Over the weekend, I had some time to think through some of the issues I brought up in Friday's post. I forced myself to actually think about how I am going to approach moderation without having a panic attack each time I strayed off course or let myself have a treat. Frankly, there is too much good stuff out there in the world of food and beverages to ignore. Finally, after some soul searching, I came up with the answer. If I could manage to be as strict with myself these past two weeks as I have been, then I can certainly handle moderation. I realized there is no special formula to how much or often I treat myself. The important thing is that I can't ignore what I'm ingesting. I can't excuse away everything. If I'm going to allow myself treats....I have to hold myself accountable and exercise.
Losing weight is a just a simple math problem. Take in too many calories and you won't lose weight. Each day, I have to do the math. I'm not saying that I am going to calorie count each thing I eat, because, honestly, that sucks and is not for me. What I am going to do is be strict with myself most days and once or twice a week, allow myself a treat. The last two weeks have made me realize that I have more strength than I knew. I have been tempted almost daily, but I have faced those temptations head on in order to get past them and see the bigger picture. Weight loss and healthy lifestyle is a day to day journey, but you have to be able to see where you are going further on down the road. You have to be able to imagine where you want to be so that things don't get away from you. If I have a treat one day, that does not mean I get a treat everyday. Or I have to make it a healthy treat. "Treating" myself every day is what got me into this mess. Everyday I would come home and rationalize a beer, half a pan of brownies, chinese food, whatever. You simply can not do that and not expect to have your weight get away from you.
A pound of weight gain equals 3,500 calories. If you have one 100 calorie treat a day (and those calories are over the amount your body expends each day), you can gain one pound in a little over a month. That totals a little over 10 pounds a year in weight gain. Doesn't sound like much? Well, let me tell you that 100 calories over a day isn't that hard to reach. That's fewer calories than the average junk snack (if you only eat one serving, and HONESTLY how many of us only eat one serving?). So if you allow yourself that little treat each day without planning for it, you will gain weight. I'm not saying I won't allow myself junky treats now and again. Otherwise, what would be the point of this whole thing? What I am going to do is be more aware, not freak out each time I do allow myself a treat and be responsible about my well-being.
I'm still a little afraid of losing control, but like most things, all it takes is a little work. My first two weeks are almost up. Then, I can loosen up a little bit. I have seen some awesome results and can't wait to fill you in on Tuesday. Let's just say total weight loss is definitely in the double digits. I'm excited by my results and, I feel like I have passed the hardest part. I am almost done with the sprint, and then, it's time for the endurance part of the race. The weight loss will be slower, more steady. BUT it will still be a loss. Each week I expect I will lose weight if I do what I am supposed to do. This will be the time of introspection and really examining the roots of my bad eating behavior. And of course, I will share it all here. So, thanks for reading and thanks for the inspiration.
P.S. - Some of you have asked some questions so I thought I would answer them here for the benefit of all.
Q1: What's the recipe for the black bean chili I was raving about the other night?
A1: 1/2 cup cooked black beans (I used canned and rinsed them), 1/2 cup stewed tomatoes (I like the kind with chilies in it), 2 tbs. of salsa & 2 tbs. diced onion. Mix and heat. It's super easy and really yummy!
Q2: Can you chew gum during the first phase of the Dr. Phil weight loss solution.
A2: Yup:) Just chew sugar free.
If any of you have any other questions about what I'm doing or not doing...send them my way and I'll do my best to answer.
Losing weight is a just a simple math problem. Take in too many calories and you won't lose weight. Each day, I have to do the math. I'm not saying that I am going to calorie count each thing I eat, because, honestly, that sucks and is not for me. What I am going to do is be strict with myself most days and once or twice a week, allow myself a treat. The last two weeks have made me realize that I have more strength than I knew. I have been tempted almost daily, but I have faced those temptations head on in order to get past them and see the bigger picture. Weight loss and healthy lifestyle is a day to day journey, but you have to be able to see where you are going further on down the road. You have to be able to imagine where you want to be so that things don't get away from you. If I have a treat one day, that does not mean I get a treat everyday. Or I have to make it a healthy treat. "Treating" myself every day is what got me into this mess. Everyday I would come home and rationalize a beer, half a pan of brownies, chinese food, whatever. You simply can not do that and not expect to have your weight get away from you.
A pound of weight gain equals 3,500 calories. If you have one 100 calorie treat a day (and those calories are over the amount your body expends each day), you can gain one pound in a little over a month. That totals a little over 10 pounds a year in weight gain. Doesn't sound like much? Well, let me tell you that 100 calories over a day isn't that hard to reach. That's fewer calories than the average junk snack (if you only eat one serving, and HONESTLY how many of us only eat one serving?). So if you allow yourself that little treat each day without planning for it, you will gain weight. I'm not saying I won't allow myself junky treats now and again. Otherwise, what would be the point of this whole thing? What I am going to do is be more aware, not freak out each time I do allow myself a treat and be responsible about my well-being.
I'm still a little afraid of losing control, but like most things, all it takes is a little work. My first two weeks are almost up. Then, I can loosen up a little bit. I have seen some awesome results and can't wait to fill you in on Tuesday. Let's just say total weight loss is definitely in the double digits. I'm excited by my results and, I feel like I have passed the hardest part. I am almost done with the sprint, and then, it's time for the endurance part of the race. The weight loss will be slower, more steady. BUT it will still be a loss. Each week I expect I will lose weight if I do what I am supposed to do. This will be the time of introspection and really examining the roots of my bad eating behavior. And of course, I will share it all here. So, thanks for reading and thanks for the inspiration.
P.S. - Some of you have asked some questions so I thought I would answer them here for the benefit of all.
Q1: What's the recipe for the black bean chili I was raving about the other night?
A1: 1/2 cup cooked black beans (I used canned and rinsed them), 1/2 cup stewed tomatoes (I like the kind with chilies in it), 2 tbs. of salsa & 2 tbs. diced onion. Mix and heat. It's super easy and really yummy!
Q2: Can you chew gum during the first phase of the Dr. Phil weight loss solution.
A2: Yup:) Just chew sugar free.
If any of you have any other questions about what I'm doing or not doing...send them my way and I'll do my best to answer.
Thanks for the chilli recipe - sounds yummy and easy! Double bonus!
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