the start of my experiments…

Most people who know me closely, would have an idea that I have been into healthy eating and fitness since forever. This is just something that is a part of me. Its not something I had to try too hard for. I have never been on any diet, as I dont believe in depriving myself, just in order to lose weight or something. I felt that if I did that, the deprivation or craving would catch up with me sooner or later and I would end up binging (dont we all know this only too well??)

But a few months back, I began to take this whole food and fitness thing a little more seriously than I have done in all these years. Rather than taking it for granted, why not take it to the next level. Around this time, I met up with a friend, who had cured a chronic bronchitis, just by eating the right food. And not only she, but her entire family had changed their food habits, over this year, including her in-laws and children. They had given up completely on processed foods like biscuits and namkeens, colas and sugary drinks. they had given up on milk and curd. They had reduced eating wheat to once a day !

They looked healthy and happy, and not deprived. This is a hearty food loving punjabi family, that I am talking about. I wondered how this foodie punjabi family could pull this off ? I was totally surprised.. I wanted to know more.

They told me they have only fruits till 12 in the morning. They urged me to do the same.

‘No way, I cant do without carbs 5 times a day.’ is what I told them.  A breakfast that does not include bread, cereal or paranthas does not work for me. I would go crazy by lunch time, get headaches, feel hungry, feel acidic.. I was big on food cravings. When I was hungry, I wanted food, else I was as good as dead, because I really couldn’t focus on anything else then.

They still urged me to try it, the hitch being – eat as much fruit as you want, till you are not feeling hungry.

Their conviction, as well as a sensed common foodie background, convinced me to give this a shot. Honestly, the thoughts circling my mind were ‘this is not going to work for me, but whats the harm in at least giving it a shot. If it doesn’t work, it doesnt. I go back to my regular breakfast in a couple of days.’

And thus, about a month ago, began my little experiment with myself. This time, the idea was also to observe what difference this food pattern makes in my life, my body, my health, and my mind..

Its been about a month, and I haven’t gone back to my regular carbie cereal/parantha breakfast I thought I’d die without. I haven’t craved it, I haven’t been headachy,  I haven’t felt acidic. I feel more energy, at the same time completely at ease and light. My skin is glowing, and my hair feels healthier.

This is a surprise even to myself. Initially I couldn’t believe that I was actually pulling this off. But little observations through the month, have helped me understand how this whole thing really works..

And there’s one thing that I’m certainly beginning to understand with my life – we are what we eat!

I would have really liked to start this blogging from the day I began it, so as to put down my daily thoughts and observations, but anyway.. better late than never. I’ll have to now cram the entire month’s observations into my next post.. just for everyone to get the sense of whats going on. And then on, perhaps a more as it happens kind of thing :):)