Intro - What I'm doing and why I'm doing it.

What I am doing:
Going on a diet, adhering to the Flat Belly Solution 14 Day guide.

Why I am doing it:
A) This may surprise you. . . My main goal here is not to lose weight.  I will consider losing weight a very happy side effect of going on this diet.  I am a self-diagnosed depressive, or perhaps a manic-depressive.  I have mood swings and my "downs" are really, really down.  When I get upset it is very difficult for me to not move into rage or tears.  Once I am there, I am almost rendered immobile.  I am doing this diet as part of a holistic process to transform my life.  I have been like this almost as long as I can remember, but especially since about age 12.  My mother has sought a holistic approach to her very similar temperament and has been very satisfied with the results.  So, I thought I would give it a try too.  I had already bought "The Flat Belly Solution" --- it's the same as the one in those internet ads (Isabel de los Rios, I think, is the author).  So, I thought, "Well, a lot of what Mom is saying about sugar addiction (I'm also a sugar addict.) and liver function is the same as what Isabel was saying, so maybe I should just try this for now."  (I'm a little leery of just going to an MD and gettin' some drugs.)  I also intend to go to a specialist and see if there is a regimen of supplements I should be taking.  But that's later. . .

B) As I said above, it would be nice to lose some weight.

So, just so you understand the objective and the plan. . .
Objective --- Get emotions under control.
Sub-objective --- Feel better physically.
Sub-objective --- Lose weight.

The plan ---- 
*14 days of Flat Belly diet (according to 14 day manual with pre-designed meals and shopping lists.)
*see a naturopathic physician and see what else I need to be doing (supplements?, etc.)  (Oh, God, please
  don't say, "colon cleanse"!)
*exercise and stretch (the latter may be more important than the former, ie. yoga)
*incorporate more positivity into my life
*see a counselor/therapist about behavioral modification thereapy


All of the above are very important, according to just about every book on dieting and depression that I have ever read.  So, at the grand ol' age of 37, perhaps it is time to listen to some advice.

Wish me luck!