In for the kill...
I hope!
Hello! I'm Caitlin! I'm about a month into my current attempt to diet. The most recent attempt was provoked by a need to adhere to a budget (I'm in the middle of an MA in Ireland, I was a bit of a big spender for most of the year, and my funds are tight). The budget and the diet are part of a bigger goal to be more disciplined in general (I also procrastinate like I have infinite tomorrows and can never keep my room clean...).
I'm not approaching it as a diet so much as an eating reform. I'm keeping a food journal and trying to average 1,600 calories per day. My biggest issue is that I am a foodie. I want to lose weight (a lot of weight), but I can't bring myself to give up butter, fried food, pastry, etc. But then, at the end of the day, it wasn't expensive concept-sushi and haute cuisine that got me here - I'm pretty sure it was the afternoons in Starbucks and taking every opportunity to "have fries with that". I do have a secret terror that even occasional (one treat a week) forays into the world of refined sugar and cooking with bacon fat will magically destroy all of my careful eating, but I am dedicated to making these "indulgences" fit into my healthy lifestyle. This seems to be the basic principle behind French Women Don't Get Fat (I haven't read it), so I'm really hoping being a foodie and maintaining healthy eating habits for the rest of my life aren't mutually exclusive!
The last time I successfully dieted was about two years ago when I got a gym membership, a few sessions with a trainer, and kept a food journal. I lost about 20 lbs (that I have since gained back). The food journal and calorie counting was really key. It's harder to make certain food choices when you have that accountability and are forced to think about what you're putting in your body and what it means (1,000 calories too many!). Right now I'm just dieting. I move into my summer housing next week which is much closer to the campus gym, and I will have no excuse not to work out as well.
I think I'm really dedicated this time. The big test will be when I go home for a month (in about a month). Travel almost always upsets new eating habits for me, and 6 weeks is about as long as I have ever stuck to a new diet. It will be a moment of truth on both counts.
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You'll figure out your routine. You're doing great already by writing everything down! Good luck with your goals!
