Mixed Emotions

Someone else's post propelled me to want to write this.

The person wanted to quit. In the post that person specified they are following a specific diet so I can see how the word quit may apply to that person.

But for me this is not a quit situation, this isn't intended to be something I start and then stop once I have received optimal results. I imagine when I get to a weight I am comfortable with I am not going to resort back to pre MFP behaviours, umm ... those are the same behaviours that brought me to MFP in the first place.

I also don't imagine I will spend my life counting calories either. But I assume that eventually proper serving sizes will become second nature just like overeating became second nature at one point in my life.
I also assume that while on the journey of counting calories I will learn to eliminate foods or cooking styles that are counter productive to having a healthier lifestyle.

To me quit doesn't fit into MY equation, there is no start or finish, for ME it is a re-learning of behaviours.

There has to always be room in my life for indulgences such as ice cream, the soda habit is something I can and hope to live with out. I never want to think that it is an all or nothing day because I had some ice cream or even a couple slices of pizza.

I just have to change the behaviour that thinks ice cream and pizza are daily norm's.

This is a journey, a relationship with food and like all relationships, all journeys, SOME DAYS WILL BE BETTER THEN OTHERS.

If I am going to opt for ice cream or pizza I need to make adjustments in my day for such allowances. Maybe more excersise, maybe a little less at another meal, etc.

There is no DIET, no QUIT, no GIVING UP for ME.

For me it is about learning about the foods I eat, being accountable for every morsel I put in my mouth, even if it puts me over my suggested calories intake for the day. It is about adding physical activity as a norm to my life. I don't want to spend the rest of my life going to the gym, I want to learn how to incorporate physical activity in my daily life, some of it is just for fun/recreation and some of it is with the intention to actually burn excesive calories.

There will be days I don't 'work out' or I am super busy and grab something quick and less then ideal to eat, the trick is to not let it be my norm.

If there is anything I know for sure at the age of 33 is that there is an ebb and flow pattern to life, no matter what decision you take there always has to be room for flexibility. Life is never, ever going to go according to plan 100%. We only set our selves up for failure and disappointment with our all or nothing approachs to life whether it is the big OR the small stuff.