Another visit this week to Softly Concerned, our Nutritionist.
I told her that the major problem I was having is that I am having sugary cravings again. Back on the Eatathon!
She began by telling me - just as she did last time we met - that I am craving sugar because I'm not eating enough protein. She explained that protein is slow release energy and, if the body doesn't have enough of it, then it asks you for quick release energy - sugar and carbs.
I tend to not have much appetite for large pieces of meat or poultry these days, I don't buy three soy lattes a day anymore and, now that I'm not working, I can't go up to the cafeteria and buy my favorite protein bar. So I guess my protein intake has gone down.
"How about protein powder in your morning smoothies?" she asked.
It was one of those slap-your-forehead moments. Of course! I used to have protein powder, I ran out and I forgot to replace it.
That's the thing about seeing a nutritionist. It's not about being lectured, it's about being educated and reminded.
Softly Concerned went on to tell me about healthy choices for something sweet - some dried apricots, a fruit.
"Nope," I told her. "Doesn't always cut it. Frozen yogurt doesn't do the trick, I want Chunky Monkey. A bran muffin doesn't do it for me - I want a donut.""Hmm," she said. "Considering the stress you are under, there is a psychological factor here."
No frackin' kiddin'.
"Let's do an exercise together," she said. "You can do this the moment you have a craving. First, sit down comfortably and make sure your feet are on the ground. Close your eyes and take a few deep breaths. Now visualize your higher self, the person you want to be. Healthier, thinner, whatever. Just conjure up that image and consider it for a while."
She paused, while I contemplated my thinner, healthier, richer self, who didn't have to work and had incredibly thick, lustrous, shiny hair.
"Now think about what it is that you really want at this moment. It isn't a cupcake - that is a substitute for something else. Is it love? Is it rest? Are you tired, fatigued? Do you need a hug? Need to cry? Just take a few deep breaths and find out what is really going on. The more you do this, the easier it will get."
She paused again while I figured out what I needed. Because I didn't have any cravings at that moment, I didn't come to an obvious answer, but the fatigue thing did resonate for sure.
"Now that you know what you need, think about how you can give it to yourself. If you are tired, can you go to bed and just rest for two hours? If you need a vacation, is there some way you can get out of town for a few days?"
"If you can't give yourself what you need literally, then spend some time imagining it. The subconscious doesn't know the difference between reality and imagination. So you might take a moment to imagine yourself on a lovely beach, basking in the sun, listening to the waves lap the shore."
She paused again to give me some time. It was a lovely image. I imagined everything she said - I just added a cocktail in a pineapple with two straws.
Then she moved in her chair a bit to break the spell. I opened my eyes.
"By the time you work through this exercise," she said, "your craving should be gone."
I haven't tried it yet, but I am sure this is going to be a very useful technique.
And I bought myself some protein powder.