Rethinking “Deprivation”

You know what doesn’t work? 

The thinking that healthy eating is “deprivation” (deprivation of “treats” or desired junk food).

I think this is the single biggest mental habit that keeps us stuck, fat and unhealthy.

Let’s take a look at this “deprivation” concept.  Sure, we all sometimes crave sugary or unhealthy processed foods.  But when we’re not eating a solid healthy diet that’s composed of fresh foods – with the occasional junk food item – that is true deprivation.  It’s depriving ourselves of good health and a fit body.  And that is major!

This thinking that we deserve instant “pleasure” and “treats” is self-defeating.

You deserve good health, to feel great and to look good too.   Quit depriving yourself – of good health!

Rethinking the Weigh-In

We’ve all heard it said before:  Don’t get hung up on the numbers and don’t weigh yourself every day.

I disagree.

Well I agree about the “don’t get hung up” part.  But I believe in weighing myself twice per day and documenting the number.   What’s important here, however, is to connect with the big picture. 

Don’t get hung up on the numbers, just jot them down.  Make this part of your mission. You’re looking to document an overall trend.  Your weight is going to go up and down each day.  Even during the course of a weight loss journey, it will go up some days.  That’s normal and okay.  Don’t let it freak you out, that’s counterproductive to your goal.

I think it’s important to disconnect from the individual numbers and get past the fear of the scale.  That scale is your friend and will be there with you throughout your journey.  With a realistic goal of losing a pound or so a week, you will notice after a month or so, by documenting your weight twice per day, overall trends going downward.  Which can be really cool and encouraging!

Additionally, stepping on that scale each morning and each evening can function as a reminder or “mini-meditation”, if you will.  A moment where you re-affirm your commitment to your overall journey.

Remember:  it’s about the big picture!

Move!

It sounds simple, doesn’t it?  Just get out there and move!

But it’s not always so easy.  Responsibilities get in the way.  The weather.  Our families and jobs.

I’ll be talking about all this more as the weeks go on.  But for now, the fact remains:  if you want to be healthy and drop extra unneeded pounds, you have to get up and move.  You have to.

My Stats – and What I’ll Be Blogging About

Here are my stats:

Age:         39 years
Height:    5’6″
Weight:   165 lbs.
BMI:         26.6
Clothing Size:  10-12 

While I am not obese, I am officially overweight; it’s a fact.  And while everyone is a little different, I know from my personal experience with my own body that I’m more than 30 lbs. heavier than when I’m fit and living healthy. 

My weight and BMI put me in the “overweight” category - and for a reason.  I am overweight and unhealthy, and that’s a serious problem.

This puts me at risk for a whole host of other health issues. 

I think this is important to remember.  So often we get caught up in appearances and feeling shame over being fat – because of how we look.  But let’s forget about appearances for awhile!  I am convinced that reframing our perspective and focusing on our good health has the incredible potential to elimate weight-loss “struggles”.  Just consider that for a moment, and then see what you think.

As I switch my lifestyle back over to a healthy and fit one, I’ll be documenting my lifestyle (exercize, food choices) as well as documenting my progress.

If you are considering dropping some lbs, or are already in the the process of doing so – or if you’ve been struggling to lose weight for awhile now – I hope I can offer some useful tips (and maybe even some inspiration). 

With one important caveat:  Some of what I have to say might not be as relevant to people who have 100 or more lbs. to lose, I’m not sure.  My biggest weight loss journey in my life was 45 lbs over the course of 1 year (from 180 down to 135), so that is my personal experience and point of reference.  I would guess that because of this, my experiences and input will probably be most helpful to those who are interested in a 20-40 lb (or thereabouts) weight loss venture.

Start Today!

I did.  

You can start with:
- A  decision to make a change.
- And then taking a few simple actions in support of your decision.

Here are the 3 key basic actions that will support a decision to lose extra weight:
—————

#1  Move.  Even if that means a 20-30 min. leisurly walk this first time.  You can add to this as time goes on.  Just get up and move today.  Enjoy yourself!

#2  Eat more healthy foods that fuel your body!

#3  Eat less of the unhealthy foods (processed foods, refined carbohydrates, sugars, excessive fats)

—————

I’ll be writing in more detail about these 3 basic ideas in the coming weeks.  But for now – if you’re thinking of dropping some pounds too - consider just “starting today!”.

Or keep these 3 points in mind for the day you decide is your day to “start today!”

Getting Honest About What We’re Eating!

Okay, so my last post, with all the “tips” might’ve been a little bit exaggerated.

The truth is:  we can eat a lot of really great and healthy foods, and still pack on the lbs.  Just from doing a small portion of what I included on that list. 

IE:  A person who’s generally eating fairly well (including consuming a lot of fresh vegetables in their diet and fiber) can still pile on unnecessary weight by adding some processed or pre-packaged foods, or sugary coffee drinks.  Or by comsuming too many glasses of wine with dinner. 

That’s part of the problem of saying we’re “trying” to lose weight but “nothing works”.  Yeah right, give me a big FAT break.  There’s “trying” and then there’s “doing”.   And it’s so easy to lie to ourselves or ignore the real effects of what we’re puting into our bodies.  (By pretending the healthy stuff that we’re eating is better than it is, or that the unhealthy stuff isn’t as bad as it really is.)

I’m not trying to be a condescending bitch.  This is a really common problem.  And the worst part is that this is a perception problem that blocks people from acheiving what they say they want and that they “wish” they could acheive.

Well, they could.  You could!

Changing your body means changing what you do with that body, how you treat it, what you put in it, and what conditions you expose it to.  It’s yours.  And you get to choose.  Unless you have a medical condition,  or other extenuating limitations, if you feed your body well (genuinely well) and give it activity it will respond.  It’ s just a fact.  And I’m not just blowing smoke up your ass – I’m using myself here as the example of how it’s not really as complicated and mysterious as it’s made out to be.  The “complications” are really just illusions and errors of perception.

Hey Starbucks! Help Me Get Fatter!

Yes, I’m still working on putting on some more pounds before I reverse the trend.  This is actually kind of hard work (and more than just a little bit disgusting). 

One of these every day has been helping this effort (photo above).

No offense to Starbucks.  But these milk and sugar-packed mochas are great for packing on the extra weight!

Oh, How I Wish I Could Gain Some Weight! Got Any Tricks or Tips?

Okay, so check this out:  For the next week – before I begin my journey back to fitness – I’m going to take steps to gain a few more pounds.   Just like losing weight, gaining it isn’t ”rocket science”.   It’s simple math.  (And input vs. output.)

To help reach this goal, here’s what I had for dinner last night (see photos, below)!  Bread, butter, wine, ribs, fried potatoes. 

   

Sure, I had a salad, too.  And I only ate a small portion of all the food you see here.  But gimme a big FAT break!  So I ate some little shreds of fiber – so what?  So I only ate a small portion of everything you see here – so what?  I’m still making myself FAT with all this sugar, fat and more carbohydrates than my body needs.   It’s a fact.

Top 10 Tips for Gaining 30 lbs in 1 Year!

You could gain 30 lbs. in a year.  You could! 

Don’t believe me?  Wanna know the “secret”?

Here are some tips and tricks:

1. Eat a lot of pre-packaged processed foods
2. Bulk up on nutritionless refined carbohydrates
3. Drink a few sugar-drenched mochafrappalattecinos per week
4. Don’t walk anywhere!  Drive, take the elevator, and the escalator.
5. Eat muffins, scones and other sugary foods as your first meal of the day
6. Avoid fresh meats - and definitely limit vegetables!
7. Drink sugary soda.  When you can’t find a soda, try a tall glass of undiluted fruit juice
8. Need a quick weight gain boost?  Order a large extra-cheese pizza! 
9. Refrain from any sports, physical activities or even walking the dog for longer than 5 or 10 min
10. Don’t forget the ice cream!