So long Ben, Jerry and (Pepsi) Max

So concludes the 6 day food frenzy.  The last hurrah -- this time I really mean it. The countdown is over.  It is officially "after the chagim" and my  commitment to the program is about to commence.  Sitting on my kitchen counter are lots of yummy new products like aloe vera juice, concentrated green herb supplements, coconut oil, quinoa, whole basmati rice and lots of veggies and fruits which are part of the plan.  There is something called "vitalis" which sounds like if it doesn't help with my digestive system, I still might benefit from shiny hair.  Oh, and the kicker (literally) is I get to conclude each day with a teaspoon of hemp oil.  Yes, the hemp is from a popular mind altering plant.  The naturopath says it tastes bad, but I am hoping that the potential buzz could make it worthwhile.  My luck, it will just give me the munchies.

So it is time to say goodbye to some dear friends who have been with me on many journeys throughout the years.  They have accompanied me during difficult times and been with me at many a celebration.  But the time has come to say goodbye to Ben and Jerry and to (Pepsi) Max.  You'll always be in my heart, but hopefully not in my digestive system.

   The gang

 The official before picture.

 

Well folks, it is just a few minutes til midnight.  Enough time to squeeze in one more glass of Pepsi Max.  I am willing to risk the caffeine interferring with my sleep one last time.

 

Let the games begin....



 

Get ready, get set....go!

I haven't quite figured out why I have decided to blog this journey.  I am not a particularly creative writer. I don't know if anyone is really interested in what will be the content of this blog. I don't know why I suddenly feel a compulsion to share my inner thoughts with my friends, family, and the cyber universe.  But here I am, setting out on my maiden voyage.  I will never again be a blogger virgin.

I am six days away from beginning by detox program.  No, I have not developed an addiction to drugs or alcohol.  I am confronting , yet again, my life long addiction to food.  It is not a unique addiction...so many people suffer from it.  I am an expert at dealing with it, albeit not successfully.

My first foray into the world of diets was in 11th grade at Diet Workshop.  My starting weight then was lower than the goal weight I would set for myself today.  I lost my 10 pounds, and even wore for the first (and last) time a 2 piece bathing suit.  I spent the next year, putting those 10 pounds back on.

My next formal diet was when I decided to take control of my life when I was living in Boston after college.  By then, the 10 pounds had turned to 20 and my new best friends were  a 3 month membership to the Jenny Craig gym and a local Weight Watchers group.  Off came the 20, and I made aliya as a fit and trim new immigrant.

I am proud to say that I maintained that weight for three years through the birth of my oldest daughter, and even got back close to that weight after daughter #2.  I won't bore you with the ups and downs of the next  24 years, but I did it all....Weight Watchers, dieticians, Overeaters Anonymous, Weight Watchers (again), Cheli Maman diet, coaching....all temporary solutions to the addiction.

Why is it that an intelligent woman who is successful in many areas of her life, who is a master at multi-tasking, can't get it together in this department?
I can rationalize and come up with excuses for all my failures, but it comes down to this...only I can take responsibility for myself.
And now is the time.
So the journey begins...well, in 6 days.