My favorite number is 7, but when I saw it as the first digit on my scale, I said to myself "Encarna, this far!" I had to get down to work. So when our director, Mamen Lorenzo, said to me "Do you want to do the challenge of losing weight by following Clara's diet for 21 days?", I answered "Yes, yes." Because, not another thing, but when one commits, it goes for all.
My situation before starting the challenge
4 years ago I was diagnosed with breast cancer and shortly afterwards my ovaries were removed as a preventive measure to prevent it from reproducing on a hormonal level. So far, everything is correct. Long live prevention! But what I did not have was the effects of menopause, my metabolism slowed down and I was gradually gaining weight . During all this time, I have not been very busy working out, but I have focused on eating healthier. I have tried as much as possible to avoid saturated fats and sugars, according to the recommendation of the oncologist. An advice that you have surely already read in Clara many times, because it has a favorable effect on the health of any woman. But, looking at my diet in detail, I have realized that there were many things that could be improved.
What changes have I made in my diet
Protein at breakfast
Before the challenge, my breakfast was practically all liquid: an infusion of ginger, honey and lemon; an orange juice with two tablespoons of crushed flax seeds and a green tea, which was accompanied by a whole wheat muffin. Let's see, increasing the defenses is fine. But I admit that it was not a very balanced breakfast. Now, instead of the juice (which is three squeezed oranges, which implies too much sugar), like a peeled orange (that is, I not only provide vitamins, but fiber ). I accompany the orange segments with a portion of fresh cheese or a couple of slices of turkey or an omelette with an egg (that protein so necessary for our body) and I continue drinking my green tea, which has antioxidant properties and I love it.
The proportion of nutrients
Many days I was overly green, but I forgot that carbohydrates are also important, you have to give your body energy! So I have added more color to my dishes, trying to respect the proportions of 50% vegetables, 25% protein and 25% carbohydrates.
Light dinners
If I spend all day sitting in front of the computer, what need do I have to honor myself with a gargantuan dinner? The compensation law is fine, but up to a point. If I have been very good with food, I can take a leave with dinner, but not as a rule. That of some toast with foie, or good ham with a glass of wine, because you do not want anything to cook, has gone down in history. Well, there are no alternatives! For example, a rich hummus with vegetables crudités or a rich escarole salad with pomegranate and pieces of cod. There are no excuses, you can prepare light and tasty dishes without complicated preparations.
Cooking and dressings
Fried naaaaada. Instead of some mairas battered in flour, better grilled, which are also very good. Instead of fried hake with mayonnaise, better steamed with a few drops of olive oil and a drizzle of lemon on top. Delicious! The flavor of the fish is not even camouflaged and you appreciate it more. And the chicken fillets, if instead of making them with sauce, you make them grilled and add a little oregano or curry, things change completely. Much more if you accompany them with some green beans al dente and a little quinoa or couscous with a handful of nuts. You have a most exotic, rich and nutritious dish left, with hardly any calories. In Clara's recipes I have found a real mine.
Drinks
During these three weeks I have banished alcohol from my life. It's not that I drank much either, but I've even dispensed with non-alcoholic beers which, although they have fewer calories, make no mistake, the barley is there. Therefore, water always at hand, which hydrates, tricks the stomach and helps eliminate fluids. On the weekends I prepare a mega pot of cleansing broth (celery, leek, carrots, onion, turnips) and at night I accompany dinner with a glass, to which I add a little lemon and pepper. If I'm home in the afternoon, I've also been fond of green smoothies for a snack. The celery, apple, cucumber and spinach with oatmeal drink is my favorite.
The results
The first week. Oeeeee, oeeee, oee, oee .. I lost more than 2 kilos! I went from 70 kg 300 grams to 68 kg. I was elated. The first thing I noticed is that I deflated, my belly dropped and, little by little, the waist has "reappeared". Those jackets that I was wearing open, I can now button them. Plas, plas, plas (virtual applause).
The second week. Meeeeck! Not that it was a total failure, no. But I stayed on the weight. What happened this week? I was caught by the long weekend of October 12 and, of course, when I went out to visit medieval towns in the L'Empordà area (Girona), it was very difficult not to be tempted by some gastronomic whim. I will not go into details. But I will only say that I did not gain weight because we literally parked the car and decided to access the villages by walking along already marked trails. How good it is to walk down a delicious chocolate coulant!
The third week. You can't ask for elm pears. I lost only half a kilo. I started it with the birthday of a friend who entertained us at her house with all kinds of delicacies (her husband is an excellent cook). I had a lot of willpower and I opted for the least caloric that was on the table: prawns, razor clams, cockles. The bad thing is that there was paella as a main course and I had to restrain myself not to repeat. Of course, the champagne toast was a "must". The rest of the week I was pretty good at it and introduced something basic to push the digits "down" on my scale: exercise.It is, without a doubt, what I need to continue losing weight. Since I can't find the space to join the gym (I do yoga twice a week, but I don't burn as many calories as I'd like), I've decided to skip the subway transfer and walk the equivalent of three stops. It all adds up.
My next goal
Backwards or to gain momentum. I have proposed to reach 65 kilos in the next three weeks and I know that by maintaining the effective nutritional guidelines of Clara's diet, plus the incorporation of physical activity, I will achieve it. I continue with my challenge!
