Can I reform a SAD-Eater?

I don't think it's any secret that one of the most important people in my life -- my new husband -- is a SAD eater. If I am on the "extreme" spectrum (his words) of eating, then he is pretty close to the other extreme. This was quite a contentious point while we were dating and before we got married, and still is an on-going battle to some extent. For now, he is mostly respectful that I want to eat this way, but until recently has shown zero interest in joining me. That was fine with me for a while. Early on, I had tried to push and persuade, but that just seemed to backfire and alienate him even more. So I gave up and decided that he had to make his own decisions as an adult and I could just try to set the best example I could.

Well, he got his cholesterol checked earlier this year and it was bad. Very bad. Plus he has been dealing with these cold/flu-like symptoms that haven't been going away for weeks. It's not quite a full-blown illness, but it's enough to make him have coughing fits, congestion, and complain of no energy. He thinks maybe he has suddenly developed "allergies", despite never having them before. And he has been doing nothing to help his health but feed it fast food sandwiches at breakfast AND lunch. Sometimes with fried potatoes and always with soda. Last week, he discovered a blood pressure machine at work and decided to try it. His BP, which had been normal in the past, was in the "hypertension" range! I freaked out a bit.

So late last week we had a long talk about his health. VERY reluctantly, he has agreed to allow me to prepare all meals for him for the next three weeks. It's going to be tough. He is an incredibly picky eater. He doesn't like soups, stews (this includes chili), tomatoes, most vegetables, oatmeal, cereal, most ethnic foods, beans... the list goes on and on. He also likes his food HOT and sometimes travels for his job which means he doesn't have access to a microwave. I've been racking my brain all day already wondering what I'm going to feed him.

We start on Saturday.

Revived

The chaos (for now) has ended. I am now married and living with my husband. That still sounds weird. :) It's been an interesting transition living with a SAD-eater. Before, in my single days (heh), I avoided most temptations by not bringing them into the house. Now, they are everywhere. However, I feel the need to be a good example to the Husband and so I am usually good about avoiding them and I haven't been "falling off the wagon" as much. I'm still not perfect (who is?) but I committed to a plant-based diet for life.

I've found the biggest motivator so far has surprisingly been education. Not that I didn't understand the science before. I've read ETL. I've read The China Study. I've watched Forks Over Knives. But it's this continuous delving into these subjects through books, movies, and other media that has been helping me. One interview in particular with Dr. Esselstyn resonated with me. It's from a podcast called Powerful Living that I recently found online:

http://www.wellnessforum.com/Audio/DONWALKER_061709_DrCaldwellEsselstyn.mp3

If you haven't listened to this, it's excellent and motivating. Like Esselstyn says, "[No one] with a brain in their head would ever continue to eat this way which is going to guarantee them all these chronic killer diseases." I also liked that he addressed the "everything in moderation" question, asking why anyone would ever want to have a small amount of "grass-fattened stricknine" or "organic arsenic"? Hmm, yes, why would they??

I liked this interview so much I recently picked up a copy of Dr. Esselstyn's Prevent and Reverse Heart Disease and am looking forward to reading it. I've also picked up the King Corn and Fast Food Nation DVDs from the library. It is going to be an educational week. :)

The quick update

Because I said I was going to be accountable, but I am finding I have less and less time for myself, here is the quickest update: Down 1.5 lbs (should be a little more, but got slightly side-tracked). Doing really well this last week and going in for blood work next week to see if my cholesterol has gone down (I'm not quite in the range I should be).

I'm also finally FINALLY back into a good running groove. I'm only running 20 mpw but hey, it's been 20 mpw for 3 weeks now with TWO group workouts (one track and one tempo-ish). After 1.5 months of solid running, I'm finally feeling like myself and getting the slightest bit of speed back.

Unfortunately, no cycling as it takes too much time and there is a wedding to plan!

6-week Challenge Wrap-up

I didn't exactly post daily like I originally wanted to. Honestly I just have so much going on right now that it's difficult to get on the computer in the evenings. However, I did want to report that I think the 6-week challenge was successful. My goal was to stick to only Eat-to-Live approved foods and I mostly did this. I would say that I strayed from this goal about 5 different days total. 5 out of 42 isn't horrible and is certainly better than my average before!

My next goal is to see if I can improve on that and to actually look like I've been ETL-ing. I've been stuck with about 15 lbs to go until I reach my "ideal weight" according to Dr. F. It's hard to convince anyone that my diet is healthier than theirs when I'm still overweight surrounded by thin people. Also, my dress is supposed to come in a few weeks and I have my first fitting in exactly one month. I'd love to be "almost there" at the first fitting. I know better than to set unrealistic expectations so I'm just going to aim for 5 lbs in the next month. I can't promise that I'll report daily (I know I won't), but I will promise to check in weekly on my progress for accountability.

"You've ruined me for smoothies."

Best line I've heard all week:

"You've ruined me for fast food smoothies."

That line was straight from the boyfriend's lips, who claims my delicious, 100% whole-fruit, HEALTHY smoothies actually taste better than the smoothies he's been trying at McDonald's. He said when he tried the McDonald's "fruit smoothie", he could taste the chemicals in it!

Now, I don't know whether there are chemicals in their smoothies since I couldn't find any ingredients lists online, but I wouldn't be surprised if there were. Anyway, I am thrilled! One baby step in the right direction...

6WC: Day 29

I had a harder run workout this morning and was hungry most of the day. I overate on some dates in the evening, which was not good at all, but on the bright side, it wasn't chocolate or the junk food coffee cake that is sitting on my counter as we speak.

Breakfast was another green smoothie with 1/2 grapefruit, 1/2 banana, 1/2 orange, kale and flax seed. I had made 2 yesterday which is why it might look familiar. It was still just "okay" -- maybe I accidentally pureed a seed in there. I was still hungry and had about 2 tablespoons of sunflower seeds to feel just about satisfied.

Lunch was a salad made from collards, green leaf lettuce, romaine, carrots, pinto beans, and casinera's caesar dressing. 2 large pluots and 1 passionfruit with about 2 tablespoons of sunflower seeds for dessert.

Dinner was some steamed broccoli with tomato sauce. I also had a kale salad with fresh cucumbers. And lots of dates.

Calories: 1909, Carb: 357.7g (66.6%), Pro: 68.6g (12.8%), Fat: 23.g (20.6%), Fiber: 76.4g

6WC: Day 28

I dare say I might, just might, be getting the hang of this nutritarian living. My cravings haven't gone away yet, but I am developing good habits and building a nice daily routine. It is getting easier which is great!

Breakfast was a green smoothie made with 1/2 grapefruit, 1/2 banana, 1/2 orange, flax seed and kale. It was just okay.

Lunch was a big salad made with green leaf lettuce, arugula, broccoli, carrots, pinto beans, and casinera's caesar salad. A whole cantaloupe and passion fruit for dessert.

Dinner was a simple saute made with beet greens, broccoli, radish greens, Swiss chard, garlic and onions. I had 3 pluots with almonds shortly after.

I am honestly scared I will "fall off the wagon" but I keep promising myself not to think that far ahead and just take it one day at a time. For that reason, I haven't been weighing myself either but my pants seem looser.

Calories: 1262, Carb: 247.8g (71%), Pro: 49.6g (14.2%), Fat: 23.g (14.8%), Fiber: 64g