Cynthia’s Blog

In late August, I started eating a high-raw diet. Over the next 6 weeks I lost about 25 pounds (12 kg) and noticed a lot of health benefits too. Then all sorts of things happenened, including visitors, my flying to Norfolk Island to rescue my great Aunt, being sick, having surgery etc. While some parts of the high-raw diet have remained very much a part of my everyday eating, in other ways, my diet has slipped back into old ways. I haven’t put back on any of the weight that I lost, but my weight loss has sort of plateaued. It was originally my goal to get down to 100 kg (220lbs) by Christmas, then work to lose a further 30kg over the course of next year. I’m 7kg (15lbs) from my Christmas goal, and there’s only 3.5 weeks to go. I could just give up, but rather decided to really go for it. So, my goal is to

Lose 7 kgs (15lbs) by Christmas 2008

And this is my plan for how to do it:

1. Now that my husband has a job with regular hours (for the first time in 14 years!), we are getting up at 6am and going for a walk to the end of our street and back before he leaves for work. It’s a long street. Approximately 2.1 km (1.3 miles) each way, so total of 4.2 km each morning. It takes about 40mins. Today was our first day, and it went well.

2. In order to get up at 6pm, I’m having to change my (bad) habit of going to bed late and be in bed by 9.30pm.

3. Breakfast is raw Granola from Serene Pearl’s Rejuvenate Your Life recipe book. I love this granola - it’s made with sprouted buckwheat and lots of goodies. Actually, I’ve run out right now, and have more buckwheat sprouting. Made up a raw museli with rolled oats, but I don’t like it nearly as much, so may have to eat yoghurt in the mornings for a few days until the granola is ready.

4. Lunch is a large mixed green salad, topped with french dressing and sliced tomatoes. Plus two Ryvita crackers with hummus.

5. Snacks are a piece of fruit or a little dried fruit

6. Dinner is the normal meals I cook my family (we alternate a meat based meal with a vegetarian one) - but I will serve myself cooked food on a bread-and-butter size plate only, and then add raw vegetables or salad.

7. Once a week, usually Tues-Weds, I will fast for 24 hours, starting after dinner on the first day, and breaking the fast with a light meal just over 24 hours later.

8. Once a week, usually Sunday, I have a “free” day when I may eat less strictly. This is when I enjoy a treat I’m really craving. A church shared-lunch also fits here, as does a meal with friends.

My husband is joining me in working towards this goal - he would also like to lose 7kg by Christmas, so is doing the same things as me.

I’ll post updates of how we do each day, and weekly weights.

Love

Cynthia