no more.

That’s it. I’ve had enough. My body can’t take anymore. I am begging for someone to take the burger out of my hands and make me dive into the 28-Day Challenge. Now.

Maybe I should back up a little bit and explain. Two weeks ago I hosted the San Diego premiere of Forks Over Knives – an amazing documentary that exhibits how a plant-based diet can reverse heart disease, lower cholesterol, curb cancer growth and over all give us more energy and feel good juices in our bodies. How can you argue with that?

The film was nothing short of inspiring and spending the day with Rip Esselstyn, author of the Engine 2 Diet, definitely made me re-evaluate my so-called healthy lifestyle. So I did what any sane person would do after seeing such a life-changing film. I punched my fist in the air and said, “Let’s do it! We can give up meat, dairy, oil and refined foods!”

Had I not been surrounded by hundreds of people who were feeling the same way I probably would have been punched in the face for saying something so ludicrous but lucky for me I had a line of people waiting to sign-up for Rip Esselstyn’s 28-Day challenge with me as their fearless leader.

Almost immediately after setting a June 1st start date for this challenge Steve and I put together our bucket lists of favorite no-no foods to indulge in prior to the challenge and indulge we did. This is what my list looked like:

1. Coke Slurpee, daily if possible
2. Chicken Tikka Masala with lots of garlic naan bread
3. Mint n’ Chip Ice Cream
4. Swiss Chard Pasta
5. Blueberry Pancakes and a pint of coffee from Naked Cafe
6. Coffee with more cream and sugar than any normal person should have
7. Five Guys Burger and Fries.
8. Chai Tea Lattes

So far I have successfully tackled all of those dishes and then some. There may have been a couple slices of bacon, biscuits and gravy, bagels with cream cheese and ribs… I guess you can say that I took the bucket list a little too far and I am paying for it now.

Packing all of that into 2 weeks worth of meals has left me feeling fat, bloated, sluggish, tired and just blegh. See you later bad foods and hello veggies and exercise!

Welcome to the 28-Day Challenge. Starting tomorrow Steve and I will be dedicating ourselves to eating a whole food, plant strong diet. I will share the good, the bad and the ugly.

Now I need to go eat a bottle of Tums.

Here is a little note from Steve, my very supportive husband who (almost) never complains about these little “journies” that I take us on.

The following is a roughly two week account of a man disillusioned by the thought that he has “pretty healthy eating habits” and spurned by the fear of giving up meat, dairy, sugar and oil for 28 days.  That man is me.  Proud – I am not…

It was a binge-fest of burgers (I had to try out the new Five Guys that opened up down the street and then a follow-up stop to In-N-Out so I could be sure which had the best burger),  Indian food and cheesy pasta – all washed down with throat-scorching, eye-watering cokes.  Oh how I love the – battery acid.

It was morning jolts of sugary chai-lattes with an occasional doughnut tossed in. Trays of prosciutto, brie and crusty bread were scarfed down like we hadn’t eaten in weeks.  And I finally broke down and savored the Foster’s Freeze chocolate dipped cone that has taunted me ever since we moved to San Diego!  The large one.

I wish I could say I hated all of it – or even some of it – as the next 28 days is all about kicking those habits but the truth is I loved it all.  I relished the salt, sugar and grease as well as the stomachaches and afternoon naps that accompanied them.  There’s a reason we eat the way we do and the past two weeks assured me that I am indeed an addict.

But that realization was the perfect motivation.  It is going to be a challenging 28 days (I wonder if that’s why they call it the 28-day challenge?) and without the right mindset I’m not sure if I could succeed.  Armed with the proper knowledge, hope and motivation I’m going to buckle down, be strong and eat carrots!  Starting…….now.