Well, I went to see a Naturopath today, and she gave me a diet to try which is based on a pile of tests they ran and also based on my blood type. For those of you who don't know what a Naturopath is (and I was one of you until recently), here is an excerpt from the Doctor's brochure:

"Naturopathic medicine is a unique and comprehensive approach to improving health and treating illness. Focusing on prevention, and using natural substances and treatments, naturopathic doctors (ND) support and stimulate the body's ability to heal itself......The primary therapies used by the naturopathice doctors are: clinical nutrition, homeopathic medicine, acupuncture and oriental medicine, physical therapies and counselling.....Clinical nutrition exeamines the relationship between diet and health. Special diets may be recommened, and treatment may include nutritional supplements such as vitamins, minerals, enzymes, and other nutraceuticals."

After the tests were done, the ND concluded that my body needs support vitamins for my thyroid gland and adrenal gland. I am supposed to eliminate coffee (boo hoo), dairy products, sugar and bananas from my diet. After a month or so, I will be able to eat yogurt and some dairy products again.

I am encouraged to eat pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds and some peanuts and almonds, and get this...I am supposed to pour olive oil over my dinner. She said that lots of high quality oil is essential for weight loss for my blood type!!! Not that I am going to overdose on olive oil, because I don't like it particularly. I can eat some meat and starches and lots of fruit and vegetables. The no sugar rule and the no dairy rule are going to eliminate alot of food choices.

I have to admit that I have never tried this particular combination of foods before, so I am looking forward to seeing how it works. I have 3 friends who have been to the ND, and they have all lost weight by following her diet. Anyways, I will keep you posted on my progress.

Update...4 days into the diet. I have had headaches and feelings of nausea (last couple of days) probably due to cutting down to one cup of coffee a day (half a cup in the morning and half a cup at night). Cutting down coffee is worse than eliminating sugar and dairy products from my diet. My weight is holding at 146-147 pounds, but I am probably eating too much "trail mix". It is hard to think of what to eat with all these restrictions: kind of comes down to meat, rice and vegetables. I am going to buy a couple of East Indian cookbooks this week, and see what I can work into my diet. My husband is being very supportive of these changes I am making. He is doing fabulously, and has lost 17 pounds in the last two months by eating a lot less of everything.

I was out of town for a week, but I still managed to maintain my weight. I drank my last cup of coffee 5 days ago. I find it really hard to cut dairy products out of my diet...it just limits the cooking. The Nutritionist gave me some dietary guidelines that suggested no prepared foods should be used. I am doing my best, but I have to be realistic when there are other people in my family (like a 12 year old) who don't appreciate my new food regime. All in all it is going pretty well...I am maintaining my weight at 146-147 pounds. I hope to lose another pound and be at 145 pounds at the end of the month. I can do it.

Hi Artsy!

I read your posts and I thought it was really interesting so I thought I would just say hello! Although I've never seen a naturopath myself, I have always been interested in how what we eat affects our bodies. I'm a vegetarian (actually closer to vegan) myself, and don't eat any meat or seafood and only tiny amounts of egg or dairy (like in a recipe) once in a great while. I do however, eat prepared foods and love caffeine and sugar (to my chagrin).

I'd be interested in what kinds of foods she has you eating, and whether there are recipes or if you count calories, etc. It sounds like a really healthy plan and I bet you will definitely see some changes. I know that being vegetarian for the last 12 years has benefitted me greatly. My family history shows lots of weight problems and I think I would weight much more if I hadn't gone this route. Best of luck to you and I hope things are going great!

Carrie

Hi Artsy, About the coffee, I gave it up and this is what happened to me: I was nauseous and had the headache on the third day after cold turkey. It lasted about 2 days, and then I felt incredible! I had so much more energy, and good breath! I did miss the actual act of drinking the cup as part of my morning routine, so I started drinking lemon tea in the morning as it is very cleansing to the body.
Sincerely,
Carole (Spot)

Thanks for the replies Carrie and Carole.

Carrie...the Naturopath didn't say anything about counting calories, however cutting out sugar and dairy does tend to cut out baking and sweet, fatty treats. I am going to see her next week for an update. I have been having cravings for the food I haven't been eating in the afternoon. I have had a few bad headaches, and I don't know if I can continue to blame that on the caffeine. Today was a bad day for me in the sense that I ate 4 pieces of garlic toast with supper. Now it is not specifically excluded, but I know it isn't good for me. I have had good energy in the gym for my workouts. I have lost 2 pounds since I made these changes to my diet.

Carole, thanks for your comments about caffeine withdrawal. I have a 25 year coffee habit, so it is difficult to overcome it.

I'll keep posting on here to update my progress and the advice of the Naturopath.

I hope your plan works for you but I think its also important to learn healthy eating habits as well.

I am going to the Naturopath again tomorrow morning. I have been able to stick to the food list pretty well, but I have some questions for her:

1) How long does food stay in the stomach?
2) Can I add yogurt or feta cheese to my food list?
3) Is there anything I can have to drink in the morning to give me a zip instead of coffee?

I have lost 2 pounds in the last two weeks without starving myself. I think I could cut down on the volume a bit now that I have worked through some of the cravings.

I had a surprising visit with the Naturopath today. Basically, there is not much else I can do except this liver cleansing regime (which I will try...it is supposed to make you feel better afterwards) and to finish off the supplements I have.

Your stomach is considered to be "empty" about 2 hours after you eat. The Naturopath doesn't recommend eating in between meals because it keeps constant strain on the digestive system...it is better to give it a break once in awhile. I am supposed to have more good quality oils with my meals and it will cut down my tendency to snack.

As far as staying on the diet totally and being a purist, it is basically up to me. If I drink a cup of coffee once in awhile or eat a dessert, nothing horrible will happen, I just won't feel my best.

I guess that is all I have to report. In some ways I am relieved because it is alot less $$ than some people have to lay out for supplements and treatments. In other ways I feel a little disappointed because I am not going to be able to improve more through these methods.

Artsy, Im confused..why cant you improve?? :-/

Sooz...according to her readouts I am doing ok now, so there isn't too much improvement (in terms of my energy levels, etc.) I can expect through dietary changes and supplements. I guess I shouldn't be too surprised because my eating habits and lifestyle were pretty good to start with. I will try the "liver cleanse" routine...it is good for a few pounds lost if nothing else. I will start it next week and I am going to start painting the house so we can enjoy it more.