I have been a sugar addict all my life. Just love the taste of the stuff. Peanut M&M's are my favorite indulgence. I've always relied on them for reward during crazy hours behind the computer.
But, starting the day after new year's 2011, I made an impulsive switch to a low-GI (Glycemic Index) diet, a.k.a. Atkins. I'd been on Atkins before, so I knew what it was about. But because I've been teaching myself to cook the past year, it seems to be more doable this time.
Two months later, I'm writing to report on how things are going. It's real simple. My mind is more clear than it's been in decades. I don't have incredible impulses to eat. And I'm generally very happy about the whole thing. Yesterday, I played some driveway basketball with my youngest daughter, Claire. She just turned 11. There was something different about this session. I felt great. I felt light, upbeat and, most wonderfully of all, full of energy. Maybe there is something different about getting all your energy from protein and not carbs.
The toughest part of the diet has been the eggs thing in the morning. Started to gag just thinking about them. But I've found that, for me, sautéing some mushrooms and bell peppers, at a minimum, make eggs a wonderful thing. Just break a few eggs on top of the aforementioned sauteed items and the result is a wonderful blend of goodness including whatever I sprinkled on top. Chives. Yes. Garlic. Yes. Now I'm moving on to including spinach. Starting to border on eggs florentine. Without the bread, of course.
So here's what I like about by new life style after two months of this stuff.
1. Lack of appetite is wonderful. I don't feel like something I can't see is controlling me.
2. I'm much more into water these days. Naturally. I have no problem with craving water.
3. Exercise seems much more natural. Can't wait to get to the gym tonight.
The only thing I _really_ miss is sourdough bread from Santa Fe. I'm originally from San Francisco and sourdough is in my blood. And sourdough from the Santa Fe bakery is awesome.
I'm reading a book called "The 4 Hour Body" by Timothy Ferris. It's informative, inspiring and hilarious. Even mentions Chad Fowler, who was an early days champion of the Enhydra Java application server when he was at GE. Now he's a long-time Ruby evangelist. That was pretty cool.
I'll report on the impact that book has had on me in a later post. And it even helps me with my sourdough jones.
But, starting the day after new year's 2011, I made an impulsive switch to a low-GI (Glycemic Index) diet, a.k.a. Atkins. I'd been on Atkins before, so I knew what it was about. But because I've been teaching myself to cook the past year, it seems to be more doable this time.
Two months later, I'm writing to report on how things are going. It's real simple. My mind is more clear than it's been in decades. I don't have incredible impulses to eat. And I'm generally very happy about the whole thing. Yesterday, I played some driveway basketball with my youngest daughter, Claire. She just turned 11. There was something different about this session. I felt great. I felt light, upbeat and, most wonderfully of all, full of energy. Maybe there is something different about getting all your energy from protein and not carbs.
The toughest part of the diet has been the eggs thing in the morning. Started to gag just thinking about them. But I've found that, for me, sautéing some mushrooms and bell peppers, at a minimum, make eggs a wonderful thing. Just break a few eggs on top of the aforementioned sauteed items and the result is a wonderful blend of goodness including whatever I sprinkled on top. Chives. Yes. Garlic. Yes. Now I'm moving on to including spinach. Starting to border on eggs florentine. Without the bread, of course.
So here's what I like about by new life style after two months of this stuff.
1. Lack of appetite is wonderful. I don't feel like something I can't see is controlling me.
2. I'm much more into water these days. Naturally. I have no problem with craving water.
3. Exercise seems much more natural. Can't wait to get to the gym tonight.
The only thing I _really_ miss is sourdough bread from Santa Fe. I'm originally from San Francisco and sourdough is in my blood. And sourdough from the Santa Fe bakery is awesome.
I'm reading a book called "The 4 Hour Body" by Timothy Ferris. It's informative, inspiring and hilarious. Even mentions Chad Fowler, who was an early days champion of the Enhydra Java application server when he was at GE. Now he's a long-time Ruby evangelist. That was pretty cool.
I'll report on the impact that book has had on me in a later post. And it even helps me with my sourdough jones.
