I have been on a diet since Monday. And already I am rethinking the idea. I have been exercising regularly for about 6 weeks now. I've been eating what I feel is very reasonably (with the exception of the birthday celebrations) and I am continuing to gain weight. Since Monday I have been eating around 1200-1300 calories a day. I've been neurotic about what I've been putting in my mouth. I gave up on being "reasonable". Now I am sitting home alone on a Friday night instead of enjoying myself out to dinner with my boyfriend and another friend. I opted to stay at work and eat lunch as my desk as I was listening to my friends talking about going out for Chinese food.
I was struggling. I emailed back and forth with my sister about it and then no longer desired to go out. I happily ate the healthy lunch I brought with me. One small battle won.
I can't keep this up forever. I am going to try to limit my going out to eat to one time a week. I'm going to make a bunch of changes recommended by the Eat This, Not That book. I am going to do my best to keep that up for eat least the next couple of weeks. I am pretty stubborn and strong-willed so I'm hoping I'll succeed. I need to stick with it long enough to see results.
I've only got about 15 pounds to lose, but if this keeps up it will be 20 and then 25 and then 30 and then 40. And I will not let that happen.
Dieting sucks. Please wish me a lot of luck. I think I'm gonna need it.
Losing weight is always hard. I need to lose a few (or more) pounds, yet I'm seduced by convenience, my husband's voracious appetite for chocolate, and habit. I've noticed that some foods I'm not thrilled about eating lately, when I once declared them my favorites. Still, I eat them.
I'd suggest giving the Hungry Girl website a try, and signing up for the newsletter as well. She gives healthy alternatives to a lot of the not-so-healthy and healthy-in-disguise foods that those of us in the real world can follow.
You can do this!
Dieting is so hard. Maybe try not to think of it as a "diet". I know that I turn into a crabby witch when I deprive myself of foods that I crave. I've decided to walk a few days per week & cut back on "treats". But I fully admit that I'm an emotional eater. When I have a stressful day at work or have a lot going on, I tend to snack on the wrong things. But, you have to remember to get back on track if you slip. Keep up your momentum Erin! It's good to talk to encouraging people too. (Stay away from the Debbie Downers.)
Just Remember Erin, it takes 2 weeks to see the results of your exercise. So in two weeks you will see the results of two weeks ago. Keep going you are doing amazing and remember in about a month you will see the efforts of your work and then it will be less of a fight and more of an addiction!
Hi Kirsten,
I will definitely have to check out that Hungry Girl website you mentioned. It sounds like it is similar to the book I mentioned but probably more robust. Thank you for the recommendation as well as the encouragement!
Great advice, NatureCat. I can fully relate to being an emotional eater. That is my main struggle. When I am upset after a particularly stressful day at work I just want to eat some comfort food which I know will make me feel better almost immediately (of course only temporarily).
I am doing my best to keep going with the momentum. Encouraging comments from you and the others is helping :)
Christina, thank you. I am really hoping that the exercise and eating well do become an addiction. I definitely believe you get addicted to eating unhealthy food and if you stop eating it your body will stop craving it so much. Like in that documentary "Super Size Me".
Ver good site! I am loving it!! Will come back again - taking your feeds also. Thanks.