#rad diet

[journeyfrom400]

I have a plan.

The RAD diet is going to be tough to manage, so I’m planning on taking it step by step.  

Step One: I can’t do everything by myself.  I have an appointment with my psychiatrist on Friday morning (this one I will be on time for) and later in the day I have an appointment with my therapist.  I’m going to talk to them about the things I’m stressing about eliminating from my diet and start there.  

Step Two: Purge the house. I’m going to go through my fridge and pantry this weekend and start throwing out anything that I can’t use. When not in panic mode, I know that I am eating a lot of GREAT foods right now that fit into the RAD diet and will help me transition.

Step Three: I can’t do everything at once.  I’m going to look at the foods I’m tracking and eating and see what I can let go of this week.  I’m still eating a lot of take out even though I banned drive thrus for Lent.  I’m just getting out of the car and getting on the indoor line.  That’s something I can do right off the bat.

Step Four: Exercise. Part of my depression/panic/anxiety can be controlled through exercise and I know that.  I should be doing more, not less.  Even if it’s just a mile walk or time in the gym, or jumping on the treadmill.  I can do it, it’s not about food, it will help my endorphins, and it will give me something to look forward to.  

Step Five: I need to find a community of people who do the RAD diet and see how they succeed with it. They’re out there, I just need to connect with them.

Plan hatched.  Panic under control.

I want to thank everyone who has reached out and commented in the last two days to help me refocus and stay calm.  This is completely do-able.  

[journeyfrom400]

Went to see my friendly neighborhood psychiatrist and therapist today to unpack the RAD Diet and figure out what to do with it.

While I still feel adrift, I’m thinking that I can spend a few hours tomorrow reading recipes and Sunday I’ll make a soup for lunch for the week and go from there.

Also, I’m doing a 4 mile walk in the morning and I’m SO looking forward to getting out before sunrise and hitting the bridge, I’ve really missed it!

[journeyfrom400]

Okay, my time-out is over.

I have spent the last almost three weeks freaking out about my “new” food regimen and my largest response to it has been to ignore it and eat anything I want, breaking even my own rules about food.

I stepped on a scale today and for the second week in a row I have gained weight.  I don’t mind a one-week pity party, I really don’t.  But this is excessive and I need to get my ass into gear.  I am not going backward.  

I’m going to the doctor tomorrow to deal with the fact that I might have had a migraine on Saturday with some wicked harsh symptoms.  

And I’m….. Once again…. Rebooting.  I can do this.  And I’m not going to waste one iota of time feeling like a failure.  I had a freak out, okay, move on.

I’m doing a 2 mile on Thursday morning (pending the doc’s permission) and another Saturday.  Those are great steps.  I’m out of the office tomorrow and will make better decisions during the day.  I’ll be in the office Thursday and will bring healthy food to snack on all day so that I won’t feel deprived.  One of my new strategies is going to be: EAT.  I’m going to track my food, natch, but I’m not going to worry about points until I get better at sticking to a no-sugar, no-gluten, no-dairy, no-soy, no-red meat, no-spice regimen.  

I have Friday at home and I’m going to spend it tasting foods and seeing what I like.  I love mushrooms and spinach and watermelon and I can start there.  

This regimen is for my health and ignoring it will only hurt me.  I need to stop freaking out and get on the new path.  

[journeyfrom400]

I’m surprised that I couldn’t find a community of people participating in the RAD diet.  Closely related to it is straight up vegan.

Because I can have chicken and eggs, vegan is off the table, but I think I’m going to invest a lot of time looking at vegan menus to get some ideas for meal planning and soups. 

 I’ve been comfort eating in the last two days since I heard I needed to change my diet, which is not helpful at all. I don’t plan on binging or comfort eating today or tomorrow, I’m going to count my points and deal with it.   I’m not going to concern myself til Saturday. I go see the docs tomorrow, so I’m going to gather information and deal with it then. 

I also haven’t exercised in days.  When you sit for hours in a waiting room in a panic for two days, you lose a lot of gym time.  Yikes.  If it’s warm enough tomorrow afternoon I’ll hit the pool and water walk across the shallow end like the PT told me, which will be great.  I already made plans to get up and walk a 5K with one of the besties on Saturday, so I’ll power through and get some endorphins going.

I’m down 40 pounds since November and I’m healthier than I’ve been in years.  I’m doing good.  I have to stop looking at First Base, and see the whole playing field.  This is a lifetime of change and I’m only in the first inning.  I got this.

[happy-tofu]

10 reasons to try a raw (vegan) diet