Wednesday, August 17, 2011

My (very experimental) new diet plan

It's so new, it's still shiny and smells like new car.  It's so exciting that it deserves bold and capitol letters.  It's...

My New Diet Plan!!!!!!!!!!

It's still very rough-draft, and it doesn't have a name.  So, I'll call it: 

Healthy-ish Semi-Intuitive Vegan Eating! 

Never mind, I'm going back to "it doesn't have a name".

I just needed something new, you know?  Just to get my head back in the game.  I had definately been falling out of healthy living for a few weeks.  And then, right when I was getting back on track after gaining a couple of pounds, I got sick and then my awesome brother visited (at the same time, actually...) and so I just have been feeling kind of "blah" about diet and exercise.

Enter- A New Diet Plan. 

Actually, what I'm about to describe to you probably won't sound very revolutionary to you, because it's pretty much a combination of things that have worked for me in the past.  It's very simular to the Weight Watchers Core/Simply Filling Technique in some ways, and has a few Intuitive Eating ideas thrown in.  Also, there is still some calorie-counting involved.  Oh yeah, and EXERCISE is still important. 

There are 7 Rules.  I will be following each and every one of these and will adjust them as needed, depending on how well this does or doesn't work.  Also, I will be using something that is very important when doing pretty much anything:  Common Sense.

Rule number 1:  Eat anything from the following two lists at any time, and always to satisfaction, no need to count calories for them.  Just listen to your hunger signals.

Healthy Foods
  • any and all vegetables (including fresh, frozen, and canned)
  • any and all fruits (including fresh, frozen, and canned)
  • any and all beans/lentils (including fresh, dried, and canned)
  • any and all whole grains
  • 100% whole grain bread
  • 100% whole grain pasta
  • tofu
  • seitan
  • tempeh
  • textured vegetable protein
  • any light or unsweetened dairy-free milk
  • air-popped popcorn
  • plain shredded wheat
Not-as-Healthy, but still O.K.
  • vegan veggie burgers
  • any fake meat product (as long as it's not drenched in sauce)
  • Lara Bars
  • vegan "cheese"
  • light bread
  • Wasa crackers
  • most condiments (no mayo or anything fattening)
  • pickles, unsweetened
  • calorie-free drinks
  • sugar free gum

Rule #2: Eat some healthy fats every day from the below list, maximum amounts listed. Again, no calorie-counting for these, unless you go over the amounts listed.

Healthy Fats
  • nut butter, 1 tablespoon
  • olive oil, 2 teaspoons
  • nuts, 1 ounce

Rule #3: You may eat up to one serving per day of each of the following, sans counting.

Special Snacks
  • Luna OR Cliff Bar (any natural food bar, really)
  • non-dairy yogurt
  • dried fruit
  • 100% fruit juice
Rule #4: Eat up to 1000 calories per week of anything outside of these lists. 

Rule #5: Choose 1 day per week that you eat entirely inutitively, ignoring ALL RULES on this list and eating whatever you wish but only to satifaction.

Rule #6: Exercise 6 days per week, 40-60 minutes per day.

Rule #7: Take a multivitamin daily, plus a B-12 supplement weekly.


Many things on the lists are foods that I don't regularly eat (vegan "cheese", tempeh, seitan, TVP, for example) but I felt the need to include them in the list because they are healthy-ish foods that I think one could eat to satisfaction.

What didn't make any of the lists and would have to go into that 1000 weekly calories or be eaten on Intuitive Eating day?  Chips, cookies, pizza, fries, Redvines, and any other foods that I'm just not willing to give up, even though they aren't the healthiest choices. 

Is Intuitive Eating day just an excuse to have the controversial "Cheat Day"?  No, not at all.  It is just a chance to truly practice IE, which is how I hope to eat all of the time some day.  For now, I need practice.  And since I still love Oreos and Ruffles, I need to the accountability of weekly calories (very much like WW's weekly points, yes?) and IE Day. 

I am on Day 2 right now, and loving this.  I have not even had to use any of those 1000 calories yet, because I'm so satisfied with all of the other foods.  I think that I will use those only if I truly want/need to.  I already have most foods that I already eat on the lists.

Anyway, I feel pretty vulnerable putting this all out there to you guys!  I hope that it helps to give you some ideas for healthy vegan eating, and that my rules aren't too confusing to read.

For now, I'm continuing to track everything on My Fitness Pal, even the foods that I don't have to count.  This is because I'm still experimenting with this plan and want to make sure that I don't go overboard with anything.  Yesterday, eating this way ending up being around 1700 calories total.

Please let me know if you have any questions or comments about my "new" plan!  :-)




12 comments:

Jill said...

I like your plan. It was not confusing at all. I look forward to seeing how it goes! I STILL LOVE the idea of practicing IE eating 1 day a week. BRILLIANT!!

Leah: Not Otherwise Specified said...

@Jill- YAY, I love that you like my plan. :-)

Anonymous said...

I love it! I'm so proud of you! Not too many people can truly roll out a plan that actually works and has been tested over time on the best guinea pig of all (YOURSELF). Yes, it's only day 2, but you've been losing for how long now? :) **cheers-with my imaginary glass***

LabelSnob said...

Amazing plan! I love it! You are going to do awesome-I just know it!!! :)
Good luck with this new non named plan! You should call it the Leah's Healthy Eating and Living Plan! :)
Can't wait to hear how it goes!
XOXO

Rachael said...

I like the plan and it sounds nutritionally sound and reasonable for vegan minded and vegan individuals. Good luck formulating this and testing this on yourself.

Megan said...

Sounds like a great plan for you Leah! It's not confusing at all!

Julia said...

I really like your rules, and they seem totally feasible.

I love the intuitive eating day, it is a great way for you to practice your skills!

Also, I love that you have incorporated 1,000 calories for whatever else you want.

JBN said...

Yay!!!!

Leah: Not Otherwise Specified said...

JBN, time to update your awesome blog!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

REBECCA said...

Somehow I stumbled upon your blog this morning - and am so glad : ) We have quite a lot in common and it is good to know someone has down some of the same roads I have, only to grow so much as a person. Congratulations on all your triumphs, Leah. I look forward to following you in the future!

Unknown said...

I, too, love your new plan. I love how you've given yourself logical and reasonable rules that allow for occasional treats and personal growth. Inspiring!!

Anna Higgins said...

This is a good plan, Leah! :] I’m sure it’ll work even more efficient because, as you’ve said, you tried and tested it by yourself. Reading your post about this diet plan gives me an impression that you’re really dedicated to maintain a healthy lifestyle – and that’s the right attitude! How’s it going now, by the way?