My no-sugar, no-wheat, no-dairy, no-alcohol Challenge – DAY THREE

I really appreciated Danielle’s comments on Day One of this challenge, about how she is totally over women obsessing over body parts, and wanting to be thin. I totally agree, and I’d like to reiterate to readers that following this regime is not about being skinny or having the stomach I had in the photo on Day One’s post. That stomach was due to training at an athletic level – at around 3-4 hours a day – and, of course, this is simply unrealistic for most people (especially me!).

The reason I’m doing this regime is because I want to feel good again – and I hope this inspires others to want to feel good again. I want to feel strong, healthy and happy – and yes, of course I want to be fitter, more toned and burn some unwanted fat, but that comes as part and parcel if we live a consistently healthy lifestyle (and nudges our BMI in the right direction).

So, on Day Three of my Challenge, here are some things that happened:

I didn’t wake up feeling as good as Day Two and this surprised me. Am wondering if it was the concentration of fruit I had the night before (see Day Two). Woke with that seedy sort of ‘drank lots of alcohol last night’ feeling, when of course, I hadn’t touched a drop. Happily, this feeling was markedly less than before starting this regime.

I talked to a girlfriend who’s a nutrition expert and she told me she’d read some findings on the overproduction of yeast in the body (typical of sugar-addicts, like me) and how an overproduction of yeast in the gut, fed by sugar, leads to a fermentation that is akin to producing alcohol in the body overnight – a time when your body is meant to be cleansing and detoxifying itself.

No wonder I’d been waking up the past year feeling I’d been hit by a truck and had drank 19 magaritas the night before. I have always finished my evenings with something sweet – usually chocolate, and usually too much of it. No wonder I woke with a belly full of yeasty margarita fermentation and that sour taste in my mouth.

I did, however, have good energy today, and even had a game of basketball with the family after dinner.

I bought some ground golden flax seed to whip into smoothies for a power shot of essential fatty acids (Omega 3 and 6) which are helpful in burning fat, amongst many other incredibly important body-health essentials.

My husband commented I don’t look as hagged. Umm… hurrah!

I already feel more flexible in my legs and upper back, thanks to the extra energy I’ve had to move more.

I made home-made hummus and Vietnamese rice paper rolls, packed with protein and vegetables, which we nibbled before 6pm. I’m delighting in finding ways to create fabulous food. For dessert I made a rice pudding with brown rice, oat milk, fresh figs, fresh peaches and star anise, baked. No fat, no added sugar, no dairy. And the taste? Amazing! AND busting with nutrition.

I didn’t drink nearly as much water as I should have – must step that up to help cleanse all the muck out of my system.

I still feel happier overall, but had moments of grumpiness and a little fatigue at the dieting witching hour – 3 to 4pm. Felt better after I ate dinner.

I’ve lost one kilo.

I had an excellent night’s sleep.

See you tomorrow!

Day One
Day Two
Day Four
Day Five
Day Six
Day Seven
Day Eight
Day Nine
Day Ten
Day Eleven
Day Twelve
Day Thirteen
Day Fourteen