Goodbye, my love

This delicious sandwich, a PB&J, is my lunchtime love. I don't know how I have such a great fondness for a childhood favorite, but it truly says to me, the Ultimate Comfort Food. I could eat one every day. Unfortunately, I have had to bid a farewell to this tasty triple threat of bread, peanut butter, and jelly, as Chad and I have begun The South Beach diet.


May I introduce you to the brains behind this operation... Please say hello to our new friend, Dr. Agatston, cardiologist and creator of the South Beach diet...

A couple of weeks ago, we decided to get serious about our health, for a number of reasons. I've never considered myself a "dieter" per se, but let's be real... I know there's a little more of me than there should be, at least in my opinion... at least more of me than before I started having babies. Chad was the one who suggested doing this South Beach diet, because his brother had done it with a good deal of success. Chad was going to go ahead with the South Beach diet, and I decided it would be easier to make food for the whole family than just for him. And since the first words out of Aubrey's mouth lately every time we sit down for dinner is, "YUCK! What is this?" I figured we didn't have anything to lose... except the pounds that is...

So basically, here's how it works (skip this part if you don't care): The diet is divided into Three Phases. Phase One lasts two weeks and during that time, you cut out all Bad carbs and bad fats... that means no bread, rice, pasta, potatoes, baked goods, fruits, and a few vegetables (carrots, corn, and beets). Those get gradually added back in subsequent phases. We can eat all the good fats (like what's found in nuts and that kind of thing) and all the good carbs (like in veggies, lean meats, and eggs) that we want. But the premise behind cutting the bad things out is that your body's blood sugar level will not swing up and down so much and you won't physically crave them and eat more than necessary. It makes so much sense to me... how many times, when your blood sugar was low, (say, like on fast Sunday) did you ever want a piece of bread or something like that, like crazy? And then when you eat it (and unbeknownst to you, your blood sugar goes sky high and then drops again), you need another one and another one? You're just grabbing for the first thing that makes your blood sugar go up and make you feel better the fastest, and that's the refined sugar, the bad carbs. And then it drops to a low level and you just eat another piece. It's, (I love this term), a vicious cycle. So anyway, after you cut them out, your body gets rid of all the excess weight you've been packing around. In the first phase, you're supposed to lose between 8-13 pounds. After Phase 1, you reintroduce fruit and grains, little by little, (only as much as will not hinder you continue in reaching your goal weight) and then Phase 3 is maintenance, where pretty much everything is allowed, (except Potatoes, he has a thing against those yummy little guys), in controlled portions. You can read more about the whole diet here.

So, after reading the book, Chad and I were kind of skeptical... you always hear about the super great success stories, "yeah I lost 13 pounds in two weeks," kind of thing. But there were so many of these success stories, so we were also kind of hopeful. At first, we were like, "well, what can we eat?" Especially because Chad is not a huge veggie eater, and this is a heavy-on-the-veggies diet. But I have really wanted to eat healthy, and wanted to eat a lot of fresh veggies, (that's why we have a small garden growing) and this was a great way to do it. We also have wanted to try some new recipes, because I have been in a serious recipe slump. The South Beach diet has several recipe books, and they are filled with gourmet recipes that are delish. I especially like the Quick and Easy cookbook. So, we started eating more veggies and trying new foods, and we are eating really well, and also improving our culinary skills. (Like, I have never used a broiler pan and the broiler in our oven before in my life... never used freshly ground black pepper, never knew what spices work well for what flavors.) We're learning a lot... I was amazed the first time I ever made a lettuce wrap and ate it (that was last week)... it was as great and as satisfying, without the bread. I think I actually prefer not having bread. I was amazed to find out with this diet, it's not that bad. Sugar free jello tastes about the same as regular... so does Fat Free Cool Whip. Being on this diet, is, dare I say, kind of fun, especially that we're working on it together. Sure, the first couple days were hard... I'm a big fan of ice cream, and not having some every night, was hard... but by now, gasp, I really don't feel like I need it, like I used to. Admittedly, recent days have been hard in their own way... I have been feeling like I really really REALLY want one of those cookies on the counter, but I have gotten much better at self control now also, a BIG vice of mine, and it's easier to say no. Chad is even better at it than I am.

So, now, you might be wondering how well we're losing on the diet. I am happy to report that we are in day 10 of Phase 1, and Chad and I have lost a combined total of 17 pounds! I'm not kidding, and I'm so proud of us for doing so well, especially Chad. I have high hopes that we will continue to lose weight and feel really good. I feel like we can do it. I'm not sorry to have given up these foods. So far, it has been worth it. But, with all of that said, I'd be lying if I said I wouldn't be happy when I can again have my beloved PB&J, come Wednesday morning, when the two weeks are up. :) I'll just have half of one, instead of a whole, on whole grain bread. :) I can't wait.