By Dr. Mark Richards
I’ve been off the straight 60 for a few weeks now. Thanksgiving has come and gone. During this time I have not kept the diet, nor have I tried the graduation rules. I have been watching my weight carefully though. So I’ve watched it slowly creep up a bit. Don’t worry, not much, and I know I will recover it. So what’s my plan from here?
I told you before, my plan was to not gain weight through the holidays. So that is still my plan, but since I’ve gained a bit back I need to alter my approach. I try to make sure I’m learning from all of this, success I’ve had along with the failures. I’ve learned, as Dr. Eric taught, that carbohydrate causes STRONG cravings for more carbohydrate. Allowing it back into my diet definitely makes it more difficult to keep it at low levels. The other thing I’ve noticed lately is that I don’t feel as good. Remember how you feel is not a good measure of your overall health, however I do believe it is a good indicator as to how your body is responding to your diet. I’ve felt more sluggish throughout the days that I’ve had carbohydrate. I’ve also felt like the Crossfit workouts are harder and I’m more sore, as if I just started Crossfit all over. I contribute this to the inflammation that I know my diet has caused. So its not fun feeling this way, and honestly those foods aren’t worth it.
The good news is that I know the solution and I know I can follow through with it. So my plan, is to get myself back on the diet for now. I’ll be travelling back to Lockport, NY for Christmas and I know I’ll be having plenty of food I shouldn’t. So I can be good for the next few weeks. I haven’t decided on my plan for that short time after Christmas before the next Straight 60 starting January 19. I know, and I’m looking forward to it, that I’m going to be committed to following the rules strictly! It will not be a repeat of the 2nd time through. I still have plenty of weight to lose, and health to gain.
If you haven’t done a 60-Day Turnaround with us, I’d highly recommend it. It goes well beyond losing weight (that is just one of my primary goals), so don’t think that if you are at a healthy weight that you won’t benefit from it. The truth is everyone NEEDS to know this. I’m looking forward to doing it again and seeing some new and familiar faces in January!
Thanks for reading.
-Dr. Mark