The Vegetarian 100 days challenge the fifth week is behind! It was another challenging week.
“The first and best victory is to conquer self.” — Plato Greek Philosopher
CHALLENGES:
The first challenge was being at a Korean BBQ restaurant.
My friends sat me away from the BBQ grill. So I didn’t have to sit there smelling and had the BBQ starring at me. It was a good thing that I got there later than the rest of them. By the time I got there, they were almost done eating.
But once in a while, they would say, “This is very good. Try this Neary!…Oh yes, you are vegetarian for 100 days. I keep forgetting.”
By the way, their vegetarian dishes weren’t the best, but they have some options. I had their house salad, spicy hot tofu soup and stir-fried glass noodles. Stir-fried glass noodle was the best. If you go there, try it. The rest were eatable. I don’t recommend you go there if you are a vegetarian. Unless you go there to socialize as I did.
Hey, what do you expect from a place is known for a great Korean BBQ (meat) restaurant! 🙂
Later on, in the week, my mom and her friend cooked a traditional Cambodian dish. Do you know what happens when two old Moms get together and cook?
Awfully more drooling for me!
The most challenge of all is the state of mind.
MENTAL DISCIPLINE:
If you google, there are many claims that it takes 21 days to break a bad habit.
I personally do not think 21 days is long enough. Even one month isn’t long enough to base on the past four weeks and lifelong experience.
Of course, everybody is different. It’s hard for me to explain this. I try to explain this as simply as I can.
Your favorite might be juice Filet Mignon, grill salmon, or whatever it is. One of my favorite dishes is a grilled fish with green mango sauce or pickled dish. When I see it in front of me, in my mind I’m already savoring the taste. Why? Because I know it tastes delicious. I’ve been eating it all my life.
For me to stop myself from actually eating it when it’s in my face that is when the true mental discipline comes in.
Can I stop myself?
No, I’m not saying tell my mind to stop while the hands are reaching for it.
Can you stop yourself? If you can stop your mind, then the hands will stop on its own. The craving, the urge or the desire will stop!
I find that mental discipline is the most difficult thing to do. One month is only the threshold. Telling your mind to undo in 21 days from what you have bombarded it to do for a long time (or all life long in case of eating meat) is a very huge task. It requires a longer time to train the mind.
It is my belief why some people go back to their old habits or pick up a new one in the process because they don’t break through the mental discipline.
I think this also true with diet, exercise, meditation and so much more.
“We are what we repeatedly do, excellence then is not an act, but a habit.” — Aristotle
PHYSICAL CHANGE: SHOCKING!
Surprise! I want to gain a healthy weight all my life. I never thought I would gain weight from being a vegetarian. How many pounds I gain will be revealed at the end of the 100 days challenge.
My wrists have more meat on them than before. That’s how I tell my weight. It’s not that I’m afraid to step on the scale. The scale I have is not an accurate one.
I know why I gain weight. As you know by now if you have been following me. It’s so annoying that I get hungry after each meal sooner than when I was eating meat.
The portion of the meal is the same or bigger now. Plus, I don’t get that 100% satisfaction after having a meal.
Yes, I eat more sweets which are not good.
And no, I won’t adopt this bad habit! 🙂
My Body is adjusting better than a month ago in any event.
Going through this makes me think of why some people who are on a diet can’t lose the weight they want.
Of course, there are many factors that contribute to losing weight. It is not easy. I’m not an expert.
I’m an expert in knowing my body, myself. I know what it likes and doesn’t like. For that reason and base on my life experiences, I am not a fan of eating less and often.
I don’t know about you, but I can’t stand eating about every two and a half hours! The routine is to eat, drink, restroom, and over again. How disturbing that is!
Self-discipline is necessary as part of surviving just like eat, breath and sleep.
WHAT IS ON MY MIND?
YOU! If you are trying to break a bad habit, lose weight, or whatever challenge you want to eliminate, know yourself! Listen and know what is good and bad for your body.
It is so easy to get lost, persuade and wanting to fit in the society with all the “noises” out there. Plus most noises sound so right too. Especially when they are from the “proclaimed experts” in the fields.
Next week, I just checked my calendar. I’ve a wedding reception to attend. Oh, oh my!!!
Will you tell me how to say to no ten-course meal while sitting at a table for three hours?
What am I getting myself into? LOL
Will I make it to week six?
Sighing…
Stay tuned for next week’s update.