The title says it all: Dieting makes me fat! Sounds impossible, but it's true. I eat a low amount of calories, I exercise, I do everything "right" and I do SO well....for a while. Then my body and brain freak out and I eat everything in sight. I'm not talking about a couple cookies and a scoop of ice cream. I'm talking about the whole package of cookies and the whole pint (or more) of ice cream. And other stuff too. Let's not candy coat it. I undo all of my hard work and then some with binge eating and I gain weight. And not just a little, because one day turns into a week and then two and so on and so forth before I come to my senses and feel utterly disgusted with myself. It's a vicious cycle that can only be stopped by eating a healthy amount of food for my body. I cannot eat like a bird. Some people can drastically cut calories and have the discipline not to go overboard but I can't. I must EAT! No tiny salads with a rice cake for dessert for me. A typical day looks like this:
Breakfast - coffee with 1/2ish cup skim milk, egg sandwich (sandwich thin with 2 eggs and a slice of cheese), cottage cheese and blueberries
Lunch - huuuuuuuge spinach salad with every veggie known to man and protein (tuna, salmon or chicken), beans, cheese and fat free dressing. Also greek yogurt with half a banana and cheerios
Snack - apple or some other fruit. Or sometimes more greek yogurt instead.
Dinner - it varies, but usually a large portion of protein, starch and veggies. I don't skip the bread or potatoes or any of that nonsense. I just try to be reasonable and not go overboard.
Snack (if I'm hungry before bed) - greek yogurt (I'm addicted)
I eat healthy for the most part, but it's a lot of food for a "diet" and I don't skimp on portions anymore or turn down particularly scrumptious treats. If I'm truly hungry, I eat. It took me a long long time to learn what works for me and what keeps me SANE. I eat to satisfaction and only when hungry, but I EAT. It makes me sad to see the ladies (or gents) who eat a tiny bowl of salad and a grapefruit and call it a meal. It's just not sustainable in the long run.
Weight comes off more slowly when I eat in a way that keeps me physically and mentally satisfied, but it does come off and I don't go off the rails with binge eating. It's a win win. I'm already anticipating that I may not win my second dietbet because of the slow loss, but I really want to be here because the game keeps me accountable. I'm not perfect, and even when I'm eating well I still have plenty of moments where I want to overeat. I know I won't do that if I'm in a game because I'm paying to be here and to lose weight. Even if I lose the bet, I WIN, because I'm losing pounds and sticking to my goals.
In other news: my gympact is going well! I went from not exercising at all the first few days of the bet to exercising every day. Not losing money is a big motivator for me! And, I joined a gym right by my work so I can go at lunchtime. The gym is brand new and doesn't open until Feb 1, but I am very excited!