Anthony Zahra's Healthy Living Challenge Blog

Final Day

30th January 2011

And so the time has come...

The final day of my healthy eating challenge is drawing to a close.

I feel much better today so in honour of the past few weeks - I started with muesli.

Lunch was a delicious mackerel salad.

And the final meal of my healthy eating challenge was grilled salmon, with potatoes and green veg.

I'm glad to be ending on a positive note - I feel better again and am fighting fit.

If you didn't catch the packages on Eagle this morning, the illnesses I've been having were put down to my body basically ridding itself of all the rubbish I've been putting into it over the years.

It works a bit like a hangover, when your body starts breaking down the alcohol you drank last night - you start to feel ill (hungover) - and it's the same with caffeine, pollution and bad fats.

It's been a bit of a wake-up call actually as it's shown me just how badly I was eating before.

Going forward - I have every intention of continuing with most of the healthy eating changes I've made.

A WORD OF WARNING - if you've changed your diet but are planning on going back to your old ways, do it slowly.

My girlfriend had a pizza and dough balls recently and felt very sick - her body just wasn't used to that level of grease etc.

So, I'm a bit sad that it's all over - I really want to thank you all for keeping up with my challenge and particularly to those who've sent recipes in. I hope you have enjoyed the ride - and if you've been mirroring the challenge in your life - very well done indeed - I know how hard it's been!

The Healthy Living series will remain on the website for a while longer so please keep sending your recipes in to help each other, don't forget to get your practical advice to staying healthy, check out the bits we've covered in the news (including crash dieting, bariatric surgery, childhood obesity, alcohol and my weekly updates), please use the useful contacts page for some helpful organisations and don't forget you can get information on the Guideline Daily Amounts.

OK - plug over.

Good luck with your healthy eating going forward.

Until next time blog finishers...

Now where did I leave that kebab ;)

Posted by Anthony at 8:21pm

Day Twenty

30th January 2011

Hello - and welcome to Day 20.

Sorry for the late update - more internet woes.

So this is Saturday's update.

We're very nearly there now - one more day to go!

Unfortunately I'm still feeling a bit delicate today but managed to keep some toast down and then some plain noodles for tea.

The issue of my rather persistent illnesses was addressed on air today. Will post the new package onto the In the News section soon in case you missed it.

I don't want to do it too much of an injustice - generally I have felt much healthier, with more energy, my skin is in better condition than it has ever been - and the embarrassing digestion problems identified early on have improved dramatically.

Will update again later.

Last day then...

Until tonight final day approachers...

Posted by Anthony at 12:09pm

Day Nineteen

28th January 2011

CAN YOU BELIEVE IT?

I'm ill AGAIN!

It's some kind of sickness bug and I actually cannot believe I've been struck down again. I promise you I am not usually this sickly.

Now - this obviously raises some big questions - namely:

1 - Is this to do with the challenge?

2 - Is it to do with being back at work etc after the Christmas break?

3 - Am I just weak to my core?

I think we'll brush over the third one, the second one is a very real possibility and number one is always going to be suggested as the most likely reason.

I'm due to see my nutritionist very soon so make sure you listen to Eagle Radio on Sunday morning to find out what she said.

Anyway, the sickness means I've basically not eaten anything today.

And all this as the challenge draws to a close (it ends on Sunday).

By the way, apologies but I've been completely neglecting to mention the Useful Contacts page on the site.

It's got loads of great organisations on there, some of which relate to the more serious side of this whole series.

If you have any concerns about your eating habits or the eating habits of someone you know then please do have a look as there is loads on offer.

Right - two more days to go!

Until tomorrow poorly healthy livers...

Posted by Anthony at 7:56pm

Day Eighteen

27th January 2011

Headache has gone! POW!

Feel much better today and I didn't give in to the caffeine monster - 1-0.

More muesli (i might have to force myself to try something new soon - but it is amazing - all raiseny and nutty)

Lunch was left over spaghetti

And dinner consisted of vegetable soup.

I compensated for the fairly heavy lunch of pasta with a light soup for dinner.

Almost at the end now too so have to start having a real think about how much of this I can/want to take forward.

Tune in on Sunday to hear how I got on at my final consultation.

Hmmm - definitely the muesli.

Until tomorrow healthy future thinkers...

Posted by Anthony at 8:44pm

Day Seventeen

26th January 2011

Sooooo this headache remains - and it hurts a lot.

I have the inescapable feeling that a big mug of coffee would fix me almost instantly.

I had been warned that I might get headaches as part of the withdrawal from caffeine but seeing as I'm so far in I'm not sure that's what this is.

But it does feel that way.

I'll be asking my nutritionist when I go for my final consultation this weekend.

That's right - the end is nigh! To find out what she tells me, you'll have to tune in to Eagle Radio on Sunday morning (ah I'm a big tease).

Anywho - for more info on the effects of caffeine etc click here.

Elsewhere...

It was a breakfast of muesli

a lunch of yesterday's noodle soup

and tea of brown spaghetti with those prawns we forgot yesterday and plenty of green veg.

Until tomorrow coffee missers...

Posted by Anthony at 7:43pm