I've been thinking about my {for lack of better word} diet, lately. I really don't like the word diet because it makes me feel like I'm restricted and it's all about choices. Can I eat "that"? Sure, but what impact will "that" have on my body and what I'm doing to make it better?
As I have said before, when I started my journey (nearly a year ago - stay tuned, I'm sure I will have an anniversary post!)... I began a pretty strict "diet" in January and it was tough.... I mean, it was harder than tough. There is tough and then there was this.... but I stuck with it because of a combination of:
1)sheer determination
2)stubborness
3)to prove that i could stick to it
4)I R-E-A-L-L-Y wanted to lose weight
5)did I mention stubborness????
For eight weeks, I ate the same thing day in and day out... was it boring? Oh hell yes! Did it work? Heck yeah? Was it sustainable? Probably not... However... I dropped the weight and was happy with that. When I was parolled... I mean, the diet was over, I decided to play around with different "diets", "meal plans", etc. I continued to lose weight but I'll admit, I got lazy. Hey, it happens! I stopped being so strict. I stopped counting calories. I made healthy options but I still splurged ocassinally. Bottom line is that I slacked off. I was "researching" what I would do next because it seemed like what my system needed was something new every several months. I went back to counting calories, I started eating cleaner (not 100% of the time, but it was cleaner) and I wondered why I wasn't losing weight.
I decided that after the holidays, I would go back to a version of the original diet.... maybe not it exactly, but something a whole lot more strict than what I've been doing. If I wait till after the holidays, then I won't have to worry about Thanksgiving and Christmas. I knew those were days that I would eat and not really be on the diet. I told Sam that I wanted to start after the holidays (and he supported me as usual.... because he's awesome) and I was talking to a friend and I stopped and just thought to myself for a moment.... What the Hell was I saying? I had basically just told the two of them that I was going to start my new diet in January. I had a moment of clarity and my light bulb went off....
January is over a month away. Why in the world would I wait till January? That sure sounds like an "excuse" to me.... an excuse to put off losing weight, an excuse just like the kind I used to use all the time! Oh Hell to the NO!
Let me get this straight... January is over a month away and I've convinced myself to wait till then because of 2 days that I want to eat.... well, Hello... can you say cheat meals? Why not, start eating like I NEED to now? Why not eat with my family on those days and just make better choices? Why can't I eat on a small plate, limit the servings and sweets to a minimum but STILL enjoy that time? Why can't I "have my cake and eat it too"?? If I do this now, I won't have to worry about gaining weight over the holidays and then be mad at myself and say "I don't know why I'm not losing weight" or "I just don't understand why I put 10 lbs back on"... you get the idea! I have already decided that I need to have "cheat meals" occassionally anyway... that way, I don't lose my mind!
So..... my new plan is this: I am starting immediately. Well, pretty much after grocery shopping this weekend...
I will stick to a structured meal plan similiar to the original but I will give myself more choices. I will go back to smaller servings and that will make a huge difference! I will limit my snacks and continue on the suppliments that I'm taking and when it comes time for Thanksgiving and Christmas... I can have the turkey or the ham, I can have the sides, a piece of whole wheat bread and the pumpkin parfait instead of pie/cake. There is no reason I can't splurge yet still be Smart about it!!!
I have done it before and I can do it again... I know that I have the determination, the stubborness, the will power (ok, I may need help with the will power).... but I have so many people in my corner that want to help me and who want me to succeed.... so, I CAN DO THIS!! The wedding is T minus 204 days... just sayin!
Today..... I am thankful for A-ha moments!!! :)
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