My name is Helena, and I'm trying to lose a little over one hundred pounds. This isn't my first attempt at dieting. I've tried Atkins and South Beach. I've calorie counted. It all worked . . . in the short term. I simply cannot commit to any of these lifestyles. As soon as I know that there is something I cannot have, I desperately want it. So, Atkins and South Beach both left me craving pizza. Calorie counting had me trying to live on an unreasonable amount of food (Say 1000 calories a day). I'm not ready for my life to be consumed by thoughts of dieting.
I read not too long ago that many of the health risks associated with being overweight may actually be due to rapid weight fluctuation. This information floored me. To think that my myriad attempts to lose weight might actually have put me in more danger than the weight I initially had. So . . . no more dieting.
I guess that leads to curiousity on how I actually plan to lose weight. Well, I'm starting out by telling myself how great I look every single day. I tried hating my body, and I ended up with more body to hate.
As for practical strategy, I've come up with a few ideas.
1. I'm going to practice mindful eating. No more finishing food on a plate just because it's there. No eating cookies and then having to eat more because I didn't pay attention the first time. I'll think about what I'm eating. I'll reflect on any joy I experience. I'll remember what eating does for my body. I always get too close to disordered eating when I diet. I need to remember that food does serve a purpose.
2. Smaller starting portions. Any drink that is not water will be poured into a 7 ounce juice cup. Use the slightly smaller dinner plates.
3. Better choices. When it's all the same to me (which it usually is), I'll have whole grain foods. Whole Grain pita pocket pizzas instead of Hot Pockets. When a candy bar is in order, something with nuts to lower the GI. They're not good choices, exactly, but they are better than the choices I'm making now. And that's a start.
4. Enjoyable exercise. Running on a treadmill might get the work done, but it's mind-numbingly boring (in my opinion). Playing DDR leaves me exhausted but happy. Yesterday, the game informed me that I'd worked off 550 calories and done the equivalent work of jogging nearly 5 miles. The exhaustion and boredom usually knocks me off the treadmill at 3/4 of a mile.
Is this a lifestyle I can live with? Yes. It's not much different from the way I was living a week ago. All I've done is become more aware. I can learn slowly to make better choices. After all, this isn't a sprint. If I lose at approximately 1-2 lbs a week, I'll have over a year to learn what'll work for me.
Here's hoping I will.
If anyone has followed a similar path, I'd love to know how it worked for you. If anyone is currently following a similar path, I'd love to correspond.
Hi MsHelena
This sounds great. I do a lot of what you mentioned. I think one of the key factors is to do what works for you and to take it slow. We all know that we're not going to wake up tomorrow and be 100lbs thinner.
I have been working on my new lifestyle for about 10 weeks now and I just take it one step at a time.
It's nice to see that you've written out a plan for yourself.
You can do this.
Just remember you can always come here for support.
Best of luck on your weight loss journey.
I just want you to know that this is a GREAT, FABULOUS, FANTASTIC plan. You just managed to put my entire weight loss plan into words, which is more than I have ever been able to do. Your plan is my plan pretty much EXACTLY, but for some reason, I couldn't explain it as well as you just have. So, thanks for that. On this plan I have lost 99lbs to date. So, I'm tellin' ya, it works!
Welcome to the group and I think you are on the right track with your plan. I too do not follow a particular plan. I just watch what I eat. I pick better choices, eat smaller portions and save leftovers. I don't deprive myself of anything. If I want some chocolate, I have a small piece. If I want a little ice cream, I have a little. I have found that by letting myself have some of these little pleasures, I don't crave them that much. Obviously, not everyone can stop at one piece of chocolate, but if I deprive myself, I am more apt to pig out when I get ahold of the ice cream. I walk everyday and drink plenty of water. I am trying to change my way of thinking when it comes to eating. Because I know I could not follow a particular plan or count calories for the rest of my life.
All those little changes will make you a happier person. I know I have lost 40 lbs and can't wait to lose more. Keep up the good work and come join us posting.
I, too, love your plan. Although I calorie count and exercise, I would say I do a lot of what you do, as my calorie counting involves lots of healthy foods. Though I gotta say, if you were trying to eat only 1000 calories/day it's no wonder you gave up! I am now down to eating 1800-1900/day on average and losing 1-2 pounds/week.
You are very smart to find something you can do for life! And continue to make changes and good choices, your plan will evolve to fit you.
Your plan sounds great! You have put together something that works for YOU! That is wonderful! I wish you all the success in the world. To stay committed, come here and post often. Join some challenges. These ladies are so supportive, and we are all in this battle together.
Hi & Welcome Helena ~ You have such a great positive attitude, and the plan you have set up will definitely work! I have tried counting calories, and many other diets, and now I'm watching what I eat, and exercising 6 days a week in my home, and I'm feeling SO good. As much as I would love to just have my weight all be off my tomorrow morning, I know the healthy way for life is to take one day at a time, do it slowly, and let my body adapt to my new healthy lifestyle. This website is wonderful and there are so many nice people ~ WELCOME!!!
Welcome, Helena --
Your plan sounds similar to mine, or at least the philosophy behind it does -- but I'm still working on the "mindful eating" part! I, too, have done Atkins & South Beach in the last several years, and could never stay committed. Sometimes I'll think, "oh, if I just did SB Phase I for two weeks, I'll lose some weight fast" -- and then I think how ridiculous it sounds not to be "allowed" fruit or carrots....so that's that!
I think that diets aren't "normal" - and what I'm striving for is normal (at least with regard to my eating and activity level, and ultimately, my weight!) I do believe that success comes with making changes that we can live with, and over time, as we get healthier, making the "right" choices gets easier. I gave in and bought a doughnut at the grocery store the other week, and found I didn't enjoy the taste of it as much as I enjoyed the idea of it! Unfortunately I went ahead and ate the whole thing, but I no longer even enjoy the "idea" of doughnuts...
Good luck to you -- glad you're sharing your journey with us!
Thank you all for the warm welcome. I just wrote a reply to each one of you, but the website ate it. So, I'm just going to touch on a few things. It'll be a much shorter post, which is really a very good thing. I do have a tendency to ramble on.
Charlotte - I'm really glad that a similar plan is working for you. That gives me hope that it'll be the plan that works for me.
Heather - I know that eating only a 1000 calories is unhealthy. It's never my intention to do that, but my eating does get very disordered when I diet. It's a dangerous situation for me, so I think I'll probably avoid it all together.
dustdiva - Mindful eating is a very important part of my plan. It's a new experience being tuned into my body. I'm finally learning to say that I'm full regardless of how much is on my plate. I'm also learning that I don't enjoy some of the worst foods I eat.
South Beach didn't work for me, but I'm glad I did it. I was able to incorporate many of the things I learned from past diets into my new healthier lifestyle. I am able to make better choices because of my past diet experience.
So, that's the short version of my original post. I hope it doesn't disappear into cyberspace this time.
I am also one who refuses to diet. What I do is make smarter and more healthy eating choices and so far it is working (tho I haven't been at it very long yet!). I need something I can live with for the rest of my life and there are no foods I want to permanently cut out. I just have to limit how often and how much of them I have.
I joined Curves and love it. The thirty minutes fits me perfectly with having two boys ages 10 and 6.
Welcome!! You will find that this is a great place for support and motivation!! I think your plan sounds awesome. I too always "fall off" whatever plan I am on. I think I may print out your plan and reread it. Please feel free to jump in on any thread or create youtr own!!
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I also think moderation is the key. I can't deprive myself or I will never stay on plan. Good luck!
Helena
to the forum! This is a fabulous place for support and encouragement as well as a good place to get a 
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Hi & Welcome Helena ~ You have such a great positive attitude, and the plan you have set up will definitely work! I have tried counting calories, and many other diets, and now I'm watching what I eat, and exercising 6 days a week in my home, and I'm feeling SO good.
