Yah!!
The clothes fitter better thing was a huge motivator for me!! I now have so many more choices in my closet and I haven’t had to spend any money for it! But come the fall I hope to be forced to do some clothes shopping because everything will be to big!! I just cleared my closet of a dozen or so items that now look sloppy. (including a $400 bridesmaid dress and some items that I just got last fall when I was at my biggest.)
Wow! That must be an awesome feeling, Catherine. I have boxes of clothes from my previous size just waiting for me to get there. In fact, I have size 18, size 16, and size 14--I should be good to go for awhile!
It’s amazing, but after 51 days of consistent exercise and good eating, I am definitely feeling changes in my body. My calves and knees are toning, and I’m feeling like I have much more energy. I am weighing myself daily, and I think another change to the signature may be right around the corner!
Hi Dr. Kris. You are doing great!! Keep it going and you will see many more changes in your body!!
I just read an article earlier today and you might find it helpful too. The comment following it from Kate is me. It relates to what you are experiencing (and what many of us do too!!)
I hope the link works… I’ll test it once I post this.... Yep it works.
It is an interesting site you might enjoy poking around on some more. I discovered the podcasts on iTunes and it lead me to the site - same as how I found this one!!
Very interesting, Catherine. Thanks for sharing that article. I seem to be putting less “weight” on what the scale says, although I am still weighing myself. I only hesitate to quit weighing in because it really does help me to stay focused and accountable. Or so my mind tells me at this point. I REALLY, REALLY, REALLY do feel the differences in my health and fitness, regardless of what the scale says.
Yesterday I had my six month follow-up visit with my surgeon in Philadelphia, so my husband and I took the train and walked to our destinations. So I had to adjust my exercise routine for this week, but I’ve noticed some interesting things about my restaurant choices. I’m making much healthier choices and eating much less than I used to. I have sort of backed off from writing down all my food, and I have been able to stay in control of my eating. I am open to going back to it at a moment’s notice if I find that I’m making poor choices, but right now, I feel like I’m handling both my food, and my exercise really well.
I’d be open to hearing from folks about this...MUST I journal every moment of every day? Or will it begin to sneak up with me without my being aware. What have been your experiences?
Glad to hear you’re doing so well! I had the same experience. I started writing down everything I ate, but found it quite difficult because when you write about food, you start thinking about food, so it didn’t work for me. Then I started sort of doing a mental sum of my calorie intake every evening, which is really just an estimated guess, but it helps me see when I’ve had too many and when I’m doing well. Now I only do that on days when I think I’ve eaten too much bad stuff, and it’s usually not as bad as I thought. I love writing lists and diary entries, but you don’t want it to take too much time, life is waiting and so are those lovely clothes that now fit again!
Congratulations on your one pound of scale loss and also on all your gains of clothes that fit better and increased fitness!
I think you are on the right track for journaling. It is supposed to be a tool to help you, not a ball and chain. Once you get good eating habits established, then my experience is that you can have more freedom from having to write everything down. And as you said, if you feel old habits creeping in, the journal is there to help you get back on track if you need it.
Kris,
You have to do what works for you. For many people, journaling their food is part of their day and works for them. I’m with Neinke, if I try to journal then I end up thinking about food too much. I didn’t even last a week. I decided that I was not going to ‘diet’. I was going to make changes that would stay with me for a lifetime. And I definitely was not going to journal my food for the rest of my life. So instead I just gave myself small goals, like increase my vegetables, more water, less fast food, etc.
I had to journal for a long time. I still keep track online, but not religiously. When journaling, I did think about food all the time, and it was annoying, but without journaling, I thought about food all the time - and ate more. So for me it was a wash. I bought a really cute journal, and a great pen just for that. It was something I didn’t mind having laying around all the time, and writing in it was almost fun because I like it that much (the book).
Do what works for you, and find ways to make it special. If you dread doing it, you won’t last, and you’ll rebel against the book. So not worth it.
Kris,
I’m with Neinke, if I try to journal then I end up thinking about food too much. I decided that I was not going to ‘diet’. I was going to make changes that would stay with me for a lifetime. And I definitely was not going to journal my food for the rest of my life. So instead I just gave myself small goals, like increase my vegetables, more water, less fast food, etc.
Thanks to you all for your input--I really appreciate it. Yes, I am making changes that will stay with me for a lifetime, and I know that I can not journal my food for the rest of my life! These other goals are working well for me: no fast food, 4-5 fruits and veggies each day, 2 or more whole grains each day, and eating at least 80% real food and no more than 20% processed food. These changes seem to really be making a difference for me. I know that if things start moving away from these goals and I am being more “badder than gooder,” then I will need to focus with a journal. Again, I’m trying to break away from that “all or nothing” thinking that I’ve known for so long, and know that I can moderate and I can trust myself to do it.
I really appreciate everyone’s input! Thanks!
Kristen
