I don't believe in diets. Especially not fad diets. I believe in everything in moderation. That's what my Omi says and she's the only 80+ person I know that still mulches her own garden with 50 lbs. bags, mows her own lawn, and basically does things I'm positive half of my friends are incapable of doing. So. If Omi says this, it must be true! Now that being said, I'm on this diet. It's a sister prescribed diet. Basically it involves powder shakes and elimination of everything that one could be allergic to or could cause one inflammation (meat, dairy, soy, peanuts, booze)... Let's just call this category of food "everything I love." It's short term so I'm really just a big baby for complaining about it, so I won't do much of that. But I will say my sister told me to do it so I'm doing it. Those of you who say I could have refused Ck, well you clearly haven't met her. Ed is also doing this with me. I believe he thinks I'm punishing him. In truth, I couldn't do it without him. When I feel like I could punch a toddler in the face to get my hands on a burger, I text him and he calmly explains I should probably just have a piece of fruit or do some stretches. The main point? I've actually stuck to it. I have not had one forbidden food, not a nibble or morsel or sip of anything I shouldn't be having. This is AMAZING. I never thought myself capable of self-restraint with food, and to be so very restrained... I thought I would explode or fail miserably. And I haven't. I've really done this completely and I'm so crazy proud of myself it's unbelievable. This is what my sister said would happen, this feeling of accomplishment. And so I would like to state publicly that my sister Carolyne K Neely is always right. :)
I've also been knitting a great deal, working on this amazing (and stupidly simple) idea from Living magazine to just make a giant blanket from all my leftover yarn. I love colorful things so this will be fantastic!
And today I even accomplished one of the very things I wrote about on here ages ago. I said I wanted to do all these things after moving to California. That I was essentially going to become Carly to the Nth power. Well that hasn't happened yet BUT! I French braided my hair today! I've tried many, many miserable times, and today while watching Downton Abbey I thought, you know what. I want my damn hair out of my face and I can do this. Calmly. And I did!!!!!
Sure it's not as tight as it could be, and could be neater, blah blah blah... I wrote down that I was going to do something and I did it! Such a great feeling.
It feels good to stick with something and just do it. And to know that I've truly followed through. Even in just the smallest, tiniest, silliest things, it's almost more important to then give yourself credit for accomplishing something. And related to that, I wanted to mention I want to try to focus on the positive more. I'm such a huge worrywort, and I did some testing for Stanford that said I was a highly risk oriented person. Meaning, I focus on EVERYTHING that could go wrong. So when you and I are walking down the pier at Fisherman's Wharf, I'm imagining all the sea beasts that will rise up and chomp me in half right in the midst of our lovely day out, instead of concentrating on just being present on that lovely afternoon.
I believe you can cultivate a happier life. And I really want that. I don't want to end up as the wife/mother that is always freaking out. I want to be the kind of future wife and mother that is joyous and inspiring to her family. (Side note - my inspiration for this was thinking about how Jason and Ilana Kardell are the most positive, happy people I know and how that kid is damn lucky to have them as parents when that baby gets here in March). I've just been thinking and reading a lot lately about how so much of our lives focus on the complaining and the sarcasm and mean-making-fun, and it's nice to take some time to work on being genuine and forth-coming.
Aww carly this is a wonderful entry. Good for you... I am so envious of your ck meal plan and very proud of you. And as I commented on the hair before and it looks great. Iv always said i wanted to learn how to do that and I try and just give up in frustration. You will have to show me when I come out to visit in march. I love you. Yay for happy positive energy! Xoxo
ReplyDeletePersonally, I like the loose French Braid =) It looks great! And I think it's awesome that you're giving yourself credit for all the great things you're doing! =) Also, high five to you for the diet. I've cut out a lot of things, but nothing like what you've got going on! Special applause to Ed for supporting you enough to do it with you! =)
ReplyDeleteCarly, I feel the same way so many times...people say "what's been going on with you?" and my usual reply is "oh, nothing...same old same old...my life is pretty boring." But you are so right, we need to give ourselves credit for small (and not so small) accomplishments.
ReplyDeleteAnd side note, thanks for the shout out - of course my eyes welled with tears to be at the receiving end of such a kind compliment. Normally, I would say "oh, we're not that positive, like everyone else, we have our moments." But in spirit of your post, instead I am going to say THANK YOU and just receive and cherish your words.
Thanks, Carly!
I don't think people give themselves enough credit for all that they do. The world is so much busier these days.
ReplyDelete