Saturday, November 26, 2005
Overcoming Mindless Eating - Part 2
What does low-carbing have to do with a nicer smile? For me, EVERYTHING!
Ever since I embarked on my new lifestyle, I've been searching for ways to stop that nagging feeling that I want to want to eat something even though I'm not hungry. Eating when you're not even hungry is the second type of mindless eating I listed in my previous post. I call it "mouth hunger."
Some of us have become so accustomed to dealing with stress, anxiety, and boredom by keeping our mouths busy chewing food. Sounds ridiculous, I know, but it's true. Up until recently, I used to do it all the time -- mindlessly -- as a way of pacifying myself. It's a good thing I finally decided that it was time to grow up and wean myself from the binky that was killing me. In order to do this, I had to start dealing with the feelings behind my own mouth hunger. I'm not going to lie and tell you that waking up to your own emotions isn't painful, because it is. But facing your fears and feelings can also be very empowering, not to mention liberating.
Unfortunately, once I learned to face the emotions behind my mindless eating and process with them, my mouth hunger didn't go away. Why? Because it I've been doing it so long that it has become a very deeply ingrained bad habit. Experts say that the best way to break bad habits is to replace them with good ones, so I've been seeking ways to keep my mouth busy without eating. If you struggle with mouth hunger like I do, perhaps you'll find some of these suggestions useful:
Ever since I embarked on my new lifestyle, I've been searching for ways to stop that nagging feeling that I want to want to eat something even though I'm not hungry. Eating when you're not even hungry is the second type of mindless eating I listed in my previous post. I call it "mouth hunger."
Some of us have become so accustomed to dealing with stress, anxiety, and boredom by keeping our mouths busy chewing food. Sounds ridiculous, I know, but it's true. Up until recently, I used to do it all the time -- mindlessly -- as a way of pacifying myself. It's a good thing I finally decided that it was time to grow up and wean myself from the binky that was killing me. In order to do this, I had to start dealing with the feelings behind my own mouth hunger. I'm not going to lie and tell you that waking up to your own emotions isn't painful, because it is. But facing your fears and feelings can also be very empowering, not to mention liberating.
Unfortunately, once I learned to face the emotions behind my mindless eating and process with them, my mouth hunger didn't go away. Why? Because it I've been doing it so long that it has become a very deeply ingrained bad habit. Experts say that the best way to break bad habits is to replace them with good ones, so I've been seeking ways to keep my mouth busy without eating. If you struggle with mouth hunger like I do, perhaps you'll find some of these suggestions useful:
- Drink water. Drink a lot of water. All day. Every day.
- Chew gum, but make sure it's sugar free. The brands I prefer have no carbs and contain no aspartame. Read the labels.
- Brush and floss your teeth frequently. You'll be less tempted to eat when your mouth feels clean. Buy a variety of toothpastes in different flavors and alternate them. Nothing gets my teeth whiter than Arm & Hammer, though.
- Keep a bottle of mouthwash handy and use it in between meals, or whenever you don't have enough time to brush your teeth. You won't want to spoil your sweet breath by eating after enjoying a good swish.
- Keep some sugar-free mints in your pocket. Or those breath strip things. Or use a breath spray. Listerine recently came out with a pocket spray I really like. Buy several and keep one in your car and in your desk, too. Keep them in plain sight so you remember to use them.
- Use teeth whitening strips. You can't eat or drink anything while wearing these and they keep your mouth busy for 30 minutes a day for a week (or two weeks, depending on the brand). I like the 7-day advanced whitening ones by Crest, but they run about $35 a package. You might want to watch for coupons in the Sunday paper and wait for them to go on sale, like I do.
- Suck on a sugar free hard candy. I love the Smooth & Creamy mint chocolate chip ones by Baskin Robbins. These are made with Splenda, acesulfame potassium, and sugar alcohols. Avoid the brands with aspartame. Walgreens usually has a good selection. Be careful, though, eating too many sugar alcohols can have a laxative effective.
- (This one's mostly for the ladies -- but maybe for some of you guys, too!) Wear lipstick or gloss, or both. Oh, heck, go ahead and do the rest of your makeup while you're at it. You won't want to ruin your pretty face by stuffing it with food. Keep a mirror in your purse or pocket for frequent touch ups. Look in the mirror often and see the beautiful new you emerging.
- Fill up a cookie jar with little, folded slips of paper on which you've written things you enjoy. On each piece of paper, write something you like to do, and fold it up. Write something that seems decadent but doesn't involve food -- for example, "read a novel," "take a bubble bath," "give myself a pedicure," "ride the swings at the park." Never write something you think you should do but dislike doing. For instance, if you hate exercise, don't write "take a walk" or "ride my bike." When the urge strikes to eat, pull out one of the slips of paper and do what it says. You'll be surprised how fast you'll forget about food.
- Oh, did I mention drinking water? Isn't it about time to have another glass?
As you can see from the above list, low-carbing has definitely improved my smile. If you have more "flabu-less" ideas, please post them in a comment!
In a future post, I will discuss mindless eating pitfall #3.
Overcoming Mindless Eating - Part 1
Now that I've been low-carbing for two weeks without cheating, I'm in the groove! This means I no longer have to fight the urge to eat sugar, and low-carb meal planning is becoming routine. Because I'm no longer battling tempatation to cheat, I've been able to observe myself more objectively. As a result, I've uncovered some bad habits that have contributed to my current unhealthy weight. Now, it's time to fix them, one at a time.
In the past, I would flit like a butterfly from one diet plan to another, looking for my Holy Grail. There is no such thing as the Holy Grail of all diets, of course. The only diet works is the one you can stick to -- for life. But even when the food is delicious and plentiful, as it is on plans such as Atkins or Protein Power, things can go awry. For me, the biggest enemy (besides sugar) is mindless eating -- that is, eating without being fully present in the moment. You know you're eating mindlessly when:
Recently, it occurred to me that I treat my car better than I treat my own body. Yikes! But, think about it. When your car's tank is getting low, what do you do? You stop at a gas station to refuel. That's right, I said stop. It's impossible to fill your car's tank by simply driving by the gas station, or while waiting for the traffic light in front of the gas station to turn green. No, you have to pull up to the pump, come to a complete stop, and turn off the ignition. You can't sit there revving the engine while you fill up, nor are you allowed to talk on your cell phone, because it's too dangerous. Have you ever noticed how impatient people can be at the gas pumps? In our fast-paced society, we get annoyed when we have to stop everything to refuel our vehicles when there are things to do, places to go, and people to see.
Before you can pump your gas, you must select the appropriate type of fuel for your vehicle. If the manufacturer recommends using a premium grade and you fill up with regular, your vehicle's performance will suffer. This is no different than eating inferior food. Sure, you fill up your stomach, but your body won't function optimally. Similarly, if your vehicle demands regular fuel and you fill up with diesel, it won't run and it might even ruin your vehicle. The wrong type of fuel is like a toxin to your car. Isn't it interesting that, while we wouldn't even consider putting the wrong type of fuel in our vehicles, we often don't think twice about putting toxins in our bodies? Perhaps it's because the consequences aren't always immediate. If you put the wrong type of fuel in your car, you'll notice right away. However, if you put junk food in your body, it can take a while for symptoms to show up.
Well, why should refueling our bodies be any different than refueling our cars? Some would argue that refueling a vehicle while it's still running might cause an explosion. But refueling our bodies while we're doing other things is just as bad. It can make us explode -- in fat! Because, by eating mindlessly, we can easily overfill our tanks, sometimes even with the wrong kind of fuel. Like our vehicles, our bodies came equipped with an automatic shut off when the tank is full. Unfortunately, in a lot of cases, such as mine, that mechanism is broken.
The process of shifting to a low-carb mindset has taught me that feeding my body is an act of self-love. No matter whatever else is vying for my attention, I need to learn to put my body's needs first. Taking the time to prepare a nutritious meal and eating it mindfully sends a "flabu-less" message to my mind and body. It's like telling my body that I am worthy. It's like saying "I love you" to myself. Now, there's a powerful concept! And, it's true! I am worthy. We all are.
So the next time you are tempted to eat while doing other things, I hope you'll remember to give yourself a great big Valentine. You are a child of God, after all. Your body deserves to be treated better than your car.
In subsequent posts, I will address mindless eating blunders #2 and #3.
In the past, I would flit like a butterfly from one diet plan to another, looking for my Holy Grail. There is no such thing as the Holy Grail of all diets, of course. The only diet works is the one you can stick to -- for life. But even when the food is delicious and plentiful, as it is on plans such as Atkins or Protein Power, things can go awry. For me, the biggest enemy (besides sugar) is mindless eating -- that is, eating without being fully present in the moment. You know you're eating mindlessly when:
- You're doing something else, like surfing the internet, or working at your desk, or talking on the phone (how rude!) when you eat.
- You're not hungry but you're eating anyway.
- You find yourself reaching for your next bite when you've barely had a chance to taste your first one.
Recently, it occurred to me that I treat my car better than I treat my own body. Yikes! But, think about it. When your car's tank is getting low, what do you do? You stop at a gas station to refuel. That's right, I said stop. It's impossible to fill your car's tank by simply driving by the gas station, or while waiting for the traffic light in front of the gas station to turn green. No, you have to pull up to the pump, come to a complete stop, and turn off the ignition. You can't sit there revving the engine while you fill up, nor are you allowed to talk on your cell phone, because it's too dangerous. Have you ever noticed how impatient people can be at the gas pumps? In our fast-paced society, we get annoyed when we have to stop everything to refuel our vehicles when there are things to do, places to go, and people to see.
Before you can pump your gas, you must select the appropriate type of fuel for your vehicle. If the manufacturer recommends using a premium grade and you fill up with regular, your vehicle's performance will suffer. This is no different than eating inferior food. Sure, you fill up your stomach, but your body won't function optimally. Similarly, if your vehicle demands regular fuel and you fill up with diesel, it won't run and it might even ruin your vehicle. The wrong type of fuel is like a toxin to your car. Isn't it interesting that, while we wouldn't even consider putting the wrong type of fuel in our vehicles, we often don't think twice about putting toxins in our bodies? Perhaps it's because the consequences aren't always immediate. If you put the wrong type of fuel in your car, you'll notice right away. However, if you put junk food in your body, it can take a while for symptoms to show up.
Well, why should refueling our bodies be any different than refueling our cars? Some would argue that refueling a vehicle while it's still running might cause an explosion. But refueling our bodies while we're doing other things is just as bad. It can make us explode -- in fat! Because, by eating mindlessly, we can easily overfill our tanks, sometimes even with the wrong kind of fuel. Like our vehicles, our bodies came equipped with an automatic shut off when the tank is full. Unfortunately, in a lot of cases, such as mine, that mechanism is broken.
The process of shifting to a low-carb mindset has taught me that feeding my body is an act of self-love. No matter whatever else is vying for my attention, I need to learn to put my body's needs first. Taking the time to prepare a nutritious meal and eating it mindfully sends a "flabu-less" message to my mind and body. It's like telling my body that I am worthy. It's like saying "I love you" to myself. Now, there's a powerful concept! And, it's true! I am worthy. We all are.
So the next time you are tempted to eat while doing other things, I hope you'll remember to give yourself a great big Valentine. You are a child of God, after all. Your body deserves to be treated better than your car.
In subsequent posts, I will address mindless eating blunders #2 and #3.
Allure "Total Makeover"
For the past year, "Allure" magazine has been running a "Total Makeover" feature about three women who set out on a quest to improve their bodies through diet and exercise. It has been interesting to watch their progress from one month to another. Even though the month-to-month pictures didn't always show much change, the difference between the "before" (one year ago) and "after" (now) pictures is astonishing!
Mikale Lichota, 28, started out at 5'7" weighing 215 pounds. Today she weighs 147. She commented that she "never thought there would be such a mental change as well." It makes sense, though. Our heads eventually have to catch up with our bodies, and we need to adjust our mental image of ourselves after we lose weight. (A friend of mine recently lost 90 pounds and looks gorgeous, but she still thinks she's fat!)
April Joy Varner, 33, started out at 5'8" weighing 214 pounds. Today she weighs 164. Poor April had "resigned herself to being overweight." Over the past year, she has learned the importance of staying on plan every day and being mindful of your eating and exercise. Like she said, "It's never really over." Now, that's a "flabu-less" way of thinking!
Kate Schmidt, 25, started out at 5'8" weighing 259 pounds and trimmed down to 173.8. Kate surprised herself because she never thought she could get below 200 pounds. One important thing Kate pointed out is that we cannot compare our results with those of others. Even though she believes that society still thinks of her as fat, Kate is proud of herself -- and she certainly should be!
I applaud these beautiful women for their courage and accomplishments. Adapting to the rigors of their new exercise routines and eating behaviors had to be a very difficult process, I'm sure. Nevertheless, they have reaped enormous rewards for sticking to their plans.
Now that this year's feature article is over, I hope Allure selects three more women for a similar makeover next year. Stories like these, and TV shows like "The Biggest Loser," which show ordinary people undergoing amazing transformations before our very eyes can be extremely inspiring. They exalt our imaginations and help us to realize that, by committing to some hard work and dedicating ourselves to a new lifestyle, we too can become "flabu-less."
Mikale Lichota, 28, started out at 5'7" weighing 215 pounds. Today she weighs 147. She commented that she "never thought there would be such a mental change as well." It makes sense, though. Our heads eventually have to catch up with our bodies, and we need to adjust our mental image of ourselves after we lose weight. (A friend of mine recently lost 90 pounds and looks gorgeous, but she still thinks she's fat!)
April Joy Varner, 33, started out at 5'8" weighing 214 pounds. Today she weighs 164. Poor April had "resigned herself to being overweight." Over the past year, she has learned the importance of staying on plan every day and being mindful of your eating and exercise. Like she said, "It's never really over." Now, that's a "flabu-less" way of thinking!
Kate Schmidt, 25, started out at 5'8" weighing 259 pounds and trimmed down to 173.8. Kate surprised herself because she never thought she could get below 200 pounds. One important thing Kate pointed out is that we cannot compare our results with those of others. Even though she believes that society still thinks of her as fat, Kate is proud of herself -- and she certainly should be!
I applaud these beautiful women for their courage and accomplishments. Adapting to the rigors of their new exercise routines and eating behaviors had to be a very difficult process, I'm sure. Nevertheless, they have reaped enormous rewards for sticking to their plans.
Now that this year's feature article is over, I hope Allure selects three more women for a similar makeover next year. Stories like these, and TV shows like "The Biggest Loser," which show ordinary people undergoing amazing transformations before our very eyes can be extremely inspiring. They exalt our imaginations and help us to realize that, by committing to some hard work and dedicating ourselves to a new lifestyle, we too can become "flabu-less."
Thursday, November 24, 2005
A "Flabu-less" Thanksgiving
Getting through Thanksgiving was a breeze this year because I was the cook and had complete control over the menu. This enabled me to ensure there were plenty of tasty, low-carb offerings that would please everyone. It was a bit of a challenge to come up with new recipes instead of the traditional, carb-laden favorites. But, that's also part of the fun!
Since we were dining later in the day, I warded off the temptation to snack on sweets by helping myself to a few handfuls of Blue Diamond almonds, which now come in a variety of bold flavors, such as Wasabi & Soy (my personal favorite), Maui Onion & Garlic, and Lime 'n Chili. Since the nuts are pretty salty, a cold drink was in order. For something a bit more special (and filling), I mixed a Tangerine Diet Rite soda with a few ounces of half and half. It tastes like a creamsicle! Try it sometime!
To maximize the flavor and moistness of the turkey, I chose to sacrifice aesthetics and roasted it breast side down, on a rack. This always ensures tender and flavorful meat because the fatty deposits under the skin along the backbone melt slowly and self-baste the bird while it's cooking. Of course, I added a bit of butter to make sure there were plenty of drippings for hand basting, too.
I love cranberry sauce, but it's loaded with sugar! So, instead of serving regular cranberry sauce, I made my own sugar-free version by cooking a bag of rinsed, fresh cranberries in a little water and adding enough Splenda to sweeten. Cranberries themselves are very low in carbs, so by removing the sugar, I was able to enjoy my turkey with cranberry sauce and didn't miss a thing.
Among the vegetable side dishes was a "flabu-less" mashed cauliflower with cheddar and sour cream, which tastes surprisingly similar to real mashed potatoes. And for dessert? None other than a slice of homemade, low-carb New York Style Cheesecake. Yum!
Not once did I feel like I was deprived or on a diet. Although I probably consumed a few more carbs than I would have on a normal day, my carb intake was definitely well within an acceptable range. All in all, a "flabu-less" Thanksgiving!
Since we were dining later in the day, I warded off the temptation to snack on sweets by helping myself to a few handfuls of Blue Diamond almonds, which now come in a variety of bold flavors, such as Wasabi & Soy (my personal favorite), Maui Onion & Garlic, and Lime 'n Chili. Since the nuts are pretty salty, a cold drink was in order. For something a bit more special (and filling), I mixed a Tangerine Diet Rite soda with a few ounces of half and half. It tastes like a creamsicle! Try it sometime!
To maximize the flavor and moistness of the turkey, I chose to sacrifice aesthetics and roasted it breast side down, on a rack. This always ensures tender and flavorful meat because the fatty deposits under the skin along the backbone melt slowly and self-baste the bird while it's cooking. Of course, I added a bit of butter to make sure there were plenty of drippings for hand basting, too.
I love cranberry sauce, but it's loaded with sugar! So, instead of serving regular cranberry sauce, I made my own sugar-free version by cooking a bag of rinsed, fresh cranberries in a little water and adding enough Splenda to sweeten. Cranberries themselves are very low in carbs, so by removing the sugar, I was able to enjoy my turkey with cranberry sauce and didn't miss a thing.
Among the vegetable side dishes was a "flabu-less" mashed cauliflower with cheddar and sour cream, which tastes surprisingly similar to real mashed potatoes. And for dessert? None other than a slice of homemade, low-carb New York Style Cheesecake. Yum!
Not once did I feel like I was deprived or on a diet. Although I probably consumed a few more carbs than I would have on a normal day, my carb intake was definitely well within an acceptable range. All in all, a "flabu-less" Thanksgiving!
Tuesday, November 22, 2005
Carbs Linked to Cataracts
According to a study by Tufts University, the excess glucose produced by eating too many carbs can damage lens proteins and lead to cataracts. The researchers studied a group of 417 women and found that those who ate 200 g or more carbs per day for 14+ years had more than twice the rate of cataracts than the group whose intake was closer to the USDA-recommended amount of 130 g per day. (I'm willing to bet that those who ate fewer carbs were a lot more "flabu-less" too; unfortunately, the study didn't not report on the subjects' weight.)
Monday, November 21, 2005
The Biggest Losers Tell All
I picked up a copy of the December issue of "Prevention" magazine over the weekend, only because the cover story piqued my curiosity. The most recent issue sports a photo of three members of NBC's reality show, "The Biggest Loser," and promises to "tell all" about their collective 132 pound weight loss.
While the achievements and "before and after" photos of this group are very impressive, I have to admit feeling a bit sorry for these poor folks. The three women featured on the cover have been following a low-calorie, low-fat diet (ugh!) and working out an average of 5 hours a day for the past 10 weeks. I can't even begin to imagine the agony of such a grueling routine!
There's no doubt this group has made incredible strides toward improving their health and well-being. Indeed, the "biggest loser" will be richly rewarded when the show comes to an end, but time will tell who the real winners actually are. How many of these folks will be motivated to continue their diet and exercise program indefinitely and become "flabu-less," I wonder? How many will decide it's too hard and give up, only to return to their previous bad habits (and weight)? Is 10 weeks is enough time to ingrain permanent lifestyle changes?
We may never find out what the future holds for this group of contestants. I certainly commend them for their accomplishments and wish them continued success, regardless of which program they choose to follow. All I know is that the low-fat/low-calorie diet never worked for me, because I could never maintain my weight loss, even with exercise. That's why I've re-committed myself to the low-carb lifestyle. It's the only way I can ever hope to become the biggest loser I know!
While the achievements and "before and after" photos of this group are very impressive, I have to admit feeling a bit sorry for these poor folks. The three women featured on the cover have been following a low-calorie, low-fat diet (ugh!) and working out an average of 5 hours a day for the past 10 weeks. I can't even begin to imagine the agony of such a grueling routine!
There's no doubt this group has made incredible strides toward improving their health and well-being. Indeed, the "biggest loser" will be richly rewarded when the show comes to an end, but time will tell who the real winners actually are. How many of these folks will be motivated to continue their diet and exercise program indefinitely and become "flabu-less," I wonder? How many will decide it's too hard and give up, only to return to their previous bad habits (and weight)? Is 10 weeks is enough time to ingrain permanent lifestyle changes?
We may never find out what the future holds for this group of contestants. I certainly commend them for their accomplishments and wish them continued success, regardless of which program they choose to follow. All I know is that the low-fat/low-calorie diet never worked for me, because I could never maintain my weight loss, even with exercise. That's why I've re-committed myself to the low-carb lifestyle. It's the only way I can ever hope to become the biggest loser I know!
Friday, November 18, 2005
I'm a Loser!
Well, I've been doing my low carb thing for six days now, and so far I have lost a total of...drumroll please...7.4 pounds. Yay! Just thought I'd share my happiness with everyone.
Thursday, November 17, 2005
Watch George Gorge!
No offense to anyone named George, I simply enjoy alliteration! It seems like buffet-style restaurants are springing up everywhere lately. And it's no surprise, really, because they provide relatively cheap eats, along with the illusion that you're getting a lot for your money. But check out the entrees and you'll quickly realize that almost everything is fried (carbs), battered (more carbs), or floating in a pool of gravy (still more carbs). Although most of these establishments typically offer a small tray of steamed, unappealingly limp broccoli (just in case the occasional diehard fat-o-phobe makes an unexpected appearance), most of the vegetable side dishes are high in -- you guess it -- carbs. Is it any wonder that people are getting fatter? A while ago, I went to a buffet-style Chinese restaurant with a friend. What impressed me most was not the quality of the food, although their peel-and-eat boiled shrimp was very carb friendly. I must admit that I was totally taken aback by the sight of so many morbidly obese people all in one place. We looked around to see if we might have walked in on a NAAFA convention, but most of these folks appeared to be dining alone or with friends. Before anybody starts to criticize them too harshly, I should mention that they weren't the only ones stuffing themselves. Most of the other patrons were pigging out too. Judging from their frequent trips through the buffet line, they appeared to be on the fast track to becoming as super-sized as the mountains of food they had loaded onto their plates. How sad, America. Lest you think I'm sitting on my high horse sounding all self-righteous since I adopted a low carb lifestyle, let me make something crystal clear. This is a very emotionally charged issue for me. My heart breaks when I see people using food to abuse themselves. They are the mirrors of my tortured soul, as I have first-hand knowledge of the private hell they are living. I know what is going on in their minds when they abuse food because, at various times in my life, I engaged in that very same behavior. People abuse food all the time, and those who do it aren't necessarily compulsive overeaters, either. Some of them may manage to stay within an acceptable weight range because they are bulimic, like I was in my late teens and early twenties. Others abuse their bodies by denying themselves nourishment and becoming anorexic. (I've done that, too.) It's a common misconception to assume that all fat people overeat. In a lot of cases, that's not necessarily true. After I recovered from my eating disorders, I realized that I tend to gain weight very easily, even though I usually eat considerably smaller meals than most people of normal-weight. People frequently jump to the mistaken conclusion that obesity an overeating problem that stems from a lack of self-control. Fat people have plenty of self-control, I assure you. Otherwise, a lot more skinny people would be turning up dead! But, seriously, folks... Although it's true that people can get fat by eating enormous quantities of junk food, there are also plenty of people who can get equally fat by eating normal-sized portions of high-carbohydrate health foods. I'm sure all the Ornish and Pritikin devotees would be shocked to hear this. Some say that poking fun at fat people is the only form of socially acceptable discrimination left in today's politically correct society. They call us lazy and stupid, and hurl all kinds of insults at us in public that they would never even dare to direct at, for example, a person of another race or nationality. Sure, it's possible that some overweight people are lazy, but I'm betting that most of them have broken metabolisms. After trying one diet after another and failing to lose weight, it's no wonder they have given up. Undeniably, repeated failure can take its toll on a person; and, it can have devastating consequences, too, sometimes shattering the core of someone's very being. People who don't realize that they are carbohydrate intolerant allow themselves to be coaxed, cajoled and shamed into joining programs like Weight Watchers or Jenny Craig, but none of those diets will work in the long run because they fail to address the unique needs of people who suffer from metabolic syndrome. Has that ever happened to you? If you're carbohydrate intolerant like I am, you didn't fail the diet. The diet failed you. Several years ago, I lost 40 pounds in 4 months by following a low carbohydrate diet. A single sugar binge completely derailed me and set me on the path to gaining back all the weight I had lost, plus another 50 pounds or so. I still haven't forgiven the person who helped orchestrate that fiasco. But it's my own fault. Had I stuck to my guns, I would have saved myself a lot of hardship. Well, thank goodness it's not too late for another chance at becoming thin and "flabu-less." Now that I have re-discovered the joys of low carbing, my heartfelt wish is to share this secret with fat people everywhere. You never know, it might just might turn out to be their key to living "flabu-lessly." |
Sabotage (The Enemy of All Diets)
Wow, can you believe Thanksgiving is less than a week away! I wonder how many of us are going to have to deal with friends and relatives who will try, either consciously or subconsciously, to sabotage our diet during the holidays? Chances are most dieters will be faced with this situation at one time or another, especially at this time of year.
Wait! Did you happen to notice that I used the word "diet" in the previous paragraph? One big problem with diets is that there's always somebody who's trying to get you to cheat! I hate to say this in a public forum but, a lot of times, it's because they're jealous. Your determination and success make these types feel ashamed that they haven't done anything about their own weight issues. Of course, not everybody who tries to sabotage you is green with envy over your new, "flabu-less" physique. Almost everybody has a well-meaning friend or relative who will say "I made it just for you" (guilt) and insist that "it won't hurt to eat a little bit" (a lie!). Although people like this have good intentions, what they don't realize is that they might as well be pushing you to use drugs. Can you imagine granny encouraging you to go ahead and snort some coke because "a little bit won't hurt?" Of course not! But she undoubtedly won't think twice about pushing a decadent, carb-laden dessert, which might be just as bad for you if you're sugar sensitive like me. Perhaps the analogy of comparing sugar to drugs sounds extreme, but for those of us whose bodies cannot handle the white stuff, it's reality.
I hate to sound like a broken record, but a low carb lifestyle really does solve a lot of the problems that plague traditional diets. For one thing, there's no need to announce that you're on a diet. It's not like there's any chance you'll be showing up at a party with weird foods that will draw attention to what you're eating. You're simply restricting your intake of carbohydrates, that's all. There's no need to feel deprived either, since holiday dinners typically include a wide variety of scrumptuous low-carb foods you can enjoy -- like turkey, ham, a variety of non-starchy vegetables, olives, sour pickles, and cheese. In a pinch, you can even munch on some of the fresh fruit and nuts that are spilling out of the cornucopia centerpiece. Nobody will even bat an eye, trust me.
If you're not quite ready to handle Aunt Mildred's aggressive pie pushing tactics yet, here's a little trick that worked for me. I've discovered that if I tell people that I'm abstaining from sugary and starchy foods due to a medical problem (technically true), they back off. You don't have to explain it; in fact, it's even better if you don't. If Aunt Mildred starts to ask embarrassing questions, just smile and change the subject. Believe me, 99% of the time, people like your Aunt Mildred will get the message that you don't want to discuss it. Every once in a while, you'll have to deal with the other 1% -- the ones who can't take a hint. Short of whopping them upside the head with a two-by-four (tempting, yes, but never a good idea), the only effective way I've found to deal with these boorish people is to crack a joke. My favorite response to people this is, "I can't eat that because I'm allergic." If they continue to press for details about the symptoms associated with your allergic reaction, just say, "It makes me break out -- in fat!" Works every time! Pretty soon everybody starts laughing, and the conversation moves on to more interesting things than what people are or aren't eating.
I don't know about you, but I sure don't plan to let the diet saboteurs sabotage my efforts to become thin and "flabu-less." And, honestly, there's little need to be concerned if you've made a permanent commitment to the low-carb lifestyle.
Wait! Did you happen to notice that I used the word "diet" in the previous paragraph? One big problem with diets is that there's always somebody who's trying to get you to cheat! I hate to say this in a public forum but, a lot of times, it's because they're jealous. Your determination and success make these types feel ashamed that they haven't done anything about their own weight issues. Of course, not everybody who tries to sabotage you is green with envy over your new, "flabu-less" physique. Almost everybody has a well-meaning friend or relative who will say "I made it just for you" (guilt) and insist that "it won't hurt to eat a little bit" (a lie!). Although people like this have good intentions, what they don't realize is that they might as well be pushing you to use drugs. Can you imagine granny encouraging you to go ahead and snort some coke because "a little bit won't hurt?" Of course not! But she undoubtedly won't think twice about pushing a decadent, carb-laden dessert, which might be just as bad for you if you're sugar sensitive like me. Perhaps the analogy of comparing sugar to drugs sounds extreme, but for those of us whose bodies cannot handle the white stuff, it's reality.
I hate to sound like a broken record, but a low carb lifestyle really does solve a lot of the problems that plague traditional diets. For one thing, there's no need to announce that you're on a diet. It's not like there's any chance you'll be showing up at a party with weird foods that will draw attention to what you're eating. You're simply restricting your intake of carbohydrates, that's all. There's no need to feel deprived either, since holiday dinners typically include a wide variety of scrumptuous low-carb foods you can enjoy -- like turkey, ham, a variety of non-starchy vegetables, olives, sour pickles, and cheese. In a pinch, you can even munch on some of the fresh fruit and nuts that are spilling out of the cornucopia centerpiece. Nobody will even bat an eye, trust me.
If you're not quite ready to handle Aunt Mildred's aggressive pie pushing tactics yet, here's a little trick that worked for me. I've discovered that if I tell people that I'm abstaining from sugary and starchy foods due to a medical problem (technically true), they back off. You don't have to explain it; in fact, it's even better if you don't. If Aunt Mildred starts to ask embarrassing questions, just smile and change the subject. Believe me, 99% of the time, people like your Aunt Mildred will get the message that you don't want to discuss it. Every once in a while, you'll have to deal with the other 1% -- the ones who can't take a hint. Short of whopping them upside the head with a two-by-four (tempting, yes, but never a good idea), the only effective way I've found to deal with these boorish people is to crack a joke. My favorite response to people this is, "I can't eat that because I'm allergic." If they continue to press for details about the symptoms associated with your allergic reaction, just say, "It makes me break out -- in fat!" Works every time! Pretty soon everybody starts laughing, and the conversation moves on to more interesting things than what people are or aren't eating.
I don't know about you, but I sure don't plan to let the diet saboteurs sabotage my efforts to become thin and "flabu-less." And, honestly, there's little need to be concerned if you've made a permanent commitment to the low-carb lifestyle.
Hypoglycemia Rapidly Improved
How many days have I been low-carbing now? I forgot already! It's been less than a week, and already I am reaping the benefits of my new lifestyle in so many ways. For one thing, the cravings are gone! Hooray! When I was eating carbs, barely a few hours would pass before the next craving hit, and then the battle of the wills would begin. Usually the craving would be so overwheming that I'd cave in just to make it go away, even though I knew it would be back with a vengeance before long. There's no doubt that I was an addict (and ice cream was my drug of choice).
The cravings would be so intense at times...I felt like I was going crazy! Carbs were my crack, and I could barely wait for my next fix, which was always followed by a high, and then, predictably, a crash. This is the hallmark of hypoglycemia. Several years ago, I was diagnosed with a special type of hypoglycemia called "reactive hypoglycemia," which essentially means that my body freaks out when I eat a lot of carbs. It becomes overzealous about bringing my insulin levels back down; eventually, my glucose levels get too low, and then my body responds by releasing a rush of adrenalin. This roller-coaster effect continues as long as I take in more carbs than my body needs (which, incidentally, is very few carbs indeed).
My reactive hypoglycemia symptoms have definitely subsided since I started low-carbing. Now that my blood sugar has stabilized, sometimes I even forget to eat. Hard to believe, I know! But it's true! My concentration has improved greatly since my body stopped screaming for another fix, and the "brain fog" and my other hypoglycemia symptoms are completely gone. Isn't that just "flabu-less?" I think so!
However, despite my short-term success so far, I'm not out of the woods yet. According to various experts in the field of nutrition, detoxing from sugar takes more than just a few days. And, even though low carbing eradicates cravings by addressing the physiological need for sugar, we still have to battle the psychological desire for it, not to mention the social aspects of eating. It's not always easy to do when we live in a society where food is associated with love. This is the holiday season, and rich, sugary treats will be lurking around every corner between now and the end of this year. Will I be tempted to indulge? Maybe. Will I give in? Probably not. I'll keep you posted.
The cravings would be so intense at times...I felt like I was going crazy! Carbs were my crack, and I could barely wait for my next fix, which was always followed by a high, and then, predictably, a crash. This is the hallmark of hypoglycemia. Several years ago, I was diagnosed with a special type of hypoglycemia called "reactive hypoglycemia," which essentially means that my body freaks out when I eat a lot of carbs. It becomes overzealous about bringing my insulin levels back down; eventually, my glucose levels get too low, and then my body responds by releasing a rush of adrenalin. This roller-coaster effect continues as long as I take in more carbs than my body needs (which, incidentally, is very few carbs indeed).
My reactive hypoglycemia symptoms have definitely subsided since I started low-carbing. Now that my blood sugar has stabilized, sometimes I even forget to eat. Hard to believe, I know! But it's true! My concentration has improved greatly since my body stopped screaming for another fix, and the "brain fog" and my other hypoglycemia symptoms are completely gone. Isn't that just "flabu-less?" I think so!
However, despite my short-term success so far, I'm not out of the woods yet. According to various experts in the field of nutrition, detoxing from sugar takes more than just a few days. And, even though low carbing eradicates cravings by addressing the physiological need for sugar, we still have to battle the psychological desire for it, not to mention the social aspects of eating. It's not always easy to do when we live in a society where food is associated with love. This is the holiday season, and rich, sugary treats will be lurking around every corner between now and the end of this year. Will I be tempted to indulge? Maybe. Will I give in? Probably not. I'll keep you posted.
Tuesday, November 15, 2005
Commitment
Ever notice that the word "commitment" makes people nervous? Especially guys. Mention commitment to any guy who has been dating the same woman for more than six months and watch him panic! The same is true for diets. Just the thought of committing oneself to yet another diet program is enough to send almost anybody into a tailspin. Bring up the word "diet" and what do people think of? Deprivation. Being hungry all the time. Feeling guilty about wanting to eat. Ugh! Such misery!
Not so with the low carb lifestyle, and that's why it's so important that it become a lifestyle and not a diet. A diet is something you go on temporarily until you lose the weight, and then you go off the diet and regain all the weight you lost. Obviously, it's not supposed to work that way; but, statistically, more than 90% of diets fail. That's the grim reality of diets.
By committing myself to the low carb lifestyle, I am saying "No!" to diets. Which means that I am also saying "No!" to failure, and "No!" to feeling deprived and hungry. There's absolutely no reason to feel guilty about wanting to eat either, because now I eat whenever I am hungry. Just a little while ago, I ate some salami and cheese and had a little dessert of blackberries and cream. It was pretty satisfying as far as late night snacks go. I wasn't hungry at dinner time, so I waited until I was hungry to eat. I'm not worried about the late hour, because I know the scale will register a loss tomorrow or the next day, and eventually I will become thin and "flabu-less."
Low carbing is extremely liberating. It has given me permission to let go of the nuisance of dieting once and for all. Instead of focusing on what I'm giving up (mainly, sugar and the stuff that my body turns into sugar), I'm choosing to enjoy the foods most dieters believe they must shun--like meat, butter, eggs, and cheese. To me, there's no more decadent way to start my morning now than with a steaming Cafe Americano with a splash of heavy cream. Back in my dieting days, I would have forced myself to take skim milk in my coffee, or better yet, to drink it black and save calories. Well, I don't worry about saving calories anymore. I prefer to savor them instead. You just can't beat the taste of living "flabu-lessly!"
Not so with the low carb lifestyle, and that's why it's so important that it become a lifestyle and not a diet. A diet is something you go on temporarily until you lose the weight, and then you go off the diet and regain all the weight you lost. Obviously, it's not supposed to work that way; but, statistically, more than 90% of diets fail. That's the grim reality of diets.
By committing myself to the low carb lifestyle, I am saying "No!" to diets. Which means that I am also saying "No!" to failure, and "No!" to feeling deprived and hungry. There's absolutely no reason to feel guilty about wanting to eat either, because now I eat whenever I am hungry. Just a little while ago, I ate some salami and cheese and had a little dessert of blackberries and cream. It was pretty satisfying as far as late night snacks go. I wasn't hungry at dinner time, so I waited until I was hungry to eat. I'm not worried about the late hour, because I know the scale will register a loss tomorrow or the next day, and eventually I will become thin and "flabu-less."
Low carbing is extremely liberating. It has given me permission to let go of the nuisance of dieting once and for all. Instead of focusing on what I'm giving up (mainly, sugar and the stuff that my body turns into sugar), I'm choosing to enjoy the foods most dieters believe they must shun--like meat, butter, eggs, and cheese. To me, there's no more decadent way to start my morning now than with a steaming Cafe Americano with a splash of heavy cream. Back in my dieting days, I would have forced myself to take skim milk in my coffee, or better yet, to drink it black and save calories. Well, I don't worry about saving calories anymore. I prefer to savor them instead. You just can't beat the taste of living "flabu-lessly!"
I'm (Almost) Famous Already!
Jimmy Moore and his blog, Livin La Vida Low Carb, have been a tremendous source of inspiration to me. Diet books abound, but few people can boast of a success story like Jimmy, who lost over 180 pounds living the low carb lifestyle. (Let's all give Jimmy a great, big round of applause for his superb accomplishment!) Considering his imminent celebrity status (Jimmy is currently on tour promoting a book he published recently), I was extremely flattered to see that he took the time to mention my name in his blog today. A big, "flabu-less" thank you to Jimmy for recognizing me and my mission here at Flabu-lessly Yours!
Well, now that I have been "outed" by one of the best low-carb blogs on the internet, I have no option but to succeed, right? And succeed I will. How could I possibly fail when I have a "flabu-less" low carb lifestyle and the support of wonderful people like Jimmy? In just 4 days of living life in the low carb zone (no, no, not "The Zone," that's a different program!), I am 4.7 pounds closer to becoming thin and "flabu-less." And the best part is, I'm never hungry anymore like I used to be when I was doing those other diets. Why? Because I'm not on a diet anymore! I've made a permanent lifestyle change. I've taken back control of my life and my weight. And it sure feels good, too!
Well, now that I have been "outed" by one of the best low-carb blogs on the internet, I have no option but to succeed, right? And succeed I will. How could I possibly fail when I have a "flabu-less" low carb lifestyle and the support of wonderful people like Jimmy? In just 4 days of living life in the low carb zone (no, no, not "The Zone," that's a different program!), I am 4.7 pounds closer to becoming thin and "flabu-less." And the best part is, I'm never hungry anymore like I used to be when I was doing those other diets. Why? Because I'm not on a diet anymore! I've made a permanent lifestyle change. I've taken back control of my life and my weight. And it sure feels good, too!
So Many Scams, So Little Time (and Money)
It saddens me to imagine how many innocent people have been ripped off by all the weight loss gimmicks out there nowadays. The advertising for some of these products is so slick that even old dieting pro's like me get duped by these scams once in a while. I'm ashamed to admit that I allowed myself to get seduced twice in just this year alone. Although I'm not the type of person who enjoys exacting revenge, I would like to share my personal experiences with these disreputable companies in my blog, in the hopes that my story might help others steer clear of the same traps. Pull up a chair, and let me tell you about the first one...
One of the newer players on the market, a multi-level marketing company called Isagenix, has recently gained a lot of press. Isagenix promises health, wealth, and weight loss with their detoxification and internal cellular cleansing system. I let myself get suckered into this one last July. Over the next 6 weeks on the program, I lost a whopping 30 pounds! Well, needless to say, that got my attention -- but, so did the chronic diarrhea that went along with it! Oh, and don't forget the hunger pangs. I was constantly starving on this program because all you're allowed is two shakes a day, some herbal pills that are supposed to help you burn fat, two snacks (more on those later), and one "sensible" meal of your own choosing which, for me, usually meant some kind of salad with protein in it. (I'm happy to report, however, that hunger is a thing of the past with my new low carb lifestyle! My stomach never growls anymore and I'm losing weight like crazy!)
People who have a lot of weight to lose are encouraged to do an Isagenix cleanse program two days a week. On cleanse days, you get to drink about a pint (mixed with water) of a liquid herbal blend that, according to Isagenix, somehow magically removes all those nasty toxins in your liver that have been preventing you from becoming thin and "flabu-less." Well, I don't know about that, but I can promise you this: the Isagenix cleanse drink is quite possibly the most vile tasting substance that could ever pass your lips. (Thankfully, nowadays I get to eat luxurious food while dropping pounds quickly!) No solid food is allowed on cleanse days, except for a grand total of six chalky wafers called Isagenix snacks -- oh, and an organic apple or two. The nutritional label reveals that these wafers are nothing but compressed powdered milk, fructose (which has been scientifically proven to be one of the worst things you can put in your body, although Isagenix claims their fructose is "special"), fatty acids, and a trace amount of vitamins. Yum, yum. Doesn't that sound tasty? The folks at Isagenix would like you to believe that ingesting 3 of these 20-calorie wafers twice a day is immensely satisfying, and will keep you feeling full until it's time for your next meal. Yeah, right!
I'd be remiss if I failed to mention the havoc this program wreaked with my budget. Each meal replacement costs somewhere in the range of $3.50 and $5.00, depending on your level of participation in the pyramid scam, er, scheme. Because of the way in which the products are bundled, it's next to impossible to get away with paying less than $150 a month, including tax and shipping. At the epitome of my Isagenix experience, I was spending more than $350 a month -- enough to buy food for an entire family on my new low carb lifestyle. Did I lose weight? Sure, at the rate of about five pounds a week. But guess what? Not surprisingly, it got to the point where I couldn't stomach the thought of slugging down another shake or cleanse drink, or gnawing on another one of those wafers that develop the texture of wallpaper paste in your mouthas soon as you start to chew them. So, I went off the Isagenix system and, in October, gained back 10 of the 30 pounds I had lost. Talk about disappointment! Well, my disappointment days are over because I've lost 4.7 of those pounds in just 4 days on my new low-carb lifestyle, and I'm expecting to lose a whole lot more!
Oh, oh, and how could I forget the most amazing thing about Isagenix? You can buy an entire three-ring binder full of Isagenix success stories for the bargain price of $25! Like any other company that is trying to make a quick buck, Isagenix has plenty of people singing its praises. One of the most extraordinary claims I ever heard was that the folks who have achieved dramatic weight loss (in excess of 100+ pounds) on Isagenix have no loose skin! ABSOLUTELY NONE!! Imagine that! Now, this I would like to see! Although, I guess we'll never really know will we? Unless...maybe...hey, do ya reckon some of these folks might be pursuaded to take off their clothes on stage at the next Isagenix convention? Hmmm...just a thought...
One of the newer players on the market, a multi-level marketing company called Isagenix, has recently gained a lot of press. Isagenix promises health, wealth, and weight loss with their detoxification and internal cellular cleansing system. I let myself get suckered into this one last July. Over the next 6 weeks on the program, I lost a whopping 30 pounds! Well, needless to say, that got my attention -- but, so did the chronic diarrhea that went along with it! Oh, and don't forget the hunger pangs. I was constantly starving on this program because all you're allowed is two shakes a day, some herbal pills that are supposed to help you burn fat, two snacks (more on those later), and one "sensible" meal of your own choosing which, for me, usually meant some kind of salad with protein in it. (I'm happy to report, however, that hunger is a thing of the past with my new low carb lifestyle! My stomach never growls anymore and I'm losing weight like crazy!)
People who have a lot of weight to lose are encouraged to do an Isagenix cleanse program two days a week. On cleanse days, you get to drink about a pint (mixed with water) of a liquid herbal blend that, according to Isagenix, somehow magically removes all those nasty toxins in your liver that have been preventing you from becoming thin and "flabu-less." Well, I don't know about that, but I can promise you this: the Isagenix cleanse drink is quite possibly the most vile tasting substance that could ever pass your lips. (Thankfully, nowadays I get to eat luxurious food while dropping pounds quickly!) No solid food is allowed on cleanse days, except for a grand total of six chalky wafers called Isagenix snacks -- oh, and an organic apple or two. The nutritional label reveals that these wafers are nothing but compressed powdered milk, fructose (which has been scientifically proven to be one of the worst things you can put in your body, although Isagenix claims their fructose is "special"), fatty acids, and a trace amount of vitamins. Yum, yum. Doesn't that sound tasty? The folks at Isagenix would like you to believe that ingesting 3 of these 20-calorie wafers twice a day is immensely satisfying, and will keep you feeling full until it's time for your next meal. Yeah, right!
I'd be remiss if I failed to mention the havoc this program wreaked with my budget. Each meal replacement costs somewhere in the range of $3.50 and $5.00, depending on your level of participation in the pyramid scam, er, scheme. Because of the way in which the products are bundled, it's next to impossible to get away with paying less than $150 a month, including tax and shipping. At the epitome of my Isagenix experience, I was spending more than $350 a month -- enough to buy food for an entire family on my new low carb lifestyle. Did I lose weight? Sure, at the rate of about five pounds a week. But guess what? Not surprisingly, it got to the point where I couldn't stomach the thought of slugging down another shake or cleanse drink, or gnawing on another one of those wafers that develop the texture of wallpaper paste in your mouthas soon as you start to chew them. So, I went off the Isagenix system and, in October, gained back 10 of the 30 pounds I had lost. Talk about disappointment! Well, my disappointment days are over because I've lost 4.7 of those pounds in just 4 days on my new low-carb lifestyle, and I'm expecting to lose a whole lot more!
Oh, oh, and how could I forget the most amazing thing about Isagenix? You can buy an entire three-ring binder full of Isagenix success stories for the bargain price of $25! Like any other company that is trying to make a quick buck, Isagenix has plenty of people singing its praises. One of the most extraordinary claims I ever heard was that the folks who have achieved dramatic weight loss (in excess of 100+ pounds) on Isagenix have no loose skin! ABSOLUTELY NONE!! Imagine that! Now, this I would like to see! Although, I guess we'll never really know will we? Unless...maybe...hey, do ya reckon some of these folks might be pursuaded to take off their clothes on stage at the next Isagenix convention? Hmmm...just a thought...
Monday, November 14, 2005
It's Getting Easier!
Well, this is my third day of easing myself into the low-carb lifestyle. Although I had been drastically reducing my carbs, today is the first day I stayed within the 20g range Atkins recommends during Induction. To be honest, it wasn't all that hard, and it seems to be getting easier.
Since sugar has always been a problem for me, I decided not to go cold turkey on the sweet tasting stuff and so I've been allowing myself some Splenda-sweetened Diet Coke. Since I rarely, if ever drink soda or use artificial sweeteners (except stevia), I can't decide if this is a treat or not!! Too much caffeine makes me feel wired, so I think I will stick to my morning coffee with cream and replace the diet soda with water, my usual drink of choice. I may need to jazz it up with some lemon juice or something, for variety, though. I find that I have always needed a lot of flavor when I'm low-carbing, because of the heavy emphasis on proteins.
Today I created a "flabu-less" meal using pre-cooked chicken breast tenderloins, about a cup of Trader Joe's caponata (a high-flavor eggplant appetizer in a jar--but you could easily substitute salsa), a few ounces of cream cheese, and a splash of heavy cream. I heated the chicken chunks up in a pan with the other ingredients until the cream cheese melted and turned into a delicious sauce. Easiest thing ever and really yummy, too. Ohhh, my gosh it was so delicious! And the best part was, I had enough left over for another meal! Whoever said that eating low-carb is boring?? Hard to believe I can eat luxurious food like this and still lose weight!
Since sugar has always been a problem for me, I decided not to go cold turkey on the sweet tasting stuff and so I've been allowing myself some Splenda-sweetened Diet Coke. Since I rarely, if ever drink soda or use artificial sweeteners (except stevia), I can't decide if this is a treat or not!! Too much caffeine makes me feel wired, so I think I will stick to my morning coffee with cream and replace the diet soda with water, my usual drink of choice. I may need to jazz it up with some lemon juice or something, for variety, though. I find that I have always needed a lot of flavor when I'm low-carbing, because of the heavy emphasis on proteins.
Today I created a "flabu-less" meal using pre-cooked chicken breast tenderloins, about a cup of Trader Joe's caponata (a high-flavor eggplant appetizer in a jar--but you could easily substitute salsa), a few ounces of cream cheese, and a splash of heavy cream. I heated the chicken chunks up in a pan with the other ingredients until the cream cheese melted and turned into a delicious sauce. Easiest thing ever and really yummy, too. Ohhh, my gosh it was so delicious! And the best part was, I had enough left over for another meal! Whoever said that eating low-carb is boring?? Hard to believe I can eat luxurious food like this and still lose weight!
Sunday, November 13, 2005
Tracking My Flabu-less Progress
Alright, since I'm committed to succeeding this time around, I've decided that I need to do a better job of tracking my progress than I've done on previous weight loss attempts. Once I kept a journal and (WOW!) what a difference that made! But, I gotta tell ya, I hate journaling with a purple passion! So what am I doing writing these blog entires? Well, I digress, but...
Anyway, I bought a new toy and one of its functions is to help keep me accountable. My new plaything is a Canon PowerShot A610 digitial camera. (Added bonus: It will pay for itself before the end of this year because I will be using it to take pictures of things I am selling online -- eBay 'ho that I am!) OK, so as part of my motivational plan -- and also because I thought it might be fun -- I've decided to take a photograph of myself each month to illustrate my journey on the road to becoming "flabu-less." When will you be able to see a pic of me? Well, as soon as I have the guts to upload one, that's when!
Anyway, I bought a new toy and one of its functions is to help keep me accountable. My new plaything is a Canon PowerShot A610 digitial camera. (Added bonus: It will pay for itself before the end of this year because I will be using it to take pictures of things I am selling online -- eBay 'ho that I am!) OK, so as part of my motivational plan -- and also because I thought it might be fun -- I've decided to take a photograph of myself each month to illustrate my journey on the road to becoming "flabu-less." When will you be able to see a pic of me? Well, as soon as I have the guts to upload one, that's when!
The Price of Becoming Flabu-less
Well, just when I thought I had heard everything! An acquaintance of mine called earlier today to tell me that she is preparing to undergo bariatric surgery. This news surprised me because she is (only) about 60 pounds overweight. I say "only" because, to me, a 60 pound weight loss seems entirely do-able without going to extreme measures. I should know, I've done it plenty of times myself!
Before anybody gets their underwear in a knot, let me make it clear that I have nothing against bariatric surgery. Nor do I regard people who choose to take this path as weak or in any way "less than" those who lose weight without surgical intervention. In cases of extreme obesity, especially where there are compounding factors for early morbidity, it may possibly be the only way for a person to get their life back. And I applaud anyone who has the courage and fortitude to go through with it.
That said, I have to wonder how many people, besides my acquaintance here, are running to surgeons for a quick fix so they don't have to make the lifestyle changes necessary to lose weight. When I asked her if the doctors plan to teach her how to eat after undergoing surgery, she confessed that one of the things that attracted her most about this procedure is that no changes would be necessary. So, in other words, she still plans on eating the same junk she does now, only less of it. Evidently, a daily chewable Flintstone's vitamin is supposed to fill in the nutritional gaps. The wonders of modern medicine never cease to amaze me!
This lady confided that she is fully expecting her medical insurance company to deny coverage because her BMI is too low to qualify her as a candidate for this procedure . (Well, thank goodness somebody has some sense!) But she won't let that stop her, no siree! In fact, she is fully prepared to pay for the associated expenses by getting an equity line of credit against her house. Then she went on to say that I might want to do the same some day, when my financial situation improves. Um, excuse me?? Can you spell R-U-D-E?!!
I made the mistake of suggesting that she might want to try something less extreme first, like maybe a lifestyle change that includes more exercise and better eating habits. Well, you'd think I had told her to go jump into a vat of boiling oil or something! Her reaction was that extreme! The first thing she did was enumerate all the reasons why she couldn't exercise. (Interestingly, they all sounded kinda familiar. Hmm...what does that say about me?) Secondly, she told me that her eating habits were just fine, and she just needed the surgeon to shrink her stomach so she would eat less at each meal. But, what about the daily ice cream treats and Three Musketeers bars? Well, she assured me that her doctor said it would be fine to continue eating them. OK, whatever.
So, anybody who thinks you can get thin and "flabu-less" eating all the sugary ice cream and chocolate bars you want, please raise your hand.
Before anybody gets their underwear in a knot, let me make it clear that I have nothing against bariatric surgery. Nor do I regard people who choose to take this path as weak or in any way "less than" those who lose weight without surgical intervention. In cases of extreme obesity, especially where there are compounding factors for early morbidity, it may possibly be the only way for a person to get their life back. And I applaud anyone who has the courage and fortitude to go through with it.
That said, I have to wonder how many people, besides my acquaintance here, are running to surgeons for a quick fix so they don't have to make the lifestyle changes necessary to lose weight. When I asked her if the doctors plan to teach her how to eat after undergoing surgery, she confessed that one of the things that attracted her most about this procedure is that no changes would be necessary. So, in other words, she still plans on eating the same junk she does now, only less of it. Evidently, a daily chewable Flintstone's vitamin is supposed to fill in the nutritional gaps. The wonders of modern medicine never cease to amaze me!
This lady confided that she is fully expecting her medical insurance company to deny coverage because her BMI is too low to qualify her as a candidate for this procedure . (Well, thank goodness somebody has some sense!) But she won't let that stop her, no siree! In fact, she is fully prepared to pay for the associated expenses by getting an equity line of credit against her house. Then she went on to say that I might want to do the same some day, when my financial situation improves. Um, excuse me?? Can you spell R-U-D-E?!!
I made the mistake of suggesting that she might want to try something less extreme first, like maybe a lifestyle change that includes more exercise and better eating habits. Well, you'd think I had told her to go jump into a vat of boiling oil or something! Her reaction was that extreme! The first thing she did was enumerate all the reasons why she couldn't exercise. (Interestingly, they all sounded kinda familiar. Hmm...what does that say about me?) Secondly, she told me that her eating habits were just fine, and she just needed the surgeon to shrink her stomach so she would eat less at each meal. But, what about the daily ice cream treats and Three Musketeers bars? Well, she assured me that her doctor said it would be fine to continue eating them. OK, whatever.
So, anybody who thinks you can get thin and "flabu-less" eating all the sugary ice cream and chocolate bars you want, please raise your hand.
Thin and "Flabu-less"
OK, I am officially sick and tired of the struggle with my ever-expanding posterior which, at this moment, appears as if it could span two continents. So, I decided that I'm going to slay the obesity monster for good once and for all. If you'd like to watch me do it, then you'll want to follow this blog.
It's not like I'm any stranger to dieting. In fact, I've lost plenty of weight in my life. In the past 30 years, I've lost and gained back hundreds of pounds over and over. If you're reading this blog, then you probably already know how that story goes: go on a diet, lose some weight, and then gain back even more. When I was a teenager, I lost 115 pounds in one year by becoming anorexic. (Yes, I was a fat kid.) Then I became bulemic and gained most of it back. (No joke.) Then, I got thin again in my late 20s. Over the next two decades, I kept gaining more and more weight -- until one day, my life was spinning hopelessly out of control. (This happened, in part, due to a medical condition. Oh, hush up! It seemed like a good excuse at the time.) This year, I lost 60 pounds and recently gained back 10 of them. Crap!
So, what makes me think this time will be different? Well, for one thing, I have sworn off pills, potions, meal replacements, fake foods, cellular detoxification gimmicks (yes, Isagenix, I mean YOU!!!), and all the other nonsense that the multi-million dollar weight loss industry deviously cooks up in an attempt to rob me of my hard earned dollars. I refuse to drink anymore chalky protein shakes or eat anymore "nutritionally balanced" bars, all of which taste like candy-coated cardboard to me anyway. You can bet your sweet bippie that I won't be fasting, starving, "cleansing" or counting Points -- or fat grams, or calories -- either. While you're at it, you can forget portion control too!! That is, unless it's a portion of bread, pasta, rice, potatoes, or anything else that's high in carbohydrates. That's right! I'm low carbing!
It's not like I haven't tried low carbing before. In fact, I was quite successful at losing weight by restricting carbs it in the past. The only problem was -- well, actually, there were several problems. OK, I admit I cheated. But everybody cheats once in a while (even this guy, who inspired me to start blogging my own journey). The biggest problem was that, once I let that villainous poison called "sugar" back into my life, I gained back the 40 pounds I had lost low-carbing -- plus a whole lot more. I am oh, so tired of the raging battle between my tastebuds (which love sugar) and my body (which treats it like a toxin). So, I've re-committed myself to the low-carb lifestyle. Notice that I said "lifestyle" and not "diet." This time, I'm going to follow the plan correctly. And I'm not going to allow myself to eat sugar again. In any form. Ever. Amen.
Nevertheless, I am really looking forward to using my above-average cooking skills to create some "flabu-less" gourmet meals. So, pick up your fork and let's dig in! We're going to have ourselves a "flabu-less" time getting"flabu-lessly" thin!
It's not like I'm any stranger to dieting. In fact, I've lost plenty of weight in my life. In the past 30 years, I've lost and gained back hundreds of pounds over and over. If you're reading this blog, then you probably already know how that story goes: go on a diet, lose some weight, and then gain back even more. When I was a teenager, I lost 115 pounds in one year by becoming anorexic. (Yes, I was a fat kid.) Then I became bulemic and gained most of it back. (No joke.) Then, I got thin again in my late 20s. Over the next two decades, I kept gaining more and more weight -- until one day, my life was spinning hopelessly out of control. (This happened, in part, due to a medical condition. Oh, hush up! It seemed like a good excuse at the time.) This year, I lost 60 pounds and recently gained back 10 of them. Crap!
So, what makes me think this time will be different? Well, for one thing, I have sworn off pills, potions, meal replacements, fake foods, cellular detoxification gimmicks (yes, Isagenix, I mean YOU!!!), and all the other nonsense that the multi-million dollar weight loss industry deviously cooks up in an attempt to rob me of my hard earned dollars. I refuse to drink anymore chalky protein shakes or eat anymore "nutritionally balanced" bars, all of which taste like candy-coated cardboard to me anyway. You can bet your sweet bippie that I won't be fasting, starving, "cleansing" or counting Points -- or fat grams, or calories -- either. While you're at it, you can forget portion control too!! That is, unless it's a portion of bread, pasta, rice, potatoes, or anything else that's high in carbohydrates. That's right! I'm low carbing!
It's not like I haven't tried low carbing before. In fact, I was quite successful at losing weight by restricting carbs it in the past. The only problem was -- well, actually, there were several problems. OK, I admit I cheated. But everybody cheats once in a while (even this guy, who inspired me to start blogging my own journey). The biggest problem was that, once I let that villainous poison called "sugar" back into my life, I gained back the 40 pounds I had lost low-carbing -- plus a whole lot more. I am oh, so tired of the raging battle between my tastebuds (which love sugar) and my body (which treats it like a toxin). So, I've re-committed myself to the low-carb lifestyle. Notice that I said "lifestyle" and not "diet." This time, I'm going to follow the plan correctly. And I'm not going to allow myself to eat sugar again. In any form. Ever. Amen.
Nevertheless, I am really looking forward to using my above-average cooking skills to create some "flabu-less" gourmet meals. So, pick up your fork and let's dig in! We're going to have ourselves a "flabu-less" time getting"flabu-lessly" thin!
