I haven't found any SPP forums anywhere else and felt lucky to find this one!
Jende, have you GAINED 15 pounds since starting SPP? Just curious. I know DS says weight gain is a maybe if your metabolism is damaged, but I think that is something that will devastate me further.
I think mine is probably OK, caught the damage early, I think. I have no health problems at all, just the sugar-addiction thing she talks about--the first question on the assessment, which I'm sure I use for seratonin elevation b/c of the stress of having 3 children after age 35 who are under 4-1/2 years old. I began to feel better even before I started SPP by taking fish oil, GLA and B-50 complex. I have one or two of the symptoms of the adrenal burnout, but that's all.
Start the plan with the Step One and 2, Nutrition and Stress management, then go from there, according to the newest book, the Program.
I'm literally taking baby steps in this. I'm coming from a low-carb background which worked extremely well in maintaining my ideal weight for about 6 years, but gaining some extra weight in the last 4 years from numerous stresses and poor nutritional choices. Pregnancy, is unfortunately, not the culprit for my weight gains...it happened between babies with increasing stresses. I need to lose about 35 pounds, get control of my eating, and feel better on a daily basis. I've been doing SPP about a week--I'm actually doing a 'mix' of the 1st book and the newest book.
Step One: I'm focusing on making sure I get my protein requirement and carbohydrate requirement at each meal and snack, trying to eat some non-starchy veggies at lunch and dinner, taking my supplements (Omega 3, multi and B-complex so far) and increasing my water intake to start with. I'm following the carb recomendations of the first book for me--60g per day. I'm really just trying to get used to eating 60g carbs per day consistently (and not trying to do no carbs and bingeing to who knows how much!). My carbs are all from grains at this point (what I missed most on Low Carb), while I just get used to eating 60 g carbs per day. I know the Healing Program is supposed to be Gluten-free, but I'll address that later, if I feel I need to. In the next week or 2, I plan to branch out and explore some starchy veggies as my carbs instead of grains. I think it will be very hard for me to increase my carbs to 125-150g that the newest book SPP-Program recommends, and quite frankly, this is one "sticky-point" for me in fully embracing the plan. And that is how dramatic the increase in carb allowance is from the first book to the newest book. I have written the company about this very issue, and hope they will reply to me with some answers based in science.
Step Two: I'm making sure I get 8 or more hours of sleep each night. This was never really an issue, but now, I'm like "Dr's orders!" I'm trying to incorporate some of the quick relaxation things she recommends, and I also take a short nap every afternoon at about 2 pm while the 3 kids are in their naptimes. I've done this as long as I can remember...and I'm not about to give that up with 3 toddlers/baby in the house!!
Step Three: I tend to eat sugar (usually handfuls of chocolate chips) when I feel stressed. I drink one cup of coffee every morning with artificial sweetner. My first change in this area will be to try Stevia in my coffee. I drink one decaf diet soda per day. I do use the condiments she says are a no-no. I really can't see myself giving up these condiments. We'll see--I'm trying to keep an open mind. Not gonna pressure myself in this area right now, since the plan recommends that you not address this until the first 2 steps are solid. That said, I have noticed a marked decrease in my sugar cravings in the last day or so. I had some yesteray and today, more out of habit than that "need" I had before. And I ate much less of it than I usually do. So that's real progress, as far as I'm concerned!
Step Four: I was extremely physically active my whole life and even after the birth of my first child 4-1/2 years ago. I'm not exercising now, and haven't for more than a few days at a time in the last 4 years. EVery time I tried to start back, I'd get so stressed and overwhelmed by it--or injured. I was so relieved to read in SPP-Program that I don't EVER have to do 'stimulating' exercise again, as it was no longer 'fun' like it was when I was younger (I'm 40.). It had become simply another stressor in my life. I'm looking forward to the day when I feel good enough to start some adaptive/calming exercise. Those I like. I recently injured by back (lowering my youngest into an Exersaucer) and am under chiropractic care, too.
Step Five: Don't really think this is an issue right now, but will keep the option open if the other 4 steps don't give results.
So that's how I'm doing the plan today! I'm glad to at least find a couple of people here to chat with.
Last edited by ElleH : Sun, Jul-03-05 at 19:50.
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