The 4 Day Diet: Taking a Look at My Eating Habits

So it’s been a week since I decided to start Dr. Ian Smith’s 4 Day Diet. I’ve completed two modules, resisted a whole lot of temptation, and successfully started the plan.

By Jill

I told myself during these first two phases that I would follow the plan as strictly as I possibly could. Afterall, the beginning is the kick-start, sets the tone, and would get me into the right mindset.

The first four days (detox) consisted mostly of fruits, green veggies, brown rice, beans, legumes, and a little bit of yogurt and eggs. I never realized how great of an option (and how filling) beans were. I made a fabulous bean salad drizzled with some balsamic vinegar and lemon juice that was scrumptious and kept me full all afternoon.

The second set of four days (transition) was similar food-wise to the Detox days, but started to add back some more food. Colored veggies, proteins, even two snacks a day from a huge list in the back of the book (ranging from cottage cheese to a sweet potato to 1/2 cup fro yo etc).

I noticed the first day of detox was the hardest day all week. My body wasn’t used to no sugar (aside from the sugar in fruit) so I felt a bit sluggish, which I anticipated.

But after day one, I was bursting with energy.

I’ve been at this weight loss game for awhile, but this week forced me to wipe away the fog that was clouding me from seeing my true eating habits. Over the past year, while I haven’t gained anything significant, I haven’t lost either. “I eat SO healthy,” I would say to myself and blame my lack of progress on my thyroid problem…

While I do have a thyroid issue (minor) I am on medicine that should be regulating it. So there is no excuse. What this week forced me to realize is slowly but surely those extra bites here and there became daily habits. Without thinking I would grab a few Hershey Kisses here, a sprinkle of dried cranberries on my salad there, a Trader Joes Dark Chocolate 100 calorie bar (amazing) while watching TV at night, even though I truly wasn’t hungry. And adding things like that every day adds up to an extra few hundred calories at LEAST. While it may not be enough to make me gain a significant amount, it sure was enough to keep me from losing.

This week made me stop and reevaluate my habits, and to once again see how content I can be on clean, whole foods. And while I refuse to give up chocolate forever (the very thought makes me shudder) I think it’s an important lesson we all can learn. Take note this week yourselves; pay closer attention to what you are eating. How often do you just pop something in your mouth without thinking and totally forgot you even did it? How often do you grab a few munchies while watching TV at night, even though you JUST ate dinner? How many of you reach for a snack, convincing yourself that you’re hungry as an excuse to get up from your desk so you don’t have to deal with that 15 page paper? How many of you formed those once in a while extra treats into daily habits?

Trust me, if you pay attention,  you will quickly see what areas need fixing. For me, it forced me to not only realize that I was doing it, but to sit down and think about the reasons WHY.

Next week will bring the Protein stretch and the Smooth modules where I will have some more freedom with food. Should be interesting to see how that one goes…

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