It really IS a journey, isn't it? I have realizations or clarifications all the time that I fear are going to make me sound like a broken record, but this is my space to "talk out" what I'm thinking, so... Yeah.
I had come across a number of articles and blogs yesterday that pretty much made "dieting," life style changes, exercising, etc. to sound like lost causes - that they wouldn't do any damned good anyhow, because maintenance sucks and it's too hard to, well, maintain. Needless to say, I was left feeling a tad discouraged. What's the point? If all the work, all the struggling, all the sacrifice are for naught, why bother?
I'm not even sure how exactly we got on the topic, but Chebbar and I were discussing eating and exercising habits after dinner, specifically our joint desire to never live a life that consists of lettuce leaves and carrot sticks. I've said it before and I'll say it again: I don't smoke, I don't do drugs, I rarely drink, and I don't have any big, exciting (or expensive) hobbies - if I can't enjoy a slice of pie or a piece of pizza, what do I have left to enjoy? I enjoy FOOD (as I'm sure is obvious just looking at me *wink*) - we both do.
We talked about finding balance between enjoying the things we love and over-indulging. We discussed activity and exercise and how we both need more. This gave me the opportunity to address my concern from last week. I was able to gently tell him that I worry about his health because he carries all of his weight in his midsection (as do I, although I also carry a fair amount in my ass and hips and thighs and bat wings and, oh never mind). I was also able to tell him that his health will ALWAYS take precedence over my pride - that while it might sting a little to see him drop 20 lbs without trying, I would be happy for him (and that it might motivate me and spur me on because he somehow manages to awaken a competitive streak in me I didn't realize existed before). As well, I was able to tell him that now that his worry had been addressed, I hoped he wouldn't fall back on it and use me as a convenient excuse to sit in front of the computer eating pizza and drinking Coke (don't worry: I used my words and said it in a much more diplomatic fashion).
After we retired to the office (I'm really enjoying my time in there with him, even if we are both just doing our own things), I read some more blog posts from some of the lovely people I've discovered via the Healthy You Challenge that helped clarify my earlier confusion. I know a few things: I know that I am not as fit as I could be, and that I need to work on that; I know that I could be making better choices food- and portion-wise, without depriving myself; and perhaps most importantly, being active makes me feel good in my skin and LIKE myself a little more. I need to find a way to ensure that I don't go overboard on working out like I did the first time I lost weight (I pretty much over-worked my poor body into giving up on me) and making smarter choices with food. I've done this before: I can do it again.
I don't believe that the maintenance period is impossible to uphold. If I make small, common sense changes that are easy to incorporate into my life and don't require HUGE effort and/or that I don't despise, it's going to be no different than "learning" to brush my teeth before bed or taking the recycling out on Tuesday mornings. I'm a creature of habit who craves consistency: it won't be difficult to do if I can get back on track. I lost 25 lbs (albeit slowly) over nine months or so by making little changes. I can do this.
I think I'm going to have to start the food journaling thing again just to get an idea of what I'm eating and when my trouble spots occur; I'm not ready to jump on the weighing/measuring everything in order to count calories band wagon just yet, though. I've also thrown around the idea of moving to six mini meals, as all I seem to want to do this time of year is eat. My biggest challenge will be convincing my head that my stomach will be fine after a few crackers and a couple pieces of cheese because I'll be able to eat again in a few hours. Overall, I realized that what I need to work on *the most* is learning to love me and how to be happy with who I am, not how I look (knowing that being active and nourishing myself are part of being happy for me).
As for last week, I had four workout days, including two walks with Chebbar. There's something particularly invigorating about walking in the rain, like you should get bonus points for getting outside in the crappy weather... lol The wind had died down (thank goodness), so it wasn't as awful as it had been. I've had a Non-Scale Victory (NSV) this week already, too (well, for ME, anyhow). I had a chiropractor appointment at 6:15 to work on my jaw (it seems I put it out of place last Monday by flossing my teeth - only me, I swear! *shakes head*). Normally, this would have been the perfect excuse to do nothing, but I managed to cram in a 20 minute session with the Wii Fit before I left.
Now, a few questions, if any of you made it this far. ;) If I were to look at trying to eat six mini meals over the day, what suggestions would you give me? Do you have any resources (books, websites, etc) you'd like to share? Can you give me some examples of healthy snacks? Thanks in advance! :)
I eat 3 meals a day (most of the time) and three snacks.
ReplyDeleteToday I had a fibre one bar as a snack in the morning. This afternoon I had a laughing cow cheese with an apple and later on tonight I'll probably have air popped popcorn.
I also buy different varieties of those 100 cal packs, 100 Jello puddings, low fat cheese sticks, WW cookies, healthy granola bars (some are really terrible), cup a soup, low pt frozen meals (just found out about lean cuisine, totally low pt/low cal) and the list goes on an on.
ReplyDeleteI was NEVER EVER EVER a snacker before. I actually tended to eat one HUGE meal rather than small balanced ones. I find that eating regularly has really helped me lose weight. I'm probably eating more now than I was before! Slowly, i'm learning to enjoy fruit and healthier options but I buy low cal alternatives for things that I love and little treats!
Hi Chibi! Congrats on the 4 workouts this week ! I really think you hit it on the head with the self love piece - it is super important to love ourselves enough to have the staying power we need to see the changes. For snacks I like to pair fruit or veggies with low fat cheese, like light string cheese or nuts (usually raw, but sometimes I splurge and have roasted peanuts) When I am planning well - I will take the whole bag of nuts and break it up into serving sizes - helps with portion and calorie control. The combo of protein, fats, and carbs have staying power. Hope you have a good week ahead!
ReplyDeleteThese are my favorite snacks: apple with peanut butter, whole grain crackers with cheese, low-cal veggie soup (yes, soup can be a snack), yogurt, almonds, fruit of any kind with cheese, veggies w/ low-cal or low fat dip, popcorn, a smoothie, or a salad. I've also found that sometimes I need something more mealish so I'll get snack portions of a meal - like half a chicken breast with some rice. Really, a snack is what you need to be!
ReplyDeleteI agree that health needs to the main focus in anything that you do. Sometimes I get tired and take on the attitude of "why bother". It's a slow process but small, routine steps that you enjoy make all the difference.
ReplyDeleteAs for small meals a day, it takes a little planning. If you are counting calories or watching your intake, the meals have to be overall smaller. I think each meal should have some type of protein to keep the hunger at bay. Examples of snacks can be fruit with cottage cheese or yogurt, whole wheat toast with a TBS of nut butter, veggies with hummus, or a low-calorie soup. Good luck!
Small meals can be fantastic in helping to avoid cravings and overindulgent. Watch portions, make sure they really are reasonable! Try wheat thins and string cheese for one or fage (greek yogurt) with some frozen berries and kashi, great for after a work out!! Big thing would be to have carb and protein together. If you do just a piece of fruit, and nothing else, you might not be satisfied.
ReplyDeleteI really like the Abs Diet. It's not about deprivation. It's about making your meals healthy and including healthy fats. (Nuts and dark chocolate are highly recommended!) The book has TONS of great recipes that are very tasty and filling.
ReplyDeleteHigh protein is what will keep you full longer. If you have a handful of nuts and some fruit for a snack, it will keep you full for quite a while.
Greek yogurt and UTZ Mulitgrain crackers are serious filler-uppers!! But not together. Eating separated. I'd tried it together and it's terrible! LOL.
ReplyDeleteI actually prefer to make my own soups bc a) they're easy and b) I can control the ingredients (and therefore eat more). If you aren't OCD about soups like I am, I'm sure the cups would be worth a try.
ReplyDeleteI used to find it overwhelming, too. I've gotten into the habit of chopping my vegetables as soon as I get them home, so I take handfuls of this and that and throw it in some kind of broth. For a soup with chicken or turkey, I'll use low sodium low fat chicken stock. For a soup with beef, I'll use low sodium V8 juice. I don't usually add pasta or rice, but you could. The key for me is having that liquid on-hand and not having to make it from scratch. That is still way too intimidating for me!
ReplyDeleteSince you asked, I HAVE to share the book that changed my life, in terms of weight loss. I, too, didn't want to be perpetually dieting, yo-yo-ing, and always worried about falling off the edge of the weight loss cliff if I enjoyed a good pizza or beer. That isn't enjoying life, and I firmly believe that we can enjoy our food and be healthy at the same time.
ReplyDeleteThrough another dear blogger, I stumbled across one of the most popular weight loss authors (and scientist devoted to metabolic research) in Australia, who wrote a book about her personal weight loss struggles, and how her research into the chemical army that controls weight gain and loss, plus her personal success at loss and maintenance, helped give her the solution to how to (fairly effortlessly) manage weight.
I have used her technique to drop these 49 pounds to date, with only the most minor of modifications, in that I calorie count to lose just that little bit faster.
The author's name is Dr. Amanda Sainsbury-Salis, her book is "The Don't Go Hungry Diet", and she has a website with book information, a great newsletter, and support to boot. LOVE her, she saved my life in a literal way, and her approach to loss and maintenance is sensible, flexible, and about as permanent as weight loss can be (less propensity to regain/backslide).
Here's her website: http://www.dramandaonline.com/
Amazon link to the book: http://preview.tinyurl.com/yzu7tof
In fact, thank you for reminding me with this post, that I really need to go and add another 5 star review to her book on Amazon. It isn't very well known outside of Australia and it's a darn shame, because Dr. Amanda has freed SO many people from the loss/regain cycle, and done it in a way that is easily manageable. She was the very first person I had ever heard who insisted we enjoy our food, and I think she'd be right up your alley.
Good luck Chibi, I'm rooting for you!