Hello! Making changes

mbminx
mbminx Posts: 21 Member
in Introduce Yourself
Hi, there!
I'm 47 years old, and feeling every month of it. After a three-year run as a professional entertainer, I settled into a desk job that I've been working for 25 years. For a while, my body held its own, but time, inactivity and gluttony took their toll. Even though I could watch my clothing size get bigger, and the numbers on the scale rise, I really didn't realize how heavy I had become. Until Christmas weekend...we were in a hotel (visiting family) and I got a look at my naked self in a full-length mirror.

Oh, the horror! Something has to change.

While I know that exercise is going to be part of the program eventually, I'm going to focus first on establishing a healthy eating pattern. I don't want a diet, I want to develop a long-term food strategy. Once I'm comfortable with food, I'll be ready to address my activity level.

I know I have a lot to learn about balanced, healthy eating, but I'm looking forward to learning. I've spent the last week concentrating on fiber, protein, fruits and vegetables, and I'm surprised at how much I enjoy the food, and how satisfied I've felt. It's encouraging, and makes me excited to see what else there is to this.

I hope I'm welcome, even though I'm not ready (or able) to dive into cross-fit. Thank you all, and I look forward to our journey together.

Replies

  • Momepro
    Momepro Posts: 1,509 Member
    Welcome to a healthier you!
    My suggestion would be to weigh (withan actual kitchen scale) everything you are eating normally for a good couple weeks. And then noting before, a few minutes after and an hour after how you are feeling. After several days of that, you have a good base oattern to work with, ans it's easier to see where you can start with sustainavke simple changes.
    I.E Do you actually still feel hungry after eating the burger, maybe cutting out the fries will make you feel less bloated, but still satisfied.
    Do you actually LIKE the cheese on that sandwich or areyou eatung it because it comes with it?
    Are you really hungry when you eat thise chips, or are you just keeping hands and mouth busy while watching Stranger Things again? Would sugarless gum and crochet serve the same purpose?
    Over time, it becomes MUCH easier to find little things that work, without becoming an overwhelming fight to try all at once.
    Plus since little changes are so much easier to maintain, it won't be too long until they vecime actual sustainable habits.
  • mbminx
    mbminx Posts: 21 Member
    I've noticed the worst time for me seems to be at work. I'm at the office for almost 10 hours, and every 2-3 hours I want to eat. My snacks are healthier this week than they were before the holidays, but I can still pack in over half my day's calories. And healthy lunches may be a challenge - there's only one refrigerator and microwave for the whole building, so keeping anything cold or heating anything up may not be regularly possible.

    So I just started actually measuring my servings, and measuring cups aren't good enough? They'll have to do for a while. I know that I'll get a more accurate count with a scale, but I can't afford anything else until payday, and I have really nowhere to store it. My kitchen has the counter space of a postage stamp and signature total cabinets...

    The more I look around, it seems you folks are all really gung-ho about all this. It's kind of scary, to tell you the truth. It makes me feel like, if I'm not in over my head, that people will judge me for not being "committed" enough. Are you sure that folks who want to start slow and make small changes are even welcome here?

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