Tuesday, January 4, 2011

Things I Have Learned About Myself Thanks to the Whole Living 28-Day Action Plan

Alternatively titled: How I’d Cut a Bitch for My Afternoon Cup of Coffee

So I am trying the Whole Living 28-Day Action Plan. It addresses eating whole foods, exercising, and mental well-being.

I shopped for Week 1. It took me over 2 ½ hours. At two different stores. But because I am not easily deterred, so I persisted.

I made three meals on Sunday to kick off the week. My kitchen looked like this:


Yikes, right?
Guess what?  All those pots and pans needed to be washed, too.
Aside: Does that new stove look sharp or what?!
It does not look tasty, and I didn't clean up the bowl
before I took the picture.  But this Amond Chicken
Soup was awesome!  And everyone liked it.


Again, I am not quitter. I drank that hot lemon water. Twice. Like it was my job.

Monday, I drank only one cup of coffee in the morning. I was eating the little meals all day. I drank herbal tea when I wanted my afternoon coffee or a glass of wine at night. I ate The Millet Bowl. I even ate millet with honey and sunflower seeds for breakfast today.

And then it happened.

The shakes.

The cold sweats.

The dizziness.

I couldn’t do it. I had to break down and eat something. For real. And for real, I mean protein.

So I broke the rules and had a piece of toast (all allergens were off the list, like wheat, dairy, eggs, peanuts, and soy) with the suggested almond butter. But instead of water, I had the forbidden juice. That’s right; I washed my indulgence down with five ounces of sugar water, otherwise known as orange juice.


Don't even get me started on how I failed big time on the media fast either.  (I justified this since I neglected reading my favorite blogs and writing on my own for the last month).


So here’s what I learned about myself and my family:
- I need protein.
- I do not like millet. In fact, no one in this family likes millet.
- Thomas will eat oranges.
- Marie like sunflower seeds, but not pomegranate seeds.
- Cutting my semi-regular afternoon cup of coffee is not worth it to me at this time.
- Harrington does have my back, seeing that he ate the millet with me. (Although I am sure he snacked it up at work).
- I think if I exercise 3-5 days a week, that’s not so bad. (The plan suggests a little every day).


So effective today, I have modified this action plan so I can effectively parent my children and not become a floppy pancake that needs to be scooped up off the floor. Although Marie does know how to dial 911, I do not think I want to see if she could do it in a real emergency.

And how embarrassing would it be to explain to the EMS that I passed out because I chose to eat disgusting millet instead of peanut butter toast for breakfast.

And that afternoon cup of coffee? It’s not like I am freebasing crack or drinking my lunch out of a bottle. Not to mention, I can’t go around wanting to cut people because I want a cup of coffee. That would not be a good example for The Babes, now would it?

So I will continue to try new foods and exercise and take some time to recharge since those are in line with my goals for 2011. But so is happiness. And this? Not making me happy. In fact, the lack of protein was making me so lethargic, I thought maybe I was depressed.

And that is the opposite of happy.

A few years back, I would think that I was a quitter. But since this is about Whole Living, I think it’s better to look at the whole picture (who is going to take care of The Babes when their mother is zoned out due to low blood sugar?) (meal times are crazy enough without making two dinners) (personal happiness)

And I can’t go around acting like this, right?



Hope your 2011 is getting off to a good start!

8 comments:

Anonymous said...

ROFL!!!!!

You are brave!!!!!!

I don't diet or exercise, but this is what I do, do. I eat everything, but not a lot of it and I eat cereal for breakfast and I dance to the wiggles because I am killing 2 birds with one stone!

However, if you continually eat bag after bag of cheetos like I have been doing you wil gain weight and will get depressed. Hunger is good. And even as I write this I laugh because you just know that I will be popping open that bag tonight, right?!

And nobody messes with afternoon coffee.

Anonymous said...

This WLAP makes me want to kick Martha Stewart's ass. I've been doing okay but I'm at work and little meals are hard so I've had breakfast, then a piece of fruit, then lunch then a piece of fruit then dinner ( ugh! don't get me started on the Pot-au-feu....it should be pot 'o fools!!) I haven't had a diet coke yet (wantonewantone) but I have had 1/2 decaf coffee in the AM.

Essentially, I'm just doing what I can to make a change, even if it's a small change.

Loved the post! I read some to Ashleigh and we laughed hardily!

Aunt Diane

Lyndsay said...

I love that you're being real about this...I feel like so many people sugar-coat the consequences of making big lifestyle changes and just GUSH about how awesome they're doing (not to mention the self-righteousness that seems to accompany organic living). I feel your reaction is totally honest and something I can totally relate to! When I had to cut out carbs/sugar for gestational diabetes everyone would ask me if I was going to keep up the diet after the baby was born...um, hell no! I like sugar and carbs! What's the point of making a drastic change if you're miserable? And once this one is born, it's back to cups and cups of coffee I lovingly go ;-)

Erin Janda Rawlings said...

The Girl, hey, when we wake up so early before our families, why should we give up that afternoon cup, right?

Aunt Diane, I am glad you thought it was funny. When I was shaking and listless, it didn't feel funny. But now? After some protein and caffine, totally funny! What the hell was I thinking?

Erin Janda Rawlings said...

Lyndsay, thank you for the compliment. There was plenty of sugar-coated remarks on the community page (although if you ask them, I am sure it was honey-coated or maybe even agave-coated).

I love the question: What's the point of making a drastic change if you're miserable? Hellz yeah!

Hang in there with your pregnancy! When that little bundle is born, I'll be sure to send you some coffee!!

Krajcimama said...

I'm at a loss as to what to say other than BRAVO for even trying! I know that I have WAY too much on my plate to try something like this but even if I was motivated enough I can't imagine not drinking almost a whole pot of coffee a day! :)

I can almost hear my great grandmother telling you, "What's life worth if you aren't enjoying it!" Enjoy every minute and eat that toast, drink that juice and have that afternoon cup of joe with a smile! :)

RN Mama said...

I'm mostly speechless about all of this. Speechless and scared for you. I hope you will survive!!

And millet? What in the whole wide world is millet? That soup did look good though:)

RealMommyChron said...

I am not so sure I even know what millet IS, but I am impressed you gave it such a shot!

So great that you are working so hard on yourself and your happiness and well-being.

As women it is so hard to do that.

Although, that soup did look 'tasty' (as my son would say)...
:)