Day 3

Hooray - no headache today!   A bit tired and draggy but without the headache I feel very hopeful that I will start to have more energy as my body adjusts to no caffeine. I had a shake for breakfast on the way work today.  It satisfied my habit of having something hand to mouth in the car - since I am not even having morning coffee...  I know a lot of people do not allow food in the car, but with such a LONG boring commute, I find it helpful to have breakfast - or at least coffee - in the car.  Anyway - the great part about the shake for breakfast was that I went to my PT appointment at 1 and didn't have my lunch until 2!  I did have a couple of pieces of fruit and plenty of water during the morning but I was shocked that I wasn't hungry!

I have been drinking a lot of water and other than a brief moment last night when I almost cried because I missed my coffee/soda, I have been okay during the day.  I also did a first!  I gave up bottled salad dressings more years ago than I can even remember but I never liked my salad with lemon.  I have been instructed not to use  vinegar because the dietitian wants my body to become more Ph Balanced so I can use lemon but not vinegar.  The dietitian said that I would be going to the bathroom (poop!) a lot but so far nada - so I thought maybe it was because I haven't had any salad in three days, so I bit the bullet and had it today with lemon.  Not bad!  I tossed in the olive oil first, then added a small spoon of freshly squeezed lemon.  I think I am going to NOT miss vinegar! 

So it is 3:30 and I just finished lunch - last night I didn't even have dinner - I had a small bowl of tossed almonds, pecans, sunflower seeds and coconut.  Probably no more or less calories than if I had a "real" dinner, but it was what I wanted and craved (I am thinking I needed some fats) and then around 9 I had my second shake.  My husband roasted some chicken for me for dinner (I was lucky enough to find pasture raised chicken yesterday) but if I don't want it I will have it for lunch or breakfast tomorrow and just have my second shake for dinner tonight.  I am up to two scoops of the powder so it really is filling.  I think tomorrow I "graduate" to 2 scoops THREE times a day.  I can't imagine that I am going to want to eat much even though these are not technically meal substitutes and are not meant to be.

But, the best part is that today I spoke to my physical therapist about the possibility of doing a 5K race in May.  She said WHY NOT???  And then I realized that although I want to get better (in a vague sort of way) I have neglected to give myself any concrete goals.  So I am officially in training for a race!  Heck I will be happy to go at a slow stroll and finish -- but that is a valid goal, too, since I can barely walk 1/2 mile without back pain!  

Color me hopeful today! :)

Miriam