I first heard about CR on Daily Planet (a Canadian science show) a while
back, and although the seed was planted, I didn't take action until February
of this year. So, I'm relatively new to it.
What finally made me start was learning that my grandmother had Alzheimer's
Disease. I'd remembered reading that many on CR experienced a clarity of
mind and alertness that could continue way past the age that AD symptoms
were experienced. [See CR & Alzheimer research]
The majority of the stuff I'd read was online until I picked up The
Longevity Diet book, which I love and constantly refer to.
First Steps and Consequences
The first thing I did was cut out sweets. Cookies and sugary chocolate bars
are my weakness (and this is what also led to my recent non-CR phase), and I
tend to not stop at just one.
When I stopped eating those, I started feeling lighter and less blobby
almost right away. But then I started going through withdrawal. I went
through about 5 days of headaches and feeling like my arms were about 10
feet long, but when I emerged from that, I found myself feeling really good
and already about 4 lbs lighter.
The toughest thing for me was giving up the amount of white rice I usually
ate. I'm a filipina, so that's a lifelong habit that I found hard to let
go.
I still struggle at times, especially when I break my link with the moon
every month. :)
In the beginning, to increase my chances of a good CR day, I'd have a
poached egg and an apple with a cup of my favourite green tea and lemongrass
blend (this is still my favourite breakfast). I'm a morning person, so I
took advantage of my daytime perkiness to compensate for any slacking off I
may do at the end of the day when I got lazy. As time went on, making CR
choices became easier and more natural.
Of course, more weight came off. I went from 135lbs down to 115lbs, and at
5'4", I'd ideally like to hover in the 110-115lb range. I didn't do it to
lose weight, but seeing myself as slim as I was back in my early 20s
certainly didn't hurt (I'm 37). :)
Going Forward
Now, I've become really good at analyzing my hunger. I generally don't eat
unless I'm REALLY hungry, which is tough when trying to stick to a
schedule. When I realize that what I'm feeling isn't really my body's need
for nourishment, I make myself some green tea, and it's done.
The trick for me was really changing the contents of my pantry and fridge.
I eat what's there, so if I find almonds or dried fruit in there instead of
sugary chocolate bars, I don't even have to think about it.
I'd like to go as vegetarian as I can. The only thing I can't give up is
sashimi, so I don't think I'll be completely vegetarian. I'm still at the
"phasing out beef" stage, so I have a ways to go!
For the most part, family and friends don't realize that I'm even doing CR,
as I tend to do my own kind of CR Slacker diet too. :)