Day 29 - Leap (Final) Day, Happy Endings!

I assumed when I started this journey so many weeks ago that I'd arrive dancing in the streets ready to eat sweets until my hearts content.

To the contrary, there are no bells, whistles, or grand ticket parade for arriving as I desired.  No one congratulated me or noticed that this was a special milestone.  I did not see a story on CNN or a small, self-published newsletter celebrating my victory, not even on this blog.

For me, I celebrated with a night at Red Robins eating a turkey burger with Swiss cheese on a wheat bun and a side of broccoli (substitute for fries).  My kids were exhausted from a long day with my daughter's tennis tryouts and my son's basketball practice for the playoffs on the weekend.  I was more excited to hear about their days with school and sports than putting any real time thinking about the day of Black History Month,  Leap Day, or my restriction from sweets.

Ironically, I watched a show on ABC television called Happy Endings that focused on two characters' attempt to cleanse their bodies and avoid sweets similarly as I did.  Thankfully, I did not experience any of the crazy, lampoon situations the characters found themselves in.

The show did remind me how serious this could be to some people.  Sugar, starches, alcohol, and the like have powerful roles in many of our lives.  I'd like to believe that for most these foods have had a moderately good place in their lives.  For too many of us, they do not.

At least the show could make light of the secret misery some experience attempting to cleanse themselves.  Unfortunately, there is real suffering for others out there who desperately need to make some life changes because it can be downright unbearable.

I've decided to go another month without the sweets through March.  Through the month of March, I will research and learn what is a reasonable, normal "diet" including sweets.

In the meantime, I am going to keep on working on staying hydrated, which has been moderately successful.  I also want to keep track of eating highly nutritious foods and limited high calorie, low nutrient foods.  Of course, no more sweets.  At the end of April, I'll have information and more experience available to me to make some decisions about sweets.

Right now, I am enjoying having the sweet cravings mostly gone and my appetite unhinged from candies, desserts, and sweet drinks.  This will be a bit more time for reflection and introspection.  I'll also make it a point to stay with this blog.

One month down, let's see what the next one brings.

Good morning Russia, United Kingdom, and most of the European Union, India, Japan, and South Africa.  Of course, good night to my brothers, sisters, and others in the US and Canada.  These are many of the places where this blog has reached.

Looking forward to another month.
-------------------------

Make a comment or give feedback below. Share Brother From Another Planet blog with friends or Enter your email in one easy step with button from the right column.

Day 5 - Food & the Super Bowl

Day 5 - Ok!  Why does it seem just when you are ready to start  anew, because the previous day did not go as planned, the day you want to regroup and refresh ends up on a holiday or special event?

Satan!  You diabolical, sneaky pork chop!  I curse you!

On Saturday, I complained and whined about the fat, salt, and sugar trifecta and the all powerful god of desire for them.  As my old pastor use to say, "You gotta name it and claim it!"

All right. I named them the Trifecta.

What I did not do is plan for the Super Bowl.  I had not really thought about what to do and how to prepare, which was problem number one.  Then, on the radio, I heard about the millions of hot wings that were to be consumed during the Super Bowl.  The chili cook offs, pizza, and all the delicious fixins.  Maybe it should have been a warning.  It was an invitation.

What the hell was a brother gonna do?  I have an idea.  But, this is what happened.

I went to pick up 40 teriyaki wings from my spot in East Austin.  My son and I were pretty hungry, especially since he finished a hard fought basketball game in a losing endeavor against an evenly matched team.  He also had a friend coming over to hang out.  Since I already had hot wings on the mind, I suggested them along with the fries and a very nutritious side of carrots and celery sticks with ranch dressing.

Yeah, I know.  Carrot and celery sticks were no where enough.  But, I told myself that I would get a nice salad to go with it.  Unfortunately, I started with the wings instead of the salad.  I loaded up on the wings and a handful of fries dipped in some left over queso I made with homemade salsa.  I could not let the queso go to waste, right?

When it was all said and done, it was about two o'clock in the afternoon and the game had not even started.  I was busted and promised myself that I'd eat that salad, leafy green, fibrous food to help the wings go down.

The salad never came, and! . . . I did eat the carrots and celery without the ranch dressing.

I couldn't eat much more for the rest of day.  After the Super Bowl, which was kind of exciting with the last minute touch down by the New York Giants, I watched a movie and contemplated my next move.  I drank the rest of my water for the day.  When I had a hunkering from something sweet, I had a piece of fruit, which seemed to do the trick.

So, today is the day.  I'm going to call that life coach I stood up months ago to help get on track as well.

Thank God for health benefits!

Tomorrow is the First Day

It's the day before I start my personal mission to cut sweets from my diet, at least during the month of February, which is of course, Black History Month.  Although I feel strongly about my commitment to honor those who struggled and died for my freedom, I am cautious about moving forward.

The good thing is that I have a plan of action.  I know staying hydrated is very important for me.  Many times when I am eating sweets I am actually thirsty.  Instead of water, I find myself drinking punch or my favorite, zero calorie, Powerade or fruit flavored sparkling water.  The problem with both of these options is that they're somewhat of a set up.  While I am satisfied partially from liquid, the artificial sweetener leaves me wanting more. Meaning, I am still conditioned to have something sweet tasting when I am really, most likely, dehydrated.  So, later in the day and night, I'm still not drinking enough water to keep me hydrated.

The other real problem is the sweets and junk food from brownies to baked corn and potato chips, candies like Twizzler, Snickers, M&Ms, and Laffy Taffy.  I use to pretend eating the low sodium, baked, or multigrain chips somehow made a real difference.  It was not likely if I was eating the whole bag, by myself!  Another favorite is the no trans fat candy.

I've been a "victim" of the smart marketing ploys so many of us are persuaded by time and time again.  You have to give it to them.  Even when we know it is crap, they package it up, put on some bells and whistles, tell you how cool, fantastic, and hip you could be, and lo and behold, you are caught up.  You are not delusional.  You and I know the truth.  However, habits are hard to break.

I watched my mother die from diabetes nearly six years ago, on Christmas Eve. She could not break her "habit" of eating junk food.  She really was a victim.  She is also like millions of Black and Latino/as (disproportionately more than White Americans) across this country slowing dying from a diet that kills us softly.  The time, money, emotions, and all else lost behind our health is staggering.  I do not want to continue this legacy for my children and loved ones.  It's time to make a difference.

So, I have my water, calculated the number of cups I need for the day, track them on my smart phone, talk to friends and family announcing my journey, and go forth cautiously optimistic about what I will discover.  I hope you may find this journey a meaningful one for you. Tomorrow is the first day.

Blessings and Be well.