I am an “all or nothing” personality. If I choose to participate in something, I do it with complete dedication. I’m like a light switch, though. If something doesn’t appeal to me, I reject it with just as much passion.
Knowing this about myself has played a crucial part on how I developed positive food habits. Because there is so much contradictory information on what to eat, what not to eat, when to eat, and when not to eat, in the end, I had to sort through all the madness and find success through adjusting the advice to MY family, MY routine, and MY individual weaknesses.
For example:
1. I love repetition. It does not bother me in the least to eat the same thing for breakfast all year long. In fact, I absolutely adore the fact that I don’t have to THINK about what I “want” to eat. The truth is…I don’t care. I need it to be filling, wholesome, and healthy. If it meets those needs, it makes it on my plate. With my other meals, there is SOME variety and that is simply because that is the healthiest way to get your nutrients. If it was all about the all mighty calorie count, I’d totally eat the same thing every day.
2. Grocery shopping…nothing comes home to tempt me. My children get their fruit snacks, juice boxes, Goldfish crackers, Skittles, and chips just like every other kid. However, I do not bring home anything that resembles a cookie or a cake. Why? Because they will eat one piece and I will devour the rest. Remember my “all or nothing” personality? This is where it plays a huge negative.
I have NO SELF CONTROL around sweets that I love. I never have and I’m resigned to the idea that I never will. Therefore, unless I plan to cheat, those items remain at the grocery store where they belong. Because my children get other treats, they never even ask for my temptations. If they did, I am perfectly fine with the word, “NO!” With so many other things to choose from, this “NO” carries absolutely no mommy guilt.
For many this seems a bit sad, extreme, or crazy! However, you are probably one of those lucky people who can eat a small piece of chocolate after lunch and say things like, “This is just enough.” To me, THAT is INSANE! One piece of chocolate is a tease and a catalyst to set me off to a complete binge on sweets. If I don’t start, I don’t miss it. However, just like with the strawberry cake in KY, once I start…move over because I won’t be satisfied until it’s ALL GONE!
My solution…if I don’t bring it home, I never miss it.
In short, there is no truism on losing weight except this: Eat less calories than you burn and you will lose weight. There is no silver bullet on how to get there. Any book or infomercial that tells you otherwise is bogus. However, there is research to indicate that if you dedicate yourself to simply one new habit per month your chance of success is 80%. It is with this strategy that I approach each client and help them develop a lifestyle change that takes into account their strengths and weaknesses.
My plan is just that…MINE! It works for me because it was MADE FOR ME! It’s a hodge podge of many “diet plans” but all the habits are wholesome and healthy. Food is such a huge part of our day and our lives that unless it’s PERSONAL, it simply becomes another health experiment. If you are approaching the New Year with a resolution to lose weight and/or get healthy, contact me by Facebook at Homemade Fitness, tweet me at homemade_fitnes, or email me at jeidi@homemade-fitness.com.
