I have finally hit that crossroads in my life where I have to make a decision about my eating habits. I’ve always maintained my weight by what I like to call the binge and starve approach. It worked pretty well for me up until the last year or so. I could pretty much eat what I wanted, as long as I took a few days a month to diet and lose whatever weight had accumulated during my splurges.
I’ve used a couple of the more mainstream diet programs over the years when I wanted to lose baby weight, but mostly I’ve just done my own thing and it’s worked okay. I scoffed at the restrictive diets that tell you to eliminate an entire food group to lose weight. I prefer to believe that it’s not what you eat, it’s how much you eat. I realize that I have the luxury of holding to that philosophy because my genes and metabolism have always worked in my favor.
UNTIL NOW.
I have come to the conclusion that there is no way I can stay in my current dress size and continue eating this way. At the ripe old age of 36, my trusty metabolism is letting me down. I can’t give in to my cravings and then recover as easily as I used to. Suddenly, I’m in a heated battle with 5-7 pounds, and no matter what I do, and no matter how many times I take them off, they come right back on. It’s a frustrating cycle because at any given time, I don’t know if my clothes are going to fit or not.
And there’s more to it than that. Lately I have begun feeling overly full after certain meals. Sometimes I don’t feel like I’ve eaten all that much, but for a few hours after I eat my stomach will feel stuffed to the point of pain, distended, and just all-around miserable.
Stomach issues are nothing new to me. I’m already on Nexium for heartburn and gastritis, but this latest annoyance has me wondering if there is something else going on.
I may have narrowed it down to… dare I say it? Carbs. I’ve noticed that I feel great after eating meals without carbs.
Now allow me to set the stage for you. There are no adequate words to describe the love I have for the carb.
I live for the carb.
I would write odes and sonnets to the carb, if I wrote odes and sonnets.
Carbs are my second favorite food group — after the chocolate and wine food group, of course.
What, you haven’t heard of the 6 basic food groups? What did they teach you in third grade, anyway?
So here’s the thing. I know that to look and feel good, I need to start making healthier choices and controlling my portion sizes. Consistently. Forever. But I love food. I crave food. And I love to cook rich, fat and carb-laden meals. I’m a social eater, a boredom eater, a depressed eater… basically, if there’s an excuse to eat, I’ll find it. And once I get started, it’s hard to stop.
Which is why I realize that it has to be that lifestyle change everyone talks about. I’ve always been an all-or-nothing kinda gal, and I think I need to make some major adjustments to how I eat overall, and how we eat as a family. It’s not like I’m doing it all wrong right now, but there is a lot of room for improvement — primarily where sugar and simple carbs are concerned. Oh yeah, and those pesky portion sizes.
But this is my question. HOW? It’s not like I’ve never tried before. But my resolve never seems to last. I do I know how to eat right, but I just don’t know how to put it into practice in such a way that it becomes a new style of life. Does anyone have any wisdom or insight to offer?
I think you hit the nail on the head: portion sizes! They say 20 years ago, our bagels were 3 inches big and 150 calories. Now they are 6 inches and 350 calories. A standard cheese burger had 333 calories, now it has 590 calories. No wonder we are having trouble keeping weight off!
I have felt the same frustrating weight issues all my life, but much more so the past year. I can’t kick-start this weight loss. I’ve been faithfully going to the gym for the past 6-weeks doing a minimum of 40-minutes of cardio each time/6 days a week. Only 2 pounds lost! Imagine how heavy I’d be if I wasn’t doing that. I only want to lose 15 pounds. It shouldn’t be this difficult.
Love your references to the “real” food groups!
Following the south beach diet plan has really worked for me and carbs have been my favorite for my entire life. I could even give up chocolate but not carbs.
It all comes down to what carbs you’re eating, how much and what time of day. If I have heavy carbs at dinner the day is over, I am too tired to do anything.
I still eat yummy carbs but in balance.
The first two weeks are a challenge because you are cutting them out but only for the first two weeks. Two weeks is nothing, just stay busy and out of the kitchen/house.
Bottom line is that you have to decide what you want more-to eat healthy and feel well or to keep eating whatever you want. Then you can start figuring out what eating plan will work best for you (notice I said plan not diet).
You can do it!
I am reading your blog and seriously girl – I could have wrote it word for word. (Except that you are a year younger… sniff, sniff.)
I just ran a marathon and I am heavier than ever. WHATEVER!
So I just committed to lowering the portion sizes, upping the cardio and WEIGHT TRAINING like a mad woman. My new mantra? I’m transitioning from a sleepy state of acceptance to one with purpose, passion and intention…
I’ll join you on your journey!
I’m anxious to hear what everyone has to say about this because I have the EXACT same problems!! Food is so good!! I can say I’ll do better, I can think “bathing suit, skinny jeans, flat stomach” until I’m blue in the face, but put the pasta, bread, ice cream, or chips and salsa in front of me and I just can’t NOT eat. If something tastes good, I’ll eat it all even though I KNOW I’m already full. And then I regret it afterwords. What’s the secret?? We need some help.
I’m trying to lose 20 lbs too. 6 down, …
I’m a Denise Austin fan. Her books usually have meal plans in them that, for me, are very reasonable. I have learned a lot of the “little tricks” to get those calories down, and that 50 calories here and there really adds up. I’ve noticed that when I follow her meal plans exactly that I feel really good – I’m assuming it is because a nutritionist came up with them and therefore my blood sugar is not going up and down all day.
I’ve used this site too: http://caloriecount.about.com/
It’s free and it can really show you where you are “blowing it” -calorie-wise anyway. And I love being able to see the difference between the calories eaten and calories burned. It takes a little effort to get it all in there, so I tend to do it every 3rd week or so just to be sure I’m staying on track.
Since you are looking for a lifestyle change, you might consider tracking what you do now for a couple of weeks and then seeing a nutritionist – I would think they could help you come up with something reasonable that is similar to what you do now, just healthier. I’m considering doing that, but know that if I spend the money on the nutritionist I have to actually do what she says and I’m not there yet. *sigh
Please keep us posted – I would love to know what works for you!!
I am battling this same problem. Although I am not seeing my body reject what I am eating, I am a carb addict and I am trying to get away from being so dependent on them. My husband notices a huge change in my attitude and energy level if I eat carbs only for lunch. I an so tired in the afternoon and really cranky. So I am working on it. But I am such a picky eater that it’s going to be a sad parting to not eat pasta for almost every meal!
Good luck!
I completely relate and have been so close to writing about my weight woes. It’s not that I need to lose a lot but I just can not eat like I used to. I can’t have a chocolate sundae and have my body ignore it. My scale knows EXACTLY what I did the night before. It’s so annoying. I have been “going organic/natural” for about 6 months but the times I “cheat”, I KNOW IT. Ugh!
Add me to the list! I don’t feel bothered by carbs, and I don’t like the idea of eliminating an entire food group — pure sugar, okay. White flour, okay. But all grains and even “starchy” veggies like corn and carrots. No way.
BUT I am having the same issue — my binge has been chronic lately, and I’m up at my high weight, the do-not-cross-your-clothes-are-already-getting-tight weight. I need to lose 3 or 4 pounds to feel comfortable again, and I need to lose 10 to be back at a thin weight for me.
Sigh.
Let me know if you find a place that sells self-control.
I actually used Weight Watchers and lost 30 pounds in 6 months. At first I just ate my point count per day, but really didn’t make a big attempt to eat healthier per say. Now that it’s been 7 months I’ve totally had a mind set change. I want to eat healthier, I want to exercise. I’ve worked hard through eating and working out to get my body the way it is and I don’t want to lose it. I also prayed that God would change my mind set and I know that that helped too. I never thought that I would be a person that would rather take a walk than take a bath in the evening, but now I am.
Oh girl……
Welcome to the last 20 years of my life.
Have you been reading Lysa TerKeurst’s blog? She’s lost a ton of weight by eliminating sugar. It sounds pretty complicated to me, but if it’s working for her, that’s great.
About 18 months ago I lost 25 pounds in a way I NEVER want to duplicate–I had a serious infection in my colon (diverticulitis) which resulted in surgery to remove 18″ of my colon. As I lay in the hospital bed for 12 days, thinking I looked pretty good, most people came into my room and looked at me horrified. I thought then that dieting was out of the question for me. I just need to accept myself no matter what happens–whether I gain the 25 pounds back or not (I did, by the way). Today I basically exercise regularly and eat right most of the time. I’m 46, so it’s getting harder and harder to get rid of those extra pounds. I’m rambling . . . sorry . . . but there’s something to be said for being sensible and accepting ourselves.
I didn’t read through all the comments, but one easy way is to use a smaller plate. Our dinner plates are huge – so if I use our small bread plate, I can fill it up and ‘trick’ myself into thinking I have a full plate. (And, no second servings or nibbling off my kids’ plates!)
Exercise is the KEY for me.
try south beach. NOT STAGE ONE (which is ZERO carbs and makes you feel like death would be preferable to livin glike this) but skip just to stage 2 or 3. its whole grains, etc. i like it and it usually works. boy i miss cookies though.
The best advice I can give is to plan, plan, plan! Take the time to plan out breakfasts, lunches, snacks, and dinners and make your grocery list from that. I know it takes extra time and can be a bit overwhelming, but getting in the habit this summer will make it easier by Fall when things get busy again.
I have recently started keeping a food journal. I hated it, but noticed I lost 3 pounds during the process. As soon as I quit keeping it for a week the weight came back.
Another thing to consider is talking to your doctor about having metabolic testing. My OBGYN just recommended it to me now that I’m 30. They can plan a nutritious diet based on what your test results are. Hope this helps and good luck!
Were you reading my mind? I could hae written this post… I think that you look fabulous though
What you are describing really sounds like Celiac disease.
I agree with Candance. Weight Watchers teaches you about food and how you can make life-style changes. I’ve been on and off WW for five years. I lost 57 pounds the first time. I now look at food differently. Weight Watchers has taught me so much. It was educational and that’s what I needed. I learned that 2 slices of pizza is just fine – I don’t need 3-4. One scoop of ice cream instead of 2-3. Portion. Portion. Portion. And the right mix of high-fiber, low calories and low fat is the key.
Good luck! It is an ongoing battle for most people – especially as we age (and have babies!).
I think that you are me in a few years… and if you find any miracle fix for being able to cut back without STARVING – I’d love to hear it.
This carb addiction is sweet sweet pain, I tell you…
I’ve been doing Weight Watchers for the last few weeks and have lost 4 pounds. I do keep a food journal to keep track of the points or I’m sure I would cheat more. I was so hungry the first week, but now I am used to the smaller portions. I’ve learned to eat the healthier foods that will fill me up (like fruit, veggies, or a 100-calorie bag of popcorn) instead of going for the empty carbs. I am resisting the urge to think that I can go back to eating like I used to when I get a couple more pounds off. Good luck!
I feel your pain. I will be 36 in a couple weeks and the last year has been totally different on my body! I can say that I should try to lose 10 pounds…but at this time I just want to maintain…UGH.
Wow. I feel you. I know what allows me to eat more of what I like – EXERCISE. But, I prefer no exercise. Other than chasing a toddler around. That counts, right? Apparently my metabolism thinks not. So unfortunately, I have no words of wisdom or wonderful insights. The best I can do is cut out eating Doritos. Especially at night. Which I had done until this past week. Must be the stress of going on vacation that made me cave. Yeah, that’s it…
I am the big 3 9 now and it is SO HARD. Anyway, I’ve tried a few different things and Weight Watchers has worked the best overall for me. Mainly because the focus is lifestyle change – eating healthier and being more active. I just restarted (again) a couple weeks ago and have lost 3.6 so far which is great since I have done nothing but struggle for a while.
I did like South Beach too, but need the accountability of having to go weigh in at a meeting – it helps keep me on track.
Feel free to go peruse my healthy blog (that’s right, I have to counteract all those chocolate calories somewhere!) if you want an idea of what has worked and some healthy recipe ideas. It’s Stop Eating All The Chocolates .
I hope you find something that works well for you – my problem is that I rebel every so often and say – WHY should I have to watch what I eat?? – and eat whatever I want. Sigh. But right now, all is going well!
I know you can do it!! I look forward to hearing about what works for you!
I don’t have any wise advise for you. When I was in high school my nick-name was “seg” as in “line segment.” I was that skinny. Now…not so much. I’m healthy and fit and not overweight, but not the lean mean machine I used to be. The thyroid issue makes it really hard. Five years ago I went on “Body For Life” and let me tell you I looked fabulous. 5″10 and 138 lbs. But I lived for the gym and my next meal and the fantabulous “cheat day” the plan allowed. It was a borderline eating disorder for sure.
I’m trying the balance plan now…….you know, just balance out the carbs to one portion, balance the rest with veggies, fruit, etc. and then make sure I move at least one hour a day. A walk with the dog, some time at the gym.
It stinks though. Sometimes I wish I didn’t care.
I used Weight Watchers online from January till April and lost 30lbs. I still follow the plan though as it does need to be a life style change. It does work and is very healthy. You can eat whatever you want as long as you count it. I think it’s the way to go. Add in your exercise and you’ll be back to your old self in no time!!
Good luck – I’m still attempting to make the lifestyle changes. Using a smaller plate helps though. I use salad plates instead of dinner plates so I have smaller portion sizes, but don’t have to feel like I’m eating a ridiculously small amount.
Lots of comments, too little brain power to read them. I’m still lucky enough to be able to mostly eat/drink what I want and maintain my weight IF I am exercising regularly. But I know that won’t last forever and it is not healthy. I don’t think about the long-term plan, I focus on the day. I remember that saying no to something today does not mean I will never have it again. That way I don’t get fixated on that particular food/drink. In my current little two week challenge I’m trying not to drink any soda, or only diet soda. I indulged in a regular Dr. Pepper last night. After a few swallows, I realized I didn’t really want it. I could actually taste the sugar. I was able to not finish it, because I knew that I wasn’t saying I would never drink another one again. I just wasn’t going to finish that one.
As for reducing carbs, our easiest meal to do that is/was dinner. I serve meat and vegetables a lot. Noodles are cheap, but we still only eat them about once a week. Make small changes Jo-Lynne, so that you don’t get overwhelmed in the beginning.
Carbs have always made me feel yucky after I ate them. When I was pregnant with my son, I took the glucose test and they told me that I was the oppostie of diabetic, hypoglycemic, so my body spikes with carbs and flushes them out really quickly so my blood sugar drops too low. This causes me to feel yucky. So they told me to eat some type of fat with carbs to keep my blood sugar level. It works pretty well, usually, if I don’t over do it. So, you may want to check to see if you might be hypoglycemic.