South Beach project

 

Dedicated to Leanne ...

Well, yes. Some have hinted or even stated it categorically. I have started the South Beach Diet.

Some things to note about it:

There is plenty of food to eat.

I do not feel hungry or deprived.

I am learning to enjoy cooking (after many years of not at all) because the recipes are simple, yet delicious and so I feel culinarily (is there such a word?) competent.

Yes, I am losing weight.

Some other by-the-way things to note:

I work out daily.

A person has to be ready and willing to succeed at any diet.

As I start to shed the pounds and feel a bit lighter, I notice that food gives me comfort and without it I tend to feel empty and afraid from time to time. There are even moments when I feel a little shaky. So, eating, for me, serves a purpose other than nourishment of my body. Aha! Am not sure if I would go so far as to call it an addiction but it has the makings of one.

I realize that many people have influenced the way I think about food, exercise and health: my sister, Elise, who taught me how to swim when I was a child and helped me improve my tennis game. Her example always accompanies me as I develop strength and fitness; Jane Fonda's work-out tapes that I used to follow in the 80's - I still conclude my treadmill work-out with Fonda's stretching exercises; Andrew Weil for health. I take his suggested vitamin cocktail daily; Swami Ji Sivalingam for teaching me Prana Yoga. I still enjoy my daily regime of asanas and breathing exercises, that I learned so many years ago, feeling flexible and peaceful, at least for some moments after wards; Bernie Siegel's writings taught me so much about the mind-body connection.

Conclusion: Leanne, I hope you enjoy the grilled salmon, oven roasted vegetables and arugala salad I am preparing for you tonight when you bring over Siddhartha for us to see!

Comments

[Ella]

I know what you mean with food and comfort. Maybe it has something to do that we very often offer our kids something to eat when they're unhappy. I'm thinking of my nephew who is 16 months. A biscuit clearly brights him up after he's tripping or something like that.

[Tamar]

Ella, I agree. So much of what we learn starts in our early childhood!

[Brenda]

I have a strange relationship to food, I guess. Though I do really like it! But I've done way too much sacrificing of eating as a single mother, I think. Just last year, my son, who's now 18, finally switched on to curries and other spicey foods and life has been alot better since then in terms of culinary delights. I read Atkins 31 years ago & he changed my eating patterns - I've always been low carb, never had a weight problem (but it was the very olde Atkins, not what's on the supermarket shelves now). I've heard the South Beach diet is wonderful... and if you're feeling great, that's what counts most! Those who've influenced you are a most interesting group too, crossing all sorts of eclectic lines... xo

[Jean]

I love the new photo!

[Tamar]

Yeah Brenda - have to look good for that reunion in a couple of weeks - have never been to one before and I am sure as good as I try to look - I am going to appear very differently to how old friends remember me!

Thanks, Jean. Leanne's mother took it when we went out to dinner recently - so it is as current as could be!

[nappy40]

That is a very nice picture, Tamar. And good luck with South Beach.

[Tamar]

Hey, Nappy40 - good to hear from you again. Thanks!