The names here may or may not reflect the person’s real name. If someone wants to remain unknown, we will choose a different name for that person’s story. The goal is to help people, and anonymity is a valid personal choice for contributors. I will use a person’s name only if they give permission to do so.
This week I am pleased to share another of my own stories.
Here is Trust Your Gut: Tish’s Story; Part 9
Timing is very important. When I started the THM plan, I was shocked at how often they eat meals and snacks. I had heard before that you should eat 4-6 smaller meals a day, instead of 3 large meals. It is incredibly important to make sure that you never get hangry. Yes, I spelled that correctly; it is when you are so hungry that you start to get angry. Just like on the Snickers commercials. Not that they are the healthiest choice, but in a pinch, they can help you to combat low blood sugar and hangry feelings. They are not on plan, though.
So how does this adapt in the real world? I do get breaks at work, and they are not quite at the 3-hour mark, but I make do. I have fruit and protein for my snacks. It is really easy to eat an unsweetened applesauce and some laughing cow cheese. I have also been known to snack on turkey pepperoni sticks. The kind I like is not too spicy. I have a low tolerance for spicy foods and am very sensitive to spices.
Meals vary for my lunches and suppers. I enjoy grabbing a banana on the way out the door, again not on plan, but that is my quick dairy free and iron free start to my day. The thyroid pill requires water and an empty stomach for it to work properly, to avoid these foods for two hours after taking it, so I don’t have side effects. I have tried other things, but the food I can eat in the car when my husband is driving me to work is what I choose. I also have black coffee when I get to work.
When I prep cook, it is the best way for me to stay on plan. I have tried a lot of THM recipes, and I really like them. I have been slacking in the prep cooking department. I have things I can make, but I am not feeling like cooking. Part of that is the effort, part of it is the storage situation, and the other part is that my husband is not on the plan with me. Sometimes that requires making two meals, or different side dishes. Again, more time, energy, and effort. Not to mention that I don’t jump up to do the dishes every day like I should. I know that is a different story, but it all ties in together with a big pretty bow.
If I make my lunch, there is a good chance I will be on plan. When I don’t, I can stay on plan, but it is more difficult to buy lunch and stay on plan. I am getting better at it, but the budget dictates that I need to start prep cooking again.
There are also meals when my husband and I don’t eat the same thing at all. If I am eating on plan, he may have something that he likes instead of joining me. That used to bother me. Now I try and think that if he isn’t having the same thing as me, then there is more for me to eat and stay on track longer with. So it is all about perspective. And timing.
When the time is right for you, the choices will be easier because you are ready. It took me most of my life to feel like I was ready to tackle this plan and become healthier. When I found it, the timing was ripe for me to make a change and try something new. I didn’t know then that it was going to be the answer for me, and that all I have to do is get serious about staying on the plan. It is time to get serious. Are you with me?