Fitwriter's Journal, 01 July 2018

Start now, learn is a lifestyle change 

Forever if u want to feel better forever u forever have to eat better 

It’s simple, difficult but simple 

I have to make a plan to change my habits. I set a long term goal and short term goals to reach to the long term goal. When I make a mistake - I learn the lesson and get back on course. This is a life long journey and I am the only one that can make the choice for me. I wish you all the best on your adventure.  

Back on track: First, I am SO GLAD I got real with myself. Maybe you haven't looked hard enough at your predictable future. I know if I don't deal with my eating habits I will stay on a fast decline into more physical pain and disappointment, I may not be able to walk again, and then I will probably die without being able take my dog for walks or any of the simple things I really love. And that is NOT OK with me. Second: I am SO GLAD I tossed all that unhealthy stuff from my house. One day it was the junk food area. One day it was the canned and boxed stuff in the cabinet. One day it was the fridge and freezer and random spots, And one day it was the baking supplies. I kept only what I knew I would be eating soon and was absolutely a match for my eating plan. The rest of it went to friends that wanted it or trash. Would have loved to take to food center but just couldn't get there and I needed the stuff gone. And finally, if I go off that wagon, which I have committed not to for at least 1 year, then I will start over at the first step and get going again. One life. Don't let the people making money off of soda take it from you. 

Toss all that stuff straight into the garbage can. We have to stop thinking of that stuff as treats and rewarding ourselves. Most junk food is just tasty poison and if you start thinking of it that way it's no longer tempting. Chuck it and remember where it belongs.  

Please don't be too hard on yourself. We are only human, doing the best we can. I have been in your position many times (see my 8 year history on this site). I just kept trying.  

Figuring out what you did wrong is your first step. You can eat out, but you have to eat mindfully. Pay attention to the calories listed in the menu. Pay attention to your RDI and stick to it. Exercise or clean before every snack. Drink diet soda. These are all simple switches that allow you to live your life without gaining more weight.  

Good for you, Vam49, It's tough to disappoint oneself, but it feels so good to get back on track!  

SoCalPam, I agree with you on your posts and advise. Unfortunately, the diet soda thing is a diet sabotage. Read the following link for further information: https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/to-your-health/wp/2017/07/18/diet-drinks-are-associated-with-weight-gain-new-research-suggests/?noredirect=on&utm_term=.94dda61605bb 

As you will notice the link does not open; so just Google diet soda research. Most studies have found that artificial sweetners confuse the body and may even contribute to increased BMI. 

I agree about diet sodas not being an excellent choice but I think they're better than a soda full of sugar for a beginning dieter. Switch one habit at a time! I know some people dive in and do everything all at once (major diet change, brand new exercise program, etc) but it can be a recipe for failure when the dieter goes off track. My dad is the king of "NO DIET SODA" so I'm well aware of the pitfalls! 

You get back on track one step at a time. You already took the first.  

Take one step today - do not wait. Walk, or drink extra water - replace a soda with water. 

Give seltzer with fresh lime juice a try. Buy a lime press from a Mexican grocery store or order one online, they run around $8 for a good metal one. It makes adding lime really quick and easy. I started drinking lime and seltzer instead of sodas back in 2006 and haven't ever gone back. Sodas taste gross to me now. If you have a Soda Stream even better as you can make your own seltzer.  

Thank you to everyone for commenting. I've never really had a support system for losing weight. It's nice to know that complete strangers will help me out of the kindness of their hearts because you've all been there. As much as I would like to do what a lot of you suggest and just dump out the soda, I can't. I'm not the only one in the house and I don't agree with forcing everyone in the house to follow the same diet that I am. I am however going to take it one step at a time and start by moving all the snacky foods to a spot I can't reach (I'm the shortest in the house). Out of sight, out of mind right? 

Just staying on here for support will help keep you on track 😊❤️. Establishing new eating habits is a process and in my opinion needs to be delicious & satisfying to have real staying power. I eat out all of the time but the food choices are very different from a couple of years ago. I suggest continuing to go out and see if you can order meats, veggies, fats. In other words Nachos or burrito ingredients over lettuce instead of chips/rice/tortilla. Steak& veggies, Fajitas no tortilla or rice, you get the idea. Hamburger with ALL the fixings like bacon, avocado, mayo without the empty calorie white bun. Lots of flavor without empty useless calories. Those kinds of meals will fuel your success. There is a soda at Whole Foods called "Zevia" that is all natural and won't hurt your health. Black Cherry is the best flavor, root beer is good too. Lily's chocolate at Whole Foods has zero sugar, tastes amazing, curbs cravings and is GOOD for you! If you like iced coffees & lattes sweetened with stevia powder drink those too. ANY change you make each day is a success. 10 minutes of dancing, a brisk walk. Choosing iced tea instead of a beer, getting a great night of sleep, every choice is a success. You don't have to bite off the whole Enchiladas at once! You can do it in your own time! 😊 

Great suggestions from all comments.  

Fitwriter, I also have other people in the house who have different dietary issues than I do. My younger son has less than 12% body fat, so if he wants to fry up burgers in the middle of the night, he can. For me, it's all about will powers. I thought I could eat some potato chips the other day, then that food scale beckoned. I thought I had been so good putting my portion on a plate (instead of taking the whole bag to the couch) but when I weighed it I had a double portion! There were 300 empty calories on that plate and all because I felt a little bored and snacky. I ate one, put the rest back, and went to clean the garage, LOL! I told myself I could have chips when I came back in, but I didn't want any later. That's how I'm figuring out what's a craving and what's hunger. If I can clean or exercise before I eat it, and I still want it, it's hunger (in my world). Most of the time I don't want it again, or my taste has changed and I reach for something better. It's working for me! 

I agree with you on the not forcing others in your family to do your diet...my hubby will NEVER go keto but half the time I trick them all and they have no idea..this way I give them a balance and I just summon up the willpower of the gods and start clear of their devilish treats. LoL.it is hard but you can do this..we are all in the same boat here and we are happy to support you in your efforts just like you support us! I was told one of the most fantastic methods for life when I was very young and I still believe it.. "sometimes you live day to day, other times you have to live minute by minute, and sometimes you MUST to live second to second, and that's okay..just keep going! this too shall pass. 💜