Fat Tuesday

It’s Fat Tuesday! While Carnival is not a particularly strong tradition here in Northern California, it is time to set the rules for a season of Lent. Lent traditionally consists of three components: fasting, prayer and almsgiving. I will focus here on the fasting. Traditionally, a vegan or vegetarian diet was followed, but in the contemporary usage one can define it however they like. Here is how I will define it:

School Nights (Sun.-Thurs.): McDougall Maximum Weight Loss

1. No animal foods
2. No added fats (oils)
3. No high fat plant foods (nuts, seeds, avocados)
4. No rich soy products (edamame acceptable)
5. No flour products
6. No refined sugar or sweeteners (including alcohol)

Exceptions:

1. Dried fruit is acceptable in hot cereal
2. Fresh fruit is not limited

Friday OR Saturday: Regular McDougall Program
Only rules one and two apply.

Exceptions:
Traditionally, Sundays do not count in Lent, as they are considered a mini-resurrection, so I will embrace that tradition as a “safety valve” of sorts to release pressure of being “good”. But it might be enough temptation to make the discipline even harder! Anyway, I will move the “off day” to either of the weekend nights, and keep Sunday holy. Also, the processed and refined sports drinks, bars and gels are in acceptable for long training days, which should only be Saturdays anyway.

OK, there’s my plan, what’s yours?