Today was my yearly appointment with my endocrinologist. She has been unaware of my weight loss, and so I was excited to get to this appointment. Seriously could not wait to get to the weigh in and see her. The wait was worth it. She was thrilled. Not only weight, but A1C levels are way down and now there is "No sign of pre-diabetes in you"(her words). My pulse, cholesterol, blood sugar, etc were all down and in a normal range. All of this magic happened not because I ate more oats, took a medication, followed some weird diet, etc. In fact I told her I'd been concerned about my cholesterol because I'd been having eggs just about every day. BTW, cholesterol went from 188 to 169. Anyhoo, it happened because I counted calories, controlled portions, and was active. Now I know that sounds a lot like dieting, but for one thing. I counted calories and controlled portions with REAL food; sure nuff honest to goodness full fat, or sweetened varieties, leans meats, fruits and veggies. And bread, I do have bread some.
I've come here to reiterate that 1200 calories of real food IS SO different than 1200 calories of fat free sugar free food. I know with the diet foods you feel like you can eat more. Visually it looks like more food. Problem is your body knows the difference. When I ate that way, I never could stay on track. By evening I was eating everything in sight. I may last a few days, but nothing longer than that. Eating real food has allowed me to be in control. All of these years of fighting to stay on track and beating myself up when I failed, are gone. It wasn't my lack of will power. It was my body fighting to function correctly. There are a lot of things in my life for which I can accept blame. This isn't one of them.
By the way. My activity is not a structured workout routine. In fact I'll balk at that. My activity is living my life. I am active in housecleaning, lawn maintenance, gardening, etc. What needs doing normally is my activity. Now if I was still at a sedentary job I may still have to have a structured workout routine. Not sure I'm mentally there to make myself exercise. As a result, not sure I would have been this successful if I still sat at a desk. Never thought I would hear myself say this, but if I ever went back to work (outside the home), I would have to have an active job.
We can argue the benefits or necessity of a structured workout verses an active lifestyle, but the one thing I can't accept is the need for diets and/or diet foods. It's like I was telling a friend the other day. It's like dieting is our drug of choice. The diet industry is the pusher. They give you the first week free or some other discount to get started. You're successful for a time. Some more than others. Then it isn't sustainable and it's your fault? These plans are set up to either keep you on them indefinitely or have you coming back repeatedly. Either way, they get your money. You are a source of income. No more, no less.
I feel like Ponce De Leon, with the fountain of youth, except I've found what I sought. I have the answer! I just want to tell everyone! You don't have to buy my book. You don't have to buy special foods. You don't even have to buy special ingredients. There is no need for fitness equipment. Funny. God saw fit to give us everything we need for our bodies to be able to function at full capacity. Why do we feel the need to change anything? He gave us food to eat (all food groups cause He's thorough like that). He gave us muscles to move, and He gave us his word. Proverbs 23: vs 1-3 says "When you sit and dine with a ruler, note well what is put before you. Put a knife to your throat if you are given to gluttony. Do not crave his delicacies for that food is deceptive". Seems a bit of an extreme, but the message is clear. Control yourself. Proverbs 25:16 " Have you found honey? Eat only what you need that you not have it in excess and vomit it.". So, yea, a little sweet is fine, but don't make yourself sick. Notice it doesn't say instead eat some artificial synthetic (was planning on being paint thinner) sweetener to save calories. Just sayin.
I'm tired of people having to put their life on hold to watch their weight. I can't do this or that because I can't expose myself to "this or that". Family events are mind fields and not something to be enjoyed. I'm tired of not wanting to be in a picture because it's a reminder of my size. I'm tired of worrying about the holidays coming around because it means rich high calorie food. I'm tired of feeling like I'm not strong enough to control myself. That there is something wrong with me. Some defect no one else has. My life is not on hold anymore. I am in control. I can go where I want, eat what I want. Family events are now events only. I will proudly stand in a picture even though I still have another 40 lbs to go. Holidays are holidays. I was not and am not defective. What I was eating was.
Please, please, please. Hear what I'm saying. Try it. To save calories, cut out what is "eh" and keep what is a "have to have" (veggies and fruits are have to have you know). Mine was bread, pasta or rice. I keep what is the most enjoyable to me and save the bread/pasta/rice for last. If I have the calories I may add a little, but it comes after coffee with cream and sugar and an evening smore. Priorities my dear Watson.
I made a pumpkin pie this morning cause it's 57 degrees which here is cool for the beginning of fall. I wanted it for breakfast, but it wasn't ready in time. I prefer it chilled anyway so it will be on the docket for tomorrow. It is true pumpkin pie minus one thing; a crust. Now that it's out of the oven, I'm on my way outside to finish up some work in the garden. Tonight is a pizza night. I'll be at my moms, but the guys want pizza. When I come in I'll make the crust and get every thing together for them to bake it. See? Activity is my workout. This is how I do it. Yours will be different, but for one thing. No diet foods Please!
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