Hungry

I'm feeling thinner today. Is thinner even a word?

Almost 10 months ago, my husband got the dreaded news that his American lifestyle was putting his very life in danger. His weight was too high, his blood sugar off-the-charts and the doctor told him, in direct and blunt fashion, that he had better kick the junk food, high carb habit and get off the couch to exercise everyday. I love this doctor, who sugar coats NOTHING. If you're fat, he'll tell you you're fat. If you have questions, he will sit for as long as you need to answer your questions. He's honest, he cares and he listens.

So, after the initial shock wore off and Wade was able to truly grasp how life-changing this news was, he made immediate changes to almost every facet of his life. Looking back on the 10 month journey, that dreaded news has been one of the biggest blessings! Right away, Wade began exercising every day, going to the gym and completely eliminating carbs from his diet. He has not had a slice of bread, a piece of pasta, potato or dessert since November. For him, Mr. All Or Nothing, the lifestyle changes came easily and joyfully. I remember at dinner one night trying to talk him into a small portion of rice.  "I choose life!" He retorted and we all giggled at his gallantry. 

He has chosen life and we are so grateful for his positive, can-do attitude.  He's made the whole transition fun and we've never heard a complaint from him. He has been a real role model and people stop and take notice. He's gotten a totally new wardrobe and instead of XL shirts, he's in a Medium. No more 36/38 pants, he's now a 32. He hasn't been on any medication for six months, his weight is down and his blood sugar levels are completely normal. Actually, all of his blood work is excellent!

Buck took notice about two months or so ago and decided that he wanted to jump into the no carb zone. He sat with his dad one day and talked about how impressed he was with his dad's progress and how he'd been thinking about his future.  And since they share many of the same traits, he'd like to pay more attention to what he's eating now, too.  I watched Buck for two weeks and he passed on absolutely every carb offered to his siblings...no sweets, no pasta, no bread, no starches. I was actually shocked by his will power and ability to be all-or-nothing just like his dad. Easily. So, I took Wade aside and talked about the need for kids to have some carbs for brain development, growth, etc. I thought it was great that he was forgoing chips, cookies, cake and excess white pasta, but I really wanted him to still eat the healthy carbs.  So, Wade sat with him and Buck is much more moderate in his eating. He allows himself carbs, but he doesn't partake in as many. He's actually turned into a very healthy eater!

With this, Buck has shed a few pounds as well and looks absolutely amazing.  At his first football practice the other night, the coach had them do wind sprints for time. Out of 15 kids, Buck was the 3rd fastest in every heat and 1,2 and 3 were neck and neck. The last 10 kids were seconds back from the front of the pack. My mouth fell open. Buck has always struggled with speed and he'd tell you that.  He's a big, sturdy, strong, smart kid, but not one of the fastest.  His little brother is just the opposite.  Watching him run at practice the other night was amazing. He looked fast and he came across the line with a big smile on his face.  How great that he can physically see his good choices paying off.

So, as the men in our family are now getting all the attention, I'm left feeling a little frumpy. I used to be the skinny one, the good eater, the healthy one.  I've never been on a diet, but I've always eaten in moderation. I used to be extremely physically active and worked out everyday for most of my pre-children life.  There was a time when I woke up at 5 every morning and ran 3 miles before going to work.  I would then come home from work and run another 3 miles before doing strength training. I was extremely fit. Was is the operative word.

After getting married, having kids and adopting a different lifestyle, I relied heavily on muscle memory.  Please, please Muscles, remember what you used to look like when I used you every day. Fortunately, I've got good genes and I work with kids, coaching almost year round, so that keeps me going. But, the ugly truth is that I've not done much actual working-out since the kids were born.

So, yesterday I decided to begin my journey into the no carb zone, although I've modified it to the low carb zone. Unlike my sweet husband, I'm not much of an all-or-nothing gal. I like to play someplace in the middle and I'm happy there.  I was recapping my day last night and excitedly told Wade that I did not eat one unhealthy carb all day.  

"Did you have a chocolate covered strawberry?" He asked, knowing full well that he was in the kitchen when I popped it into my mouth.

"Yes, but that doesn't really count," I told him. He just smiled. Shouldn't chocolate anything get a free pass?

So, other than that one little misstep, I was carb free all day. We're about half way through day #2 and I'm doing great. I felt a little thinner when I woke up today and decided to wear my gym clothes in the car when I took the kids to school, just in case I wanted to stop on my way home. (I did not want to stop as it turns out, so I drove straight home. I'm still in my gym clothes in case the urge hits me later in the day. I'm not holding my breath.) I also did not do my make up this morning as I normally do, just in case I were to get a work out in.  I'm at just the right age where make-up or no make-up doesn't really make an impact for the observer. I look just about as drab wearing makeup as I do when I first wake up.  Rather than being upset about this, I'm just going to embrace it and move on.  I'm also amazingly okay with the cluster of grey hairs that have decided to sprout in one area of my part. I used to pluck them, but now I'm almost watching them hatch, like small birds in a nest. Oh look, I've got three now instead of two. I'll have my hairdresser throw some color on there when I see her and denial will be mine again. Age doesn't scare me.

I'll check in again with a low carb update. All I can say right now is...I'm hungry!