Changes (and Day 13 - 21 Day Sugar Detox)

I do not like change.

I have certain places I like visit, vacation, camp and hike.  Why?  They are familiar to me.  I know what to expect when I go to those places.  My everyday life is the same way... I've had the same job for 15 years, I shop at the same places, my walks and runs are along the same routes, I've had the same hobbies for years, and I drive the same routes around town.

In the last few years, I've learned to go outside my comfort zone to do and try new things.  There is always a long, internal dialogue before I do these things, but in the end, I push myself to do them.  And, so far, I have not regretted doing so. 

My weight loss is a lot like that.  I was hesitant about starting my weight loss journey.  Why?  I knew I would have to change the way I eat, how much, and what I was eating.  So for a very long time, I continued to eat as I always had, just ate less of it.  Eventually, over time (and with more internal dialogue going on), I started replacing the unhealthy choices for healthier ones. 

I have been with Weight Watchers since April of 2004 (and had joined numerous times between 1993 and then), so I have seen a lot of changes with the way WW deals with weight loss.  WW updates their program every couple of years to keep up with the latest nutritional science and to keep the program fresh and new.  As a long time member, I had a few heart stopping moments when they announced a "Brand New Program."  What?  Why?  The old one was working for me!  Eventually, I came to think of these new programs as a way to restart my weight loss and get me out of the rut I was in.  I was learning to accept change.

At some point, the WW programs just weren't working for me.  I clung to the program because it's what I knew.  What I was familiar with.  Why change if it had worked for me for nearly 7 years? 

After gaining 5 to 10 pounds back, I had to admit, the WW program wasn't working for me in maintenance mode.  I had to find something new.  I had to ... *gasp*... change.  So I started counting calories.  Which lead to clean eating.  To SANE eating (via The Calorie Myth).  To Paleo.  And here I am at Day 13 of the 21 Day Sugar Detox.  To say my eating has changed, is an understatement.  My eating has taken a major overhaul.  And it was surprisingly easy. 

The Gun Runners at Tough Mudder Nashville 2014

Over the last year, I have made other changes.  As I was getting used to thinking of myself as runner, I was asked to join a Tough Mudder Team.  Me?  I'm a slow runner, at best.  And that would be something different.  That would be a change.  And I would be on a team with people I had never met in real life before.  I had spoken to one of them via Skype and email, but that was it.  Plus, I would fly nearly across the country to be part of this team.  Me.  The person that doesn't like change.  Doesn't like to go to unfamiliar places.  But here I was, agreeing to all of it... and happily agreeing. 

What happened when I made this big change?  I had FUN!  I met new people, I did things I never would have believed possible.  I had never really played sports growing up, but at age 44, I was part of team.  It was an amazing experience.  One that got me to thinking.... maybe change isn't all bad. So far, all my changes have brought me happiness, fulfillment, and a feeling of pride and accomplishment.

Maybe I need to rethink my attitude about change.  I can start small.  Maybe change the layout of the blog...

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Day 12 of the detox went okay.  Did well with our eating out and made some healthy on-plan choices.  Though I don't think I got enough protein with my dinner (and the salad was iceberg lettuce, not green leafy lettuce), so I was hungry after dinner.  I stuck to the planned snack, ate a handful nuts, and went to bed early.

Day 13 is progressing well.  Though this afternoon may be a bit of a challenge.  Still 3 1/2 hours until I go home, a quiet, rainy, Friday afternoon at work... that would normally have me running to the vending machines.  (Guess it's a lucky break I left my change in the car, no money means no snacks!)  I still have a couple of healthy snacks with me so I just might make it through Day 13 as well!