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| Image from http://johnbarban.com/good-food-vs-bad-food-2/, modified by me |
I weighed myself at my Mom's last night and I am down another three pounds going from 245 to 232. I'm well on my way to accomplishing my goals ... and yet, I am not starving myself. I am NOT on a diet. I repeat:
Hard to believe, isn't it? I'm eating what I want and I'm even eating snacks like ice cream and cookies. I am NOT on Weight Watchers. I am NOT on Atkins. I am NOT on this or that fad diet. I am certainly NOT depriving myself. So then, how is it possible to lose 13 pounds in 3 1/2 weeks without dieting? My dear readers, I've cut my portions in half. I'm watching how much of something I eat, aiming for proper portions and overriding my desire for heaping plates of food. I've cut my sugar intake down to a teaspoon in my coffee in the morning, a teaspoon of honey in my tea in the afternoon, another teaspoon of honey in my tea before bed, whatever sugar is found naturally in fruits and vegetables, and the OCCASIONAL sweet snack. I look at nutritional information in everything I eat and I make mindful choices. I avoid soda and other liquid calorie bombs. Most importantly, I've been exercising four times a week for 45 minutes. Yes, I dance around my living room for 30 minutes and then do 15 minutes of weight training -- low weight, high and quick reps.
I Don't Believe in:
1. Elimination diets unless prescribed by the doctor. Let's face it, what would life be like without sugar and caffeine? Seriously? How can you go through life without a cookie? Or a slice of birthday cake? Or a comforting plate of pasta?
I've heard good things about elimination diets, however I've heard incredibly bad things as well. My opinion on the whole thing is that FOOD IS NOT THE ENEMY. No my friends, foods should not be broken down into carbs, sugars, protein, etc. unless your doctor tells you so. Pasta is pasta. A cookie is a cookie. Lean steak is lean steak. That's all. Food is used to celebrate, to bring people closer together as a clan, and to fuel your beautiful bodies. Period. It's not a magic bullet that will make your life instantly better if you down a box of chocolate. It's not going to fix your ailing relationship. And it's certainly not the only thing you can control. Food is just food: beautiful, nourishing, and necessary.
However, I do subscribe to avoiding fast food joints and nutritionally empty foods as much as possible. No Taco Bell, McDonalds, etc in this house. I agree that there should be more whole foods in our diets: whole grains, delicious fresh vegetables and fruits, etc. There are good points about eliminating the empty stuff and replacing it with whole, pure and fresh foods. However, I think too many people go too far and forget that eating is a natural part of life. There's nothing wrong with a morning cup of java! Do you know what kind of anti-oxies are in coffee?!? And there's nothing wrong with an occasional SLICE of pizza, even if there's pepperoni on it! Where would I be without a side of mashed potatoes and gravy once in a while? Depressed, that's where I would be!
2. Deprivation diets. Nope, they don't work. Why? Well, what happens when you lose the weight and come off the diet? Yeah, you gain the weight back quite quickly. I am living proof of this, gaining back 40 of the 60 pounds that I lost after I reached my goal and went back to eating regular foods.
Now there may be some of you who have been told by your doctors that you absolutely NEED to be on a low calorie, low salt, low sugar, etc. diet because of the amount of weight you need to lose, or because you are diabetic or have heart disease. That's fine; that I understand. But for a normally healthy person obsessing over dieting makes me CRAZY. I've heard time and time again, "No I can't eat this because I'm on a diet." I think to myself, how sad. Not even a little? I'll half it with you! Nope, deprivation. It's an all or nothing world out there and deprivation diets are all the rage. Why? Is it because this is the only thing you think you can control? Eat it! But in moderation. Small portions and once in a while won't put the pounds on; and you know what? You'll be much happier that you did! Make dark chocolate a once a week treat. March into Godiva and order ONE, PURE, BEAUTIFUL piece of chocolate ... sit down somewhere nice ... and SAVOR it. Let the chocolate melt in your mouth and coat your tongue. Close your eyes and feel it, taste it, smell it. Hell, you should be doing this at all meals. Slowly eat. Mindfully eat. And savor the moment, especially if it's with family and friends.
3. Not exercising. This goes without saying. What is exercise? Do you need to take 30 minutes a day and dedicate yourself to the treadmill? I honestly think that walking everywhere you go and climbing stairs every chance you get is the best exercise. Heck, stop reading this and GET OUTSIDE. Do something fun! Ride a bike, take the dog for a walk, play with the baby, or go out dancing. You'll be glad that you did. And I don't care what the gothier-than-thou folks say, a little pink in the cheeks looks amazingly healthy and beautiful. ;) Pale is overrated.
4. Negative talk. Darlings, I HATE the words, "I've failed," "I'm horrible," "I'm so stupid," etc. and I hate the self-imposed guilt. Cut that crap out: it's a hick-up! A challenge! And no, you're not stupid ... you did a little boo-boo that can easily be reversed. Cut yourself some slack.
5. With that said, I also can't stand it when people don't take responsibility for themselves and their own actions. YOU are the only one making you that way. Grab the reigns of your life and start steering your carriage, dear friends! Push away from the table and put down the jelly roll. Toxic people? Limit your time with them or cut them out of your life all together. Be proactive in your life! You did something wrong and you know it? Apologize. Get help. Do SOMETHING positive!
6. HUGE portion sizes! Holy smokes! What the hell? Did you know that the average size of a burger in the 1950s was 4 oz of meat? 4 oz!!! We now eat a 1/2 pound! 4 oz is now considered a "slider," which is on many appetizer menus. In America especially, we equate lots of food with getting a good deal. We forgot that eating out is actually a privilege and an experience, and not something to fill us up while we're shopping for shoes. I know someone who got all upset at the portion sizes at an upscale gourmet restaurant. He said that they were "cheating him." HUH? The portion size was the proper portion and allowed for a full enjoyment of the meal from appetizer to dessert. It was perfect in my mind.
SMALL PORTIONS are the key. When you are eating out make sure you leave a healthy portion (or two) to bring home for lunch or dinner the next day. Ask the waiter for a small plate, put what you are going to eat on the plate (a PORTION) and have the waiter pack up the rest. Out of sight, out of mind. But a half pound burger with fries? Are you serious? Share it with a friend or two!
So, this is where my brain is today -- a far cry from clothes, shoes and make-up. My Mom always taught us kids that food -- especially in season, whole and cooked at home -- is nutritional and delicious. However, Mom also taught us that too much of a good thing is, well ... too much. She always says, "Everything in moderation," and 13 pounds later I can honestly say that it works.
I AM NOT ON A DIET.
Hard to believe, isn't it? I'm eating what I want and I'm even eating snacks like ice cream and cookies. I am NOT on Weight Watchers. I am NOT on Atkins. I am NOT on this or that fad diet. I am certainly NOT depriving myself. So then, how is it possible to lose 13 pounds in 3 1/2 weeks without dieting? My dear readers, I've cut my portions in half. I'm watching how much of something I eat, aiming for proper portions and overriding my desire for heaping plates of food. I've cut my sugar intake down to a teaspoon in my coffee in the morning, a teaspoon of honey in my tea in the afternoon, another teaspoon of honey in my tea before bed, whatever sugar is found naturally in fruits and vegetables, and the OCCASIONAL sweet snack. I look at nutritional information in everything I eat and I make mindful choices. I avoid soda and other liquid calorie bombs. Most importantly, I've been exercising four times a week for 45 minutes. Yes, I dance around my living room for 30 minutes and then do 15 minutes of weight training -- low weight, high and quick reps.
I Don't Believe in:
1. Elimination diets unless prescribed by the doctor. Let's face it, what would life be like without sugar and caffeine? Seriously? How can you go through life without a cookie? Or a slice of birthday cake? Or a comforting plate of pasta?
I've heard good things about elimination diets, however I've heard incredibly bad things as well. My opinion on the whole thing is that FOOD IS NOT THE ENEMY. No my friends, foods should not be broken down into carbs, sugars, protein, etc. unless your doctor tells you so. Pasta is pasta. A cookie is a cookie. Lean steak is lean steak. That's all. Food is used to celebrate, to bring people closer together as a clan, and to fuel your beautiful bodies. Period. It's not a magic bullet that will make your life instantly better if you down a box of chocolate. It's not going to fix your ailing relationship. And it's certainly not the only thing you can control. Food is just food: beautiful, nourishing, and necessary.
However, I do subscribe to avoiding fast food joints and nutritionally empty foods as much as possible. No Taco Bell, McDonalds, etc in this house. I agree that there should be more whole foods in our diets: whole grains, delicious fresh vegetables and fruits, etc. There are good points about eliminating the empty stuff and replacing it with whole, pure and fresh foods. However, I think too many people go too far and forget that eating is a natural part of life. There's nothing wrong with a morning cup of java! Do you know what kind of anti-oxies are in coffee?!? And there's nothing wrong with an occasional SLICE of pizza, even if there's pepperoni on it! Where would I be without a side of mashed potatoes and gravy once in a while? Depressed, that's where I would be!
2. Deprivation diets. Nope, they don't work. Why? Well, what happens when you lose the weight and come off the diet? Yeah, you gain the weight back quite quickly. I am living proof of this, gaining back 40 of the 60 pounds that I lost after I reached my goal and went back to eating regular foods.
Now there may be some of you who have been told by your doctors that you absolutely NEED to be on a low calorie, low salt, low sugar, etc. diet because of the amount of weight you need to lose, or because you are diabetic or have heart disease. That's fine; that I understand. But for a normally healthy person obsessing over dieting makes me CRAZY. I've heard time and time again, "No I can't eat this because I'm on a diet." I think to myself, how sad. Not even a little? I'll half it with you! Nope, deprivation. It's an all or nothing world out there and deprivation diets are all the rage. Why? Is it because this is the only thing you think you can control? Eat it! But in moderation. Small portions and once in a while won't put the pounds on; and you know what? You'll be much happier that you did! Make dark chocolate a once a week treat. March into Godiva and order ONE, PURE, BEAUTIFUL piece of chocolate ... sit down somewhere nice ... and SAVOR it. Let the chocolate melt in your mouth and coat your tongue. Close your eyes and feel it, taste it, smell it. Hell, you should be doing this at all meals. Slowly eat. Mindfully eat. And savor the moment, especially if it's with family and friends.
3. Not exercising. This goes without saying. What is exercise? Do you need to take 30 minutes a day and dedicate yourself to the treadmill? I honestly think that walking everywhere you go and climbing stairs every chance you get is the best exercise. Heck, stop reading this and GET OUTSIDE. Do something fun! Ride a bike, take the dog for a walk, play with the baby, or go out dancing. You'll be glad that you did. And I don't care what the gothier-than-thou folks say, a little pink in the cheeks looks amazingly healthy and beautiful. ;) Pale is overrated.
4. Negative talk. Darlings, I HATE the words, "I've failed," "I'm horrible," "I'm so stupid," etc. and I hate the self-imposed guilt. Cut that crap out: it's a hick-up! A challenge! And no, you're not stupid ... you did a little boo-boo that can easily be reversed. Cut yourself some slack.
5. With that said, I also can't stand it when people don't take responsibility for themselves and their own actions. YOU are the only one making you that way. Grab the reigns of your life and start steering your carriage, dear friends! Push away from the table and put down the jelly roll. Toxic people? Limit your time with them or cut them out of your life all together. Be proactive in your life! You did something wrong and you know it? Apologize. Get help. Do SOMETHING positive!
6. HUGE portion sizes! Holy smokes! What the hell? Did you know that the average size of a burger in the 1950s was 4 oz of meat? 4 oz!!! We now eat a 1/2 pound! 4 oz is now considered a "slider," which is on many appetizer menus. In America especially, we equate lots of food with getting a good deal. We forgot that eating out is actually a privilege and an experience, and not something to fill us up while we're shopping for shoes. I know someone who got all upset at the portion sizes at an upscale gourmet restaurant. He said that they were "cheating him." HUH? The portion size was the proper portion and allowed for a full enjoyment of the meal from appetizer to dessert. It was perfect in my mind.
SMALL PORTIONS are the key. When you are eating out make sure you leave a healthy portion (or two) to bring home for lunch or dinner the next day. Ask the waiter for a small plate, put what you are going to eat on the plate (a PORTION) and have the waiter pack up the rest. Out of sight, out of mind. But a half pound burger with fries? Are you serious? Share it with a friend or two!
So, this is where my brain is today -- a far cry from clothes, shoes and make-up. My Mom always taught us kids that food -- especially in season, whole and cooked at home -- is nutritional and delicious. However, Mom also taught us that too much of a good thing is, well ... too much. She always says, "Everything in moderation," and 13 pounds later I can honestly say that it works.
I loved reading this. :) I agree with you and I need to work on seeing things more so in this light instead of always fasting myself. Lovely writing, I needed to read this.
ReplyDeleteAw, thanks darling! Like I said, everything in moderation. Extremes will flip your weight so quickly that it's actually not healthy. Slow and steady and all that jazz.
DeleteOne of the most interesting books out there right now is called "Mindless Eating." The guy who wrote it runs Cornell's Food Lab. Basically, his career is screwing with people to find out what makes you eat more than you planned to eat. He's got many many interesting insights, and ways to mindlessly eat less, without really changing what you're eating or why. If nothing else, it's a totally entertaining book if you like psychological experiments. Give it a read, it's quick.
ReplyDeleteAwesome! Thanks for the suggestion -- I'll have to pick it up and give it a read.
DeleteWhat you're talking about here is EXACTLY what I've been doing for the past two years. While I admit I've cut down too much on the exercise (thank you for BatFit dancing!), I changed my eating habits rather than going on some diet or other, since I don't have any medical problems that require one (knock on wood!). And I've lost quite a bit, going from a 16/18 to a 12/14, and I'm still losing weight.
ReplyDeleteBTW, if someone DOES need a formal diet and/or outside help to keep them focused, Jenny Craig teaches people how to eat right, and encouragement (not criticism) is their by-word. That was actually where I first heard "Everything in moderation" and "If you REALLY want something, eat a small portion; don't deprive yourself or you'll eventually fail."
YAY! Congrats! I've heard good things about Jenny Craig, however don't they require you to buy their food or has that changed?
DeleteMassive portion sizes at restaurants drive me crazy. I'm not a fan of doggie bags, and I wish all restaurants would let you buy half the portion for half the price. :| Then there's the whole stipulation of, "If you want to order from the children's menu, you have to pay extra if you're an adult," which makes zero sense to me. ...Couldn't that be considered a form of age discrimination? :P
ReplyDeleteYou know what makes me nuts? Charging people extra in order to share a meal!!! My Mom and I like to split the cheeseburger deluxe platter at our local diner and they charge us extra money to do so! Seriously? Also, the kids meals at some of our local places are HUGE. sigh ... it's really quite crazy.
DeleteSo well written, what a great post! I think it was clever of you to point out that everyone are different. What works for you might not work for other and so on. I have always tried to eat less carbohydrates except for the last years when I gained a lot of weight. So I'm going back to this eating habit, less carb. But I'm not strict in my diet, I can eat a cake if I want to, but not everyday. We always cook our dinners from ground staples, no semi-manufactures and always fresh and cooked vegetables. And my stomach is smiling. But I must be better to do a daily exercise.
ReplyDeleteThank you. Yes, everyone is different. We all approach our health and well-being in different ways. And often we need to based on our health/illnesses, etc. A home cooked meal makes me so happy! Tonight we are having kohlrabi, pork chops in mustard sauce and jasmine rice ... mmmmm. :) Exercise has been an important key for me. I feel great and my core feels so much stronger.
DeleteGreat points, very well argued and written.
ReplyDeleteJust an aside- our office has been doing a "biggest loser" type competition. We're in our third week and so far everyone has actually gained weight- perhaps due to not following the "moderation" rule in regard to their eating habits. Also, everyone's been trying a different weird diet (except myself and my boss- my boss isn't even trying and I only cut sugar from my diet and junk food snacking). Correlation between us all gaining weight perhaps?
Crazy diets really can do more harm than good. It's all about lifestyle change, exactly what you're doing. I think you'll see more and lasting results than anyone else. Good luck!
DeleteWell said. Congrats!!!!
ReplyDeleteAw, thanks!!!
DeleteWe rarely eat out, but when we do, I immediately halve my meal for leftovers. At Cheesecake Factory one could easily get three meals in one order! Portions are out of control, and I think it has to do with a diner's perceived sense of value for their money.
ReplyDeleteDenying yourself anything, unless medically necessary, will only drive you insane, and lead to excess. So I let myself have a few Doritos at the family gathering, to keep from eating half the bag in one sitting (it's happened!).
Your progress is inspiring. Having just kicked the flu, I'm off to a late start, and the news about my waist and BMI was less than flattering at my last check up. I think if I get my gothic gardening blog going, I'll have to post any progress on this side of the state. :)
Cheesecake Factory scares me. Seriously, living in NYC I've seen the calories and nutritional information on their menus. *shudder* I'm impressed with Applebee's under 550 calorie meals, so much so that I'm not convinced that they are truly under 550. But then again, they are required by NYC law to provide that information and it absolutely MUST be true or the establishments gets a hefty fine and then shut down.
DeleteOooo gothic gardening! I CAN'T WAIT to start digging in the dirt! :) I'm itching to get my veggies in the ground and my new flower beds built! YES!
you are right, as always ;-)
ReplyDeleteshould not be too hard to yourself and listen to your body & soul. so i guess that everyone is different is the best thing said!
i usually try to stick to montignac (yummy and healthy and works for me, that's why... i could not cut down my portions since i already dont eat much so that would not work for me) BUT when i want to eat something i should not i still do it and if i want to go out and drink i do it, too.
Denying yourself a slice of pie and an occasional drink isn't healthy. We had a get together last night with all of our friends and I allowed myself some grazing and hard cider. It's good for the psyche and soul.
DeleteI really agree with this post! Moderation is key. I eat healthy most days and allow myself an occasional treat, and have been able to maintain a healthy weight of 117lbs. If you deprive yourself you only rebel and wan't more of what you "can't" have.
ReplyDeleteAgreed! Big time! Congrats on maintaining your healthy weight. That's exactly what I have planned for myself. :)
DeleteYou wrote an excellent article her. About all the food in moderation, I really agree with you. Although we eat right, it is impossible to live without cake and ice cream, so we only eat that once in a while. Once in a while means we have fun and that's what life really is about. Even healthy breakfast food is delicious too. Even when you're exercising, have fun! Although it's better to take few days of rest from working out because you don't have agonize yourself. Best luck to you and everyone who wants to be a healthy goth!!
ReplyDeleteThanks! And yes, diets don't work. We see this time and time again ... however, moderation, small portions, and NOT starving yourself work. Also, keep food interesting and full of good flavor. And having fun makes workouts all the better. :)
Delete