Through the Seasons

Winding it up

Well the time has come for me to figure out what to add back into my diet.  I’ve learned so much through this detox!

1.  I can survive without sweets, sugar, and refined flour.

2.  I turn to sweets, sugar, and refined flour when I have a bad day.

3.  I do enjoy whole grains, fruit, and veggies.

4.  I can cook very good tasting meals even without sweets, sugar, and refined flour!

5.  I have less cravings and more energy when I eat healthy.

So now I’ll start re-entering the world full of food choices.  Right now I’m planning, planning, planning.  I don’t want to just start eating like I used to.  The goal is to make a lot of these changes permanent.  So at first I’ll continue as if I’m still detoxing and just barely adjust what I’m doing on a daily basis.  Probably the biggest difference will be what I occassionally allow myself. 

I’ve read about people who eat NO sweets and will NEVER eat ANY again.  And to that I say, “WOW.”  That’s not for me.  Not right now.  I’d have to have some real medical concerns to go that far. 

I realize that part of my food issues are really matters of the heart.  Why oh why do I feel I’m entitled to chocolate on a bad day?  Why do I think that will comfort me more than running to Jesus?  It’s me believing a lie (because you know after I pig out on chocolate I do NOT feel better.  I feel WORSE.  MUCH WORSE).  Lies, lies, lies.  Idolatry.  Those are the next steps in my journey – confronting the lies and idols that want to push into my life. 

This has been a very, very positive, rewarding experience for me.  It never felt oppressive or confining.  I actually feel more liberated and in control.  I can decide what to eat and what not to eat.  I can make choices that make me feel wonderful or icky.  And if I do make a bad decision it only takes one more good decision to put me right back on track.  I don’t want food to have so much power in my life.  I feel like I’ve taken that power back and now I get to decide what to allow back into my body and how often.

Oh and I’ve lost a couple pounds too.  I don’t really need to lose weight.  I’m already below my pre-pregnancy weight but any additional weight loss is fine with me since I’m of the thinking that there’s no such thing as “too skinny” but my main concern is to be healthy and not to set food up as an idol in my life.  Those are of much greater worth than a dress size or a number on a scale.