N-other N-tro

[Guest guest]

Hello all,

Like many others, i learned of this group from the Post article. I don't live in DC, though, and I have a rather unique set of circumstances: I'm doing missionary work in Ukraine. I've done CR before, though more as an experiment than a lifestyle, and I would like to do it again, but here in Ukraine, I'm kind of at the mercy of what is available at any given time in the marketplace. I joined the group to get some ideas how to get enough energy and nutrition out of a limited variety of food items, and also to get some motivation through l'esprit de corps.

My first experience with CR was a year ago. I was visiting my family for about 6 weeks before returning to Ukraine, and while my weight stays under control normally, it always balloons up when I am in the States. All that tasty, rich food! So, I decided to try CR, which I had read about in an LA Times article not long before, so as to see what it was like, and also keep from blowing up while at home. I was surprised at how easy it was after I had made up my mind. I thought that I would be hungry and tormented by food all day, but I wasn't. I made sure not to skip any meal, but to simply eat smaller portions, and make up the bulk with fruits and veggies. Before I would have had a lot of spaghetti and little zucchini, on CR I just took more zucchini and less spaghetti. Before I never liked the taste of most vegetables, but on CR I felt a pleasure of satisfaction when eating them, and even the flavor seemed better because it wasn't drowned out in comparison with all sorts of fats and sweets. Anyway, I felt really good, and never seemed to lack energy.

Well, like I say, that was just a short experiment for 6 weeks. I went back to ad lib eating when I got back to Ukraine mostly out of necessity, but I'd like to go back to CR this time as a way of life. Especially now that fresh fruits and vegetables are starting to become available (winter is another story, but I'll burn that bridge when I come to it.)

chris