You know, it’s really difficult for me to admit, but so far so good. After my first week on Paleo, I’ve dropped three pounds and feel less bloated. I don’t seem to retain water as much – even after a dinner of kraut and brats. Normally that’s good for about five extra pounds the following 48 hours. This go around, not an ounce. Don’t ask me to explain, it’s just how it is. I can already notice less bulk around my mid-section.
But, I am still skeptical. I know that making any major change in your diet helps alter any little bad habits you’ve picked up. You know, a couple of coated peanut butter candies every time you walk by your co-workers desk or cookies someone brought to the office to share; that mid-afternoon diet Dr. Pepper or frappe. Heavens, even my father-in-law once lost about 20 pounds in a month just by kicking his cola habit!
It is a little strange, though. I know I am consuming more calories than normal, so technically I should have gained; not lost anything. If the weight continues to come off, we’ll see how long it takes to hit my usual plateau. You know – that magic weight where no matter what else you do, you can’t go below it? That will be the real test.
Family life has been interesting. Bless his heart, Matt made burritos one evening, and then realized I wouldn’t eat tortillas. I told him I could just scrape the stuff off and put it on some lettuce; I’d be fine – and it was great. I truly wasn’t expecting anyone else in the family to not eat something, just because I wasn’t. Too bad my family loves pizza. I will have to think of a creative alternative when that time comes around, because I love pizza, too!
Probably the hardest thing this week has been getting ready for the Paradise United Methodist women’s annual bazaar. That includes a bake sale for which I made noodles . It also features homemade pies, turkey, dressing and mashed potatoes. It seems a little weird not being able to do "quality control" (like any good baker), but of course, if I can’t rely on past experience, it’s probably not something to take to a bake sale. I think I will be making fruit pies for the turkey dinner. That way there will be no temptation there.
I’ll let you know if I can really pass up the homemade dressing, or if I give in to temptation. By the way, I did try 90 percent cocoa supreme dark candy. Wow. I think I found a new favorite chocolate! The good news is that my family hates it; it’s way too bitter. So at least I know they won’t be dipping into my stash!
Mary Hoisington
