I completed Week 3 of the Drop 2 Sizes Challenge and I have to say that I really enjoy the variety of foods that are on the program such as String Cheese, Ak Mak Crackers, Hummus etc.  These are things that I like to eat but stopped eating for one reason or another.

My reasoning for doing these types of challenges/programs is to LIVEN THINGS UP in my nutritional program and also to test out different foods on my system.  I’m still not doing yogurt (even though it’s on the plan) because it’s often left me bloated so I skip it.

Unlike the past I do not stringently follow plans, but instead look at these plans as guidelines and suggestions.  There is no good or bad.  I know enough about nutrition to be able to substitute as necessary.

Understanding Scarcity and Food

One of the breakfasts on the plan is a slice of Ezekiel Toast and 2 Tablespoons of Almond Butter.  At first I worried that was not going to be enough food and I would be hungry in 10 minutes, but the high fiber content and high fat content keeps me full for several hours.  It’s fine.

Because of my history of deprivation with restrictive dieting, I have a real fear of scarcity when it comes to food.  I worry it will not be enough.  Doing these types of programs, opens my mind up and calms my FEAR about Never Enough.

Restrictive Dieting causes a scarcity mindset which is what fuels the inevitable binge when you can’t takes no more.  I haven’t binged in so long because I am not deprived.  I loosen up on the program on weekends and even then loosening up doesn’t involve stuffing myself or eating every forbidden food under the sun because there is no need to.  I am not deprived and I don’t forbid food anymore.

Cleaning out My Pantry

During our Sugar Free Me challenge, one of our smart challengers named Grace shared how she cleaned out her pantry and it made grocery shopping much more pleasant because she could fill the pantry with what she wanted to eat and also having less clutter in the pantry made her feel better overall.

I decided to take a cue from Grace and clean out my own pantry!  Wow!! What a revelation!! I threw away so much expired food and a lot of it was from my restrictive dieting phase 2 years ago.  White chocolate chips, oatmeal cookie mix, etc.  I bought it because it was forbidden and not necessarily because I wanted to eat it.

I also pledged to eat the food in my freezer rather than bringing in MORE food.  Again, this goes back to the scarcity mindset.  Scarcity mindset says “Never Enough” and encourages Food Hoarding.  I feel comfortable having the food in the house even if I am not eating it.

When I was involved with the bodybuilding community, people would talk about how when they were on contest diets they would bring food into the house to hoard under their beds and in their freezer.  It was forbidden to eat but it made them FEEL better to have it in the house.

It’s not something that is often talked about but Many people can relate.

On to Week 4

In Week 4 I am challenging myself to wear my “lean” clothes.  This may not seem like a big deal but it is.  I believe in You can have what you want NOW and not wait until you get “there”.  Even when you get “there” it is still is NEVER ENOUGH.

Time to shatter that mindset.

So here we go with my Gym Anthem:  Wild Wild Thoughts.  I dance in the mirror including the shimmy and sing along….out loud.  Enjoy!