Today is Day 21...

I did it!

I followed a very healthy, very strict meal plan for 21 days, including three consecutive and one independent day of "detox".

I did it!

I can't even explain the euphoria I feel over reaching this goal.  I am not a person who follows "diets".  I am someone who believes that "anything in moderation" is appropriate.  What I learned over the last three weeks is that what I perceived as "moderation" was really "excess".

What I learned:

• Before this plan, I did not eat nearly enough fruits or vegetables.
• Ice cream is not an every-day "need" or "reward".
• If you eat healthy foods, cravings really DO go away.
• You don't have to eat carbs to feel satisfied, as long as you do eat the right things to make up for that "craving".
• This "way" of eating is not a "diet" and can be life-long (and will be).
• Emotional eating doesn't "cure" the emotional issue.
• I am emotional.
• I am off-the-charts emotional.
• Without my choice comfort foods as my "drug" to stuff the emotions back in, they...uh...come out.
• The come out in droves.
• Display of said emotions is uncomfortable for me, but it's okay...

I am absolutely a "stuffer" of emotions. I use food... the wrong foods... to stuff my mouth so full the words and feelings can't get by and "out".  This addiction is by no means broken, but this three week commitment has helped to make me even more aware than I already was.  And definitely more in control.

I promised myself I would "get through" this three week plan.  I would be open and give it an honest try.  And if, at the end of the three weeks, I hated it, I promised myself I'd never have to do it again.

Instead, I've discovered a new way to eat... well, not new, but new-to-me.  I don't feel like I'm missing out on anything (thanks to "treat/cheat" days), and I've honest and truly learned what "moderation" means.

I am happy and so proud of myself for this "growth".

I just had to share.  We'll be back to our regularly scheduled programming, tomorrow.

Oh, and by the way... I think all this learning was a great way to kick off Shimelle's Learn Something New Every Day class!  :)  Care to join me?