Starting a Diet on a Friday

NathaniaJohnson Submitted on January 31st, 2008

Ooh, I am none to thrilled about beginning this process on a Friday. Since childhood, the weekend is a time to eat pizza and junk food and dessert, oh my!

What’s worse is the Super Bowl is on Sunday! Ever since I had the best chicken wings in the world at my step-father-in-law’s relatives’ Christmas party in Sandusky Ohio last December, I have been on a major chicken wing kick!

And then there’s beer.

There’s a few ways I could address this.

1. Alot of exercise

2. Super light eating the days before and after the Superbowl, followed by moderation.

3. Eat a salad instead of chicken wings.

4. Eat the foods I love, but just fewer of them.

5. Realize that an indulgence every once in a while creates more long-term success by reducing the amount of desperation and cravings you feel due to the withholding of favorite foods (or the amounts of favorite foods)

I think I’ll go with #5, but I’ll try to add a bit of #4 in for good measure.

1 Comment » | Topics: Diet Strategy, Obstacles

Enemies of the Diet

NathaniaJohnson Submitted on January 31st, 2008

The traditional American diet has many enemies. One of my biggest enemies right now is stress.

My husband was recently laid off and severance is about to run off. COBRA is $1200 a month, so we’re scrambling for another option. But because of my history of thyorid cancer and my husband’s rheumatoid arthritis, we’re rejected for affordable short-term plan options. I’m an independent contractor so obviously I can’t get insurance through my work.

Mix that in with a possible out-of-state move due to out-0f-state job offers and the idea of selling a house in a less than remarkable market - and as you can see, I’m stressed out!

One of the best ways to deal with stress is to exercise. The problem is finding the time to exercise. If you or a spouse has ever been unemployed, you know that you’re actually far busier looking for work than when you’re gainfully employed.

Which brings me to the number one enemy of the diet: EXCUSES.

The truth is that I can reduce stress by not being consumed by my current situation every waking minute of every day. To do that, I can spend a good 30-60 minutes at least a few days a week exercising. And right now, it may be more important than ever to make it happen.

No Comments » | Topics: Obstacles

My Plan for Fighting the Fat

NathaniaJohnson Submitted on January 23rd, 2008

On Friday, February 1st I will begin shedding pounds like cats shed hair in the summer (or at our house, all year round).

My strategy is an old technique that was once favored when bangs were high and Madonna was good. It involves eating fewer calories and exercising.

I know. I know. It’s old school. But I tried the fewer calorie thing last summer and lost 8 pounds. And only when I started eating more calories did I gain it all back. So, I’m thinking there’s got to be something to this less calories thing.

The good news is that I can eat what I really want and not pay Jenny Craig or Weight Watchers a dime for their versions of real food. I just eat one slice of NY style pizza instead of 2. I get Americanos at Starbucks instead of lattes.

That’s a little change for a lot of gain, or, well, loss. But in this case, loss is a good thing.

No Comments » | Topics: Diet Strategy