Losing weight in spite of myself.

I began this blog in February 2011 as a way to help me not quit trying to lose weight, and to learn a few things. It's been an interesting and powerful experience. It certainly confirms what I've long suspected--that although I am a genuinely happy cheery person in the main, I am NOT a happy cheery dieter. I DETEST losing weight. I resent being overweight in the first place and I am a virtuoso in the art of self-sabotage. And YET--I'm doing it! I'm fighting and kicking and EATING all the way down, but the weight is finally going down. The plan I was following in February was a half-baked one largely based on wishful thinking. I gained a little weight and decided to get real. I knew I couldn't just join weightwatchers or count calories or do any one plan and expect to be successful. I decided if I was going to bother to make the effort to lose weight I was going to throw everything I could think of at the problem. And so I do. My real "Day One" for this blog is April 1, 2011. I joined weight watchers, I joined caloriecount.com (awesome website), I read the blog losingweighteveryday.blogspot.com religiously, I keep this blog faithfully, I joined the health programs sponsored by my insurance, I use the principles from overeater's anonymous, I use my church's 12 step program as well, I subscribe--and use--Healthy Cooking Magazine.



The result of all this? Painfully slow progress (About 20 lbs in 10 months). But it IS progress and like the little engine that could I keep on trying in my rebellious way. I have no intention of quitting. This is by far the longest sustained weight loss effort I've ever made in my life. Successful I think, because for the first in my life I've done this MY way--which I've discovered, involves a lot of pizza and restaraunt food. I'm convinced this is the only way to lose weight. For me it must be MY way. For you it MUST be YOUR way. Not weight watcher's way, not your doctor's way, but YOUR way. Any plan or idea I use is only a tool.

The latest plan to lose weight my way began on Oct 29, 2013. It really is my own crazy plan. As you'll see if you read that post. I've implemented the best ideas of all sorts of eating plans and thrown out the scale. A couple of months in and I'm definitely healthier. I'm actually enjoying myself. I won't weigh until April 1, 2014, so I'll see then if this works the way I hope it will.

There is no magic weight loss bullet. But there IS a great deal of magic in the discovery of what I can happily live with (very different from what weight watchers tells me I can happily live with) and still have the body and health I want.

Good luck to all of us on this journey. It's quite a trip!







Thursday, February 6, 2014

Shout outs

Belatedly discovering Jimmy Dean's breakfast sandwiches. 250 cal and super good! I had one with morning with a bowl of blackberries and milk with a little splenda. Wonderful breakfast! Way to go Jimmy Dean.  I also want to shout out to 300 pounds down and lets reverse obesity. Beautiful, wonderful people who not only get it, but are so uplifting and inspiring that I can't wait to read more of their blogs. Today was the first day I read lets reverse obesity. He wrote about the signs of relapse and he got it right--not just for weight control but for every aspect in our lives, when we become complacent, or lonely or guilt-ridden we stop moving. He's right. Today is the only day I can do anything about.

Yesterday was a much needed free day. I abused it a little. But I can still see the signs of healing beginning to sprout like the beginnings of a delicate plant (that I hope will someday turn into a mighty oak).  The new healthy little tendrils were going, "ahhhhh---a free day, it's so nice not to have to worry about food. I don't really want to overeat though. I just want to relax and enjoy the day."  Exciting stuff!!!  100% genuine and spontaneously generated from my mind. It's just that the new plant was overshadowed by the mountain of my addictions which went, "FREE day!! Pig out!!"  So I did eat plenty and over plenty yesterday, but I could have eaten a great deal more. Today is 1700, which moves the addiction mountain over for the day and allows some sunlight to get to the new plants.  For dinner we're having the Hungry girl "Fettucini Alfredo" which I remember as being good even though it uses weird tofu "fettucinini shaped" noodles.  I've love Hungry Girl's concept of portions--huge. I think I'll have some jalapeno poppers on the side. I know I'll have the calories left for them.

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