Day 1

So, here it is. Day 1. I'm nervous, scared, anxious, relieved, tired, and overall optimistic. I've done this before so I should be an old pro by now, right? Well, sort of. Yes, I have done this before, and yes some days were glorious and easy, but some days were really hard and I just wanted to give up. It was only by some miracle that I stayed the course. I will need even more miracles to last longer this time. Or maybe not? Maybe it will get easier and stay easier. Like I said, I'm open to the experiment.

I have a few tools up my sleeve, which include:
1. Mindfulness techniques that I already know
2. A mindfulness app to learn new ways to cope with cravings
3. Avoidance of usual triggers
4. High-quality whole foods nutrition
5. Supplements
6. Rewards and incentives

My reward for making it through today will be the purchase of 'Chandelier' by Sia on iTunes. Also, I bought myself some dried unsweetened mango from the bulk section at Whole Foods yesterday for when cravings get strong. Some who quit sugar would argue that dried fruits are also forbidden. For me, I know I can eat them without triggering cravings for junk food and they actually help take the edge off and make me feel less deprived. So, they're on my day 1 menu.

Also I plan to make a breakfast smoothie, I have a Mexican rice and bean bowl planned for lunch, and some homemade turkey burgers for dinner. In between I will snack on a cheese stick, cottage cheese, and some grapes. I also regularly drink a ton of water, green tea, a bottle of home-brewed kombucha, and a can of seltzer each day. My friend recently turned me on to sassy water so I will take a bottle of that (which I made on Sunday) to work today also as something to look forward to.

In terms of supplements, I keep powdered glutamine at my desk, which helps with sugar cravings. I just add some to my tea and don't even notice the taste. Yesterday, I ordered some chromium and magnesium to help keep blood sugar stable; I should have that in the next day or so.

For the first week or so my main focus is avoiding processed junk. I will employ any and all tried-and-true and new techniques that I can think of to keep cravings at bay.

Anyway, here's to a wonderful day 1!