As I get back on track into healthy eating in moderation, it feels very different from the inner commitment I made on September 1,2009. It doesn't feel new or different but simply a continuation. I do not view this as a restart in my journey. Yes, I got off track, but I never lost the inner belief that this was my time, God's time, for me to change my habits and live a healthy lifestyle.
I don't believe that I have to relive everything I learned on the initial leg of this journey, but rather I anticipate new and fresh lessons that will prepare me to maintain my goal weight. I have no doubt in my mind that I can lose the regained weight in a reasonable amount of time. My insecurity lies in keeping it off.
My eating has been on track with no temptations to overeat in anyway. I don't know if this is possible, but I already feel lighter and more energetic cutting all wheat out of my diet. I can see a danger in viewing non gluten foods as "free", which they certainly are NOT. In fact, many of the gluten free substitutes for wheat products as far higher in calories! I am trying to be very aware of portion control.
So far, I find it quite easy to cut out wheat as most of what I prepare are homemade, whole food meals. There are limited processed foods in our home. My daughter's GERD means she also has to avoid acidic foods, such as tomatoes, acidic fruits etc. I missed the tomatoes in my stew tonight. She has had no symptoms of GERD or digestion issues since she has cut wheat from her diet.
I have tried every method of weighing there is - weighing 20x a day, twice weekly and reporting, once monthly and reporting, every day but only reporting once a month, not weighing, using clothes to measure - and I have come to the conclusion that there are different ways to weigh in and report for different stages of the journey. There is no right way for everyone and there is no right way for every time. Not weighing allowed me to ignore what was happening - the scale moving up at an alarming rate. For now, I am weighing everyday, but only reporting decades until I get closer to goal. I am at peace with my decision for now.
Making my blog private seems like a lot of work - collecting and recording e-mails of readers. I am going to begin the process this weekend as I definitely think this is the way to go for now.
Thank you so much to those who prayed for me, refused to give up and gave me space to live and experience my own journey. Your kind words, comments and positive thoughts will all contribute to me reaching my goal in the near future.
Eating less, moving more,
Dawne
After 30 years of struggling with losing weight and gaining it back, I am ready to live the journey to health and wellness. I have discovered, thousands of dollars later, that dieting is not the secret. The changes required go far deeper than calories in and calories burned. My plan is to reach a healthy weight without counting calories, diet drinks or bars, but simply by eating less and moving more. It's my time.
Getting There!
10 comments:
I weigh nearly daily, whether I publicize it or not, because that's what I read the "successful maintainers" tend to do to keep an eye on things. I report at least once a week on my blog for accountability....but I do think that weighing daily (or nearly) is more for me, a ritual to remind me to be MINDFUL of food...
I have always noted taht when bloggers say they want a vacation from the scale, the vast majority of the time it means they will gain weight...are unhappy with the scale and just don't wanna know...and often, not always, but often, becomes a sign that they will be eating out of control and don't want to admit it.
It's tough, the numbers. But I need to know...even if no one else will, I need it.
You'll know what will help, but I do believe in something at least weekly...to monitor...is wise.
God bless in your continuing journey. I left my email previously (disguised a bit). My old blog name (OnceUponADiet) at gmail.
Later, lady!
I've just stopped weighing myself all together as I know my food is on track and no longer want to be defined by a number. That is where I am on this journey after maintaining my weight lost for three years and having stopped so many food groups.
I don't buy gluten free foods - as I too see them as processed and filled with calories. I did have a gluten free small pizza the other weekend for a change from my fish and chicken. When it comes to bread, pasta, rice, biscuits etc, I just don't eat.
Going private has its negatives, I find people forget to pop over unless an email is sent out to everyone as a reminder as the new blog no longer appears on your feedreader. You also don't get new readers. Mine is private as you know, it does a lot of work to set things up, but once done you okay.
Good luck amd remember to do what is good for you, no plan suits all ;)
Good morning Dawne! Going gluten free does make a huge difference in how you feel, I can attest to that. When I was wheat free I too felt lighter within days...it felt like a lump was gone in my stomache that I had learned to live with for so long. Unfortunately I went back on wheat and need to get off of it again, being pregnant it makes me feel yucky everytime I eat it so you would think I would quickly avoid it but alas I don't.
Is there a way to set your comments section to no anonymous comments instead of having to go through all the work of making it private? Just an idea!
Hi Dawne - I will give my opinion on weighing as well. I hate weighing myself. HATE IT. The number is never low enough and affects my whole day.
However, I do weigh myself once a week to keep track of where I'm at. Whether maintaining or losing, your weight is an important indicator of the success of your methods.
Your journey is not over. You continue your inner growth your whole life, and your weight is the piece of the puzzle you are currently working on. I've no doubt you'll succeed. Your self-analysis and soul searching have and will continue to enlighten us all :)
DocGirl.
Dawne, I've followed and enjoyed your journey for a long time, but never commented. Your determination is inspiring. Although depressing, it would be so much easier to throw in the towel after a setback. It seems to be what a lot of us do. So go, you! I'd really like to keep up with the progress you're sure to make. My email is mavenegas4@aol.com. God bless! Kate
I'm a daily weigher. I know my WW recommends only once a week, but, like you, I want to be aware of what my weight is doing. A one pound gain overnight is easier to reverse than a five pound gain at the end of the week.
I would really like to be able to read your blog when it is made private (I think many of us have battled with losing and gaining, I know I have since I was in 7th grade- and you and I are very close in age).
I have a love hate relationship with the scale, I can be on track and doing well and get a bad weigh in, and it sends me spiraling, or I can lose weight and then think I can start eating more (never a good thing;) Whatever you decide to do will be the right thing for you (and besides, these things aren't set in stone).
Wishing you the best as you continue on your journey.
susanparo@aol.com
You are so right there is not a one size fits all method about any of this that will be right for everyone.
We all have to find what works best for us and know that we have to be willing to change things up when we need to.
The comment trolls have been busy in the blog sphere lately,not just on your blog but on several that I read.I think you could be a great inspriation to a lot of people if you didn't go private with your blog but I understand your desire to do so. If it feels right then that is what you need to do.
Right now I am weighing when I think to do so,every couple of days for sure. When I am in the weight loss mode it is discouraging to have the scale not go down so I try to rely on how my clothes are fitting and my changing body shape when I look in the mirror. I wish I had taken my body measurements - now that would be a truth teller for sure!
I have a couple of friends who have gone gluten free with their food plans and are feeling a surge of energy. It does take some work to find all the hidden gluten in products but they have discovered some very tasty brown rice pasta and brown rice crackers. I think it's great that you are doing this as a family to support your daughter and it sounds like it is helping you as well!
Carbs seem to be my problem and since I have gone on the 17 Day Diet food plan I no longer have carb cravings and so far it has been very easy to stay on my food plan. This is huge for me!I keep learning more and more about myself.
Many of us have the insecurity about keeping the weight off.I have been down this road so many times before.
Losing the weight is so much easier for me than keeping it off. Maintenance is hard work but I know we can find the right balance of food and exercise that will work to keep us there.
Our paths will be different, our food plans will be the ones that work for us. But we all share the same desired outcome to be the best we can be.
Have an awesome weekend!
Dawnie! ;)
..Glad to hear from ya ;) so excited for you. I still am sure of it, you can do this! :)
I wanna keep reading! :)
jeneveld@yahoo.com
please
Thanks
I agree that during the journey to health different times to weigh may work. Right now I'm doing it weekly to see if that works better for me.
I wish only the best for you. I know it's not easy.
If you do make your blog private I'd love to be able to continue following your journey.
watrmlon@gmail.com
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