Day 1

Figs & macadamia nuts for breakfast

Green smoothie around noon

peach & raw trail mix after 5 mile run

smoked salmon salad & 2 raw macaroons for dinner

Day 1 was easy, I'm sure my belly is still full from yesterday's wheat-fest. I hope tomorrow goes as smoothly.

Let's get started..

I ate the last of the wheat filled carb porn last night. I still have a carby hangover. Nevertheless, it's time to proceed with the plan..

For the first 40 days, I will take photos of my wheat-less meals. I'm no camera whiz, I'm doing this to stay accountable. If (when) I'm tempted to bite into a bagel, knowing I have to post the indiscretion on my blog may stop me from doing so.

Forty days begins on September 11 and ends October 21. I've scheduled my annual blood work for October 20. I know that losing my wheat belly is good for my health, I'll be curious to see if my numbers reflect the change. I always get my physical around October, my numbers are always in the normal range. Maybe my wheat free diet will get me in the superwoman range.

Back later with photos from Day 1.

Once upon a time I was a raw foodist

I ate 100% raw foods for about 6 months. Hmm..raw foods and marathons, can you tell I have an extreme personality?

I embraced the raw food lifestyle. I bought not one but two juicers. And a dehydrator. And I converted my stove top into counter space.

Sometimes I drive my husband crazy.

I eventually returned to the land of the cooked. I did retain some of my raw food habits, like drinking green smoothies. I also enjoy raw desserts. Raw desserts fit into the Wheat- free lifestyle. They are made with nuts and use a small amount of natural sugars like agave or honey. Raw desserts will replace all the cooked, wheat filled ones that I've been voraciously consuming.

I want to look good in my finish line photos.

Even though I'm always at the back of the pack (sometimes I'm last), I love completing marathons. Being slow doesn't bother me, looking "pudgy" does. Here's my finish line photo from the 2010 Dallas half marathon..

My wheat belly is hidden by my fuel belt & race number

My usual pre-race breakfast is (was) a big bagel and cream cheese. After the race I would usually have a big muffin waiting for me. I would spend the rest of the day indulging in wheat porn.

I'm lucky that I only have to lose 25-30 lbs, it could easily have been more.

I have several races scheduled for fall. My progress will be measured by how I look in my finish line photos.

So long, baquettes and whoopie pies

Get off my back!

And I'm also talking to you, artisan brownies and locally made macaroons.

You've spent many evenings with me but the time has come to say goodbye. I can't fit into most of my pants because of our relationship.

Time to kick you to the curb..

Wheat Belly

I've got one. It needs to disappear.

My plan of attack is to follow the advice of Dr William Davis, author of this appropriately named book..

My face looks like a bagel and I'm sick of it. And don't get me started on my biscuit butt..

I'll be 55 years old next April.

I'm not freaking out about it. Well, maybe just a little bit.

I'm one of those "age is just a number" kind of people. I completed my first marathon at 40 and haven't stopped moving since. I've completed 33 marathons and countless half marathons. I'm planning on completing my first 50 mile race on the weekend I turn 55.

The 50 mile training plan doesn't begin until November 28. I've got until that time to lose some weight.

I'm about 20 (maybe 25) pounds overweight. Extra poundage isn't good at any age. It seems especially bad in my fifties. Jowls, fat rolls, need I say more? If I want to look good in my finish line photo the extra flab needs to go.

I've got a plan in place. It won't involve bagels or muffins.