If you read my last post, you’ll know that even 18 months post-partum, I was still holding onto that annoying baby weight. So, before I threw in the towel and bought a brand new wardrobe, I figured I’d give my body a chance… a chance to remember the weight it had always been, and slim down if that’s what it wanted.
But I didn’t want to do something too restrictive, because I enjoy Aperol and chips. That’s when I remembered my Dad telling me about an eating plan he tried. Which is why I call this Dad’s Diet. It’s kind of the 5:2 diet, but with flair from my Dad. And the great thing is, it’s simple.
This is it:
1-2 days a week:
- Eat a normal breakfast
- Skip lunch and snacks
- Eat normal dinner but cut out any obvious carbs (like bread or potatoes)
This is not necessarily about fasting for a certain amount of time. If I was especially hungry during the day I ate something small. But when you’re home with a child, that 1-2 hours of midday nap is gold. So skipping the 20 minutes it takes to make and eat a sandwich… well that’s time I can spend doing other things. So, on the two days a week that I skipped lunch I fitted in a workout. Add in a weekly swim and a walk and I was well on my way to a healthier lifestyle.
You see, I’d got into a habit of eating a lot while breastfeeding. You need more calories, so I’d have a piece of toast or a cake mid-morning, then something in the afternoon as well. I’d snack when my son did. And what Dad’s Diet did for me was remind me that I didn’t actually need all those snacks. And in fact, I was surprised how some days went by and I barely noticed I hadn’t eaten since breakfast. Because it’s only two days a week, it never felt difficult. And it meant that on the other five days I found myself not craving the snacks the way I had previously.
And… it worked. The kilos started dropping off. Recently I went through and tried on all my pants, and although I am sure I’ll have to ditch a couple in the end, I have two pairs that actually fit. And I feel so much better. More like myself. More like the old Debbie.
Sure, my body has changed and I’m still a bit heavier than before, but for now I’m going to leave it alone, have a great summer of swimming, and when it gets to winter… well… that will be my new standard weight, wider hips, smaller boobs and all!
an aussie in austria 