I have .01 pound to go to reach my 4%.  Whew, I wasn't so sure I was going to make it but it is looking more promising as of this morning.  As tempting as it is, to view this as a kind of finish line, of course it isn't, at least not for me.

The minute I let my brain think "I've reached my goal" or "I'm finished with dieting", I will inevitably gain it back.  It might take me awhile to gain it, but I'm a nudger.  I nudge my plan a little bit at a time and then give it enough time, I will nudge myself right back into cheeseburgers, french fries, bread and ice cream and who knows what else...gah.  I envy people who don't have desire for the evil food demons in this world.  I play all kinds of head games with myself and intellectually know that if I eat it, I will get fat...so, self...DON'T eat the friggin' crap!  I get it, I just struggle to do it on a sustained basis.

I'm about 10 lbs and oh yes, .01 pounds from my goal weight.  This will put me in a healthy BMI range.  Now, that the number is getting closer, I'm rethinking my goal weight and thinking I should be a bit more ambitious...we'll see.  When is enough enough?  Anyways, you know and I know there is no finish line here.  We like to eat or we wouldn't be on this site doing Diet Bet.  It doesn't mean that food splurges can't happen, but for me they have to be scheduled splurges to make sure the splurge doesn't become the habit.  Splurge on top of splurge become habits (at least for me) and then I just eat without much thought about what I'm doing or why.  I need to set some lifetime rules for myself...it's not the destination it's the journey, even it is a food journey, right?

Some ideas I am toying with..

  • No bread or sugar on weekdays and then allow myself to dabble a little one weekend day and the most special holidays (like Christmas).  (BREAD is my nemesis)
  • Limit all starches every day and void whenever possible. (Back to the bread/starch thing again)
  • Eat no less than 3 cups of green vegetables every single day.
  • Drink ALL of the water you are suppose to every single day.
  • Ask yourself "Is this a good choice for you or are you going to regret it?" whenever the urge arises to grab that candy bar at the check out line or whatever.  Guilt is not a good companion to momentary satisfaction.
  • Keep the protein lean every single day.  Avoid fattier proteins--fat=fat.
  • Plan ahead--I blow it when I haven't thought ahead, I get hungry and then I make very poor choices.  When that isn't possible, then look at the menu and say "Self, what is the healthiest possible thing on this menu?"  Choose that item every single time.
  • Vary your activities--if you get tired of what you're doing or it simply isn't how you want to spend your time, identify something new (active) to do to take it's place...doing no activity is not an option.  No excuses.
  • Weigh at least once a week whether you want to or not.  Self "When you quit getting the scale, you are taking a step away from caring what you weigh" (for me)...Never let your weight get more than a week away from giving you the chance to regroup.

I need a #10--

What are your lifetime rules?  What really works for you and why?