Grab bag

[TODAY'S POST IS MOSTLY UNRELATED TO INFERTILITY]

I started this diet on January 6.  I am on day 11 of step 1, which lasts 8 weeks.  During step 1, you severely restrict your carbohydrate intake (for reasons she talks about at length in the book).  In a nutshell, except for most vegetables, you are only permitted 5 "net" grams of carbohydrates in a 5-hour period during step 1.

The reasons I am dieting are obvious--hello, I'm overweight; have a family history of diabetes and heart disease; and have high cholesterol and a personal history of preeclampsia and gestational diabetes that predispose me to future health problems, most of which are also weight-related --but my reasons for choosing this particular plan might not be.  Specifically, the book resonated with me when I first read it at my sister's recommendation back in late 2010/early 2011, and I had success following the plan in early 2011 before our DE IVF cycle.  (I lost around 15 lbs in 6 weeks by following step 1 and exercising 30-60 minutes six days a week.)

After struggling the first couple of days, I have generally had more energy and very little hunger eating this way.  The biggest challenge I have is finding things to eat when I'm away from home, since burritos, sandwiches, pizza and anything involving any kind of bread are off the menu.  But otherwise, following the plan has been easy for me.

Semi-relatedly, I ran across this video today on NPR.  The idea that sugar is addictive, just like heroin (though not AS addictive as heroin), and has the same chemical effects on your brain, makes a lot of sense to me.  I've often found that I do better eating next to NO carbs than I do trying to eat them in moderation.


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Can I share that I so, so, so wish that I had the time and energy to join in SRB's decluttering challenge?  If you are inspired to do so, you can find the link to it here.

I have been yearning for some time to tackle some decluttering and organization projects around my home, and this time last year, I definitely would have jumped right on this.  HOWEVER, one thing I have learned over the past several months is that I need to accept my limitations.

Our sons are going through a particularly challenging time right now in some ways with regard to their behavior.  (Hmm, they will be turning 2 on Sunday. . . so they are right on schedule, LOL.)  In addition to caring for them, I work full time outside the home as well.  I am working on losing weight and incorporating exercise into my daily life again.  Realistically, I don't think I have time to take on anything on top of all that at present.

But I wish I did.  Because I want to declutter and organize.  Badly.

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Finally, something semi-related to infertility.  Over the past few weeks, I have learned that six women I know  in real life are pregnant: one due in late April, three due in May, and one due in June.  (These are in addition to my dear blogger-turned-real-life friend Jay, who is due in May as well.)  So far as I know, all of these pregnancies were natural conceptions.  In fact, I know three of the mothers well enough to have had them share with either mutual friends or with me that they were.  (The baby due in June was an "oops.")  And I strongly suspect that the other three were as well, based mostly on their timing (either fairly close after a wedding, or spaced "just so" after the first, naturally-conceived child).

And you know what?  These pregnancies haven't bothered me at all.  Nope.  Not one bit.  Even my friend's "oops" was more cause for me to think "oh, poor thing!" whereas before I might've (judgmentally) thought "how irresponsible of her!"  I even thought "Oh good: someone who might have a need for all this extra baby gear I still need to get rid of!"  (Seriously.  Up until recently, our home office/guest room looked like the storeroom of a poorly organized kids' consignment store.  This despite the fact that I have given LOADS of clothes, toys and other things away on a few occasions already.)

I guess there is something about being completely done with my own family building that takes the sting out of seeing others' easily-conceived baby bumps?  I don't know.  All I know is, I'm glad that hearing about other women's pregnancies doesn't bother me anymore.