Well, Gather friends, I decided there was no point in waiting until after the holidays, because then it will only get worse. Oh, please don't tell me to exercise more. I exercise plenty but some of us can eat cookies and some of us can't. I am a 'can't' person. Yeah, I know, it isn't fair, but maturity requires that one accept reality.
So, I decided I am tired of lugging around extra weight. Luckily I wear it in womanly places, but that isn't any consolation to my doctor who hasn't said a word, but... it is only a matter of time and opportunity and I have to see her next week. I'd rather beat her to the punch and already be on a diet before she decides to whomp me one or put me on some awful medication for life.
Oh I know dieting doesn't work because dieting can't last forever so when we decide to go off we get into trouble again. Statistically speaking most of us regain what we lost plus 5% to 10% more. Vicious cycle that it is, the 'I give up' lifestyle doesn't work either, unless you want to shorten your lifespan considerably, which I don't.
My son and his girlfriend have really gotten what I would call 'trim', which is unusual statistically as well. Why? If you want to believe the 'latest' studies, not only can having fat friends be a risk (no peer pressure I guess), being part of a couple packs on the pounds as well. The longer people stay together generally the plumper they are. So as I have no intention of getting divorced - thin or fat - I figured after a long term marriage I am surely sliding into trouble.
Now I am married to a man who can eat chocolate, whipped cream, pastries, pasta and still look absolutely great. He's a natural athlete and takes lifelong fitness seriously. (Obviously opposites attract.) Anyway, he weighs the same within two or three pounds for decades at a time. I, on the other hand, am... shall we say... more creative?
So when my son recently remarked that he had made several of my recipes but taken out most of the fat and they were still really good... I wasn't sure if I should feel insulted or flattered. He's the kid who says things like, "One makes a million little choices and that determines his (her) fate in life".
I know, if he weren't so adorable, he'd be downright obnoxious, the darling little twit.
Anyway, I would appreciate all the mental imaging techniques, dieting tips, long-term weight loss advice, short-term 'make it from one day to the next', or whatever else you might think is inspiring. I am sure there are lots of people like me who don't want to be skinny anymore (nothing looks worse on an older woman) but would like to trim down.
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Comments: 58
Keep us posted on your own progress. Good luck.
To keep my sugars under really good control, i have to exercise like 6 hours a day. When do I see that happening? I can keep it out of the house but with close neighbors, sometimes it still sneaks in. I ate a pork steak on a water roll, had walked for an hour before and then had to walk back. 1 hour after steak and roll, sugar was normal.
My doc said that I was obsessing when I said that to continue like that, meant 2 hours each meal. and when would I find the time and energy?
Took my tester away!
For the hows. WATER... lots of it! Eat six small meals daily: start with a piece of fruit in the AM. A couple hours later have a dairy item like yogurt or a yogurt smoothie. A couple more hours have a bowl of oatmeal. A couple more hours have lunch. Then a snack later. Finally dinner. If you can make lunch your "big meal" if you have to have one, that is best, but I have trouble with that, myself. It's okay to have a yogurt later in the evening, too. If you stay up late, you'll drop your metabolism by waiting until breakfast, so eating after 7 isn't necessarily a bad thing. Just make smart choices.
DO read labels and focus on items low in calories and fat and HIGH in fiber. DO eat the things you enjoy, but learn portion control. That is the key. If you deprive yourself of the things you really love, you might give up. Like your son says, you can "remake" recipes to fit a healthier lifestyle. YOU CAN DO THIS. If you want to and you are ready to change your life, you will.
don't stand much of a chance. I hate to say it; maybe your dieting should be a New
Year's resolution. Enjoy the holidays and all the goodies in moderation, and then
get serious after.
Oh, and Connie, I have a closet filled with the 'next size down'... which is currently great because I won't have to get anything altered after I lose what I want. I've got a great wardrobe in new things I can't yet zipper or button, but at least they're all paid for.:)
watch your sodium...check everyhting!
watch your sugar...ditto
drink your water
eat your fruits and veggies
limit red meat
walk 30 minutes a day
Done!
And, for the obvious reasons, I am so glad I posted this article in the first place. I was feeling sorry for myself, in truth, and now I feel completely blessed. Funny how a revamped attitude can be the secret to prolonged success.
Regarding your comment on my article about plastic, we have also been cleaning out our creeks for months now - almost done. One guy helped to get all the metal.