A whole new attitude about food

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tim_jennings
tim_jennings Posts: 172 Member
in Introduce Yourself
Hi Everyone!

I have been using MFP since January 31 when the hospital where I work started a "Biggest Looser" competition. I knew that I needed a convenient way to track my calories if I was going to be able to keep on target, and I found the MFP app for my phone. Now, less than 6 weeks into the competition I have lost 27 lbs and as of our last weigh-in, I was in second place (on percentage of body weight lost).

More importantly, I have a completely different attitude about weight loss and food now. Now rather than trying to avoid foods that I think (or have been told) are bad for me, and eating the ones that are supposed to be good for me, I eat a sensible diet based on my nutritional needs. I treat my daily calorie budget like I treat my money budget. I have a certain amount of calories to spend every day, and I have certain bills (carbs, protein, calcium, vitamin A, C, etc) that I have to pay with those calories. If I get to the end of the day and all of my "bills" are paid and I still have calories left, I treat myself to a small portion of something I really enjoy.

By looking at things this way, my entire life style has changed. I am no longer stressing and craving. I am simply paying my "bills" and living my life. If I want to have something, and it isn't in my budget, I save up for it just like I do with money. If I need extra calories I "pick up a shift" by doing extra at the gym. I know that because of my new attitude, THIS time will be the time I actually loose the weight and keep it off for good. I will no sooner "splurge" on useless foods than I would do so with my hard earned dollars forsaking my daily needs.

I hope that this analogy can help someone else out there change their attitude about food. I know that it certainly changed mine.

Tim

Replies

  • pouringraina
    pouringraina Posts: 106 Member
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    I really like that analogy!
  • CallejaFairey
    CallejaFairey Posts: 391 Member
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    that is an excellent analogy, and i am glad you enjoy MFP. i love this place, and am amazed at how easily i have coverted over to healthy eating just because of this site. it really isn't a place to come to cause you want to go on a diet, it's a place that will help you change the way you eat forever, and help you lose some weight in the process :)
  • jeneren
    jeneren Posts: 10
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    That's an awesome analogy - it appeals to my accountant brain :wink:

    Great results too!
  • Heidilou116
    Heidilou116 Posts: 4
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    Tim,
    You must be so proud of yourself- losing 27 pounds already! I am just starting my new eating habits and the way you look at eating is a great way to think. I wish you continued success.
    HeidiLou
  • MakingAChoice
    MakingAChoice Posts: 481 Member
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    That is an awesome way to think about it. I used to be one of those who 'just didn't care' about what I ate and when. If I liked how something tasted than I would eat healthy things, but than I added poor choices in with it. What MFP did for me is show me trends and numbers that I have never seen in one place before. After seeing the 'light' I started actively searching for replacements for foods I loved. I have found it easy to replace foods I loved with better choices. Much easier than I ever thought it would be. I started this journey on January 28th and am down 30 lbs now, so we are very close in our pace of loss. The thing I like best about this is the way I eat today has become the norm now, so I see no reason why I cannot keep this up for life. I find my tastes have changed now too, I prefer whole grain foods, fruits and veggies over sweets or chips. Now if I could just get my wife to understand and follow her 'crazy' husband. :laugh:
  • tutwoman
    tutwoman Posts: 3
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    What a great way to look at it. Congrats on the weight loss and continued success!
  • Author8
    Author8 Posts: 1
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    Tim, that is the sort of post that not only outlines your own success, but boosts others' confidence to keep going on their own weight loss (and better nutritional) journey. I'm of the opinion that healthy eating and exercise is the key to weight loss and not some special food diet that requires you to pay for pre-made food. While the weight may come off using these programs, how long can one keep paying for specialised packaged food? In the end, as MFP promotes, it's only when you take charge of your own nutrition and exercise that you can make it happen.

    Congratulations to both you and others here who lead by example.
  • PoleBoy
    PoleBoy Posts: 255 Member
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    I worry about a hospital that encourages potentially unhealthy behaviour. 4 and a half pounds a week is excessive
  • jane77
    jane77 Posts: 489
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    love the concept and glad its working for you. Keep at it and good luck.
  • suzycreamcheese
    suzycreamcheese Posts: 1,766 Member
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    well done, good attitude :)
  • tim_jennings
    tim_jennings Posts: 172 Member
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    I worry about a hospital that encourages potentially unhealthy behaviour. 4 and a half pounds a week is excessive

    According to my doctor, medically speaking there is no magical number of pounds you can healthfully loose in a given period of time. As long as you are consulting your doctor and doing regular blood work (which I am every two weeks), and you are getting proper nutrition.

    Besides to say 1-2 lbs a week of weight loss is healthy for a person who is 130 and trying to get to 120, is not the same as saying it to someone who is 350 and needs to get to 200. If anything it should be percentage of body weight, not a set number of lbs. At least that is what my doctor says.

    The important thing is getting proper nutrition and exercise, and consulting your doctor.

    Besides, who better than a hospital to provide free diet consulting and medical care to their employees while encouraging proper nutrition?
  • bayles1
    bayles1 Posts: 408 Member
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    Thanks for the post,it makes perfect sense.Congratulations on your weight loss.I started around the same time and like you say there is no magic bullet,just hard work and common sense choices.Best Wishes.
  • PoleBoy
    PoleBoy Posts: 255 Member
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    I worry about a hospital that encourages potentially unhealthy behaviour. 4 and a half pounds a week is excessive



    Besides, who better than a hospital to provide free diet consulting and medical care to their employees while encouraging proper nutrition?

    But is a competition to lose weight the best way to encourage proper nutrition?

    The one time we had a competition at work we ended up with laxative abuse.

    Other than that, I like your approach, and I'm glad you're achieving your (sensibly set) goals
  • tim_jennings
    tim_jennings Posts: 172 Member
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    I guess that is the difference between a hospital sponsored program. The whole focus of this competition is on being more healthy. Therefore the hospital provides free nutrition counselling, blood work (to make sure your electorlites are staying where they should be, as well as organs functioning properly etc) and medical check ups. If someone were to use laxatives or otherwise become malnurished, it would show up on the bi-weekly check ups and would be addressed by the doctor or counsellor.

    Yes weight loss competitions can inspire poor behaviour choices in the interest of winning. However since it is a hospital and they are providing all the medical support services, I think they are doing it in a responsible way.
  • Dafoxroxs
    Dafoxroxs Posts: 2 Member
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    I really am proud of you. I believe that the support you share with me and others will help us all.

    Huggles
    Dafox
  • katschi
    katschi Posts: 689 Member
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    A very upbeat and original post. Congratulations on your weight loss so far. That's fantastic.

    I love MFP. I feel like this is finally IT as well. Make that I KNOW this is it.

    Good luck to you in the contest!
  • Gerkenstein
    Gerkenstein Posts: 315 Member
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    That is awesome! I've never thought of it like that. Going to try out this new outlook.

    Thanks for sharing, Tim, and congrats on the weight loss so far! You're doing fantastic!!!!

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