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Today was an unmitigated disaster. Didn’t have anything to eat for breakfast, and then the VP of our department invites us all to go to 5 Guys since they’re new out here on the west coast and he hasn’t had them yet. I could have should have said no, but socially for work it wouldn’t have been the right move. Then, because they held us late here in the office, they offered to buy us Sea Casa. Instead of ordering something healthy, I used the fact that I’d already eaten a burger to tell myself it was just a ‘cheat’ day and ordered a California Burrito. I even snacked on the taquitos they ordered for everyone as the evening wore on.
What’s worse, is I didn’t get home until after 11 and was not about to start an hour and a half of Yoga X (my least favorite of the P90X routines).
In the old days I’d have told myself today was just unfortunate circumstances that were unavoidable, but the further along I get with eating a healthier diet, the more I realize things like that aren’t true. Had I prepared a lunch like I should have, I could have accepted the invite from our VP and brought something healthy, and it wouldn’t have been a problem. I definitely didn’t have to go off the deep end with Sea Casa. Missing Yoga may have actually been unavoidable, and I’m okay with that, cus I know I’m not trying to avoid it, but it means I better kick ass the rest of this week.
What’s really scary is that just 6 months ago (well into my weight loss efforts) I’d have considered what I ate an ‘okay’ day because I barely broke 2,500 calories. I didn’t care that the calories were all from fat, and that I really only ate twice – killing my metabolism.
I don’t know that I’ll ever be my sister and eat incredibly healthy, but I do know I don’t think I can ever go back to being the old me eating fast food 3 meals a day. That’s something I’m very thankful for.
hey paul,
your site is interesting and remarkable. although i don’t share your same struggle i think the format you have here could be applied to any long term solution one might be seeking.
being confined for the better part of the day at a work station, driving, or at home can take partial credit for taking the comfortable solutions like bad food choices but here is what works for me.
i used to pig-out on food such as 2 subway footlongs or a whole large pizza to myself, and always wonder why i felt gassy, sleepy, or just ‘pressurized’ until recently. the turning point for me was i just indulged for years; then this year i just decided i hated feeling filled. now i can fast for a day or two (sip gatorade, the salt leaves your stomach feeling just amazing when you would normally feel hungry).
you may be driven to exercise; but i absolutely hate repetitive motion ~isnt that what machines are for? so instead, i take a walk and explore every chance i get. jogging will get you hit by a bus or treadmill friction burns to the face! that and its terrible on your knees; so walk! if you walk at your own pace, you can walk for hours and hours. walking burns the fat hiding your ab muscles better than any of that other gym torture.
as for your diet… food barely matters, its all about just finding some balance by listening to your body, and eating as often as you want; just in smaller potions. if your stomach says its no longer hungry ~ dont finish your meal. european restaurants serve delicious food in tiny portions, and nobody takes home a doggie bag just toss it out. i want you to absolutely enjoy the food you eat, make it an event make it important try something new.
~listen to your body and respond correctly~ ~walk, dont destroy your knees~ ~sip gatorade if your hungry inbetween foodings~
over time, your stomach will shrink and help portions of delicious food manage themselves.
a fast should only be attempted if you can go 1/2 the time without trying; and it feels amazing to conquer mindless overeating.
if it suits you; try changing some food choices like what i have done…
… i never choose McDonalds, should a friend take me there i eat but i never choose McDonalds …
… i dont often choose any red meat, try re-association (buy some hamburger, cook it and study it as it changes from the blood-red from the oxygenized shrinkwrap- to a disgusting grey brain matter, picture 20 lbs of hamburger rotting in your guts, then put the cooked meat in the fridge for two weeks and enjoy that smell then picture it clogging your GItrack. …. might i suggest a cut of meat instead; steaks/prime rib/ roasts, anything that didnt get ground up with possible bacteria.
…. glance at food labels for ingredients, if its “water, high-fructose corn syrup, etc..” get angry at these cretins for making a toxic cocktail that would have been fine with no trash sugars. (aspartame is fine go look up the false bad hype).
one thing i found that tends to steal my motivation is actually talking about what i want to accomplish to people i know.. be careful disclosing personal objectives because in the absolute end result it is all your work, all your goal, and no person should be holding you accountable emotionally or verbally for what you said your working on. internet is a magical vortex for voicing freely.
cooking can be a real bitch sometimes, i only have drinks in my fridge now. i used to cook often but now its just impractical to plan meals, buy groceries, put that shit away, and probably not cook most of it before it spoils. one idea is to plan 3-4 meals and prepare most of it fresh right away (make a salad base for salads and sandwiches, make a couple subs, or portion a couple meals of your favorite dish) and then store it to last with clingwrap/tupperware/(not foil cause of metal poisons contacting food for a length of time).
stop buying snack foods altogether, they are just too good of a temptation so just get for a house party you host.
i find it incredible that on days you fell short of goal, you actually admit and give reasons why. keep up with this and never feel redundant. these are problems that may surface once; or be a hidden reason that happens repeatedly and needs to be taken control of. (like your mom calling and stressing you out, food cures stress but so does correcting that stress).
i wouldnt recommend the stomach-surgery procedures even though they work. its too dramatic and stressful and has lifelong side effects like inability to enjoy certain food textures (like pork for my friend), burping, and pain from eating a bite extra than a tiny stomach could handle. you can get your results without this 🙂
well hey, its past my bedtime. gl paul