7 Days Coke-Free

I just got home from my second 21-Day Challenge meeting feeling refreshed and ready to conquer the next 14 days.  I'm seven days Coke-free and feelin' fine!  My only frustration at this point is that I haven't lost a single pound.  Weight-loss was definitely not my goal when I started this, but seriously...I've given up all sugar and gluten.  No pop, no Wonder white bread, no Frosted Flakes.  One pound is all it would take to give me that little bit of motivation I need when Brian is sitting next to me drinking a Coke and eating cookies.

I have to say how wonderfully supportive all of my friends have been in encouraging me and providing me with healthy alternatives to all of the foods I crave.  Suzanne made these wonderful corn muffins and is bringing me my first home-made smoothie tomorrow.  Christy introduced me to these all-natural carrot cookies which have just enough natural sweetness in them to satisfy my between-classes cravings.

I know, or at least I think I know, it is not realistic to believe that after this is over I'm going to be able to maintain this sugar and gluten-free life-style.  Caffeine--no problem. Alcohol--never been a problem.  So as I reflect on this experience, I don't want it to be for nothing.  I feel good which must be a result of having a healthier body and mind, so there are definitely changes that I see being able to make.  (Oh my...could I have a less supportive husband???  He just opened a Coke right in my face and loudly gulped about half of it down.  What a pig!)

Anyways...

1.  eating smaller portions -- nothing new, I know, but I've actually been putting it into practice and noticing that I'm just as satisfied after lunch and dinner.

2.  wait 15 minutes after eating to decide if I'm still hungry -- sometimes I eat just because food tastes so darned good!  Fifteen minutes later, I'm regretting taking seconds, so I'm going to make a concerted effort to eat only what I put on my plate.

3.  Caffeine-free Coke at meals -- one of my biggest struggles is drinking only water.  I need something with a little bit of taste for when I'm eating.  That being said, I know I'll be back on pop on day #22.  Instead of buying a 16-ounce Pepsi at school, though, I'm going to bring my pop from home to ensure I'm off the caffeine and maxing out at 12 ounces. (Not sure how to curb the Starbucks green tea-lemonade addiction, but I had already cut my sugar down to half with it.  Since Starbucks refuses to open in Madison or Concord, it will remain a guilty pleasure when I venture to Mentor and not a daily necessity.)

That's all I've got tonight, but now that I'm caught up on my grading, I hope to be back on-line more consistently.  G'Night!