My body has changed and so must I...

Posted on March 31, 2016

I won my last two dietbets and then, what did I do? I took off on Easter break and ate whatever I wanted to eat. I did not pig out! Really I didn't! However, I did not weigh myself and ate whatever I felt like eating... I am back and low and behold - after less than two weeks - I have hit a new historic high. Oh no!

I am not 20 or 30 or even 40! I am a 53 year-old woman who feels young but is no longer able to just eat what and when I want and exercise when and how I want to and remain at a healthy weight. If I just "follow my instinct" the trend is UP UP UP! And I say NO NO NO!

I WILL turn this around!!!! How? Regular exercise: I have been doing water aerobics twice a week (a really good full body workout) and am back to jogging (have signed up for several fun runs and 5ks)! Exercise is NOT the problem. I MUST, CAN, and WILL eat within my calorie limit! How can this be done? I will keep track of calories every day! If I have a poor day (and I will) I will not use it as an excuse to eat whatever for 10 days and gain 10lbs (yes, my body can and does do this without even "pigging out"). I will keep on counting and COMPENSATE for any overflow of calories on the very next day!

I deserve to feel good in my own skin (not to mention my closets full of too tight clothing) and I AM GOING TO DO THIS with a little help (i.e. from my diet bet and "real life" friends).

Comment Now!

Terri

06/03/2017 2:19PM

I have hit a new high as well and putting a stop to it. Back to diet bets after a long time away!

Val

04/02/2016 1:20PM

Thanks for the support ladies!

Les

03/31/2016 7:51AM

It is like a merry go round, isn't it? Once you stop, you have to push hard to get it going again! I keep reminding myself that vacations aren't an invitation to stop - but an invitation to figure out how to be mindful about the choices - and, Val, drink the daggone stuff:)

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Marcie

03/31/2016 6:00AM

Go Val! You do deserve it and you can do it! Think about the times you have been successful in the past and what worked for you. Also, while I do think calories matter to some extent, I think WHAT and HOW you eat is so much more important. Modern nutrition science has proven that all calories are not created equal. I don't know how you eat (?) but good rules of thumb are to avoid processed foods as much as possible, eat nutrient dense meals, make sure to get adequate protein and good healthy fats. Don't be afraid of eating fats, but only healthy fats (e.g. avocado, olive and coconut oils, seeds, limited nuts) and avoid empty carbohydrates (e.g. White flour and sugar, things with sugar added as an ingredient, white bread). What you will find if you eat more like that, your palette will change and you won't crave the unhealthy stuff anymore. Lastly, eat slowly and mindfully until you are about 80% full (or just no longer hungry, not full). Check out Michael Pollan's food rules - you can find them online or buy the small paperback for under $10. They are entertaining and good guidelines. You CAN do this for yourself and for your health - best gift you can give yourself as you point out in your post!

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Val

Ok so I "survived" first day and am down 1lb...I am back to making healthy choices 1X1 and counting calories!

Marcie

YAY! One day, then the next day and so on.....

Julie Lama

03/31/2016 3:47AM

You can do it. You got the know how.

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