Meanwhile, as I am sure most can relate to, we’ve been in the “interruption of all things normal” mode commonly referred to as Spring Break. Niksdad has been on break from nursing school all week and we’ve been juggling projects, appointments, time at the gym, etc. It’s been really tough to find any time to simply sit and reflect on all that is going on in our lives. Writing about it has been a distant vision at best! And, well, my energy level just hasn’t been what it normally is.
As I mentioned in another post, Niksdad and I started the South Beach Diet (SBD) just about a week and a half ago. When we did it a few years ago, while Nik was still in the hospital, it seemed really easy and we both did very well. This time? Absolute torture for me. In the intervening years I have developed multiple food sensitivities to many of the same foods which once sustained us during the diet —soy, nuts, cheese —and I have struggled trying to find enough things that I could eat and not feel completely deprived and run down.
To make a long story short, I had a conversation with my fitness trainer —no, it’s not as glamorous as it sounds and I don’t see him all that often! We talked about South Beach and my struggles and how utterly run down I’ve been feeling —even before the flu struck. He thinks I’m not getting enough balanced nutrition and that my body is actually slowing down my metabolism in an effort to conserve resources. It made sense to me as I have felt utterly spacey and just lethargic as hell. Seriously, I’ve had to read nearly everything two and three times just to make sure I understand it. I read blogs and am too spacey to write a comment because the effort of reading it is too taxing; I mark items to return to later with a comment and find I cannot recall what I read —let alone what I thought I wanted to say.
The effort of doing more than passive blogging, television watching, or mindless web surfing has been too much. Never mind the picture cards and scripts I need to create for Nik’s communication devices, the meals I need to prepare, the house I need to clean, etcetera. It’s all just been too much.
Until today.
After I spoke with my trainer yesterday morning, I decided that I was done with SBD and was going to eat whatever I want. The catch is that I have to record it and keep track in one of the nutrition/fitness resources I have. And that’s exactly what I have done since yesterday. I feel like I am slowly emerging from a deep shroud of fog —but I am emerging!
When I’m back —maybe this weekend, remind me to tell you about how much Nik’s grown, what he’s doing that is cracking me up and making me teary, and some other interesting stuff that I managed to do in a few lucid hours early this week! Until then, don’t fret if you don’t hear from me; I’ll be lurking and marshaling my mental strength to share my pithy and insightful (not to be confused with pissy and incite-ful) comments once again. (MWAHAHAHAHA!)
Yes, ditch the diet!! And feel better soon.
Isn’t that incredible how much a change in diet can change how you feel? I read somewhere that people who write down what they eat lose more weight than anyone else.
Hurry back to feeling well! I can’t wait to hear your new Nik stories.
If you need some gas eat granola.
Well I have gas anyway
I don’t think that is what you meant
Hope your energy level goes up.
Smile!
Eat and be merry!!! Well, the only ‘diet’ I have ever had success with was the glycemic index diet. I lost it over Christmas and just can’t seem to get back on track. I think it will be easier with all of the fresh fruit and veggies coming…. mmm summer
Good luck making it through the break!
Great to hear the Nik is on the mend!
I like your pissy and incite-ful comments–keep ‘em coming.
I once was able to stick to one of those low carb diets, and I did lose weight, but I’ve come to the conclusion that we must all find our own personal meal plan. Like you, mine is now keeping better track of what I eat. Good luck and keep us posted.
I’m so glad that you know exactly what you need – and what Nik needs.
I track food now, and though it’s nothing new, it works.
That and the elliptical, of course.
Have you tried 5HTP?
Yeah, if I had to eat nuts, cheese etc. my body would be killing me. All of those give me problems. I hope you are feeling better real soon. I have felt out of it quite a bit since my surgery. Like my brain just does not work like it used to. I hate that.
Glad to hear Nik is on the up and up.
SO glad you are feeling better! i know the feeling! we’ve been sisters in sluggish-hood lately but yes, emergence beckons.
I tried South Beach and didn’t last 24 hours. I was totally spacy and felt like I was going to pass out.
Feel better soon!
We look forward to seeing your usual feisty self again.
When I was gestationally diabetic with Maya and I thought I’d turn full-blown diabetic, the nurse told me that the worst thing I could do for my body is atkins, because that state of ketosis is the the last thing my body needs. It was nice to get a professional opinion to get rid of the diet that you’re struggling with. I know you’ll find something that works well for you!
I remember that awful foggy feeling when I first started Atkins … it did go away eventually. But there’s NO WAY I could stick to any low-carb diet if, like you, I had food sensitivities to cheese and nuts … they are such staples of my daily eating. Good luck with your new approach. I think the food diary is an excellent idea.
Guess we are what we eat, and what we don’t! Keep feeling good—-
Hey there. I’ve been in a similar mode, and glad to hear you are feeling like your usual peppy self. But honestly, with everything going on, I’d be a little concerned if you WEREN’T tired.
Looking forward to hearing more about Mr. Duct Tape. Is it working?!?!?
You are so wise to listen to your body. I’ve done Weight Watchers online… it helps you track your eating, and was working well for me when I had time to think about it. Most importantly, I hope you FEEL better soon. I’m looking forward to reading about what’s cracking you up and what’s making you teary.