karrie213's Journal, 03 June 2013

Have you tried posting pictures and goals around the house? Such as on the bathroom mirror on the fridge door, the cabinet/pantry doors. Places where you're reminded of your goals and what you're working for. I have a friend who did this when she started her own "at home" business and she has met just about every single one of her goals. I don't do it, because I have nosey family who always want to tell me what I need to do or always have some kind of comment about whatever they see. I did however, order checks with pictures of babies when we were wanting to have our own children, so everytime I paid a bill, I was reminded why I didn't want to spend money that wasn't necessary to spend. You can do this and you have the best goal of all! Going out to eat dinner is fine, just make the healthy choices and remember all things in moderation. Just because it's all you can eat buffets, doesn't mean you have to overload your plate and go back multiple times. Buffets are the hardest, I'll give you that, but you can do it. 

Thank you so much! I haven't tried posting pictures or goals around the house, however, I think that would be an excellent idea. I think that I may give myself a month or two and then try going back to a buffet, just to see if I make the right choices when I do go back :) 

I agree with posting goals - maybe of the baby you want to have, things that motivate you, foods that feed your body better than fast food or buffets. Define what you want, how long you think it may take you to get there, how you plan to do it - list it all. Journal journal journal until it becomes a habit and way of thinking.  

Also, set small goals that you can achieve along the way. I've done a lot better with my weight loss, since I've set my weight loss in smaller 10 pound increments than my global goal of 80 pounds. It's a lot less daunting to think I've only 7 more pounds to my goal than thinking I have 67 pounds to my goal. Other suggestions are to think way back to when we were in school. Remember when they used to tell us, "chew your food 32 times"? I've told this story before, once when I had gone out for breakfast, this older couple were sitting across from us. The lady had crepes or something for breakfast, but I remember, she'd take a bite, put down her knife and fork, place her hands in her lap and chew. When she finished with that bite, she'd talk for a bit, then take a drink, and start all over again. I remember thinking "at this rate, it'll take her forever to finish her breakfast" and I really don't remember how long it did take, or even if she ate all of it...but that image has stuck with me and I do try it every so often. I no longer eat until I feel full, because by then, I'm stuffed and miserable. I just eat until I'm no longer hungry and always end up going home with a doggy bag. You can do this and we can and will support you! We no longer have to be members of the Clean Plate Club, which I know goes directly against our upbringing. It's the baby steps that get you to your goals and teach you a long the way, making long lasting good habits. And that's what we want after all.