Day 4: Operation HOPE

Well...Day 4 is done!  By the grace of God and His strength I got through.  This was another rough day...really rough.  Not rough by a food standpoint but rather from a physical one.

I realized today that my struggle is this:

My Broken Body + My Extremely Busy, Everyday Life + Getting Ready For Christmas - all while trying to stick to this strict nutrition plan.  I feel like one of those people who have tons of plates on poles, and they try to keep them all spinning at the same time.  It's just C-R-A-Z-Y!!

I knew last week looking this plan over that it wouldn't be easy, but I said I would do anything and anything I will do.  However, I never expected the level of fatigue and pain I would be in.  I've been pushing myself more than I have in a long time; and, I've been on my feet more than I have in a long time.

I meant what I said...I'll do anything to be out of this pain.  I'm committed to this drastic change in my lifestyle and nutrition.  I know that the pain isn't going to go away overnight because this journey of pain has been going on for years.  It's going to take time to reverse.  I know that...I know that.  *sigh*

I had a very hard time settling down today.  My brain wouldn't shut off.  I was all over the place.  Running from one thing to another.  I have a feeling it might be all the green tea I've had to consume.  I need to run to the store tomorrow, so I'm going to see if I can find a decaf mint green tea {my favorite green tea}.

In all this uncomfortable, crazy hard there is hope for my weary soul.  For without hope I have nothing.  My hope is that this process will eventually become like second nature to me.  My hope is that this drastic change to my nutrition will one day heal my broken, weary body.  My hope is that I may be an encouragement to others walking the same hard road.  My hope is that when people see my weaknesses, they see Jesus's strength, for without Him there is no way I'd ever get through.  My hope is that I never, ever lose hope.

Sleep now...then Day 5.

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Day 4: Menu

Breakfast was two hard boiled eggs, turkey bacon, lemon water and green tea.  Loved, loved, loved everything about this breakfast.  This is my type of breakfast.  Eggs and bacon.  Who wouldn't love that?!?  

Lunch was spaghetti squash, homemade meat sauce, lemon water and green tea.  Loved the meat sauce.  I used 93% lean beef for the first time, and a jarred sauce {which was allowed by the plan} that didn't have any additives or preservatives...just good 'ol whole food.  It. Was. So. Good.  I wasn't crazy about the spaghetti squash but I ate it.

Dinner was chili with black beans topped with avocado, lemon water, green tea, small green salad, steamed vegetables, 4 ounce glass of red wine.  The chili was A-MAZ-ING!  I couldn't eat the salad and vegetables.  I was full after the chili and avocado.  I'm not a wine drinker, so I asked my nutritionist's assistant if I could replace the wine with dark chocolate.  She said I could but I need to find one that doesn't contain soy.  So, I'll be doing that ASAP and replacing the wine with the chocolate on the days the menu calls for it.

Snacks were a pear and raw vegetables, each with lemon water.  The pear was great!  I haven't had a pear in ages.  I actually wasn't hungry for the raw veggies so I didn't have them.