Vegetarian Weigh-In #4

Part of any experiment is the process of learning, revising, and trying again. I found that out this week.

Monday I started a new job, one with which I'm very happy, and as part of the "Welcome Aboard" celebration my co-workers took me out to lunch both Monday and Tuesday. As the only resident South Beach vegetarian I was at a loss to find a completely compliant meal. So I stayed true to the veg diet while cheating on the South Beach. No big deal, I would just skip my designated cheat meals later in the week. Besides, they were only two meals out of six and just as many snacks.

But then I found my office complex sets out free hot chocolate for the employees. I wouldn't drink it till I found it was low-sugar. Bingo! I had at least two cups a day, knowing I had similar hot chocolate at my apartment which I knew to be diet compliant. All was well, I exercised four days this week, and excitement hit as Friday morning saw me stepping onto the scale. I couldn't wait to see how many pounds I shed.

206. Still.

206? Wasn't I here last week? I stepped off, got back on. 206. A third time. 206.

Did the scale bounce? Sure did, between 203 and 206. But in the end it stopped on the higher number. I didn't let it leave my mind as I drove to work, and finally decided some things:

1) Either I'm plateauing, or
2) The hot chocolate, as sugar-free as it may be, was not to be confused with low-fat or low-carb.

I drank enough hot chocolate that I'm sure it could've made the difference between holding weight and losing it. Unfortunately, then, I've merely held weight this week. And needless to say, I will be drastically cutting my office hot chocolate intake and bringing in my own South Beach approved cocoa (which I've already done).

At first I was tempted to be disappointed until I reminded myself that every venture has periods of setback and stagnation, harmless events so long as you walk away with more knowledge. That's me this week. Still 206 (although I am bouncing between 203!). Fine. Next week I'll drop the pounds meant to be dropped this week.

Other than that everything's pretty much the same. Same high energy, same overall great feeling, same lessening hunger. I am having mucho problems sleeping, however, and I'm not sure why. I've deduced that either my new diet has given me TOO much energy or I'm simply struggling with my routine February insomnia (a condition which seems to inflict me in--you guessed it--February). I lay down at 11:00 and don't fall asleep until 1:00 or later. Tuesday and Wednesday I took sleeping pills, which helped tremendously, but last night I decided to test myself without them. I lay awake from 11:30 to 1:00 before snoozing. When I woke up, however, I woke up before my alarm and fully alert, which is par for the course with the vegetarian diet.

I wonder to myself if my body, because it is feeling healthier and has more energy, can function without as much sleep as before. Perhaps. Personally, I think this would rock if it were true.

So, I'll try it tonight and all through the weekend. In fact, even into next week. Thus, I have a brand-new experiment to track along with vegetarianism. And if I ever stumble, just like this week I'll get back up, dust off and try again.

Here's to re-invention!