Tomorrow we are off to the monestary in Goldendale (St. John the Forerunner). Well, at least that's the plan right now. It's only 2 hours away from home, and we'll only be there for one night... so I'm thinking it might be okay for me to go along with the folks of my Young Adult Group from church. Just as long as I don't fall out of any chairs or anything, you know?
I've just completed Day 3 of my new "diet" so to speak. It's not a diet, it's more of a healthier eating outlook for my pregnancy. No more mochas or lattes, no more cookies, brownies (even No-Pudge *tear*) or sodas. Basically I'm cutting out the sweets that have become so prevalent in my diet the past few months (and have been the cause of my excess maternal weight-gain). I used sugar on a rewards system or a "pick me up" basis. Anytime I got tired I'd reach for a sugary treat to give myself a boost, but today I learned from my CNM that I'm tired because I'm lacking iron and protein in my diet. Ouch. So, along with omitting sweets (seriously), I have to follow my beef cravings and say "yes" to spinach.
Looking at my eating habits, I was surprised to realize how much sugar I've been downing. When I brought my lunch to work, it included a sandwich of skippy peanut butter (I know, Adam's is much better) and a generous heap of honey. Then I'd have a granola bar (not as healthy as it sounds... lots of hidden sugar), maybe some crackers or chips, a Capri Sun (corn syrup city), a flavored yogurt (more syrup and sugar), a fruit or veggie of some kind and maybe a dessert (as if I haven't had enough sugar already, right?).
Yikes. Time for a change!
Oddly enough, I'm doing okay with it all. The first day or so was hard. But now I think the most difficult part is turning down sweets when people offer them to me, or just instinctively eating whatever is handed to me. I don't want to hurt anyone's feelings, I just know that I have to be strict with myself or I'll make "exceptions" too much and end up with more "baby fat" than I originally intended (I know, shouldn't I be used to turning down good food, being that I've had plenty of practice with fasting???).
It's fitting though, especially with Lent approaching. It at least gives me an ascetic struggle of my own, even though I'm allowed to eat meat and cheese. Adhering to the strictness of my sugar/junk-less diet will be enough challenge.
These are my Thursday night thoughts. If you've read this far, you get... um... a GOLD STAR! Please keep our Young Adult group in your prayers as we travel tomorrow! I'll talk to you soon :)
7 comments:
Also plain dark chocolate in small quantities contains reasonable amounts of iron, has no added sugar and is dairy-free for Fasting :-)
Milk chocolate is BAAAAD!!! too much added sugar and lots of dairy fat. Yummy but bad :-(((((
Travel safely!
That sounds like a good plan, I switched to drinking water and coffee almost exclusively (I still have some cranberry juice now and then) and the difference is huge. It takes a bit to train your body, but then you are into the new groove without a backward clance.
And, if you create these habits now, after the baby comes you will be in a much better position to deny yourself those sweet temptations. I've been on a diabetic diet (no sweets for me at all) since Monday. And i'm feeling slightly empowered about being able to lose the weight after the baby comes because of following this diet. Also, do give in to the meat cravings... especially if you are a little low on the iron. It's ok to eat meat if it is helping your baby and you:) My diet now consists of mainly meat and cheese (even milk is a carb).
maybe your baby will love sweets too. Pavlos loves all sugar, and Christina had such a sweet tooth when she was pregnant with him.
Have a wonderful visit at the monastery...Susa
What a good mommy :)
oh, i forgot to say... i hope you do a write up on your trip to the monastery:)
Yay! Go Katie! It is hard, hard, hard to give up sugar and junk food! I commend you. Keep up the good work! Your body will thank you.
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