Diets

Lately, as people have noticed my weight loss, diets have naturally been a topic of conversation.  I find myself constantly repeating that I don't feel like I am on a diet.  This is a lifestyle change that I have made.  I am making every effort to not only change how I look but also to change my relationship with food.  Its not about just losing the excess weight that I currently have but once its off, I will have to maintain the loss.  The only way I can do this is to eat as I will eat for the rest of my life. 

The problem I have with most of the main diets like Jenny Craig, Nutrisystem and even Atkins is that they're unrealistic.  With the first 2,  from what I understand, the meals are delivered to your home and you're really only heating it up.  With the last diet, you're completely giving up a food group.  What happens when most people meet their goal weight with those diets and go back to eating regular foods??  They regain what they lost and sometimes gain some extra pounds just for good measure.  SURPRISED?!?!  You shouldnt be.  These diets' success is mainly based on eating "special" foods or in a "different" way then normal.  So, when you go back to eating normal foods, your weight skyrockets!!  Like a friend told me her fiance said, the weight is like the Jeffersons' theme song, just movin' on up!!

One of the reasons I LOVE Weight Watchers is because I eat regular food.  I mainly just changed my portion size and also how I eat my favorite foods.  For example, my breakfast this morning was a ham, pepper jack cheese and onion egg white omelette with an english muffin.  It was DELICIOUS!!  For lunch, I had roasted chicken, rice and veggies.  This was also very tasty!! I ate relatively light for the day because I was supposed to go to eat tonight.  My plans were cancelled, so I had enough points to eat one of my favorite foods, CHINESE!! :-)  In the past, I would have eaten a sausage, egg and cheese for breakfast, maybe McDonald's 20 piece for lunch and also indulged in a high point (HIGH FAT) dinner.  Sometimes I may have eaten a dessert.  Now I plan what I am going to eat.  If I know that I am going to be going out and I make better choices during the day.  This way when I am indulging for dinner, I dont feel guilty because I planned for it.

Now, this is not to say that it is easy.  As my sister reminded me today, no diet or lifestyle change is easy.  They ALL require work and effort; some a little more than others.  I measure or weigh everything I eat.  I dont just eat what I want anymore.  If I am going out to eat, I typically research where I am going and then determine how many points the meals that I am interested are.  This can take up to an hour at a time but you know, its worth it.  I like the fact that I can normally and even go out and not have to depend on grilled chicken and salad, which while good, can be extemely BORING!! 

I am not a spokesperson for Weight Watchers, at least not yet! :-)  I advocate people lose weight however works for them, just make sure you think about how you're going to maintain the weight loss.  This way you are creating a path for success!!

Thanks for reading and take care!!