7: Day 27

So the self control/will power has now left me. Getting down to the end and I'm ready to move on from this project. It's been a good thing for sure but it's time. 28 days is plenty, in my opinion, to gain everything you can from this extreme diet. We are hosting a small sleepover for four of our oldest daughter's friends for her birthday tonight and so we've been working 24-7 on lists and cleanup and shopping for this 'party.' It's very simple mind you, just a couple friends coming over mid afternoon to play, make some crafts that my fabulous wife has come up with, play some more, make some pizzas in our kitchen, play some more, maybe watch a movie if there's time and go to bed. But...it's the end of 7 and we're making personal pizzas for all the girls and my wife has given me permission to make one for myself as well. Well, that thought has given me permission (from myself) to fudge a little.

For instance, my son and I had to pay a visit to our local Goodwill so I could get a few items of work clothes for my trip to Guatemala coming up in a week. Well everyone knows that the Goodwill is right near the Chick-Fil-A that has the red door. I just thought he'd love that red door and we needed to go. Of course I justified it saying I was still having chicken and potatoes. I didn't factor in the lemonade we had to share. Anyways, I'm slowly falling off the wagon. Still had my usual peanut butter on toast for breakfast and multiple apples today but I'm really looking forward to that pizza tonight.

7: Day 24

So we're at the homestretch and it's not that I want to keep going with 7 foods but I feel like it's the only way to live. I feel like if I eat something besides what's on my list I might not wake up the next day. Like there's a hex on every other food or somehow these 7 foods are sustaining me and nothing else would. I know right. Crazy.
So I've been thinking about what foods I want to jump back into when this exercise is over. My first thought was Waffle House. A nice warm waffle loaded with butter and syrup, a side of scattered, smothered, and covered hash browns, a side of bacon and a tall glass of Diet Coke. As I type that I'm getting hungry! Or maybe Five Guys Burgers and Fries. That would be awesome but now that I've lost 16 pounds eating all of that grease and fat is unappealing.

7: Day 17

Well, today is Pi Day here in math class and my tradition is to have some challenges/competitions and then indulge in delicious pie that my students bring in. You know how I hate to break traditions. I'm having an inner battle right now. Do I participate in a sacred math holiday (also Albert Einstein's birthday) or do I participate in something really sacred (a re:fast). Tough call.

7: Day 2

Quite possibly the worst day of my life. That might be an exaggeration but it was a very painful day. Given that I usually have a lot of caffeine each day my headaches were out of this world. Plus, I haven't been eating like I usually do so my energy is at an all time low. I was dragging all day, especially after school. I was ready to get in the fetal position for the rest of the night. I'm hoping the headaches go away soon and my body adjusts.
This is good for me. I just don't like it.

7: Day 1

Today was awesome. I felt so great. One of my weaknesses (spiritually and otherwise) is saying "no." No, I can't go to that game. No thanks, I don't want any pie. Not today, maybe some other time. I have a hard time saying "no." I really believe that this exercise in saying no will be good for me and our small group.
So if you're joining late and you didn't watch the Jen Hatmaker 7 video earlier this month here is what we are setting out to do. Our small group, while reading through Jen's book 7, is practicing what she is preaching (or in reality following in her footsteps). We are fasting from the excess that is all around us (here in the US). We are so rich that we throw away our leftovers many weeks because we want something different that night instead of eating food that is a day or two old and has been sitting in our stainless steel refrigerator. What? How many folks around the globe are dying because they don't have enough. They don't have enough rice and beans. Or whatever they can afford or beg for.
I'm hoping this exercise really helps me become more aware of those that suffer. Those that go to be hungry every night. I'm hoping God uses this month to change me. I know that He can if I will just be open to change.
So here are my 7 foods for the month (28 days). Yes 28 days. And yes, only 7 foods.
Chicken (prepared with Olive Oil and salt and pepper only), Peanut Butter (needed another protein and something I could snack on), Biscuits (I really think they will be so good with anything), Broccoli (my favorite since I was a kid), Carrots (great raw but not so great cooked - maybe I'll get used to them), Apples, and Potatoes. Again any cooked can only be cooked with Olive Oil and salt and pepper. And my drink for the month? Water. Yes. This might be the hardest part for me. I literally drink 3-4 diet sodas a day. If not a soda then I get some sweet tea (especially at lunch).
Good luck to the rest of my compadres as well: Erin Harsh (gluten free already so she gives up so much now and gonna go without her sacred coffee as well as giving up sugar), Hong and Kurt Davis, Emma and Chris Troupe, and Lonnie and Beverly Latham (just adopted a baby boy so they will have some meals delivered for the next week or so and then start 7 late).