Group Hug!!!!
Y’all are the best. Thanks for all the prayers, love, hugs, and encouragement. When threads get too ugly, I step away and choose not to read them. I can do the same with threads that are too diet focused. I love y’all too much to stay away forever.
I need to clarify that the woman who put me on this detox is NOT a nutritionist. My clinical nutritionist (who is a registered dietitian as well) helped me with food allergies. She is wonderful. The one weakness of my eating according to her was the lack of veggies. This other “detox” woman is a professional chef who specializes in plant-based menus that are high in antioxidants. She lived in Jersey for a while and worked as Dr. Fuhrman’s chef and assistant. She told me that she counseled his patients when his practice got too big for him to handle. She is more into a holistic approach. I was not comfortable with her Oprah/New Age spiritual beliefs, but I did not think that would affect her ability to teach me how to cook veggies in a healthier way. I did not go to her seeking diet or nutrition advice. I was not even trying to lose weight at the time. I decided when I signed up for the Road Trip that I did not want to not pressure myself to lose weight this year. I just wanted to maintain my weight, fuel my body with good food, and get plenty of rest so I would have abundant energy that weekend. I also wanted to focus on eating more nutrient-dense foods. Some of the recipes in Dr. Furhman’s new book looked good. Many of them are her recipes. I went to her for the purpose of learning what to substitute for soy milk and tofu (since I am allergic to soy) and how to fix tasty veggies without drowning them in butter. I actually went to our appointment with a legal pad of questions, but I quickly lost control of the conversation. She launched into a lecture about the science of food addiction and brain chemistry. As I shared above, I do not usually fall for hard sells like this. But I was depressed and desperate and vulnerable and tired of the diet-overeat cycle and gaining and losing the same pounds over and over again.
I actually met this woman for the first time in December. My initial discernment told me to stay away. That was before I even knew how extreme her eating plan was. The fitness club where I am a member started promoting her services in May. (I need to talk to the club director about this.) When I did my one-mile run and fitness test, the girls on staff who conducted my tests encouraged me to meet with her. I should have gone with my gut reaction from December when I first met her in person. I have an uncanny ability to sense when someone is not “safe” for me. I made an impulsive decision to meet with her. I honestly do not regret it. Nothing is wasted in God’s economy. He can use anything for good, and this pushed me over the edge and caused me to hit rock bottom in Dietland. No more diets or quick fixes for me. The promise of fast weight loss is no longer alluring. That week of detox hell caused me to realize that I would rather be fat than feel like that. I would rather die than feel like that. As a result, I am perfectly content to embrace gentle change. Alcoholics and drug addicts hit rock bottom before they are ready for recovery. Well, chronic dieters do too!
Kristi, I am looking forward to meeting you soon, my new Texas friend. If you and your daughter decide to come up for a visit this week, let me know. I will call you tomorrow.
Connie, thanks for sharing the vision and journey with me. It is good to have a forum friend with the same goals.
Tneah, your post made me laugh out loud. You are beautiful, fit, and fabulous. Thanks for the kind words and encouragement.
Melanie, that was not a long post for me. LOL! Did you miss my Road Trip novel last year? Girl, this is a short message considering it is a summary of 4 weeks of my crazy life. Friends tease me about having the gift of words and words and words.
Shana, I love living life on my terms. I am too much of a maverick to do it anyone else’s way.
Nan, I will call you the next time I have a kitchen full of wet firemen. LOL! My calories were not restricted directly. I was free to eat more, but the extra calories had to come from leafy greens and non-starchy veggies. Have you ever tried to eat 1,000 calories of raw veggies? Weigh some spinach or kale, do the math, and imagine the huge volume you would have to eat to get a decent amount of calories. This plan is crazy indeed. People who restrict starchy carbs do not cut out meat, dairy, and eggs. Vegetarians are free to eat whole grains and starchy veggies. Cutting out both is crazy!
Gin, I have missed you too. I am so looking forward to seeing you again. God bless you and Jean and Laura. I could tell during our trip to the zoo that y’all thought this diet plan was insane and over the top! Thanks for supporting me and letting me learn yet another lesson the hard way. My stubborn self cannot seem to learn in the classroom. I have to take the field trip and experience it firsthand. LOL!
Kathryn, thanks again for sending an e-mail earlier this month and checking on me.
Jean, I am looking forward to our reunion next month.
Phyllis, I jumped for joy when I saw your response. I have been missing my favorite shopping assistant. I am so glad you are planning to attend the Friday morning step class. Yippee! Oh, yes, I can laugh about it.
Angela, thank you so much for the kind words. I cannot imagine writing a whole book. Y’all will have to pray for the editor who is assigned to all my words. LOL!
Toni, I will share more details about my new approach to food soon. I believe it may benefit you as well. Thanks for the prayers and encouragement. I am praying for you too. Stay cool in Texas.
Michele, I am so glad I made you laugh. Did you fall in love with cardio while I was away?
Mary, thank you for the prayers.
Shelby, I am looking forward to sharing the Road Trip fun with all the forum members.
Allison, thank you for the encouragement and prayers.
Shelley, it is so good to see you again! I always love hearing from you, and I am looking forward to finally meeting you next month! Nan and I will share the third fireman with you!
Nancy, the new website may be a blessing in disguise. The Ya Yas keep all the diet and nutrition posts in a separate forum. There is a forum for fitness chatter and a forum for open chatter. It is easier to avoid diet talk, controversial debates, etc. I believe the new forums will have a separate area for nutrition and recipes. Thank you for the encouragement. I am so glad my story made you laugh!
Lorrayne, as I shared above, this woman did not restrict me to 900 calories a day. She just severely restricted the types of food I could eat. It took a real effort to consume that many calories of fruits and veggies without cheating and adding fruit juice. I actually did fine on Memorial Day when I could eat every hour. But I do not have time to chew a massive volume of raw veggies at work. Those foods are free on diet programs for a good reason. You can eat all you want without getting many calories. I did start cheating after a few days and snuck in a few steamed pearl potatoes (25 calories each) and a piece of millet bread. By the way, she personally eats 1,000 calories a day. She told me that her body will not tolerate more than that.
Kathy, I am looking forward to giving you a big Heather hug in less than 5 weeks. Yippee! The flip side of that cute and stubborn coin is persistence, perseverance, resolve, and determination. My stubbornness has been my salvation on numerous occasions. I am too independent to give up my power permanently and let a controlling and manipulative person drag me off into something that is not beneficial or wise for me. I falter every now and then, but I quickly come to my senses and return to doing it my way!
I hope I responded to everyone! Thanks again for the all the support and encouragement.
Blessings,
Heather B.
“So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God” (1 Corinthians 10:31 NIV).
