Wednesday, December 15, 2010

Fuggitabowtit

I have had people ask me what I'm doing to lose weight. They don't believe me when I tell them "nothing".

You see, a few months ago, I had a bit of a revelation.
I was so worried about calories, fat grams, whole grains, yadda yadda yadda, that I forgot my love for food.
And I do love my food.

But I was doing myself a huge disservice. I was depriving myself. I was so stressed out over what I could and couldn't eat, that I forgot to have fun. The stress was NOT good for me. The stress caused me to have plateau after plateau.

So I just stopped worrying about it.
I allow myself to have things. I just remain conscious about it. For example, if I have a cookie, I know I can't have seconds on dinner.

I have also stopped worrying about fresh vs not fresh.
I eat canned green beans again. Often. I realized that BUYING it isn't doing me much good if I'm not EATING it.

I am no longer making lentils (i hate lentils) or trying to force feed my family veggies they won't eat (although I do sneak an onion in something every once in a while).

And . . .
I eat chocolate.
Daily.

Why is it working?
Because I am focusing on the world around me.
School. Housework. Kids. Husband.
Before, my focus all day, every day was still food.
Like it or not, worrying so much was feeding my addiction.
Now . . .
I eat when I'm hungry, and I eat what I want.
I no longer feel the need to eat MORE than what I need to be full, because the stress isn't there any more.

Some weeks I lose one pound.
Some weeks I lose nothing.
But in the last two months I have not GAINED anything.
And I am content with that.

The cycle is broken.

4 comments:

Courtney said...

Hallelujah! SO happy for you, Jen! Sounds like you've got this thing totally under control!! SO happy for you. Yes, deprivation causes us to stress. I don't believe I lost any weight this week, but it's ok. Surviving the holidays and not gaining is a WIN in my book!

Unknown said...

Amen! As a recovering food addict, I totally get everything you are saying. You go!

Karen said...

What a sane approach! Makes me think about what I have read about mindful eating and intuitive eating, things I don't do well. I have been on a yo-yo weight cycle for years and it makes me question my approach. I think yours makes so much sense... I wonder if I am patient enough.

Michelle said...

Wow, I have pretty much been doing the same thing and am maintaining too. It is liberating isn't it?