Dieting Sucks…So I Refuse To Do It!

Yo-yo dieting is terrible.   There are those stupid rules: eat this but never this.  Which makes you crave the untouchables. You starve your body to lose a few pounds.  Then you have a breakdown and shovel icecream, cheeseburgers and french fries down your pie hole to just be devistated you not only gained ALL your weight back but actually GAINED 4 MORE POUNDS! So you start the cycle over, this time with a new “diet” that you are confident will work this time!!!

I’m done with it.

No more dieting for me.  Yup, I eat exactly what I want.  And I’m losing weight.  Yes you read that correctly.  I eat what I want and I’m losing weight.

How is this possible? Well, I have my own rules…three of them.

1) I listen to my body

I am an emotional eater.  Any emotion and I can eat…a lot. Icecream and french fries are my favorite go to’s.  But I rarely feel satisfied…I simply have more emotions and need more food.

I knew I needed to change my relationship with food.  Food is now my fuel, not my emotional crutch. But it took two very special women in my life to help me view it as such.

The first is my dietition, Yansee Wong. I have been seeing her for 2 years now.  She’s been teaching me why I need starch (energy), protein (build muscles), fiber from fruits and veggies (keeps you internals regular and clean), and icecream (for my sanity).  I don’t count calories or keep a food journal.  Although I do peak at sugar content to ensure my trigyceried stay in check.  And I do want to make a side note that when I first started changing the way I eat, I did jounal so I could learn to be aware.

So while Yansee has given me a wealth of knowledge on food nutrition and many ways of preparing my own food, it is Janet S Crawley who, in this last year an half, has taught me to listen to my body and not just my emotions.

Janet is one of the biggest blessings in my life.  She not only has taught me the magic of breathing but the magic of listening to my body.  She’s, among many wonderful things, a yoga instructor.  And listening to your body is neccessary to properly do poses without hurting yourself.

I took the simple idea of listening to my body for yoga and applied it to food.

My body always benefits from water, so I try and choose it first.  Then I listen.  Am I emotional? Grab some nuts and an apple.  Am I actually hungry? Eat a balanced meal with starch, protein and veggies. Am I craving a food? This one’s a little trickier but I usually try and reschedule the craving instead of bargaining or giving in.  “Okay self, you want icecream? You can have it.  But not right now.  You can have it ________” and then I fill in the blank with a specific time/date.  I might even put it in the calendar.  And then when its time to eat it, I take the time to really enjoy it.

2) I found ways to enjoy being active

 I do not go to the gym.  I have paid thousands of dollars and rarely went.  It reminded me of a chore.  And I hate chores.  Instead, I find exciting ways to be active.  And as of late, hiking is my favorite activity.

3) I forgive myself

Sometimes I do give in to my emotions.  After all, I am human.  And when that happens, a pint or more of icecream may go missing.

Sometimes scheduling and poor planning means mac n cheese and a hotdog.  And maybe some smores.

But that’s part of life.  And I accept it.  And I forgive myself for not sticking to a plan exactly.  Life can be hard enough without the struggle of food.

By the way the biggest reason I began forgiving myself is because the guilt I felt just made me want more icecream.  This way, I don’t need to feel guilty.

My body appreciates me taking the time to listen, move it and forgive her.  And in appreciation, she is shedding pounds getting me closer to a life long dream…

This summer I will be skydiving!

Till next time…Happy Adventure Friday Friends!!

Love and hugs, Adventure Mel