I'm writing this as I hope it helps others, but also a reminder to myself.
Like many, I've gone up and down on the dieting roller coaster, saying all the right things, its not a diet, its a lifestyle. Cutting out carbs, crash diets, shake diets, cleanses, you name it. I'd lose lots of weight and feel accomplished, and that I could continue on. But then... life happens, or I can't keep doing that diet forever, or I make one mistake, one stop to the McDonalds and get some fries. Or this was a big one for me, I'd work my butt off, eat in healthy way, and lose weight for an event, wedding, or vacation. Then I'd gain it all back, mainly because I'd get away from eating what I was eating before and start back on the McDonalds, Taco Bell, Pizza, etc.
Why? Well I concluded that I felt I deprived myself of those foods and wanted them. So I'd come back after a trip and the next few weeks lunchs would be about what different fastfood restaurant would I go to or what food have I not had in a long time that I better eat cause well you know your going back on a diet after all this eating and those foods will be gone from your life again.
Now I have not made it to the next event yet, but I'm freaking out because what will happen when it comes and goes. I've been doing great for over a month now, almost 2 (started healthy goals before Christmas). But I think there is a difference from before, ok yes I'm doing these dietbets. But I think it is something more.
I have not had fast food now for 7 weeks, oops unless you count Panera, or Starbucks. I have gone out to dinner every weekend. I could have chosen wrong foods at those times, oh yeah wait I went to Buona Beef - purely bad food for the most part. And I chose a salad instead of my usual beef dipped with mozzerella cheese. And the times I've gone out to dinner I've chosen, salads, or fish, or chicken and vegetables. And I walked away not regretting it. Not wishing I had the Burger, or BBQ pork sandwich with fries.
And guess what I've had pizza (almost every week), and I've gotten my Mexican fix with taco salads. Woah, wait I didn't deprive myself of the things I wanted. I switched them out and with healthy alternatives to the same thing. And by making it myself with what I choose I felt better about what I ate and how it taste!
When I finished my last dietbet (January Jumpstart), I kept saying I needed to treat myself, what was I gonna have? All the things I used to gorge on, well I didn't feel they were worth eating and reversing the gains I made. So I couldn't come up with something.
But I did eat some cookies, and I had quite a bit of peanut butter, with a little preserves mixed in. And I had a cheesy lobster/Shrimp quesadilla. And I gained 1.2 lbs back.
Before, this would have been the end of the world. I had an All or Nothing mentality with my eating and workouts. Now if I miss a workout, I don't end my 2 month workout program I'm following, I pickup where I left off the next time I get a workout in. Or I get back to eating on point, and usually even with those splurges this past weekend, I kept my water intake, and most my other meals in line, just little treat here or there.
How I got to this mindset:
1) Audio Meditation - Not sure if this worked/helped, but the 1st week I listened to audiobooks about weightloss meditation. And in them they reiterated a few things that I live by now.
- You can do this, your stronger than anything your mind can throw at you.
- You don't need nor want the foods that hold you back from your goals, you can push them away, but if you don't and you take a bite, you savor that bite, only eat a bit and it fills you up, its all that you needed. And you move on.
- Its ok if you give in, as you continue you'll grow more mindful.
2) I gave myself positive reinforcement. Every morning I reminded myself this is a marathon, a life long journey, getting there tomorrow or next week or next month is not realistic. It will take time. Just go with it.
3) At first I did not weigh myself everyday like I had before, but after 2 weeks I started getting curious as to how day in, day out, my body was affected by what I ate, so I started to weigh daily or multiple times. Now that I know I only weigh myself daily. But when I first started the daily or multiple times I'd remind myself that my weight will go up and down, not to get so wrapped up in it has to go down. Again its Not All or Nothing!
4) Forgive - forgive myself if I mindless eat something and realize 15 mins later, or 1hr or a day later, that your body needed that just then. It got a break, it took it, thats good, its ok, its not a bad thing. It will help you make it through the next hurdle. Now what are you going to do about it - get back on track, your body needs that TOO!
5) I drink so much more water now. To the point I lose track, usually after my 4th trip to the water cooler with my 24 oz Tervis cup. And already having 2 cups of green and or black tea. I hated plain water, but now its like eating a bag of chips or bag of cookies. I just can't stop. I think the BEST advice I can give on this - they tell you not to eat while your watching TV or playing on your phone /electronic devices, or doing other things (your focused on those things not what or how much your eating) well that DOES NOT go for drinking water - Drink while your reading your email, or checking Facebook, or reading the news, whatever that keeps your attention, then you won't notice your drinking blah water. No really try it.
Right now my mind can't think of living any other way but to plan my food, do my workouts, & just keep going.
When they say its all mental, I really didn't get it. I didn't even think you could get yourself in the mindset needed, or how to do it. I get the mindset now, I know how it feels and if I forget it, I hope I can read this and get back into that mindset.
Now if I could just get into the mindset to eat my vegetables like I drink my water, mindlessly! I'm getting there though, with shakes, and without realizing it I've added veggies to my pizzas, and had more salads than I ever have.
Have a good day, and thanks for reading.
Jen