I've known I was overweight for the past thirty years. I didn't think to much of it because I was, well, voluptuous. Curvy. Ample-bosomed. Then I became a mom, and passed off my extra weight as being a by-product of being a good mother. Feeding my children and family. Then, as I aged, I began to notice that I was losing whatever attractiveness I thought I had. The scale at my doctor's office horrified me, but I thought I could just think about losing weight and maybe it would happen.
Then, I began to notice that the most successful people around me were also the most physically fit. Perhaps that was the thing that was preventing me from achieving success in business. I despaired because I thought I was too old to "fix" myself.
I don't know how else to explain it, other than something just clicked. A co-worker said that she was thinking of joining Weight Watchers, but didn't want to do it alone. And I said, "I'll do it with you."
2. To stick to a diet plan, you need to plan all your meals. It really helps to think ahead to what you will be eating. I look forward to breakfast every day, because I know that this will get me off on the right foot. I separate my yolks from my whites, spray my pan, slow-cook my whites until they are just the way I like them. Or, I measure out my oatmeal, add a scoop of unsweetened pumpkin, and listen for the last few seconds of the microwave. It is oddly therapeutic. I read labels. I know that if I'm hungry, I should have fruit or vegetables instead of Chili Cheese Fritos. But, on Weight Watchers, I CAN have the Fritos if I measure them and count them on my points. (they are so delicious. Hey Frito Lay people, hook me up!)
3. It may take you losing ten pounds before someone notices and comments on you "looking great!" Some people may not ever say anything, for fear of offending you. Like I said in a previous post, fat people know they're fat. I have no illusions about the weight I've lost so far.
4. You may get discouraged. I have recently fallen into a bad pattern of gorging when I get home. I keep shoveling cheddar cheese-flavored pretzel nubs into my mouth, and can't seem to stop. Also zebra popcorn. My rationale is, "Hey, I need to eat some so I don't gorge myself because I want it." Makes no sense to me. Why does junky food taste so delicious? And in the cold light of day, I vow to do better.
5. Until you lose much of your weight, you maybe should not go out to eat. I blame bread baskets and delicious butter. Also most of the entrees out there are truly designed for two people. And who knows how much fat they're adding when they're cooking it for you? I don't drink alcohol, but just because it's liquid doesn't mean it's calorie-free. You know what you're supposed to be doing - or not doing.
6. Drink lots of water. Stay away from calorie-free soda. There are flavored carbonated waters that don't have any artificial sugar, stuff that I (and science) believe make you crave sweets. Sweets are the devil.
What helpful hints do you have for new dieters? Please leave a comment below
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