Day 3...

Halfway to to the weekend, woo hoo! I started today with 2 scrambled eggs. I know it is a safe food, so I stick with it. For lunch I had my first temptation. Today was a company catered holiday meal. On the menu: Turkey, ham, stuffing, mashed potatoes, green beans, sweet potato caserole, rolls, pasta salad, broccoli salad, chocolate cake, other cake, banana pudding and our choice of water, tea, or punch to drink. I had several people tell me that I should just eat what I want and start back eating right tomorrow. That same stupid mentality is why I am huge and likely why some of those who told me that are too. I walked up to the line and asked for the shredded, dry turkey breast and green beans. Our site director asked if I didn't like the other stuff. I advised him that I love the other stuff, but was trying to cut back. He gave an approving look and told me he would give me extra green beans for the effort. I proceeded to take one scoop of broccoli salad. I didn't want much in case it had sugar in it. Judging by the great Italian-esque flavor with a slight hint of sweet, I'm glad I only got a small amount of it. I had never had that type of salad before. It had purple cauliflower, broccoli, cucumbers, grape tomatoes, onion and red peppers. I know I am going on and on about this salad, but I liked it ;-) A big container with Ice, water and big uncut strawberries sat on the drink table. I asked what it was and was told just water with strawberry "essence". After two glasses of the ice water all I could taste was the essence of water. I guess they thought just a subtle strawberry flavor would be infused in it similar to how a lemon slice will flavor water. It didn't, but it was better than soda. I was so proud of myself. No rolls, no desert and no huge portions!!!! The only issue I had today was my boss giving me 6 cans of Diet Mt. Dew (my favorite pop). I drank two of them over the 9 hours I was at work. I had tried to make my new rule 12 oz diet soda a day. Not gonna get too upset though. I did drink 50 oz of water and the soda was 0 calories and sugar free.

I can tell my relationship with God is stronger already. I have always had faith in God since a child and even more once I was saved in 2001, But I have never prayed and talked to God this much. It is that faith and prayer that is keeping me from craving my addiction of food. This way of eating (smaller portions, no flour and no sugar) is very similar to low carb dieting. Usually the 3rd day on low carb I am moody and craving EVERYTHING...but I'm not. A low carb diet is notorious for causing huge weight gains when you go off of it. The thing is though, it's really not low carb or protein loading that I am doing. I'm just avoiding flour and sugar. I am eating vegetables and lean protein. I have had oatmeal and skim milk (that is a low carb no-no). So I am confident that I am doing the right eating plan. Avoiding bread would be tough, but I know it is a trigger food with no nutritional value. Of course I am referring to enriched white bread. Having a six inch sub on 9 grain whole wheat bread at Subway I will have no problem eating. If the food is going to be good for my body/health, I will eat it. If it is useless to my body, like crackers, chips, cookies, etc..., I am not eating it.

Let me get to my first grocery trip of the new adventure. I had read and heard from many sources over the years that the outer walls of a grocery store is where all the food you should eat is. Today is the first day I remembered that while there and they are right. I hit the left wall for salad mix, green peppers and green onions. I proceeded to the back wall for lean turkey lunch meat, chicken breasts and ground turkey. Then we headed to the right wall for light cream cheese, shredded cheese and eggs. Of course I did have to go down the other aisles for canned chicken (easier for work), canned veggies and diet soda. I didn't need the diet soda, but as long as I limit it. I also realize that the canned veggies aren't as nutritionally packed as fresh, but with my schedule it is good enough. I plan on making a bun-less burger or meatloaf out of the ground turkey. Some cajun seasoned baked chicken tenders one night. Maybe some lemon pepper baked chicken tenders another night. I'm making a low fat cheese ball to eat on over this coming weekend. With these options along with my quick meals of tuna, canned chicken and veggies, I feel good about my food choices.

Enough for tonight. I'm tired and ready for bed. It's too soon to weigh or see a difference, but I can feel the difference. I thank God for realizing that He can help me and that I don't have to battle this on my own. This is about being addicted to food. I will break the addiction. I'm eating to live, not living to eat.