Learning this isn't all about food.

pattilindley
pattilindley Posts: 47 Member
edited November 18 in Motivation and Support
As I continue this journey I have figured out that I don't have it all figured out. This is taking a long time because this isn't all about food. That is the easy part. I struggle with the scale because I give it too much power over my mood for the day. I obsess over my daily weighing. My biggest struggle is I'm apparently lazy. That's why I want to just go to a drive through on the way home instead of figuring out a healthy dinner and cooking it. I'm not really craving junk food, I want easy food. When I look in the mirror, instead of being encouraged by the 28 pounds I've lost, I am very critical of what I see and only focus on the fat I still see and the 42 pounds I have to go. When I have circumstances that cause me to have to adjust and perhaps not follow the plan perfectly I have trouble just accepting it as a temporary occurrence and I berate myself. I'm not very kind or forgiving of myself. This group has been so very helpful and supportive. I do see progress, not just in my weight loss but in my attitude. I know this is a forever lifestyle adjustment and I am so happy I can say whatever on here and there is no judgement, just understanding and encouragement.

Replies

  • Geocitiesuser
    Geocitiesuser Posts: 1,429 Member
    Just eat less 'easy food' then :) The reality is that it really is all about food. Portion control. "Healthy" food just tends to be more satiating while "easy food" tends to leave us feeling hungry. But really, in terms of just weight loss, it really is about the food.

    But of course when we say it's all about the food, that involves all of our behaviors surrounding it. Good and bad.

    Most of us here to lose weight have had to modify our behaviors surrounding food. It all comes down to the calories in vs calories out.

    Keep working at it, and you will continue seeing progress! Just being aware of our eating habits is half the battle!
  • PrincessMel72
    PrincessMel72 Posts: 1,094 Member
    It's definitely all about the food. It's how you view food, how you think about food and how you eat food. All of those factor into how you will lose weight
  • ErinMichelle31
    ErinMichelle31 Posts: 29 Member
    I understand the desire for easy food. That was a big hurdle for me because I work very long hours, and ordering Chinese food is easier than going to the grocery store. I started using a meal delivery service--Sun Basket. It's been really helpful. They deliver all the ingredients, the meals are easy to cook and fast, and you can control your calories and portions in advance. Maybe try something like that? There are a lot of options out there.
  • broncobuddee
    broncobuddee Posts: 372 Member
    Congrats on the 28lbs!!

    I definitely get the "easy food" option. I drive past every major fast food chain on my way home from work each day and for years it seemed so handy to "drive-thru" so I could eat and drive, leaving my evenings free for other things (and feeding that perverted brain endorphin that craved fast food).

    When I started this most recent journey in January, I set aside Sunday afternoon for meal prep. I typically do laundry and cleaning then anyway so it just made the time more productive. Now I haul in a week's worth of lunches to work on Monday morning and pull something pre-prepped out of the freezer each night to thaw in the frig for the next evening. The combination of having a prepped lunch already handy and knowing I had a dinner thawed and waiting for me at home forced the issue initially as I drove home each night. Now it's just a habit and fast food isn't even a thought.
  • pattilindley
    pattilindley Posts: 47 Member
    broncobuddee wrote: »
    Congrats on the 28lbs!!

    I definitely get the "easy food" option. I drive past every major fast food chain on my way home from work each day and for years it seemed so handy to "drive-thru" so I could eat and drive, leaving my evenings free for other things (and feeding that perverted brain endorphin that craved fast food).

    When I started this most recent journey in January, I set aside Sunday afternoon for meal prep. I typically do laundry and cleaning then anyway so it just made the time more productive. Now I haul in a week's worth of lunches to work on Monday morning and pull something pre-prepped out of the freezer each night to thaw in the frig for the next evening. The combination of having a prepped lunch already handy and knowing I had a dinner thawed and waiting for me at home forced the issue initially as I drove home each night. Now it's just a habit and fast food isn't even a thought.

  • pattilindley
    pattilindley Posts: 47 Member
    That sounds like a great plan. Do you have any suggestions for lunches and meals that can be preprepped? I bring my lunch every day and usually end up with sandwiches on low cal bread with fruit. That's ok but it does get boring. Dinner is usually salad, vegetables, chicken and a fruit. Boring!
  • quiksylver296
    quiksylver296 Posts: 28,439 Member
    Crock pot has helped a lot for me. I can't stop and grab dinner if it's already simmering in the crock pot waiting for me to get home. Usually, I just throw a pork roast or chicken breasts in with some spices. Then when I get home, quick prep some rice and veggies, or just throw it in a tortilla.
  • JazzAllen
    JazzAllen Posts: 11 Member
    As someone who has continuously eaten healthy and exercised moderately for the past 6 years, and watched my weight go up and down in spite of doctor-approved/healthy habits, I have learned to look at my overall wellness. At my heaviest, my cholesterol, blood-sugar, blood pressure, resting heart rate, etc, were still optimal in terms of health. At my most thin, my blood pressure was elevated, I battled chronic vertigo, and I was constantly fatigued - yet my habits were the same as when I was heavier.
    Long story shorter, consulting with friends and coworkers experiencing similar challenges has helped narrow down the right specialists, testing has led to possible diagnoses, and since January 2017 I'm down over 60 lbs, have more energy than I have had since my early 20s (I'm 41 with 2 children), and in general just feel terrific! **In the US, approximately 1 in 5 women (and a difficult-to-estimate # of men) experience endocrine disorders, but less than 1 in 10-15 are diagnosed correctly.** For me, it's definitely NOT just about food, NOT as simple as calories in, calories out, and I'm not alone in that.
    OP, if the obstacle is ease/convenience, it may help to take a step back and look at your overall lifestyle. Do you get sufficient time for rest and relaxation, including sleep? You used the term 'lazy' in talking about your choices, but could it be you are lacking in energy? In January, a specialist I saw told me he didn't think I was getting adequate sleep. So that's where we started. I thought I slept well. I thought it was typical for a 40+ single mother to have less energy. Four days of consistent sleep later, I felt like an entirely different person. Within a couple of weeks, tasks I found burdensome (hello - anyone else despise washing dishes??) became easy to knock out. I've DIY'd renovations and improvements throughout my home in the past couple of months, learned to wield an axe, and find myself relaxed and content rather than exhausted at the end of the day.
    I'm happy to share further, but don't want to ramble on your post. My sincere hope you find the 'formula' that works best for you and you have continued success :)
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