Protein + Fiber
After an extremely loose summer + lots of travel, I finally jumped back on the “high protein and fiber” train last week. I never was totally off the train, but was kinda hanging off the back of the caboose…
“Protein and fiber” are definitely having their moment in society right now, and I’m glad for that! I would just like to note that I was into protein and strength training (not so much fiber, I’ll admit I’m newer to that one) before it was wildly “cool”. 😉 I did my first foray into macro/ protein tracking back in 2014-2015, which was around when I got really serious about strength training, too.
NOT that there’s anything wrong if you are just getting on the train because it’s trending! Welcome aboard. 🙂
This was definitely the most consistent protein I’ve consumed in several months:
Daily protein average= 138 grams!! I currently weigh around 135 lbs. This definitely takes intention and work. No one accidentally eats >100 grams of protein, lol. But it is amazing, every time I really focus on this, HOW GOOD I FEEL!! It’s noteworthy. Not to mention, my muscles and strength workouts thank me.
For fiber, I averaged 21 grams/ day. This is GREAT for me. I’ve taken to eating a lot of raspberries, and I’ve also started opening a can of chickpeas and keeping it in the fridge and just randomly adding a 1/4- 1/2 cup to things. Like a scoop on my salad, mix in with my eggs, whatever!
Soda Update
In other news, I’m so happy to report that Operation Quit Soda is still going strong! REALLY strong, actually. According to my Quitzilla app, I hit 4 months, 14 days yesterday with no soda.
I mentioned previously that I felt right around 4 months was when the tides abruptly turned for me. It took that long to really feel settled into this new life and not find myself thinking about it or missing it all the time (or at least, often).
Now, I can go to a movie (like The Odyssey, last night- loved it!!!) and am completely unfazed by not drinking a soda. I might still have the most occasional itch when we eat out, but I don’t actually want it, really- it’s more that I have a fleeting desire to be feel really excited about what I’m drinking. Or maybe it’s just more of a ghost memory.
But it passes almost instantly now, and I’m typically completely satisfied with an Arnold Palmer as my ‘treat’ drink of choice. At home, I am SUPER INTO home brewed plain iced tea (served over ice, with a straw). It’s not super thrilling but I think my taste buds have down regulated or something, because I am now quite happy with it! It’s pleasant and I enjoy the process of brewing it in my pretty glass pitcher (from Goodwill :)).
Ivan asked me the other day if I thought I’d ever want to go back to drinking soda, ever. And I answered honestly, NO. The idea of it really doesn’t appeal to me, because this has been really hard!!!! I don’t want to ever have to go through all this again. (Yes, I just made that sound very dramatic. I know.)
I feel a big sense of relief that I finally ripped this Bandaid off and addressed this very bad habit for once and for all.
I also LOVE not feeling controlled by something any more!!! I hadn’t really realized how much this impacted my life before. Things like choosing to go out to eat more (and eat more crap) than optimal because I actually just wanted a soda, or sometimes eating different foods just because they tasted good with soda, or “needing” to make a gas station or McDonald’s stop to get a fountain drink…
I’ve finally freed myself from something that was hanging over me for a long time. I am the boss of me, not a stupid soda! I have absolutely no desire to go back. 🙂
Daily Gratitude:
I am grateful that Charlie is doing better. Not sure yet on long-term allergy plan; he’s still on the Prednisone taper right now. But he’s leaving his paws mostly alone now, thankfully.
GRATEFUL KAE 