Step 1 – Breakfast

Step One has four parts. We start with whichever is the easiest of the four parts and then simply take small steps to add the other parts one at a time.

Calculating the amount of protein takes a little bit of work. Take your weight in pounds and divide that number in half to get the number of grams of protein you will have for the day. Have 1/3 of that for breakfast. So, if you weigh 180 pounds, you would have 90 grams of protein for the day and have 30 grams for breakfast.

Remember that the grams of food is not the same as the grams of protein in the food.

If you weigh more than 200 pounds, use 200 as your weight. If you weigh less than 120, use 120 pounds as your weight. If you are pregnant, nursing, a teenager or you exercise a lot, you may need more protein. Simply start with this calculation though.

Make things simple and only count the protein in protein foods. This means things like eggs, meat, fish, cottage cheese, greek yogurt or protein powder. Many of us find that having a shake in the morning works really well.

Step 2 – Journal

The food journal helps you remember the details of each day. It provides a baseline for you at the beginning of your program. It gives you a picture of “before.” As you continue the program, you will enjoy being able to look back at your journal and see how far you have come.

Your food journal will also teach you to read your own body. Your body doesn’t have a computer printout to tell you directly what is going on with it, but it gives you clues and symptoms that hint at the bigger picture. These clues may not be in words, but your body talks in a consistent and predictable way. You just have to learn its language.

Here’s what to include:

• The date and time of your entry
• What you eat or drink
• How you feel emotionally
• How you feel physically

Click here to order a food journal from us. It is very easy to use and will make the process much easier.

Read Potatoes Not Prozac (pp. 82-94) to learn more about your food journal.

Step 3 – Three Meals

Many people think the hardest step is going off of sugar. It is not. Step 3 takes the most skill, time and practice. Step 3 is about learning to create steady state. Master this and everything changes.

The key to Step 3 is taking what we call “nano steps” that are tiny changes that build over time. Mastering lunch, then mastering dinner. Learning how to discover the right intervals between meals for your own body and lifestyle. Learning to move sweets to after your meals rather than having a bowl of popcorn or ice cream at 9 PM.

Over time you will learn to have wonderful food that tastes great and you will start to relax and really enjoy what you are eating.

Step 4 – Vitamins and the Potato

The vitamins help support carbohydrate metabolism.

The potato 3 hours after dinner actually has a huge impact on your serotonin levels. It will calm you and enhance your dreaming. It will also turn on your “just say no” switch. The butter is good; it helps slow the effect to just the right level for your brain.

It is good medicine. Don’t be afraid of it. Potatoes are a miracle for sugar sensitive people. Start with a smallish potato like a Yukon Gold. Adding butter seems to enhance the timing of the effect. If you are diabetic use a sweet potato. If you want to read all about the neurochemistry of the potato, go to pp. (143-146) of Potatoes Not Prozac. And here is a link for many‎ questions and answers “about the potato.”

Step 5 – Whites to Browns (whole grains)

For most people Step 5 is the easiest and usually simply flows into the other steps. You replace refined white starches with whole grains and complex carbohydrates. In an era of carb phobia, our steps offer a refreshing and practical approach to a joyful celebration of good and nutritious foods.

Some people decide to go wheat or gluten-free, some decide to adjust their carbs as they move into a weight loss phase, but everyone makes these decisions in an informed and thoughtful way. We have learned that “best browns” are essential for the sugar sensitive brain.

Step 6 – And Now the Sugar

Ironically, going off of sugar is one of the easiest steps. Often it simply happens without your even noticing. You have strawberries and cream for dessert and Pellegrino instead of wine.

If you save Step 6 until after you have done the other steps, there is no drama, no withdrawal, no craving, and no fuss. Sugar simply does not call you now.

Yes, we have fruit. Yes, we are attentive. But we are not fearful about sugar sneaking in and clobbering us because we know what we are eating. We don’t drink alcohol because it is liquid sugar. Relaxation and joy start building as our skill grows.

Step 7 – Living a Joyful Life

Step 7 is the hardest to describe. Think of a life filled with relaxation, focus and intention. As you are balanced, you can turn to creating the life you always hoped for but could never quite get to or do.

Does this mean it is always easy? No. It means you meet the challenge, sorrow or hard things with a change in your perspective. Blame and entitlement shift into taking responsibility and humility. Anger gives way to problem-solving. Perfectionism becomes attentive caring. And it means having a life we never, ever imagined could happen. Most of us hang out in Radiant Living when we get to step 7.