Diet is "Die" with a T

Okay, this is controversial.  I detest diets, food plans, and diet products.  Note: They may work for many people, and I'm not about to say if it works, don't change, but these did not work for me:  6 times for Weight Watchers, 3 Redbook Diets, Atkins twice, Gym plans, the South Beach Diet, Richard Simmons Meal-A-Deal twice, liquid diets, and when I was a teen- diet pills.  NONE worked for me.  They only made me more fat.  However, I know people that are on some of the popular programs, and they are doing well.  Can't take that away from them.

Diets just don't work for me.  I had to have a full-blown food overhaul and intervention.  I intervened, and refilled my fridge, freezer, and cabinets.  Hey, even my purse has healthy snacks.  But, once I let go of my favorite junk food, fried food, and other assorted bad habits, all you are left with are healthy choices.  It truly is a change of lifestyle.  People told me that for years, and I didn't believe them, but it's true.  You can't go back to the way you were eating, as that will put the weight back on.

Don't think short-term.  Think long-term, no matter how little or much you have to lose.  The habits you make in your resolutions or goals should be forever.

Resolutions? I think not!

There is a difference between a resolution and a goal.  Everyone makes resolutions, and they don't mean anything.  Why?  Here's the definition of resolution:

1. a firm decision to do or not to do something.

   intent, plan, aim, and decision

   • .

          the action of solving a problem, dispute, or contentious matter.

          "the peaceful resolution of all disputes"

The first word is "intention," and that is not a set goal.  It's simply the intent to do something.  Intent, aim, plan, and a decision don't include ACTION.  You can make all the plans and decisions you want, but they aren't full of movement.  They will sit there like a lead balloon.

Here's the definition for a goal:

"A result or achievement toward which effort is directed; aim; end."

Set goals.  They require more than a plan.  You have to carry them out, or there is no use setting them in the first place.  There is a beginning and an end.  

My goal for this year is to lose 100 pounds.  It's just less than 10 pounds per month, and I know I can do it - if I exercise a lot.  My goal is to exercise 3-5 days per week.  If I maintain the exercise, the pounds will drop.  I don't "plan" to put into action; I am going to do it.  

You set goals every single day.  You always have a "To Do" list.  Put yourself on it first.

New Year's Resolutions

Do they ever work?  I've had a bad habit of not keeping them.  My number one goal is to lose weight, which is why I didn't start losing till last March.  On purpose.  I got through the "Resolution" time, all the ads for losing weight that they put on during the first of the year, and my own guilt for not starting.  You may say that's a bad strategy.

This is the first time I've lost this much weight (March to now) and kept it off.

I have wavered some days, but I'm losing without a resolution.  Don't worry about missing gym membership specials, just join when they put the specials on for "bathing suit" season, or start with just food in January, if you must start in January.  Why not start now?

Okay, maybe that's asking a lot during holiday season.  But, you can start with small changes.  I did that for two years before starting to lose.

1.  Cut out soda.  Don't do it cold turkey; do it over a week, weaning yourself off the caffeine gently,           cutting out those awful headaches.
2.  Drink water between drinks at a party or just before a meal.
3.  Get a scale.
4.  Decide where you are going to begin: starting exercise and food intake is difficult to do at the same time, and really sabotages your "live it," not "diet."  You will have these habits for a long time.
5.  Plan meals.  It helps.

That's where you can start, and forget about losing until you've done these things.  That's all.  No stressing about weight, just beginning with a few alterations.  It can be done.