Six weeks have passed since I embarked on a new diet. I last updated you after ten days. So what's the latest?
First a point of clarification. I'm not using the word "diet" in the traditional sense. I'm not "dieting", such as the process one goes through to try to lose weight. I am changing the sorts of food I regularly put into my body. It's a lifestyle change, not a weight-loss program.
As a refresher, my new diet is pretty simple: eat meat at no more than three meals per week. Fish and seafood count as meat. I don't worry about things that contain a minuscule portion of meat (e.g. meat broths or cream of chicken soup) for now.
After six weeks on this new diet I have not cheated once, and I have eaten meat a total of sixteen times (i.e. two fewer times than the maximum I allow myself). I don't always eat healthier, but I do have a much more diverse diet these days. I have tried many new foods and have come to really enjoy a few of them. Two notables are green olives (first experienced on a Mr. Goodcents veggie sub) and tofu chorizo (from Oso Burrito's tofu chorizo burrito). Oh, and that veggie burger at Fireworks is mighty tasty as well.
I find myself eating less these days. My portions are smaller and I tend not to go back for seconds. An all-you-can-eat buffet? Meh, no thanks. When I do eat meat I keep the portions small, and not once over the past six weeks have I gone back for seconds on meat. My biggest meat splurge came just this past Friday. The Missus and I ate at Paul's. I had a small pulled pork sandwich and a couple ribs. It was awesome, but Paul's is always awesome.
Weight-wise I am down four pounds. Two of those pounds, however, came off in just the past week as I began running in preparation for the upcoming soccer season. Clearly the diet alone isn't a rapid weight-loss plan. That's fine by me. I'm doing this for health, not thinness. There may be a correlation between the two, but they are not one and the same.
And how about other health measures? Most are still up in the air. I had my blood pressure taken one week into the switch but I haven't had it taken since. (Can one still find those automated blood pressure gadgets at pharmacies around town?) In terms of general feelings of healthiness ... well, I feel great. I'm not prepared to thank the diet for that, though. The approach of spring, increasing daylight, and my new running regimen all play a role in that as well. I don't feel crappy, so that's definitely notable. I would have given up by now had the diet degraded my quality of life.
Overall I give the diet two thumbs up. I'm happier about what I put into my body. I grew up one of the pickiest eaters out there. Odd as it may seem, gradually overcoming that over the past decade makes me extremely proud of myself. This diet is just another step in that self-evolution.
The next big challenge arrives in less than three weeks. As an over-worked soccer referee I often find myself skipping meals, then gorging on fast food on the way home. There are very few fast food places around town where one can consume mass quantities while also avoiding meat. I expect to eat a ton of burritos and tacos at Oso over the course of the season. But I will also need to learn how to pack goodies for myself that will keep my body healthy and my stomach satisfied.
The next update will probably come a few weeks into the soccer season. Wish me luck!
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I grew up vegetarian and have evolved into a type of diet similar to yours, although not as specifically stated.
Vegetarian fast food:
-Subway vege delight.
-Burger King vegeburger
-Fazoli’s / Da Vinci’s etc.
-Taco joints (if you like re fried beans) are always a hit. I still find myself getting my Nacho cheese Chalupa’s with bean instead of beef because that’s just what I grew up eating them. They are more than happy to sub those out.
-While not fast food Thai Garden has TONS of options. They are way tasty too.
Remind me to give you my spinach and cottage cheese lasagna recipe one of these days. Great fuel for exercise.
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