Let me share you a short story why...

When I was a kid, I grew up in a restaurant. I literally lived above it. My godmother was managing that restaurant then and I was her favorite. She really spoiled me well that if I choose to eat fried chicken, the cook will prepare it for me. It was the case even if my mom was against it. I was like Bendita who always got her way. I never grew to like vegetable because I wasn't disciplined to accept it as part of the food group. The clash of parental authorities and my stubbornness caused me to eat only meat since I was a little kid.

Over the years, I've managed to down a few veggies and fruits in me but never really eating it on a daily basis. My meals usually consisted of porkchop, adobo, mechado, kalderata, meatball, lumpiang shanghai and the usually take-outs and dine-outs.

It has always been my mom's frustration that I can't eat vegetable or fruits even if my life depended on it. My cousin and I use to joke that we would not eat veggies even if we're offered a lot of money.

Last Thursday though was the beginning of something beautiful. I consulted with my Nutritionist and she provided me with a lot of things that I need to prepare for my Before The Big Day SPA day. The SPA day will consist of nutrient-dense meals, lymphatic massage and coffee enema. My body needs to be ready for those in order for the detoxification to work.

Looking at the sheet that Nadine handed me, it consisted of hypoallergenic food and anti-bloat diet that I had to eat for the next 7 days. I was to eat every 4 hours whether I'm hungry or not. I must also exercise lightly everyday day.

My meals consisted only of fish, bottled sardines , tuyo and preservative-free canned tuna. If I am to eat chicken, it should be free-range or organic as it doesn't contain growth hormones and other antibiotics.

My rice is mixed with Turmeric as it facilitates detoxification.

Vegetables that I am to eat was limited as well since a lot of vegetables especially when eaten raw can cause bloating. Good things because I eat almost everything on the list like carrots, pumpkin, spinach, kangkong, malunggay and moderate amount of potatoes. For someone who doesn't eat vegetables, I'm glad the ones I'm allowed to eat are tolerable enough for me. I actually love it.

It really is life-changing for me. I really thought that I wouldn't be able to survive the week eating only the food I mentioned... but then I did.

I bought this stove grill at Japan Home Store that allowed us to grill our fish. I also baked fish and veggies using our oven toaster. I stir fry my veggies with different herbs like Tarragon, Rosemary and Turmeric to add flavor or we steam it via rice cooker. Keeping the pan hot enough cooks the fish and veggies real well that we don't need to use a lot of Olive Oil. Also, fish and veggies cooks easily that you'll save even on your stove gas. The blender I bought has a use now since I blend the fruits I'm allowed to eat every after meal.

When we eat out, we choose Japanese restaurants so I can order sashimi which is really filling and yummy.

What I love is that I eat fruits and vegetable everyday. I eat banana as snacks for crying out loud. I'm sure my mom is rejoicing in heaven if not telling me I had to wait for her to go away before I start eating it.

But you see, that's the beauty in having a Nutritionist. Someone who can guide you to the right path of what to eat. Research may have done me good as well, but having an actual person, explaining the things that I need to know (some I already do, many I didn't) was really important. Someone to tell me what's okay and what's not because she knows how my body works really helps. Someone who helps me pick out what food to order when I'm in a restaurant. Most importantly, someone who motivates me that I am doing this not only for myself but the future that I'm about to have.

That person used to be my mom but even on the eating department, my mom failed. I'm glad though that so far this is really working out.

Initial cash output may be a bit too much for some. Some of the products that I needed cost more than the usual. You know what Nadine told me? "At least you can taste it". See if you buy expensive medicine for your high cholesterol, not only will it burn your pocket but you wouldn't even want to taste it. Makes sense right?

But you know what? I notice that my usually 2K grocery that lasts only for one to two weeks now seemingly will last more. With our portion control of 1/2 cup rice per meal and 1 fish (depending the size) and a cupful of veggies, our grocery is still nearly full and could probably stretch for two more weeks. Our water consumption doubled but that is for the better.

Maintaining the milk, olive oil and other ingredients may be a bit expensive but I'm willing to shell out a few extra bucks to maintain this kind of healthy eating habit. After all, the taste of the food wasn't compromised.

Do I crave meat and those other things I'm not allowed to eat? Of course, I do. But i don't miss what I don't see. It pays to not visit the refrigerator a lot. Not to watch commercials of cakes and cokes. To always psych yourself that you're on your third day of your detox program so drinking that glass of ice tea isn't worth it.

Getting my health back and weight loss is really a tough thing to do for me. I admire those people who can just eat anything they want and not gain a pound. I envy those who can eat vegetable when they were younger so they don't have problems same as I do. But I gotta do what I gotta do. I need this. For me.

How do I feel now? I feel less joint pains especially in long driving. I'm not yet sure what my weight is but I do feel lighter. My bowel movements are regular and waking up in the morning doesn't seem like a trial anymore. During and before my period (I was on my third day of detox when I got my period), my cramps was tolerable. Unlike before that I would get 3 days in a row and I would even wake up at night. Even when I exercise, my body could recover easily from the jarring activity.

The weight loss may not be so noticeable but from the way I feel my body is reacting, I know what i'm doing it right.

Today is my SPA day, the sign that my Detox Plan is ending... And the beginning of a new lifestyle for me.

Momma, I hope you're proud of me.

much love,
Shen