Starting on Valentine's Day this year, which is Thursday, February 14, 2013, I shall be going on a special weight-loss diet for 18 months (or 547 days). I've planned it out for myself, by myself, based on a basic macrobiotic diet with a few modifications.
Two years ago I stopped eating sugar, and now I want to focus on losing 22 pounds to reach my ideal weight. I'm ready to use the following advice from Herman Aihara, Julia Ferre, and my husband, Michael:
1) Don't starve yourself.
2) Eat plenty of variety.
3) Be active as much as possible during the day. Ride that bike! (or go on that walk, or do that gardening, or clean that house!)
4) Eat 3 meals a day.
5) Drink a cup of hot water first thing in the morning, and a little water 15 minutes before each meal.
6) Take probiotics before a meal (like Barley Miso or Bio-K Plus) to strengthen the digestive track.
7) Have miso broth or soup once a day.
8) Restrict the intake of dairy and fatty animal foods.
9) Do not drink alcohol.
10) Use very little honey, syrups, and other sweeteners — even natural ones.
11) Eat as little fruit as possible.
For the first 6 weeks (from February 14 to April 1, 2013) I won't be eating any fruit, honey, syrups, or other sweeteners. Why the magic number 6? Because according to Julia Ferre on page 32 of her book, Food And Intuition 101, "It takes about six weeks of daily effort to effect a desired change, reverse bad habits, and/or create new ones."
This daily diet report will be linked to my main food blog, foodsantacruz, where I'll talk about the specifics of my diet. For example, here are some related articles in foodsantacruz:
• Draft #1 — My Weight Loss Diet Plan
• Designing My Own Weight-Loss Diet
• Weight Loss Tips From Julia Ferre
• Weight Loss Tips From Herman Aihara