And it is SO scary!
In the past, when I found myself in the place I am now- uncomfortable in my clothes and ashamed of the extra weight, my "go to" plan was the next diet. I was desperate to change NOW!!
But, it became harder and harder to start again. And it became harder and harder to keep it off.
As I continue in this quest for lasting change, I'm learning that all of the dieting in my past has taken a toll on my health and metabolism. I'm learning that only 2% of people who lose weight actually keep it off. If I want to be a part of the "2% Club", I'm going to have to stop dieting and start making lasting changes in my lifestyle, my behavior, and my thinking. Only then will I succeed in this journey and stop gaining it all back again.
In the past, I laughed at the claim that if I'd only make a few lifestyle changes, I could stop dieting. It always seemed like an excuse to be lazy and that the only real way to lose the weight once it was there was to diet. I didn't have the patience to lose it slowly. I was too embarrassed and felt like my life would end if I didn't get the fat off now!
The cost of that mentality was a screwed up metabolism and yet more failure.
Here I am again. But I'm not going on a diet.
I lost a 1/2 pound last week. That isn't much, but I also didn't diet last week. I rode my bike instead of driving my car when I could. I ate fruit and vegetables. I tried to cut back on sugar and white flour, and I drank a lot of water. I'm trying so hard to be patient, to be the tortoise instead of the hare so I can win the race. It is hard. I still feel desperate for change. I still wish it could be fast, but I want to keep it off even more.
These are the books I'm currently reading. I thought I knew everything there was to know about losing weight. These books are showing me I have much to learn about living a healthy life:
Question: Do you think it is possible to lose weight without dieting?
2 comments:
It is totally possible to loose weight without a diet! So now after nursing school, I look at everything I eat and ponder do I really want to eat this and let the cholesterol build in my coronary arteries? A flash of a desperate patient fighting for their life as they lay obese, in pain, and sweating all over the gurney comes to mind and I put the donut down- I don't want to be that patient. I still treat myself, but I don't need to every day! Life long change can happen!
I know it's been awhile since you posted this blog but I wanted to respond.
I feel that it is possible and you are on the right track with making life changes. 85% of staying thin is in the food we eat - the 15% is physical activity.
I just started running again and I am watching what I eat but not on any "diet" and I've already lost one pant size!
I'm going to do the I Run for Champagne and Chocolate race in June - want to run with me?
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