Eating it Part II

So ... after much thought, I feel like my last post was lacking. I left some things out - unintentionally of course. But there is so much to losing weight that we get overwhelmed! So here is part II

Just to be clear, yesterday's post was all about Moderation. I firmly believe that all things in Moderation. One thing I failed to touch on (look at that, I forgot something ... huh ... weird - sarcasm!) is that, yes you can and should eat the things you want. However, if you eat 17 bowls of chips and argue that they are different chips, and then 15 pieces of mini candies arguing they are all different ... you won't see the results you want. You have to make a cut back. It doesn't and in my opinion shouldn't be extreme. I feel like to the most people who don't stick with their weight loss plans are overwhelmed, frustrated and too tempted. After all we are all Social Butterflies and must go to every Birthday party, bachelorette party, bridal shower, baby shower, etc etc etc ... and we want to eat all those little goodies we see!!! If you give in a little to temptation you will feel vindicated and satisfied but still have a sense of accomplishment. So, when I say indulge yourself, I don't mean in 82 bowls of ice cream, I mean in smaller portions and less often. Moderation. I just wanted people to know that I don't think you can lose weight by eating the same amount of junk food just in a different format.

Additionally, no, I don't think Junk Food is good for you. In fact, one of my favorite books growing up was "The Berenstain Bears and Too Much Junk Food" by Stan and Jan Berenstain. Remember those books?? Yeah me too ... good stuff! But anyway, it's all about these two bear cubs that eat too much food that isn't good for them. Of COURSE you should eat carrots over chips, or celery instead of ice cream. But the reality of the situation is that we as people on a course in life can't flip a switch and change our habits overnight. Well you can if you are on one of those super crazy ultra weight loss make over shows. But those are professional trainers with monitoring from doctors. Real life isn't a TV show and we shouldn't expect those kinds of results in real life. "Slow and steady wins the race!" Sure those people looked fabulous after such an intensive regimen, but did they stick with it? Did they learn anything? Most sure, but for regular people, who don't have someone other than our own minds screaming in our ears, it's not like that. Starting small will get you big results in the end. Mostly because you'll see how easy it can be and stick with it longer!

Note 3: EAT BREAKFAST. This should be self explanatory but for most people it isn't. Breakfast is LITERALLY breaking a fast that you had overnight. It's the best method of jump starting your metabolism for the day. There are arguments all over the place on weather it should be the largest meal of the day or the smallest, but my personal opinion, I look at it like fueling for a marathon, would it be wise to carb load before or eat a buffet after? Your body works off of carbohydrates (carbs) that is the "gas" for your "engine" (What? I married a mechanical engineer, what do you want from me?!) If you only put a little gas in, you're only gonna go a little way. But if you fuel properly, you'll last longer. Now, don't take this to mean you go to Bob Evans and order the Farmers Breakfast every morning and say "Well Christie told me to start my day like this!" No. Just eat more than 1 slice of toast, or a cup of yogurt. You're just going to feel hungry sooner. Eat a healthy lean protein like turkey bacon, or eggs and some carbohydrates, like whole wheat toast or an English muffin.

Lastly, the people who experience the best outcomes are the ones who have an accountability buddy. In college when I was on my own "I want to look hott for summer" mission, I had a buddy "Dubs" (What up Dubs!) She and I would push each other like CRAZY. If one day I didn't feel like working out she'd drag me to the gym, and vice versa (Although the vice versa of that rarely ever happened but still). I had the closest thing to a 6 pack when I went home from school since I was 10. If you have someone to hold you accountable, you will be less likely to "cheat." You will also have someone to talk about temptations or bad days and they will (hopefully) keep you on track. This should be someone looking to do the same things you are. Same or similar goal in mind. If you are working with someone who wants to lose 5 pounds and you're on the road to lose that baby weight, you won't feel equal, get frustrated or embarrassed and quit. We don't want that. So pick someone you get along with, won't quit on you, and push you to reach your full potential.

All that being said, I think I'm more satisfied with my outline for this thought. Bottom line, don't over think weight loss. Sure it's hard, or else everyone would be skinny and I wouldn't have anything to blog about. But at the end of the day, set a goal, a real achievable believable goal, get a buddy, take baby steps, and knock it out of the park!

Excuses don't elevate you to excellence. Hard work, perseverance, and attitude are the steps that will lead you to excellence.

Stick it out, you'll get there, and you'll be happy you made the climb!