Let's Talk Dieting

I've been taking my weight loss journey in a series of tiny steps, and as I so often say, by making one good decision at a time.  It is the only option open to me really, given the overwhelming amount of weight I need to shed, just to reach "normal," normal being healthy. 

I am doing this for my health.  Actually, I'm doing this for my very survival.  Oh, I may have lived another 10 or 15 years in morbid obesity, maybe even longer.  But then again, maybe not.  And since there are no guarantees, or even assurances, I figured I better get serious, once and for all or risk being added to the statistics of those who died "too young." 

I have to face it, I'm not getting any younger.  And, if the truth be told, I've already sacrificed a LOT to this weight.  I don't really see the advantage of going into my golden years (assuming I'd make it there), with normal aging issues AND fighting morbid obesity issues too.  Quality and quantity matter, when it comes to my life.

I had to start somewhere, and I've read ten percent is a great target for reduction.  So, my first mini-goal was to lose 10% of my body's weight (30 lbs).  I've just achieved that.  But, rather than shoot for the next 10% (27 lbs), I made this current goal another 30 lb. target.  I'm not stuck on "30" as a number.  I chose it over and above the 10%, simply because achieving this goal drops me out of the official "morbid Obese" category for someone of my height. 

I'll be "merely" severely obese at 247 lbs.  I'll still have a very long way to go.  But, for me, leaving the morbid category is a true cause for celebration. I think I crossed that line, on the way UP, sometime around 1995.  It didn't seem that long ago, but wow, fifteen years!  That is a long time to be putting myself at risk, unnecessarily.

There is no doubt, for me, part of the journey is psychological as well.  I had to get my mind to the right place, to finally get serious about getting this job done.  It is hard to break long-standing and beloved (unhealthy, but beloved) eating habits. 

What has made the difference this time, in part, is that I finally stopped thinking in terms of what I can't have, or what I'm missing.  I let go of my former "indulgence" mindset.  Instead, I have truly embraced the attitude about properly fueling myself FOR MY BODY'S SAKE.  I'm mentally looking at this body as something in which I have to take a pro-active approach to its proper care.   

I've had (literally) decades to treat myself - and it is obvious that I have.  So, now I have to pay for this, by working so hard to correct for my past food indiscretions.  I'm not beating myself up over history, but I have to deal with the ramifications.  Enter, my diet.  Enter the foot path to improved health.

I'm moving a LOT easier these days.  I have more energy.  I sleep better (and I'm not closing my eyes anymore, wondering if I'll wake up the next morning).  I'm more comfortable.  And I'm very, very determined.  I'm not perfect, but I have focus.  I'm realistic too. 

This is no criticism, but I've read some bloggers who have given up weighing themselves routinely.  They call it "freeing," and it may well be, but it is not for me.  The scale - love it or hate it - is THE tool that tells me, exactly, how well (or not) I am doing.  It is the tool that is going to help me succeed.

I also take my measurements (which sometimes move even when the scale is stubborn) and I gauge how well I'm doing by how things fit.  Ultimately, however, it is all about that scale number.  And I have to be honest, sometimes I don't like it very much.  I have a real "kill the messenger" attitude about my scale some days.  But I'll give it credit too, because it has sure taught me a lot about how my body functions during this weight loss process.  I've learned how sensitive it is to certain foods, exercise, even how efficient it is in regulating things.  I've come to appreciate that this body is still working well, despite what I've tossed at it over the years.  The human body is truly a marvel of efficiency.

Thank goodness.  Thank God too.

So, my attitude shift, a diet that works for me, and setting lots of little goals (and medium goals, and long-term goals) have worked for me, so far in this journey. 

What have you been doing, that has worked for you?  Share some of the secrets to your success, and perhaps we can all learn something new to help ourselves along the way.