I have been more or less out of touch with the blogging community for some time now. I did start the Ultra Lite plan a few times, but life seriously got in the way of the very restrictive program. The time that I followed the plan for almost 2 full weeks - I did enjoy it and definitely felt the psychological and emotional benefits, if not the physical benefits as well. But, as I said before, life really did get in the way. Here’s a very high-level overview of my life during the past year:
1. After many, many years waiting - my divorce finally became final in February 07 (but not before my now dead-ex-husband decided to get remarried under a false identity)
2. My father was diagnosed with bladder cancer; had surgery to remove and rebuild a bladder; receives a clean bill of health
3. My ex-husband died of a heroin overdose (fingerprints had to be used to identify the body due to the assumed name)
4. I married the Emperor Pixelhead (my father performed the ceremony)
5. My youngest son (17) ends up in a “program” due to poor behavior
6. My father’s cancer returns and is extremely aggressive
7. We decided to buy a house where my parents can move in with us
8. My father dies
9. We purchase the house and move in immediately after my father’s funeral
10. My son moves back home in two days
The main reason I had not been able to follow the Ultra Lite plan was due to moving. For at least a week, I was basically without a kitchen and with EVERYTHING needed to be prepared - it became impossible.
I still feel like I’m trying to recover from all of the events of the past year. I hope to be back to active blogging and a healthful lifestyle soon.
Posted on May 21st, 2008 by lizzie
Filed under: Weight Loss Ramblings | 78 Comments »
When I first reviewed the Ultra Lite diet with my Doctor (medical supervision is required) he went over the short list of approved foods. All the foods I’m allowed to eat are regular foods that I can pick up at my local grocery store - I don’t have to go all the way to the not-so-local health food store. What surprised me the most was the incredibly short list of acceptable fruits. The only fruits I can eat are cantaloupe, watermelon, honeydew melon and strawberries - and very limited quantities of these fruits. What my Doctor did make clear is that apples, oranges and especially bananas are NOT on the list. Clearly this is due to the high number of carbohydrates or sugars in the banana.
I started doing some research about the beloved banana to see if I could find any information that would support the claim that the are not healthy. It was very difficult - everywhere I looked held the banana in high regards, stating all the benefits of the banana including it as an excellent source of potassium and fiber.
I remembered that the origination of this particular health plan - Ultra Lite was in New Zealand. I found an article that has shed some light on the poor banana and other fruits now banned from my life - An Apple a day… is that bad for you?
Honestly, I don’t anticipate bananas and other fruits always being forbidden fruit - I suspect the first stage of this diet is about seriously limiting sugars; detoxifying my body; and teaching me a new way to eat and think about food.
Posted on April 12th, 2008 by lizzie
Filed under: Weight Loss Ramblings, Daily Grind, Diet Program Review | 199 Comments »
Now that I’ve completed three full days on the new diet - I feel great. When I’m consumed with eating all the wrong foods and way too much of them - I dread returning to a healthful lifestyle. But now that I’m back - I feel better physically and emotionally.
I am trying to keep it real and act as if this is a lifestyle and not a diet - which exactly what I want it to be.
Posted on April 10th, 2008 by lizzie
Filed under: Weight Loss Ramblings, Diet Program Review | 59 Comments »
I completed my first two days on the Ultra Lite program. The first day was rough (just ask the Emperor!) But, as with anything new - I’m getting adjusted and I can definitely see how this will be beneficial. I do have to prepare everything - yuck! But it feels good and much healthier. I feel like I’m coming out of the fog already.
So, I can have 2oz of protein for breakfast and lunch; 5 carbs for breakfast and 10 carbs for lunch; 4oz of protein for dinner and 5 carbs. The list of proteins and carbs are small - especially the accepted fruit. I never knew apples, oranges and bananas were bad! They must have a lot of carbs in them. The only fruits on the list are cantaloupe, honey dew, watermelon and strawberries - and 100gm has 4 carbs. The veggie and protein lists are short lists too.
This is what I had to eat day 1 & 2:
Breakfast - 100gm of cantaloupe & 1oz of reduced fat cheddar cheese for day 1; 1 egg with 1/2 oz reduced fat cheddar and 100gm of cantaloupe day 2
Lunch - 100gm lettuce, 30gm mushrooms; 15gm onions; 30gm cucumber and 60gm tuna - 50gm almonds & Dannon carb control yogurt.
Dinner - 4oz salmon, zucchini and onions.
I’m drinking 8 glasses of water a day; taking potassium & magnesium supplements; walking 30 minutes a day; and starting day 3 (today) testing my urine for ketones (I’m happy to report I’m in the correct zone).
I planned out my menu for today last night - which is very helpful to me.
Onward and downward!
Posted on April 9th, 2008 by lizzie
Filed under: Weight Loss Ramblings, Daily Grind, Diet Program Review | 37 Comments »
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