pasta
• Potatoes and rice, because these are both typically vehicles for sauces and gravies
• Unlimited quantities of fresh summer fruits and melons
• Bacon and sausage.... but I do still eat bacon every couple of weeks and chicken or turkey sausage
• Crackers and Chips... and cheese

Snack options are apples, a limited amount of dried fruits, dry roasted nuts and edamame, sugar snap peas, and turkey or salmon jerky.

And this is a LONG-TERM change. I'm happy with the results and yes, I do have a goal, but that's a personal thing. Maybe AFTER I reach it, I'll talk about it. It's nice finding new clothes in the closet, well, not REALLY NEW, but things I haven't been able to wear for awhile, so they are once again "new to ME" =)

Any suggestions or words of encouragement are more than welcome....