Diet Diary: The Detox Diet, Week 1

I would have posted a daily update instead of this week one summary, but no one really wants to read this everyday:

By CC Staff

“Oh my God, I miss coffee. I will commit a misdemeanor for diet Pepsi. Dammit, I want an effing cookie. Sugaaaaar. Asouiryth494p…!”

First, I will confess my diet sin: I had a shot on Saturday night. It’s hard being the sober girl at the bar. Sorry, Detox Doc Haas, it’s against my religion to turn down a free drink from a cute bartender.

In my first week sans sugar, nuts, dairy, soy, wheat, eggs and corn, I decided that staying strictly on the diet meal by meal is impossible for anyone who stays up late into the night, has a fast metabolism, enjoys working out or some combination thereof. Since I fall into all three categories, I have modified my eating plan.

I eat 4 ounces of protein at lunch with my veggies and up to 6 ounces at dinner. My cut off time for eating is 8 p.m. instead of 6 p.m. and I eat a piece of fruit as a snack. I also eat an extra piece of fruit in the morning after my oats.

Speaking of oats: if you decide to eat oatmeal when you follow this plan, don’t microwave those bad boys. Don’t. It has the consistency of wall paper paste. That mistake on the morning of day two made me think too fondly of my ‘coffee is a meal’ days.

What I hate about this diet so far: Clearly, the hunger. If you need to, then I absolutely suggest that you ‘cheat’ in the way that I have.

The lack of protein (or at least what I’m used to) is getting to me and I’ve scaled back on my weight training since I can’t have as much protein as I’m used to eating, especially in my recovery meals. I must admit that I’m surprised that I haven’t felt weak.

What I love about this diet so far: My skin looks fantastic. It’s generally not bad, but I can’t believe how much better it looks. I attribute part of that to my increased water intake, but I believe that it has to do in part with the foods I’m eating (or not eating).

Another bonus: my stomach is as flat as the end of the day as it is when I wake up and as someone who suffers from stomache aches and the like pretty often, it’s nice to be completely pain and bloat free.

What I’ve learned: Drinking water has made a tremendous difference in my energy and hunger levels. Coffee and diet soda accounted for most of my water intake, which is pathetic considering how dehydrating both can be.

The Detox Diet has taught me that allergies and intolerances don’t just come out in hives. Believe it or not, acne can be the result of your body reacting to a food that it doesn’t want you to consume. And sometimes, bloating and the stomach/digestive issues are either sign of a food intolerance or, if they are more severe, an allergy. Though only 1 -3% of adults have actual food allergies, intolerances are far more prevelant but not as easily recognized.

Just as an FYI, the first three days of this suck. They SUUUUCK. But once you get through the first stage, it becomes very easy and that blinding headache and the irritability disappear.

I’m looking forward to finishing the second week so that I can start the reintroduction process and really figure what foods my body would prefer that I eliminate or eat sparingly.

In case your’re wondering, I have probably lost a couple of pounds but I don’t weigh myself more than once every couple of months. Why start now?

Until next week, when I start the transition process. Because of course once you’re done, you don’t just jump back into your old food habits!

Excitement, I know.