Last week, when I was in Ohio for the funeral, I slept to 9 or 10am eastern, woke up and did an hour of yoga, and took breakfast/lunch at 11 or 12. Strangely, I did not get RAVENOUSLY hungry as I typically do at home, mid morning.
This week, I've skipped breakfast each week day, beginning work with a simple glass of water. Strangely, the esophagus gripping, stomach knotting, head-ache pounding symptoms I'd typically get have not arrived.
I've gone 40 years believing that if I don't eat breakfast, I'll be hungry, screwed, deprived of essential nutrients, handicapped in my ability to handle the day's challenges, weakened, at-a-loss. Maybe I'm just getting really really old? Maybe the fact I've cut caffeine nearly entirely out of my diet has toned down my appetite? Maybe my tape worm finally died? Maybe the damn bowls of cereal I've had (upwards of 10,000 bowls) in my lifetime have always been priming my insulin pump and revving up my hunger pre-maturely, un-necessarily, caloric-ly.
Whatever the case may be, for adults like myself, who spend our mornings at a computer, talking on the phone, and who are not emaciated - having a healthy percentage of body fat - I no longer see the need to have breakfast in the wee hours of the AM before starting work. We'll see how this works out, going forward into 2009. Getting off caffeine took me 3 months (down from 4 to 8 cans a day). We'll see how long it takes to kick the breakfast habit.
If anyone else has had a similar 'retraction of breakfast' in your morning routine... I would be very interested to hear how it worked for you.
9 years ago
I too have made the b'fast conversion to less results in more. My typical meal ends up being some cheese (fresh curd if possible but usually string), a few crackers driving to school and lots of water, usually 1 big glass with the vitamins and another prior to 9am. Cutting out caffeine was the key I found. The 2 month headache was worth it. If I am really starting slow, a Madeline works. During the warmer months (both of them), the morning walk will include some nuts, almonds are preferred but always water throughout the day. My students are convinced the ever present water bottle is in case of fire, all bodily systems do seem to appreciate the moisture. I do envy the young heir and his ability to put down 2-3 bowls of cereal and I do occasionally miss the Krispy Kremes (plain glazed) but my routine has been working well. When this all begin about 6 years back it took about 3 months to fully take hold. Now when I go camping or travel, being able to start lighter really helps with location change and speeds up the body.
ReplyDeleteI have been able to cut down to 1 cup of coffee/day. I just need that one I have right when I wake up to get my motor running. I have noticed that I snack a lot, even though I'm not feeling hungry, so maybe I'll cut back on the ritual eating, and try to wait for actual hunger sensations to kick in.
ReplyDeleteI've always had that thought too. In high school, I typically started the day with something very small, once I got to school. During football season, I'd go to 6AM practice and eat a bit afterwards. Eating a large breakfast always made me sluggish.
ReplyDeleteNow, I typically start with a cappuccino (made at the house, of course), no sugar, and perhaps a small English Muffin. I wait until mid-morning to snack, and try to eat several smaller meals. This always results in better energy throughout the day.
I have no routine, and often have no breakfast, but find that a low-carb breakfast seems to work best.
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