Hi Lidia. It's nice to meet you.
How fun that you have been going to a quilting group! I am not actually a quilter, but when we do the raffle quilts, there are relatively simple blocks that go around the border, and those of us who aren't quilters make those. We use the method where you sew the fabric onto the back of a piece of paper with the pattern printed on it. It's pretty simple once you get the hang of it, but every year it takes a little bit before I feel comfortable with it. It certainly is fun to do it with a group of people. We listen to music and joke around.

I need to tell you that I have been doing the program for 20 years, so please don't feel overwhelmed by all the preparation I did. I have years of learning and experience behind me. The program is not something you do all at once. It's a process where you continuously build on what you've learned so far and refine things. There was a lot of trial and error I went through around things like eating at other people's houses, traveling etc. I also learned a lot from other people's experiences, by asking questions or listening to what other people shared. And I still learn all the time. When things don't work out the way I'd planned food wise, I think of it as a learning experience and figure out how I could do it better next time.

If you are just starting out, it sounds like you may be putting too much pressure on yourself to do it all now. When you start the program, it really helps if you just think about breakfast, and don't worry about sugar. I know it may sound hard to believe, but as you do the steps, sugar will start to lose its grip on you naturally. For years, it has taken absolutely no effort not to eat sugar, but if I hadn't done all the steps, that would not be true. If you take things slowly and add in the good stuff like adequate protein and browns and vegetables and eating on time then you will reach a point where it will be easy to ignore sweet things.

So, how is breakfast coming? It has 4 parts, and you can start with whichever piece is easiest
enough protein for your body (and we can help you figure that out if you don't know how)
a complex carb like whole grain bread or cereal or potatoes with skin
within an hour of getting up
every day

When I started the program, I was in the habit of eating breakfast pretty soon after getting up, but my breakfast was things like cereal or banana bread. That never really worked for me, because I'd be ravenous about an hour later, but I had no idea why. When I added protein to my breakfast, it made a huge difference. What a relief not to be starving all morning! I've eaten a variety of things for breakfast over the years, but for the past few years I've used a protein shake. I had to play with it a bit to find the right combination of ingredients that work for me, but I found one I like that holds me until lunch. Have you found a breakfast you like?

Allison

: Hi Allison! This is my first time
: posting someone on the forum, I
: just started Radiant Recovery. I
: was drawn to your post because you
: mentioned quilting, and I've been
: going weekly to meet with a group
: that's helping me make a quilt for
: my daughter (cats). They know A
: LOT about quilting, I know almost
: zilch but enjoy learning to sew
: and the ladies. And of course the
: finished product. They helped
: me make a quilt for my son
: (doggies).
: I was amazed at how proactive you
: were, and how much you prepared in
: advance to succeed. It's almost
: overwhelming reading about how
: much you prepared, but I admire
: that. I go to things without much
: of a plan, so of course I end up
: eating what I shouldn't. I noticed
: you were really aware of how
: protein-deficient some meals were,
: and you backed them up. Since I
: started trying to do PNP, I can't
: believe how important it is for me
: to eat more protein, and how much
: better it makes me feel!!! Good
: for you for taking such good care
: of yourself!
: I also honestly enjoyed your
: description of your adventure (are
: you a writer?). I pictured the
: beautiful snowy scenery (it almost
: never snows where I live), and the
: danger going up the hill. And the
: relief you all must have felt when
: your group was waiting for you on
: the other side!
: It was inspiring to read about your
: preparations. I had a small
: victory today-I walked into the
: staff room and there were loads of
: cupcakes, the kind that are really
: good, not store-bought, maybe
: bakery or home-made but looked
: professional. I was SO
: tempted...there were people in the
: room, but that doesn't usually
: really hold me back...then I
: started thinking, afterwards I'll
: hate myself, and feel like I have
: to start again...tomorrow...I'm
: tired of waiting for 'tomorrow' to
: come...and was able to walk away,
: with God's help. Phew! I tried to
: have enough protein, so I think
: that helps say No, but my brain is
: so used to giving in. Well, just
: wanted to say you did awesome, and
: keep up the good work!
: Lidia