As I stated last month, March was going to be a better month.  It was.  Greta actually gave me a “thumbs up” to show her approval.    My focus this month was on evaluating the mistakes from February and researching some new methods to improve my journey.   When my girlfriend and fellow blogger, Anne, called me with the news she was revamping her healthy routine with eating “clean and organic”, I decided to try something similar.   (You can read about Anne’s journey at http://www.amivintageyet.com).

I recalled that I had a book in my Kindle library entitled “The Virgin Diet” that I had skimmed through previously.  It promoted starting with an eliminating detox diet to help with food intolerances and to aid in weight loss.   I decided to do it.    I had already given up gluten and experienced positive results so I knew the benefits of eating clean.   However, this diet required that I give up more – soy, corn, peanuts, dairy, eggs, and sugar/artificial sweeteners in addition to the gluten.    Also, it required eating organic veggies, pasture-raised chicken/turkey, grass-fed beef / pork, and wild seafood that contained little or no mercury.

So, I adjusted my previous plan.  I knew I was going to have to organize and prepare food for every meal.   It also meant I would have to cook more which requires time from my already burdened schedule.   I was determined so I worked my plan to get started with Cycle 1 – the elimination diet for 21 days.

I have just completed 7 days of the 21 days and I lost 7 lbs.   I feel really good and have steady energy.    The amazing thing is I have no cravings.   When I gave up only the gluten I still had some cravings.   Now that I gave up the other 6 food items I have no cravings.

This month I did try to start exercising again after my biking accident last month but I started too soon.   I worked out on my treadmill and my knee started to ache again.  I think I need to wait a little longer to do any weight-bearing workout.  This week I plan to try exercising again using only my stationary bike.

Overall, I am back on track with “getting a grip” on changing my health.   I am reaching beyond my old methods and embracing some new ones.   I will share information about them as I move along on my healthy path.