walk4health

Like probably 90% of Americans, I made the resolution to make 2009 the year I FINALLY lose the weight.  I am sick, sick, sick of the roller coaster ride of losing 6 pounds, gaining them back…losing 4 pounds, gaining them back…LOSING GAINING LOSING GAINING…

This is IT.

I have discovered the book by Judith Beck, “The Beck Diet Solution:  Train your brain to THINK like a thin person.”

Now you are probably thinking, “Yada, yada, yada — a new book.  I’ve already got tons of diet books.”

Well, that’s what I thought, because I DO have tons of diet books and they never work for me in the long run.  The reason is because all those other books concentrate on the FOOD.  To be honest, I don’t need another book telling me that for lunch I should have 2 oz. of lean chicken breast on a whole grain roll with 12 grapes and 3 carrot sticks.  I don’t need complicated recipes or someone telling me what to eat.  DON’T insult my intelligence!  I’m a professional dieter, and I can spout calorie counts, fat grams or WW points on darn near any food.  I KNOW what I need to eat.  DOING IT is the problem.

The difference with this book is that it works as a supplement to ANY eating plan.  It is a 6-week plan that works to undo your bad habits and replace them with good habits. 

So far it’s working for me.  I’ve been doing well since December 26.  Every day for 6 weeks the book gives you a new strategy to read about, meditate on, and implement. You can go at your own pace.  Even though I’ve been modifying my habits for 3 weeks, I’m still only on the first week in the book.  I want to really internalize the first habits before I move on.

I’m doing lots of things differently this time.  For the first time in a zillion attempts to lose weight, I’m not getting on the scale every day, or even several times a day.  Every time I pass up a doughnut I don’t feel like I should be rewarded with a weight loss!  (As if NOT eating something should magically cause you to lose weight.)  I’m calmer.  I’m at peace with the idea that this is a long term solution to a very long term problem.

My focus this time is on all of the positive things I can do every day.  I’m trying to intentionally exercise every day, even if it’s only parking in the back of the parking lot.  I’m getting in my water.  I’m reading my personal reasons for losing weight each morning AND night.  I am really thinking about those reasons.  Instead of listening to the radio on my way to work, I think about WHY it is important to ME to lose weight.  

One of my reasons is to feel proud of myself.  Concentrating on how it feels to be proud of myself takes me back many years, and many pounds ago.  I seriously want that back. 

Another thing about this book that I like is it comes with a workbook.  There are index cards in the workbook that you tear apart and read on a regular basis.  There are 24 cards, and they obviously go along with the strategies.  I like the first one really well: 

“DO IT ANYWAY!  Even if I don’t feel like using a diet skill, I have to do it anyway.  If I do only what I feel like doing, I won’t be able to lose weight and keep it off.”

 Well, how true is THAT?  This is a no-nonsense book.  No tricks, no magic cures, no lies.  Just a systematic way to do the work needed.  I am working my way through this book, implementing the strategies each day to the best of my ability. I feel strong.  I think — No, I BELIEVE — that this is going to be the year I quit bitching about why I can’t lose weight and just do it.  2009 is going to be my year. 

 This is an article I got from the Hungry Girl newsletter.  I have been TRYING my darnedest to slow down when I eat, and now — here’s scientific proof that it is worth the effort!

I have made the following changes in my eating: 

I have stopped eating dinner in the den, in front of the TV.  I eat dinner at the kitchen table where I can have a civilized conversation with DH.  I fill my plate at the kitchen counter; I do not put the food on the table. When I’m done with my allowable portions, I get up and start putting stuff away.  I promise myself that when I’m done with cleanup, I can have more if IWANT IT.  So far, by the time cleanup is done — I feel comfortably NOT HUNGRY.  TRY IT!  IT WORKS.

Speedy Eaters Wear Bigger Pants

A Japanese study published in the British Medical Journal (but no doubt pertaining to those of us in the U.S.!) suggests that people who eat quickly until they’re full are THREE TIMES MORE LIKELY TO BE OVERWEIGHT. The findings conclude that eating styles, not just food choices, are most likely contributing to the obesity epidemic. This makes perfect sense, because if you’re continually chewing and swallowing food, your body has little time to digest anything and tell your brain it’s feeling full. Our suggestion? EAT MORE SLOWLY! Here are some tips & tricks to help you do this…

1 . Take smaller bites and chew carefully. You’ll taste and enjoy food more this way, too.

2. Drink water in between forkfuls of food, putting your fork down while you sip. This will slow the chewing pace and help you feel full as well.

3. Pay attention to what you’re eating. Don’t just mindlessly stuff yourself.

Week 2 weigh in is behind me.  I’ve lost 8 pounds.  I’m really excited because this is usually when I completely self-destruct and end up eating everything that isn’t nailed down or poisonous.  But this time I feel optimistic about my ability to FINALLY get this weight off.

Many things are on my side this time, including finding this wonderful BuddySlim network and the Pink Ladies who keep me motivated.  In addition, this time my husband is on board, which is key for me.  If HE drinks a couple of glasses of wine, I happily indulge too.  If he wants to go out to eat, I’m in the car with the engine running.  If he eats junk, I’m doing the same.

I’M WEAK, PEOPLE!  I know it. 

In 2002 he and I both managed to get on the same page and started walking for our health.  We signed up for dozens of 5Ks, 10Ks, half-marathons, and…eventually decided to try for the ULTIMATE – a full marathon.  Yup, 26.2 miles.  We trained by walking every day at least 3 miles, no matter what the weather, and walked from 4-20 miles on our Saturday walks.  We really enjoyed our time together and YES, we both got in fabulous shape.  My weight dropped.  His blood pressure dropped.  We completed the marathon in 6 hours and 45 minutes.  Were we proud?  You betcha!

I have fond memories of that period in our lives when we were strong and HEALTHY. 

So…

Last week I signed us up for a HALF MARATHON!!  Only 13.1 miles, but I am 54 now and hubby is 62, so we think this is a challenging distance for us without aggravating our foot and knee problems.  

I’m so excited!  We signed up for the Indianapolis “Mini”, which is held the first Saturday in May.  We walked it in 2001 and it was the most exciting race we’ve ever walked in, before or since.  Over the entire length of the 13.1 mile route, about every couple-hundred feet, there is a band, choir, or other group of all styles and types cheering you on and providing entertainment.  Rock bands, church choirs, country bands, cloggers, square dancers…It’s like a gigantic party!  And if that wasn’t enough, you get to do a lap (2.5 miles) on the famous Indianapolis Speedway!  That is an incredible experience in itself.

So–now it’s out there!  I’m committed.  I’m going to lose 35 pounds so I can easily walk the Indianapolis MiniMarathon on May 2, 2009. 

I’ve just had a great first week — down 5.5 pounds!  Now I know it’s water weight, bloat, etc., but still

IT’S 5.5 POUNDS!

This is what I did RIGHT this week:

• Recorded everything that went into my mouth.
• Walked 6 days out of 7 — 19.25 miles total.
• Drank 80 ounces of water every day (at least!)
• Drank ZERO ounces of alcohol
• Got inspired every day by reading blogs and forums on buddyslim, especially those of my new group, the Pink Ladies!

While I am basking in the glow of my Week 1 success, I am also very much aware that I rarely go two full weeks without a full-on binge.  So Week 2 will definitely have its own challenges.  But thanks to this website in general, and the Pink Ladies in specific, I feel VERY accountable — and that’s a good thing.

This is my SIXTH day on my diet.  I hate to call it a “diet”, because I know better.  This has to be a lifestyle.  Eat moderately, drink my water, exercise daily, take vitamins, and forego the treats. 

However, whatever it’s called, I’ve done really well!  I’ve gotten on my treadmill every day.  I’ve drunk at least 75 ounces of water per day.  I have NOT had a glass of wine, which is absolutely my nemesis.  I’ve tracked my food.  I stumbled upon buddyslim.com, gotten on the forums, and was accepted into the Pink Ladies.  I am confident that this positive support is going to make all the difference.  I am stoked!

I have not been below 173 for more than two years.  I am looking forward to hitting it, and (dare I say it?) surpassing it.  For the first time, in a long time, I am hopeful.

Today is actually my 4th day on the new diet.  I have been trying really hard for the last two years to lose weight, and see-saw between perfect adherence and wild abandon.  I’ve just found this site and am hoping it will keep me motivated.