Who doesn't have mixed feelings about the holidays? "It's the most wonderful time of the year," to be sure, but after navigating the minefield of Halloween and the gorgefest of Thanksgiving, who has the willpower to make it through a month's worth of parties, food gifts, special dinners and candy on other people's desks?
You do.
The holidays are not the time to shelve your weight-loss goals. It may sound counterintuitive, but this time of year is actually perfect for reinforcing those goals. Here are a few goals you can work on during this happy chaos:
* Portion control--As in, is that whomping slice of pecan pie going to make you feel better or worse than a smaller sliver?
* Savoring flavors--There's nothing better than the flavors of the season, so enjoy them! You're much more likely to appreciate them if you're nursing one eggnog rather than gulping down three, or sampling your absolute favorite dark-chocolate cognac truffle instead of wolfing down four or five mediocre candies. Choose wisely.
* Exercise--I know, I know, there's no time. But exercise WILL help you feel better, less stressed, calmer, more energetic and more in control. Build your workouts into your schedule, and you won't feel so bad about a little overindulgence (but just a little!).
* Water--Drink lots of it. In fact, for every alcoholic drink you have at an event, follow it up with a serving of water. You'll feel fuller, and you'll be less likely to embarrass yourself from drinking too much of the other stuff.
* Fiber--With all the sweet and starchy treats, your digestive system is going to be screaming for some fruits, veggies, whole grains, nuts and seeds, so give it what it needs! You'll look better in your slinky party dress, too.
See? You can stick to your weight-loss plan during the holidays. Enjoy, but remember to balance not-so-smart choices with smart ones, and you won't be sorry come January 1.
Friday, December 2, 2011
Monday, August 8, 2011
Two important things for women
This post is in two parts, both related to women and the things that are good for them.
The first post came to me from my sister-in-law. Wise words about friendship from an unnamed writer:
"They Teach It at Stanford
I just finished taking an evening class at Stanford. The last
lecture was on the mind-body connection - the relationship
between stress and disease. The speaker (head of psychiatry at
Stanford) said, among other things, that one of the best things
that a man could do for his health is to be married to a woman,
whereas for a woman, one of the best things she could do for her
health was to nurture her relationships with her girlfriends.
"At first everyone laughed, but he was serious.
Women connect with each other differently and provide support
systems that help each other to deal with stress and difficult
life experiences. Physically this quality 'girlfriend time'
helps us to create more serotonin - a neurotransmitter that
helps combat depression and can create a general feeling of well
being. Women share feelings whereas men often form relationships
around activities. They rarely sit down with a buddy and talk
about how they feel about certain things or how their personal
lives are going. Jobs? Yes. Sports? Yes. Cars? Yes. Fishing,
hunting, golf? Yes. But their feelings? Rarely.
"Women do it all of the time. We share from our souls with our
sisters/mothers, and evidently that is very good for our health.
He said that spending time with a friend is just as important to
our general health as jogging or working out at a gym.
"There's a tendency to think that when we are 'exercising' we are
doing something good for our bodies, but when we are hanging out
with friends, we are wasting our time and should be more
productively engaged. Not true. In fact, he said that failure to
create and maintain quality personal relationships with other
humans is as dangerous to our physical health as smoking!
So every time you hang out to schmooze with a gal pal, just pat
yourself on the back and congratulate yourself for doing
something good for your health! We are indeed very, very lucky.
So let's toast to our friendship with our girlfriends. Evidently
it's very good for our health."
My second point is about something else that's very good for our health: strength training. Ever wonder if it's really worth all the sweat and effort (and sore muscles) to strength train? Wouldn't that time be better spent going for an extra run or doing a step class--especially if you're a woman? After all, how much stronger can you really hope to get?
I'm hear to say emphatically that strength training--when done correctly--DOES work.
Here's an anecdote for you: Today, I couldn't push myself out the door for yet another run, so instead I did a TaeBo DVD I hadn't done in well over a year: "Billy's Boot Camp, Ultimate Boot Camp." Let me tell you, that video used to make me cry it pushed me so hard. But today, after having diligently done my Bob Harper "Pure Burn Super Strength" DVD and Cardio Muscle classes all summer, the TaeBo tape was so much easier! Don't get me wrong--it was still tough, but not nearly as hard as it used to be.
Strength training really does build strength, as the name suggests. And by pushing yourself a little harder (lifting heavier weights, doing more reps, or simply training more often), you will build noticeable strength. Don't give up on this one--it's worth the effort!
The first post came to me from my sister-in-law. Wise words about friendship from an unnamed writer:
"They Teach It at Stanford
I just finished taking an evening class at Stanford. The last
lecture was on the mind-body connection - the relationship
between stress and disease. The speaker (head of psychiatry at
Stanford) said, among other things, that one of the best things
that a man could do for his health is to be married to a woman,
whereas for a woman, one of the best things she could do for her
health was to nurture her relationships with her girlfriends.
"At first everyone laughed, but he was serious.
Women connect with each other differently and provide support
systems that help each other to deal with stress and difficult
life experiences. Physically this quality 'girlfriend time'
helps us to create more serotonin - a neurotransmitter that
helps combat depression and can create a general feeling of well
being. Women share feelings whereas men often form relationships
around activities. They rarely sit down with a buddy and talk
about how they feel about certain things or how their personal
lives are going. Jobs? Yes. Sports? Yes. Cars? Yes. Fishing,
hunting, golf? Yes. But their feelings? Rarely.
"Women do it all of the time. We share from our souls with our
sisters/mothers, and evidently that is very good for our health.
He said that spending time with a friend is just as important to
our general health as jogging or working out at a gym.
"There's a tendency to think that when we are 'exercising' we are
doing something good for our bodies, but when we are hanging out
with friends, we are wasting our time and should be more
productively engaged. Not true. In fact, he said that failure to
create and maintain quality personal relationships with other
humans is as dangerous to our physical health as smoking!
So every time you hang out to schmooze with a gal pal, just pat
yourself on the back and congratulate yourself for doing
something good for your health! We are indeed very, very lucky.
So let's toast to our friendship with our girlfriends. Evidently
it's very good for our health."
My second point is about something else that's very good for our health: strength training. Ever wonder if it's really worth all the sweat and effort (and sore muscles) to strength train? Wouldn't that time be better spent going for an extra run or doing a step class--especially if you're a woman? After all, how much stronger can you really hope to get?
I'm hear to say emphatically that strength training--when done correctly--DOES work.
Here's an anecdote for you: Today, I couldn't push myself out the door for yet another run, so instead I did a TaeBo DVD I hadn't done in well over a year: "Billy's Boot Camp, Ultimate Boot Camp." Let me tell you, that video used to make me cry it pushed me so hard. But today, after having diligently done my Bob Harper "Pure Burn Super Strength" DVD and Cardio Muscle classes all summer, the TaeBo tape was so much easier! Don't get me wrong--it was still tough, but not nearly as hard as it used to be.
Strength training really does build strength, as the name suggests. And by pushing yourself a little harder (lifting heavier weights, doing more reps, or simply training more often), you will build noticeable strength. Don't give up on this one--it's worth the effort!
Wednesday, July 20, 2011
Look to the Basics Before You Leap
I had an interesting question from a longtime friend who asked me what my thoughts were about a gluten-free diet and whether it might help her feel better (and get rid of some bloat). I told her this:
"Before you cut anything out of your diet, look at what you ARE eating: plenty of fruits and veggies, adequate lean protein, whole grains, nuts and seeds, water? Are you keeping watch on sodium and saturated fats, eliminating trans fats, minimizing intake of starchy refined carbs, sugar and processed foods?
"Finally, are you watching portion sizes, realizing that even if you're eating all the right foods, if you're eating too much of them, your calorie intake could be too high? If you're OK in all these areas, then lack of exercise could be a factor--remember all the good things exercise does for us (particularly as we age) aside from burning calories, like revving up our metabolism, boosting energy and aiding digestion.
"Go down the checklist above first, and if nothing is missing, try adding even more fiber-filled fruits and veggies to your diet in creative ways (spinach on your sandwiches, chickpeas, nuts and beans in your salads, etc.). If you've tried it all and nothing works, you might try looking at gluten, but I'm skeptical about going there first. It can be rather restrictive and may be unnecessary."
Now that's not to say that gluten-free diets don't work--for some people, they are a godsend since those particular folks have a sensitivity to gluten. But not everyone who is experiencing lack of energy, bloat or extra weight needs to go gluten free. A much better idea is to figure out if your basic diet is in sync with a smart eating plan, tweak it if not, then see what happens. You can always try gluten-free (or another plan) later. But why completely overhaul your diet if it isn't necessary?
"Before you cut anything out of your diet, look at what you ARE eating: plenty of fruits and veggies, adequate lean protein, whole grains, nuts and seeds, water? Are you keeping watch on sodium and saturated fats, eliminating trans fats, minimizing intake of starchy refined carbs, sugar and processed foods?
"Finally, are you watching portion sizes, realizing that even if you're eating all the right foods, if you're eating too much of them, your calorie intake could be too high? If you're OK in all these areas, then lack of exercise could be a factor--remember all the good things exercise does for us (particularly as we age) aside from burning calories, like revving up our metabolism, boosting energy and aiding digestion.
"Go down the checklist above first, and if nothing is missing, try adding even more fiber-filled fruits and veggies to your diet in creative ways (spinach on your sandwiches, chickpeas, nuts and beans in your salads, etc.). If you've tried it all and nothing works, you might try looking at gluten, but I'm skeptical about going there first. It can be rather restrictive and may be unnecessary."
Now that's not to say that gluten-free diets don't work--for some people, they are a godsend since those particular folks have a sensitivity to gluten. But not everyone who is experiencing lack of energy, bloat or extra weight needs to go gluten free. A much better idea is to figure out if your basic diet is in sync with a smart eating plan, tweak it if not, then see what happens. You can always try gluten-free (or another plan) later. But why completely overhaul your diet if it isn't necessary?
Monday, March 28, 2011
Celebrating Anniversaries
This week, I'm celebrating some important anniversaries. In addition to 13 years of marriage to my wonderful husband, this week marks the third anniversary of my 25-lb. weight loss. I'm proud to say that not only did I reach my weight-loss goal three years ago, but I've also kept it off all this time--very meaningful to my health as well as my vanity.
It's no mean feat to lose a significant amount of weight. It takes persistence, determination and patience, among other things. Many people have reached this goal more than once--only to turn around and regain the weight (and often a few extra pounds as well) once they "go off" whatever diet, medication or restrictive eating plan they were on to lose the weight. Then they start over with weight loss, but they find it harder with each successive journey. This yo-yo dieting cycle wreaks havoc on your metabolism--pretty soon, your metabolism stays at the slow level no matter how little you're eating, and it's difficult to re-set it.
So I say, better to lose the weight and keep it off, right? And if you never "go on" a diet, you never have to "go off" a diet. That doesn't mean you'll never gain another pound. But if you have a reliable eating plan that brings you--healthily--to your goal weight, all you need to do is return to that plan in order to return to that weight.
When I'm eating the "right" way, I not only feel better (more energetic, happier), but my weight goes back to where I want it. I don't feel deprived, I know what to do when I'm hungry and I know which foods to avoid. I also know that I can indulge in a heavier meal once in awhile (like on my wedding anniversary), and it won't throw me into a tailspin, as long as I return to my eating plan afterward. It relieves the guilt and anxiety that used to be associated with "overeating," and it allows me to enjoy the indulgence completely.
Have you figured out your healthy eating plan yet--the one that will get you to your goal weight and keep you there? The one that will pull you out of a weight-gain slump and back into better habits? If not, now's the time to do so. And you can start celebrating your own milestones and anniversaries with pride and joy.
It's no mean feat to lose a significant amount of weight. It takes persistence, determination and patience, among other things. Many people have reached this goal more than once--only to turn around and regain the weight (and often a few extra pounds as well) once they "go off" whatever diet, medication or restrictive eating plan they were on to lose the weight. Then they start over with weight loss, but they find it harder with each successive journey. This yo-yo dieting cycle wreaks havoc on your metabolism--pretty soon, your metabolism stays at the slow level no matter how little you're eating, and it's difficult to re-set it.
So I say, better to lose the weight and keep it off, right? And if you never "go on" a diet, you never have to "go off" a diet. That doesn't mean you'll never gain another pound. But if you have a reliable eating plan that brings you--healthily--to your goal weight, all you need to do is return to that plan in order to return to that weight.
When I'm eating the "right" way, I not only feel better (more energetic, happier), but my weight goes back to where I want it. I don't feel deprived, I know what to do when I'm hungry and I know which foods to avoid. I also know that I can indulge in a heavier meal once in awhile (like on my wedding anniversary), and it won't throw me into a tailspin, as long as I return to my eating plan afterward. It relieves the guilt and anxiety that used to be associated with "overeating," and it allows me to enjoy the indulgence completely.
Have you figured out your healthy eating plan yet--the one that will get you to your goal weight and keep you there? The one that will pull you out of a weight-gain slump and back into better habits? If not, now's the time to do so. And you can start celebrating your own milestones and anniversaries with pride and joy.
Monday, February 28, 2011
Soup/Salad Bars: Salvation or Devastation?
One of those great coupons appeared in our local paper: $19.99 dinner for four at our local all-you-can-eat salad/soup/pasta/bread/etc. bar. (You probably know which one I'm talking about, but I won't call them out by name.) Such a great deal, we couldn't pass it up. Plus, it was salad and soup--a healthy meal, right?
Well, it probably could have been, but here's what really happened. We walked in the door and were met by a huge salad bar: undressed greens and fresh veggies galore, in addition to higher-calorie add-ons like croutons, shredded cheese, sunflower seeds and dried fruit. There were also dressed mixed salads, pasta and potato salads, along with a varied selection of dressings (including low- and no-fat varieties, plus oils and vinegars). After loading up our plates with low-cal salad, we paid the cashier, found a booth and got our drinks. Here's where the interesting part began.
A different section of the restaurant offered a variety of hot soups, chilis, cheese-topped focaccias, two types of hot pastas with sauce, baked white and sweet potatoes with toppings, and a few other bread items. It was all too easy to load up on creamy shrimp bisque, mac and cheese and focaccia, in addition to the potatoes--talk about carbs and fat! How much is enough? And how much is too much? There's no one but you monitoring how much you can take--and it's all included in the price--so the temptation to load up is pretty high. Plus, all that food looks, smells and sounds so good. AND you've just been virtuous and had a huge salad (with low-fat dressing), so don't you "deserve" to taste the yummy stuff? I certainly found myself thinking that way.
Finally, there's the dessert bar: two types of non-fat frozen yogurt in a swirl dispenser, plus toppings, a warm brownie-type muffin to place under it, sugar-free chocolate mousse, Jell-O, plus a warm fruit cobbler. Again, no one to tell you how much to take--it's all up to you. So you take it all.
You only realize how much you've eaten when you stagger out of the place, bloated and regretful. But it was only soup and salad, you tell yourself. Deceiving, isn't it?
Now I'm not saying restaurants like this one don't have a place in a healthful diet plan. But unless you have huge willpower--and measuring cups and a calorie counter handy--it'is very difficult to control your intake. So if you have any trouble avoiding temptation or gauging portion sizes, my advice is to avoid the all-you-can-eats, no matter how healthy they seem. Or just resolve to make up for it over the next few days.
Well, it probably could have been, but here's what really happened. We walked in the door and were met by a huge salad bar: undressed greens and fresh veggies galore, in addition to higher-calorie add-ons like croutons, shredded cheese, sunflower seeds and dried fruit. There were also dressed mixed salads, pasta and potato salads, along with a varied selection of dressings (including low- and no-fat varieties, plus oils and vinegars). After loading up our plates with low-cal salad, we paid the cashier, found a booth and got our drinks. Here's where the interesting part began.
A different section of the restaurant offered a variety of hot soups, chilis, cheese-topped focaccias, two types of hot pastas with sauce, baked white and sweet potatoes with toppings, and a few other bread items. It was all too easy to load up on creamy shrimp bisque, mac and cheese and focaccia, in addition to the potatoes--talk about carbs and fat! How much is enough? And how much is too much? There's no one but you monitoring how much you can take--and it's all included in the price--so the temptation to load up is pretty high. Plus, all that food looks, smells and sounds so good. AND you've just been virtuous and had a huge salad (with low-fat dressing), so don't you "deserve" to taste the yummy stuff? I certainly found myself thinking that way.
Finally, there's the dessert bar: two types of non-fat frozen yogurt in a swirl dispenser, plus toppings, a warm brownie-type muffin to place under it, sugar-free chocolate mousse, Jell-O, plus a warm fruit cobbler. Again, no one to tell you how much to take--it's all up to you. So you take it all.
You only realize how much you've eaten when you stagger out of the place, bloated and regretful. But it was only soup and salad, you tell yourself. Deceiving, isn't it?
Now I'm not saying restaurants like this one don't have a place in a healthful diet plan. But unless you have huge willpower--and measuring cups and a calorie counter handy--it'is very difficult to control your intake. So if you have any trouble avoiding temptation or gauging portion sizes, my advice is to avoid the all-you-can-eats, no matter how healthy they seem. Or just resolve to make up for it over the next few days.
Monday, January 31, 2011
The Self-Serve Dilemma
The other night, my family and I had a hankering for frozen yogurt. We decided to try the newer local self-serve place, as opposed to our usual spot where you order a specific size, flavors and toppings and they make it up for you. The experience really opened up my eyes to how self-serve food establishments can either make or break an eating plan.
For starters, there are the cups. At our usual place, we can order a mini-size cup (about 4 oz., I think), or a small, medium or large. But at the self-serve, the cup choices are large or huge. There's a sign posted that reads "39 cents per ounce" in big letters, but how many ounces fit into one of those large cups? How am I supposed to approximate my "mini" cup in a gargantuan one? Since I can serve myself as much as I want in as many flavors as I want, it's very difficult to gauge.
Next, of course, comes the frozen yogurt itself. Both places offer low-fat and non-fat in several yummy flavors. They all sound good. But in my full-service place, I would never order all those flavors for risk of sounding piggish (plus it would get mighty expensive). However, at the self-serve, I can put a little of this and a little of that in my trough-like cup without anyone else knowing exactly what's in there. Very private--but the calories can add up quickly.
Finally, there are the toppings. Again, at the full-serve I need to TELL them what I want on top of the yogurt. And I'm certainly not going to ask for peanut-butter chips, almonds, chocolate-covered raisins, fudge grahams and chocolate sauce--yet I wouldn't hesitate to put a bit of each of these on my self-serve cup.
So what do I have in the end? At the full-service spot, I have a yummy snack or dessert with a reasonable calorie count. But at the self-serve, who knows?
Now, of course, I could do my research and find out exactly how much yogurt I need in my cup and exactly how much of which toppings should go on it without breaking my calorie budget. But do I really want to work that hard for my dessert? I don't think so.
Just some food for thought as you face life's temptations.
For starters, there are the cups. At our usual place, we can order a mini-size cup (about 4 oz., I think), or a small, medium or large. But at the self-serve, the cup choices are large or huge. There's a sign posted that reads "39 cents per ounce" in big letters, but how many ounces fit into one of those large cups? How am I supposed to approximate my "mini" cup in a gargantuan one? Since I can serve myself as much as I want in as many flavors as I want, it's very difficult to gauge.
Next, of course, comes the frozen yogurt itself. Both places offer low-fat and non-fat in several yummy flavors. They all sound good. But in my full-service place, I would never order all those flavors for risk of sounding piggish (plus it would get mighty expensive). However, at the self-serve, I can put a little of this and a little of that in my trough-like cup without anyone else knowing exactly what's in there. Very private--but the calories can add up quickly.
Finally, there are the toppings. Again, at the full-serve I need to TELL them what I want on top of the yogurt. And I'm certainly not going to ask for peanut-butter chips, almonds, chocolate-covered raisins, fudge grahams and chocolate sauce--yet I wouldn't hesitate to put a bit of each of these on my self-serve cup.
So what do I have in the end? At the full-service spot, I have a yummy snack or dessert with a reasonable calorie count. But at the self-serve, who knows?
Now, of course, I could do my research and find out exactly how much yogurt I need in my cup and exactly how much of which toppings should go on it without breaking my calorie budget. But do I really want to work that hard for my dessert? I don't think so.
Just some food for thought as you face life's temptations.
Thursday, January 20, 2011
Which Message Do You Hear?
Flipping through the radio stations this morning, I was both amused and concerned by the conflicting messages that were coming through: an ad for a weight-loss supplement on one station; one for "all-you-can-eat pancakes" at a popular restaurant chain on another; a promotion for a national gym membership on a third. Is this what we need to sort through in order to figure out our course of action regarding our weight? No wonder there are so many overweight people in this country and so much yo-yo dieting going on!
A friend and I recently had a conversation about the new California law requiring restaurant chains to provide on their menus calorie and other nutritional information about the food they serve. We discussed how defeating it feels to find out that the healthy salad you thought you were eating at your local fave restaurant contains 3/4 of a day's worth of fat and calories. Now what? Is this a good thing? What message are we supposed to take away from this? And how will this law change the food restaurants offer?
It can be very difficult to listen to the small, constant voice in your head that tells you what is right. You know that a salad served on a plate the size of an old 78 album, piled high with bleu cheese crumbles, candied pecans and bacon bits and slathered with dressing is going to deliver far more calories and fat than you need in any meal. So use your common sense: if it's way bigger than what you'd serve yourself at home, eat only half (or less) and take the rest home for another meal or another day. More isn't necessarily better. You probably didn't need the nutrition information on the menu to tell you that, but it's a good reminder.
The key is to ignore all the messages except the health-affirming ones you tell yourself or get from other sources. Don't be influenced by the all-you-can-eat ads (obviously) that will only leave you with regrets if you let them win. Use restaurant menu nutrition guides as simply that: guides. That doesn't mean any food is off-limits; you just may want to eat less of it or order it less often. And that gym membership ad? Only join if you believe you'll use it. Otherwise, save your money and go for a brisk walk. Listen to your own messages of health and well-being and you'll be doing a lot less yo-yoing this year.
A friend and I recently had a conversation about the new California law requiring restaurant chains to provide on their menus calorie and other nutritional information about the food they serve. We discussed how defeating it feels to find out that the healthy salad you thought you were eating at your local fave restaurant contains 3/4 of a day's worth of fat and calories. Now what? Is this a good thing? What message are we supposed to take away from this? And how will this law change the food restaurants offer?
It can be very difficult to listen to the small, constant voice in your head that tells you what is right. You know that a salad served on a plate the size of an old 78 album, piled high with bleu cheese crumbles, candied pecans and bacon bits and slathered with dressing is going to deliver far more calories and fat than you need in any meal. So use your common sense: if it's way bigger than what you'd serve yourself at home, eat only half (or less) and take the rest home for another meal or another day. More isn't necessarily better. You probably didn't need the nutrition information on the menu to tell you that, but it's a good reminder.
The key is to ignore all the messages except the health-affirming ones you tell yourself or get from other sources. Don't be influenced by the all-you-can-eat ads (obviously) that will only leave you with regrets if you let them win. Use restaurant menu nutrition guides as simply that: guides. That doesn't mean any food is off-limits; you just may want to eat less of it or order it less often. And that gym membership ad? Only join if you believe you'll use it. Otherwise, save your money and go for a brisk walk. Listen to your own messages of health and well-being and you'll be doing a lot less yo-yoing this year.
Wednesday, January 12, 2011
"That" Time of Year
Every January, we get bombarded with talk and ads about New Year's resolutions, and quite a few of them have to do with losing weight. After the debauchery of the holidays, it seems, so many of us feel guilty about starting off the year with extra pounds that we resolve to "go on a diet" and exercise, whatever it takes to drop those pounds. I remember going through those phases myself--although they would usually hit when I was going bathing suit shopping or looking at a photo of myself and not liking at all what I was seeing.
But I realized this month that I don't go through that anxiety anymore. I no longer worry if I'm going to need to go up a size when clothes shopping, and I don't make those guilty resolutions about weight loss, in January or at any other time. It feels great that I set that goal one August or September a few years ago, reached the goal and have kept the weight off for nearly three years now. It feels wonderful NOT to have to keep making that resolution again and again, not to keep feeling guilty over and over, not to have that sense of failure as an ongoing experience.
So what makes me different from the resolution-makers out there? After all, I have no more willpower than the average person. I love food, and I haven't stopped enjoying the foods I love within the boundaries of my eating plan. I sometimes have to push myself out the door to go for a run or to do a class at the gym like everybody else does. But I no longer believe in diets (for myself, anyway), and I see clearly that the only way I can maintain my weight loss and remain healthy is to make exercise and healthy eating an ingrained part of who I am. It's not just something I "go on" for awhile until the weight comes off and then go back to poor habits. It truly is a way of life.
How does one make that leap? A lifetime of weight-loss failure, for one. Finding a system that works, for two. And being as committed to it as you are to anything you hold dear in your life, for three. And whether you do it through Weight Watchers (a great program, by the way), Jenny Craig, NutriSystem, The South Beach Diet, Atkins or whatever other new plan comes down the pike, the trick to remaining successful is to stick fast to your commitment. That doesn't mean never making a mistake or never eating another brownie again. But it does mean making your weight enough of a priority to blow the whistle on yourself when you've overindulged; to take the bull by the horns and not let it get out of control.
Also key is recognizing when you've done a great job. Everyone notices when you lose 30 lbs., but it's a lot harder to keep those 30 lbs. off for a year or longer. Will you stay committed enough to maintain your loss? Will you pat yourself on the back--even reward yourself (a non-food reward, please!)--for this quiet but significant accomplishment? Going the distance has a lot more to do with your actions on some random Tuesday in April than your resolutions on January 1. Stick with it and be healthy and proud!
But I realized this month that I don't go through that anxiety anymore. I no longer worry if I'm going to need to go up a size when clothes shopping, and I don't make those guilty resolutions about weight loss, in January or at any other time. It feels great that I set that goal one August or September a few years ago, reached the goal and have kept the weight off for nearly three years now. It feels wonderful NOT to have to keep making that resolution again and again, not to keep feeling guilty over and over, not to have that sense of failure as an ongoing experience.
So what makes me different from the resolution-makers out there? After all, I have no more willpower than the average person. I love food, and I haven't stopped enjoying the foods I love within the boundaries of my eating plan. I sometimes have to push myself out the door to go for a run or to do a class at the gym like everybody else does. But I no longer believe in diets (for myself, anyway), and I see clearly that the only way I can maintain my weight loss and remain healthy is to make exercise and healthy eating an ingrained part of who I am. It's not just something I "go on" for awhile until the weight comes off and then go back to poor habits. It truly is a way of life.
How does one make that leap? A lifetime of weight-loss failure, for one. Finding a system that works, for two. And being as committed to it as you are to anything you hold dear in your life, for three. And whether you do it through Weight Watchers (a great program, by the way), Jenny Craig, NutriSystem, The South Beach Diet, Atkins or whatever other new plan comes down the pike, the trick to remaining successful is to stick fast to your commitment. That doesn't mean never making a mistake or never eating another brownie again. But it does mean making your weight enough of a priority to blow the whistle on yourself when you've overindulged; to take the bull by the horns and not let it get out of control.
Also key is recognizing when you've done a great job. Everyone notices when you lose 30 lbs., but it's a lot harder to keep those 30 lbs. off for a year or longer. Will you stay committed enough to maintain your loss? Will you pat yourself on the back--even reward yourself (a non-food reward, please!)--for this quiet but significant accomplishment? Going the distance has a lot more to do with your actions on some random Tuesday in April than your resolutions on January 1. Stick with it and be healthy and proud!
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