Had my biweekly weigh-in at the gym yesterday. Down another 3 lbs. This makes it 33 total lbs lost. I am in a little bit of shock, simply because I still can’t believe I had/have that much extra weight on me, and because – it actually works if you work it. I still am counting calories, working out at least 4 times a week, and trying to eat plenty of fiber. These are the only *rules* I am adhering to because I have spent a material portion of my teenage-adult life obsessively contemplating food and exercise rituals.
To change things, I knew I needed to change my *thinking* and behavior around food and exercise. I needed to have a very simple daily plan, with little to no restrictions around food.
It’s because I am keeping it as simple as possible, adhering consistently to trifecta above, that I am succeeding I think. It feels incredibly balanced, and very manageable. I don’t feel deprived. I don’t weigh myself every day. I don’t not eat _________ (insert ‘evil’ food here) and I treat myself every once and a while to something I really am craving.
About 10 minutes ago, I carried a box of cat litter into my house, and was huffing and puffing. It was only when I put the box down did I realize that it weighed 34 lbs – just one pound more than the amount of weight I have lost since February. Holy hell, it was heavy. I cannot believe I was carrying all that extra weight around! I mean WOW.
This morning, I treated myself to breakfast out at the local healthy diner. I was thinking I would get the tall stack (3 medium-plate-sized pancakes) of Sweet Potato Pecan pancakes, and a side of bacon. I had earned it. YUM.
But, because I am steadily retraining myself around food, I did in fact choose a side of cantaloupe, and the short stack of pancakes, of which I ate 5/8s – I was FULL – still am – after that. And this is important because it just goes to show that little measures and feats like this contribute to a healthier me – a healthier, more accepting, less black-and-white relationship to food. It is making ALL the difference to be practicing acceptance, honesty, flexibility, and forgiveness in my relationship to food.
Thanks for reading. There is hope, and if I can do this, anyone can. 