almost sixteen years ago, I went with a group of gals to a church Christmas party. My youngest was about six months old, and I was at least 150 lbs overweight. That is to say, I sat in a rear seat, with the seat belt fully extended, and could not fasten it around me.
This was a clear case of my addiction to food endangering my life, and I was appalled and ashamed. It was an eye opener, for I had gotten that huge thinking it was no big deal. Heavily in denial, I ate until I weighed over 300 lbs. (not sure the exact number, as I didn't own a scale at the time)
At the party, a woman mentioned The McDougall Plan. She was enthusiastic, talking about her clear headed energy. It's funny that we were all so astounded at the concept of not eating ANY animal product: "vegetarian" was known. But she was talking about no meat, milk, eggs, or oils. We had no word for it, back in 1996...
well, Later that week, I went to the book store and bought the old yellow paperback "The McDgouall Plan" and followed it closely for almost a year. I loved the energy I had. For the first time ever I felt like playing and had enough energy to do things I needed and wanted to do.
It lasted from January to September of that year, when I went nuts and ate a whole chicken. Yeah, pretty much. I was cooking by the McDgouall Plan for most meals, but my family still wanted their meat, so I'd several times a week make a roasted or pan braised or broiled chunk of flesh, along with the healthy dishes. I'd eat the healthy; they would eat the flesh. But that chicken smelled so good, when it came out of the oven, I pried off a leg and ate it, and soon was peeling off chunks of it and just gobbling it down. That was how I "broke my diet" and went back to my generally non SAD omnivore eating. (never have been one to eat highly processed foods)
Fast forward to spring of 2009. Over the years, I had gotten back up to 275 and back down to 200, and then gained back to 235. Determined not to gain it all back, or even another single POUND of it, I thought back to the various diets I had tried. Two methods had benefitted me in ways besides just poundage dropped. Especially I enjoyed the energy levels of "Fit for Life" and "The McDougall Plan" ... started with Fit for Life at the beginning of summer last year, mostly just choosing lots of raw veggies in the form of a giant salad every day. Didn't drop meat, just added raw vegs and ate by the Fit for Life schedule of "only fruit before noon" and proper food combinations.
But I didn't lose ANY weight, since FFL allows oils. On Sept. 7, 2009, I started McDougalling again in earnest. The pounds have dropped off intermittently, much quicker when I'm super compliant with MWL, and slowing down when I indulge in my favorite (popcorn) or let myself nibble on things like salted cashews or "just a few" M&M's.
In the 10 months since starting, I've lost 40 lbs, down two jeans sizes
I ate some lamb at Easter and a hard boiled egg. Some salmon at a friend's house bbq last week. That's it for animal protein. I tried a taste of whipped cream on a dessert around Easter and made myself sick, so dairy is no temptation at all.
This is truly my life, now. I can follow McDougall all the way, eating simple, whole plant based, low fat foods until I am completely satisfied...and when there's a feast, I may or may not eat feast foods.
thank you for this thread. Writing this out has helped me a LOT.
. I do not exaggerate when I say this program saved my life. Now I tell everyone I hear complain about RA or lupus or IBS or allergies to get off all dairy - not that many listen, but I tell them all the same.
