Ever since I was a little girl the doctor suggested a diet with limited meat, and growing up in a border town with Mexico only a few minutes away was not at all accommodating for my strict diet in the very least. Badly enough that as a child I’d plead to go to my Grandmother’s house for the weekends, where the Mexican culture and habits of my Grandmother forced her to refuse this “nonsense” vegetarian diet, and I would binge all weekend on fatty and meaty foods, without my mother taking any notice of course.

After a few years I realized that it just wasn’t worth it and I actually grew a liking to vegetables and fruits, but even to this point I still resent living so close to my old hometown, after all it is a tradition to most Mexican Americans that live nearby to go at least twice a month and enjoy some delicious Tacos de Carne Asada, and must I mention that these are not hard to find, on contraire the more you try to hide from them the easier they find you. There is a taco/hamburger/hot dog/ corn on the cob/ stand in every two corners, (no exaggeration) which makes me wonder, is it possible to participate in the Walk Out program with this incredible temptation?!

Nonetheless, it’s a beautiful culture and also part of my heritage, my other part being Korean, but us Mexicans enjoy our food, the unhealthier the better. Regardless I try to keep on the right track and stand strong, until I hit Mexicali on the weekend to visit family that is. But eating meat every three other weekends will not harm me, except for a minor and almost unnoticeable pain and bother in the tummy, but nothing that Imodium can’t take care of.

To the point, even with prior knowledge of my condition I still attempted the Atkin’s diet, which is bad by itself I’ve heard, but being the stubborn person that I am I disregarded any concerns and arrogantly (stupidly too) set forward into this adventure, at least for the experience and to see if I could actually lose some weight. & being aware that after so many years of being vegetarian can result in a person not having enough proper enzymes to break down the meat correctly, I decided to stick with what I eat regularly and just cut off on carbs. I’ve always been partially vegetarian, meaning I eat chicken and some fish along with dairy products (Eggs are also a big part of my diet).

So a week prior to my new diet I began the preparation process. I slowly cut off carbs, took out the forgotten fiber pills that were sitting in the bathroom cabinets, re activated my account at the gym and started using my legs and the bike as transportation. I was determined. After high school I had gained extra baggage that had been pestering me and preventing me from wearing my favorite old band tshirts, and I was going to lose it, no matter what, most importantly I wanted to be ready for Next Year’s walking marathon held at a local Festival, The Carrot Festival.

I started my diet on a Sunday, All I had was a chicken salad with lettuce, eggs, and mayonnaise and for lunch I had some chicken with melted cheese and lettuce, in the afternoon as I was about to take out my fruits to make my famous fruit salads that I make almost every night I remembered that fruits had become the enemy now, so instead I settled for some cheese string.

This continued and after 3-4 days into the diet my body was having really negative reactions, and some slightly positive ones. My body odor had become severely unpleasant and not to mention my facial skin had developed quite a few blemishes, overall I was just feeling horrible, minus the extra energy that the diet gave me for the gym, the rest was just deteriorating. But I wasn’t about to give up on the 4th day & let everyone tell me, “I told you so”, that is until Friday arrived and I suddenly had vomit attacks and sharp chest pains. This was enough for me start my process of quitting. After three days of slowly adding on carbs I quit, for good. At this point I’ve learned my lesson, doubtfully, but at least I know now that the Atkin’s diet is not for me!

As for the results, I lost 6 pounds in a mere 3 days, but at what cost! I’m sticking to the gym though, which is really good, and my bike will no longer sit stagnant in the backyard.

My childhood antics of not following the rules and trying to find loopholes will always mirror me but I slowly discipline this side of me as the years pass by, turning 20 this past december, I still have a lot to learn and look forward to!