Last October I wrote this post about my weight struggles. It was one of those posts that as soon as I hit publish, I wondered if I had done the right thing. Fortunately, I haven't regretted it. I was quickly reminded of how supportive my blog friends are. Thank you all for that! I've also made some new friends from that post, so I know I did the right thing.
It's time to get serious about it now. I've spent time thinking about what is best for me and how I want to approach this journey. Since I've spent most of my life dealing with this issue, I've learned a thing or two. Obviously I haven't been doing what I learned or I wouldn't be where I am now!
This is what I know for me:
1. Diet is a negative word, is temporary and leads to failure.
2. Changing my bad habits into good habits equals success.
3. Trying to change all those bad habits at once leads to failure and guilt.
4. Depriving myself of a particular food drives me to overeat when I do have it.
5. I lose weight slowly and that's okay. I'm not in a race.
6. Skipping breakfast causes me to graze or grab whatever during the afternoon and then overeat at dinner.
1. Eating breakfast or at least a piece of fruit or a serving of yogurt. Something is better than nothing.
2. Drinking more water and less diet Coke.
3. Cut back on sweets.
It might not sound like much but it is a big deal for me. This is going to be a long process and I have to start where I know I can see progress.
I would like to make this a weekly Friday post. I will update you on my progress or lack thereof, and talk about specific weight issues. Thank you again for your support.
xo Annette xo
Setting goals is great! Everything in moderation is my motto :)
ReplyDeleteDid you know that once you cut back on sweets the craving diminishes after a while!
I agree that losing weight isn't about depriving yourself, but retraining ourselves to make healthier choices of what, and how much we eat. And you're right, it isn't a race.
ReplyDeleteMy daughter and I are losing weight together with a combination of budgeting our calories and exercise. We have been using a free app called Lose It to keep track of things. We started right before Thanksgiving, so the hardest time of year is behind us.
Thanks for your post.
Sounds like you're on the right track. Making lifestyle changes instead of dieting is the best way to be successful.
ReplyDeleteI've been drinking Body by Vi for breakfast each day and it really does keep me full until lunch and it's full of lots of good stuff I probably wouldn't get from other foods. I mix in a little chocolate or strawberry quick for added flavor :)
Setting goals is great, but working at your own pace is what will really work for you. Everyone is different. I have to eat breakfast - I literally feel sick if I don't eat.
ReplyDeleteI've been drinking these "green" smoothies for lunch lately and have been loving them. After all the rich foods over the Holidays I felt like I needed more healthy foods.
My favorite so far - a single serve nonfat yogurt (flavored or plain), about 1/4 cup of pure orange juice, 1 banana, 1 orange or mango, 1/2 cup of ice and about 2 cups of spinach. It's absolutely delicious! And the best part is it's really filling and I don't end up snacking in the afternoon before dinner which is my hard time of the day as I seem to get "munchy"!
And yes, I totally agree with you on not depriving yourself of a favorite treat. For me it's Reeses PB cups. But instead of eating a whole package of 2 full size cups, I'll allow myself 2-3 mini cups. It fills the craving without the calories or guilt afterwards. :-)
Kudos Annette, for your straight-forward logic. Losing weight is not something done overnight and each person is unique - what works for one does not always work for someone else.
ReplyDeletePoint #5 on your list is great ! It is not a race. Most people do take time to shed weight and though it would be wonderful if there were some magic that would melt off the pounds quickly, the truth is; it took time to gain the weight and it takes time to lose it.
We will all be cheering you on and with your very sensible, realistic plan you can and will succeed. :)
Many small changes add up to big change in the end. I think it is the perfect approach and I will be cheering you on!
ReplyDeleteOne trick I have used when I need to drop some pounds is to "spoil" my dinner. You know how Mom said don't eat that cookie or you won't be hungry for dinner? It's true. I don't know if you are able, because of the sugar, but a couple Hersheys Kisses about 20 minutes before a meal really does spoil your appetite.
Good luck! I'm a WeightWatchers dropout. I should follow your good example.
ReplyDeleteGood on you Annette. It's so good to have a plan. I know you will be successful this year!
ReplyDeletejenni
Doing it your way is the best way :)
ReplyDeleteOn your agenda and no one else's :)
You know we will all be here to cheer you on :)
I am the same way with the grazing at night, I think it does have something to do with our age and also our diabetes :)
Well, I have to blame something right, LOL!!! I'm sticking with that :)
Have a lovely weekend, cheers,
T. :)
Boy - I could have written this post! I have been trying to not drink diet sodas, too. I started about 2 months ago. I was not a water drinker AT ALL. I purchased some flavored water enhancer - MIO or DANSANI. You add just a couple of drops to the water and it flavors the water so that it is palatable! When I started this, every glass of water had the flavoring in it and I drink 6, 16 oz glasses a day. I am down to only 2 of those 6 glasses flavored now - the other 4 are plain. My goal is to not flavor the water, as well! But boy, did this help me! Best of luck to you!
ReplyDeleteI am also trying to change some BAD habits with food.Instead of 5 coffees a day tea and maybe 2 coffees a week! EEK! More vegetarian choices etc. I decided to go back to the treadmill everyday too...of course it's been so long I forgot where I hid the key - so I am sitting here waiting for a new one! : P It is so much more about tweaking then "changing" I agree!!!
ReplyDeleteThat all sounds good to me Annette, I am going to take your cue and work on my eating habits too! I look forward to your weekly post.
ReplyDeleteValerie
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