what did you sacrifice for better health?

Nothing at all. It is called lifestyle change and as an adult I learned how to have self control. I can have a serving of ice cream or a serving in a half and still lose weight. It is the only way you are going to really create lifestyle change and stop yo-yo dieting.

I sacrificed mindless, careless eating. And it's not like I can go back now, because I know too much. :laugh:

Awesome! I was at a trade show yesterday, and a table had little Dove chocolates. In the past, I'm sure I would have grabbed one, but I thought "that's 42 calories." It wasn't thought in a way to tell myself I couldn't have one, but it was just the awareness of it that crossed my mind that made be pass them up.

I've sacrificed midday television, obsessing over how to hide a muffin top and cellulite to my knees, afternoon naps except when I've worked out too hard, mindless eating, triple portions at dinner, defeatist beliefs that I had to eat clean or take pills to succeed, getting on the scale every day, constant consumption of carbs and no protein, articles on how to dress to look thinner, spanx, too much alcohol, the overly-buttered overly sauced way I used to cook.....

Obviously, we all have to sacrifice something, but it usually isn't the things we think we have to sacrifice. Eating less, getting the right macro balance, getting enough fiber, enough vitamins, enough exercise, and enough sleep does entail some sacrifices. I'd love to sit and watch TV all day and eat Doritos and pizza. I don't do that anymore. Do I still eat Doritos and pizza? Of course I do. Now I just work it into my healthier lifestyle instead of making an entire bag of Cool Ranch my meal.

I sacrificed all of my trigger foods. Once you identify them, and understand how they affect you, they start to lose their classification as a trigger food. I used to not be able to control myself around cheese. I had it out of the house for a few months and it lost its hold on me. Now I can keep cheese around and use it for a garnish without going overboard and eating nachos over and over until all the cheese is gone. The same has happened with my other trigger foods.

I sacrificed some of my hard earned wages for a gym membership, running clothes and trainers.

I sacrificed having a dairy queen large 1400 calorie blizzard every day.

And now it tastes weird to me so I can't enjoy them any more

Same with my premium ice cream parlor (marble slab)

#firstworldproblems #notcomplaining

But... Pumpkin Pie Blizzards!!!! :sad:

Well for me it was midnight truffle with cookie dough in it, but the flavors are off for me now
I've been thinking this week actually of grabbing a mini to taste test. Even tho it tastes off I still get cravings for it lol.

I honestly used to LOVE ice cream... The only time I really eat it now is Pumpkin Pie Blizzards. Those things......are like heaven.

I gave up fast food (no biggie there; never really was a fan), 'empty' calories- soft drinks and most store-bought junk food, and most alcohol. My husband and I make mead (honey wine, for all you non-nerds, haha!) and occasionally beer, and it drives me CRAZY not to have it with dinner or as an after-dinner treat. I still have a glass once a week or so, but I often have a hard time fitting it into my calories for the day.

I also gave up eating the way I liked to eat in exchange for moderation. That one KILLS me- peanut butter and ice cream serving sizes are cruel and insulting. Some days I really have to restrain myself to keep from going postal on people who preach eating in moderation- it's like being stuck in traffic on the way to the biggest job interview of your life and someone scoffs and says, "Ugh, please. Quit b!tching and just spread your wings and FLY there." I have neither wings nor a jetpack, and likewise precious little self-control around pita chips, nut butters, and chocolate. In a way, I've traded being a friend/ enabler to my body to being more like a parent. I make hard, unpleasant choices to (hopefully) better my health in the long run.

The most important thing I've sacrificed, however, is Time.

Time weighing and measuring everything meticulously, and logging it here.
Time researching nutrition to ensure I'm getting a balanced diet.
Time looking up effective, engaging exercises.
Time looking up recipes, planning meals, and preparing 90% of my food at home.
Time exercising to shape my body, get stronger, and keep my heart and lungs in excellent condition.

I often wonder if I'll look back on this part of my life and regret it. So many of my hobbies such as drawing, painting, writing, reading, baking, and playing video games have withered and nearly died. I try to make myself feel better by calling my health a hobby, and say it's no different than any of the others in terms of taking time away from my relationships. The best I can hope for is that this sacrifice pays off by keeping me in good health for longer at the end of my life. That I spend just a few more years being independent of younger family members and nursing homes.

Certainly I enjoy the health and appearance I've cultivated now, but time marches on and leaves its mark on me and everything else. I only hope it's worth it in the end.

I sacrificed some of my hard earned wages for a gym membership, running clothes and trainers.

^^^^^ THIS minus the trainers

Only thing I've sacrificed is eating whatever I wanted, when I wanted and in whatever quantity I wanted. Now my eating is always mindful of my calorie goal.

^This!! I'm a Lifetime Weight Watchers member and I haven't had to sacrifice anything that I love (thankfully!). I've just become more mindful of my eating habits and make healthier choices/substitutions. I still splurge on the "bad" stuff now and then...but I also know when I can fit it in.


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I sacrificed being broke from buying a fitness magazine or diet book any time I saw a catchy title.