Get a Grip!

That is what I have been telling myself for the last couple of months! It seems like I had been in a funk and could not keep up the momentum on sticking to my healthy eating plan. For some reason, I couldn't get into the "mindset," to keep up my motivation. I began taking a look at the overall picture and found that when my chronic pain increases, so does my eating! So I'm back on board again and I want this so badly for the sake of my health. Only I am the only one that can make this happen for myself. I refuse to have surgery, as I would still be dealing with the same issues in the long run, plus could end up with more due to possible complications. Nobody really knows if they are going to be that wild card or not. I'm a numbers type of person, so this morning I got out a piece of paper and took a good hard look at where I'm at and where I want to be in a year. Could you imagine losing 130 in the next year? That is right at 2.5 pounds per week. Looking at it, it is very do-able. I could throw some numbers around and say that would be a whopping 455,000 calories (in a years time) that I would have to cut, but that seems like a huge mountain in itself. So I started taking a serious look at ways I can cut my calories on a daily basis, that will get me to my goal in a years time. First off, I believe that small changes will make a huge difference in the long run. So today's goal was to cut all sugar from my eating plan (not the "d" word). That means all processed sugar! So I got up this morning and just had my coffee straight, without the sugar and milk. I got to thinking about it, for as much "loaded" coffee I was drinking on any given day, I was probably adding an extra 1,000 calories that I didn't need. I guess you can say I was just awe struck by looking at the numbers. I'll weight myself in a week and see what kind of an impact this has had and incorporate the next step also. The next step will be to remove all the pasta, and other processed foods from my eating plan. I'm focusing on real hunger pains instead of my brain telling me to go and graze. My stomach actually started to rumble this afternoon from "real" hunger, the last couple of months I forgot what that was! I'm getting a grip again, and I'm holding on tight, as my life depends on it. Thanks for reading my post, I've committed to being more active on the board too. Wishing you all a wonderful day!

I am glad that you had an introspective look into yourself. That is the first big hurdle in figuring this all out. You are right, small changes are best. Cutting out sugar and processed foods as well as simple carbs is a big step in getting cravings under control. You asked if we could imagine losing 130 pounds in one year. Well, I started my program on July 7 at 342 pounds. On January 26, 2005 I weighed 352 pounds. Right now I weigh 254 pounds. I would say the answer is yes. Good luck and keep coming back for support, you appear to be on a wonderful path so far!!! Donna

Wow Donna, that is awesome! Congrats on your success Thank you for the support, and I'm sure we will talk again soon!

Holy smokes !!! 2.5 pounds a week equals 130 pounds lost in a year? That sounds do-able! That sounds possible! Yikes! ...............NOW what will be my excuse?????!!!!! I'm trying to get a grip too! Hang on...................... Kandy

Hi Kandy hang on tight!

Hi Joyce It truly is a good feeling!

You sure do have a grip! Those small changes, one at a time, are monumental in the big picture. I think the smartest thing we can do is make one change at a time, and space the changes so that we don't feel like we're being dreadfully deprived. Cutting out sugar will knock off fat so fast it will make your head spin!! The carbohydrates that we pack into our bodies tell our metabolism to store fat much faster than if we didn't have the excess carbs. I'm not saying give up all carbs; there a many good carbs that taste yummy, and won't drive your blood sugar up to make you feel hungry. You'll see, the less sugar you have in your diet, and the less processed food, the less hungry you are. I can promise you that. I feel a tremendous difference in my appitite when I'm eating a lot of processed foods and sugar. I'm "hungry" all the time!!! Basically, with the breakdown of these simple sugars being so rapid, the brain really does want to stay on that high, so it sends messages to you that you're hungry--when in actuality, you've driven up your blood sugar with the carbohydrates, and your sugars bottom out quickly when it's processed sugar. When the blood sugar goes low (after the body quickly burns the sugar) it sends signals to the brain to make you eat to bring the blood sugar back up. It's a vicious circle that has made many of us very, very overweight. Take your time with these steps. To make them a way of life, you need to give your body time to adjust to the changes, and your mind time to ground and recognize why your'e doing this, and how much better you feel. I think you're going to do great! Jessica

Hi Want2be, Great post!! When you put it like that it not only sounds doable, it sounds almost easy. I agree wholeheartedly, small steps can bring huge results! After losing over 100 lbs I started struggling and have been going back and forth since last May. I am solidly back on track now and got here with small changes. I am always surprised by just how little food (comparatively speaking) I need/want when I listen to my body and eat for it not for my head. Not always an easy thing to do but the self-knowledge is half the battle. Best of luck to you on your journey. We will get there! Blessings, Maren