Four days in...

In my last post I mentioned that the next day I would be drinking more water and attempting some exercise.

I did drink more water, but it didn't make the huge difference I had hoped for. As the week has gone on, I've wanted more and more water (I have found myself thirstier than usual without sugar but that might be down to cutting out my oh-so-loved Robinson's squash). I will keep going with the water and hope I'll eventually settle into a pattern.

The exercise has absolutely not been an option. I have felt dizzy, light-headed and weak at all hours of the day, and every time I get the opportunity to do exercise (e.g. before or after work) I need food to get energy but then need to rest between the meal and the running and am ready for bed before I get the chance.

I totally underestimated how hard this would be.

On Day Two (the day I had been kidding myself would be exercise day) I stood in Sainsbury's and called my Dad's girlfriend in absolute despair about why I decided to do this.

That phone call reminded me, though, that I wanted to do this a) for the challenge, and b) so that I would know what a difference sugar makes to my body and be able to make an informed decision about my sugar intake.

My thoughts so far are that nothing could be worth this. Nothing could be worth missing out on those sugary things that make me so happy, and nothing could be worth the pain and embarrassment of not being able to eat birthday cake/work treats/chocolate bought for you as a present.

That's actually what I find hardest (exhaustion and lack of brain power aside). I find it so embarrassing to be the fussy eater. I'm already a vegetarian which can cause trouble in itself, but to throw in no sugar. I'm a very social person and most of my social adventures involve food- people just don't know what to feed me.

I told my colleagues today what I'm doing. I was so scared that they'd be hugely judgemental but they were actually lovely. They said they'd be impressed if I managed the whole five weeks which made me feel more determined than ever. It helped me feel that it was possible actually- now that they know I'll feel more able to do it in work.

This evening I actually had time (precious gift for most of us), so made soup from Davina's book, It was delicious. It was so good that I can't believe I managed to make it myself and I definitely can't get my head around the fact that it's good for me!

For the first time in four days I'm not absolutely starving, which is lovely :)

Onwards and upwards! 

Take Two.

So here we are again.

Back to day one.

Most of the day actually wasn't hugely difficult. I'm not someone that ordinarily has a massive amount of sugar in  the morning, so I didn't suffer from a midday headache like I know some people do.

Now, though, it's 10pm and I am absolutely starving. I've had breakfast, lunch and dinner and a normal amount of snacks. But none of them have consisted of the heavy ingredients I'm used to- the ones that almost immediately induce that ohmygoodnessimsofullillnevereatagain feeling.

They've all been healthy and light, and the only sugar I've had has been provided by the banana, plum, and watermelon I've eaten.

The effects of this hunger are that I can barely concentrate on what I'm writing now, I can't think of the simple words that I need, and I will probably be asleep by half past ten.

That being said, I also have that lovely feeling you get at the end of a healthy day- I actually don't want a huge pizza and a chocolate bar. My body feels a little bit like a temple again, and I don't want to fill it with rubbish.

Tomorrow I'm going to attempt to drink a lot more water which I think should help, and I'm going to try and start the day with some exercise to wear my body out a bit- right now my head is ready for a 12 hour sleep and my legs are ready for a marathon.

Take Two: let's do this!