Well, I’ve been Atkinsing for 8 days now. I’ve lost approximately 6 pounds so far, much of which was probably water. Fortunately, I have Ian’s help and support as he’s doing it too, but I won’t discuss his situation, goals, or experience.

I’m happy with my progress so far, but I have to say, it hasn’t been easy. Perhaps I just have romantic memories of the first time I went on the Atkins diet. I remember that after about 4-5 days, it got pretty easy. I’ve been struggling more with cravings this time around. I know for a fact that starting my period on the same day I started my diet didn’t help me. For the first three days I felt woosey, achy, headachy, bitchy, and sad. On day four I was busy and rushing around to get to my magazine job. I went in to Starbucks and automatically ordered a sugar-free vanilla latte. Later, after I had enjoyed my latte, I remembered that lattes are made with carby milk. A blow-it move.

During my pregnancy and the last 10 months since Asher’s birth, I didn’t really deny myself much of anything. I didn’t go hog-wild exactly, either, but I enjoyed eating breads, cereals, rice, tortillas, chips, all fruits (which I adore) and veggies, etc., without worrying too much about the consequences. I think perhaps my getting very, very sick and then recovering gave me a “Eat, Drink, and Be Merry” sort of outlook. Gratitude and a determination to enjoy my life, family, and friends is a good way of looking at how I conducted the last 10 months of my life.

But now it’s time to pay the piper. I’ve been feeling less confident and less attractive because I’m still carrying baby weight. I don’t have much free time to devote to exercise right now, but I can control what I put in my mouth. 

I have some trepidation about trying to diet through the holidays, but the way I look at it is, if I don’t try to diet through the holidays, then all those yummy treats are only going to set me back that much more. 

So, here’s me raising a glass of ice water to a successful Diet Round 2.

Ian is at a conference in San Jose. He’ll be back tonight sometime. 

It’s tough taking care of two small children by myself. [I love you, honey. You’re the best daddy in the whole world.] I definately never want to have to do this on a permanent basis. Just getting the three of us out the door this morning to take Lucas to school was a monumental feat!

I’m working at the magazine this week, which makes it extra hard. Asher stayed with grandma VoVo yesterday and she picked L up from school. I felt anxious all morning because the four of us were all scattered to different places. Ian in another city, Lucas at school, Asher apart from me, and me in my occasional work space in East Sacramento. I felt so far apart from everyone. I’m glad the boys were together in the afternoon.

Grandma made us dinner yesterday, so that was a giant help. Getting Lucas to eat it, however, was tough. He unfortunately did not get his Advent chocolate because of all the fussing and arguing over grandma’s spinach. I guess he prefers it raw as a salad, but I thought it was totally yummy.

Today Asher is off to the Bs’ house for babysitting. Lucas will join him there this afternoon. I’m off to the magazine again as soon as the baby wakes up from his first nap.

The Advent Garden

by Barbara Dewey

The season of Advent may be marked by the Advent Garden, created for the kindergarten and lower grades. Often held in late afternoon or in the early evening, the room will be dark and filled with a mood of wonder and quiet anticipation. Teachers lay out a large spiral path of evergreen boughs. In the center of the spiral they place a large white candle. Along the edges of the green spiral path they intersperse golden stars. The candle is lit. and stone crystals twinkle like stars on a dark night.

All is quiet. Each child in turn, holding a red apple with a small unlit candle inserted into it, slowly walks along the spiral path and lights the candle from the center light. On the return the child places the apple and candle on one of the golden stars. When all the children have had a turn, the garden path is aglow from all the smaller lights. In many Advent Gardens, lyre playing, where appropriate, helps to create a special mood. Sometimes the children and observing parents sing as the children proceed through the garden.

Don’t ever again start Atkins and your period on the same weekend. It’s too much to deal with. I haven’t felt very well for a couple of days. The sashimi we had last night helped a bit, but this morning I’m nausious and grumpy and headachey.  Hopefully The Switch will happen sometime today and all will be right again.

So, today is the day that Ian and I start the Atkins diet again. We’re tired of feeling flabby and extra round post baby. I’m hoping the diet won’t affect my milk supply much. We reason that if we can get through the holiday on Atkins, then that’s loads of extra holiday calories and carbs that won’t attach to our tummies and butts.

I may try a slightly modified approach to induction, because I want to make sure I’m still eating properly to feed Asher. The truth is, now Asher is getting some of his nutritional needs met by other foods, however, it’s kind of impossible to estimate how much. 

This morning we ate scrambled eggs with cheese, coffee + splenda, and I had half and half in mine. For lunch we went to Chipotle and got burrito bowls with chicken, fajita veggies, lettuce, cheese, sour cream, salsa, and guac. So, Ian says the cravings have already begun. So far, no cravings for me, although I don’t feel as full as I do when I eat bread or some other carby thing for lunch.

We need to support each other through this and be encouraging. We’ve done it before. I am sure we can do it again. Hopefully this is the last time either of us will be facing the need to lose 20 to 25 pounds!