Today's the Day!

Monday, January 4, 2010

We start today. The question is, what are we starting? Are we starting a diet, or are we starting a healthier lifestyle? Diets fail. Period. With diets we reach our desired weight and say, "Whew! I did it! The end!" Unfortunately, the end of a diet means the beginning of inevitable weight gain. I am NOT starting a diet today. I am beginning a new, healthy lifestyle.

Why am I doing this? Is it because I want to look good? (Well, duh!) But honestly, there are other reasons that I want to lose weight. Both of my parents have coronary artery disease. My father is dying a slow, agonizing death from congestive heart failure. I really don't want my life to end like that. I want to be healthy so I can enjoy playing with my grandchildren one day. I have had the privilege of taking a glimpse into my future by seeing my genetic predisposition for heart disease. Another motivating factor for me is that, as born again Christian, my body is the temple of the Holy Spirit. Honestly, I don't think the Holy Spirit can be too happy riding around in this body. I want to live a long and healthy life so I can serve Him longer.

Tips for Today:

• If you bite it, write it. Write down everything you eat, every day this week. Sounds like a pain, but I promise you will understand why you're doing it by the end of the week. It is a proven weight loss trick. Weight Watchers members will be tracking their points this way.
• Measure your portions. Remember, to check the labels on your food for what a serving size is. Generally, a serving of meat is the size of a deck of cards or the palm of your hand. A serving of vegetables is 1/2 cup or the size of your fist.
• Drink 6 to 8 (8 oz.) glasses of liquid. This trick alone can make you or break you. If you just hate water, you can drink other stuff, but AVOID carbonated drinks, as they deplete calcium from your bones. AVOID sugary drinks, as they add a bunch of calories, and trust me, you'll feel fuller if you chew your calories instead of drinking them.
• Use a dessert plate at mealtimes. This makes you feel like you are getting a plate full of food. Seriously.
• Don't skip breakfast, and be sure to eat a fruit or vegetable for between meal snacks. Gotta keep that metabolism on smokin' hot mode all day long! I recommend getting a little protein with each meal. Protein takes longer for your body to burn, so you feel fuller longer.
• Eat like a king at breakfast, a prince at lunch, and a pauper at supper. This one is hard for me, as my family dines together in the evenings. But the concept is to consume the majority of your calories early in the day to maximize the burn potential. We wind down in the evenings, and don't tend to burn those calories as well.
• Sit down and relax while you eat. Don't eat on the go if you can help it. You'll scarf the food down so quickly, you'll be hungry again in 20 minutes. If you sit down and eat slowly, you're body will be tuned in to it's God-given signals. You're body will tell you when it has had enough. When you're body says it is satisfied, stop eating.
• Don't deprive yourself of foods that you love. You'll never make it if you do. Weight Watchers gives you 35 extra points each week in addition to your daily points goal. I usually use these points on the weekends. The trick to getting what you want is to MEASURE YOUR PORTIONS!!!! I love macaroni and cheese, so every once in a while I make some. But when I do, I make sure I measure out about 1/4 cup of it, and I sit down and slowly savor and enjoy every bite. By the time I get ready for second helpings, the husband and kids have already eaten it.
• Adopt a new mantra. Repeat after me, "Nothing tastes as good as being fit feels." This motto really does help me keep focused on my goal. My goal is NOT to satisfy my cravings. My goal is to be healthy and fit. I have so much more energy now than I did at 190 pounds this time last year. I love the way being fit feels. No food can make me feel that good! (Actually, some foods just make me feel downright bad! You know that yucky, heavy feeling you sometimes get after eating?)