On Food and Weight

I don't remember if I've written much on weight the last seven years since I've been blogging (Yes. Seven. Years). Maybe a time or two. I really consider diet and weight a private issue. I've spent most of my life being judged and feeling judged about how big my ass is or isn't. I consider my body my business and am always kind of boggled when people are more concerned with my body image than I am. I'm content for the most part. That's why when I write about food, I share recipes instead of diet tips.

I've lost a large amount of weight (30 to 50 lbs.) three times in my life. Two of the times I was starving and totally obsessed with food and what I weighed every minute of the day and what went into my mouth and what didn't. I gained the weight back and more even though I had infinite amounts of willpower for several months. In the end, my body fought to gain the weight back with a ferocity that brought not only the pounds I lost but more. This is the phenomenon that happens to most of us that lose weight.

The third time, I lost weight nearly effortlessly. I had braces which made eating uncomfortable for two years. Around the same time, there was more chaos in my extended family than I knew could exist. There were days that my life was a cross between Cops, Intervention and Judge Judy. When I'm upset I can't eat. I just didn't feel like eating. Ever.  It was easy to lose weight. Then my family incosidrably straightened out their life somewhat. The fat cells again screamed to be fed and my appetite returned. That was roughly seven years ago.

Since then, I've basically stayed away from any kind of dieting not having faith in any kind of long-term maintenance and not willing to be obsessed with food just to fall again.

Last summer I joined a corporate wellness program and half-heartedly made an attempt to lose some weight. I lost a little, didn't reach my goal, but learned some things. Number one, when I had dieted before I hadn't been eating enough. Eating more food actually helped my weight loss rather than hindered it. I also discovered a new way to journal food that worked much better for me. I log-in to MyFitnessPal every morning and night. I put in what I ate and it tracks calories, protien, fat for me.  It's actually made me think of my eating in terms of fueling my body rather than losing weight. It also keeps me more honest, I no longer underestimate the caloric content of what I'm eating. There are days when I realize I need to eat a piece of fruit or some cheese so my body won't shut down and think I'm starving and put my hunger in overdrive.  I lost roughly 15 lbs, and kept 10 of it off for six months.

Since completeing that program, I've kicked around doing nothing, increasing my activity and/or changing my food. None of it seemed terribly motivating. Mac and cheese seemed motivating.

I work in the health industry now, so I'm somewhat conscious every day of not only the appearance of  being overweight, but also the health consequnces. So I make promises that I will do this or that and do nothing.

I don't really believe in a diet or food plan. I've done several, read several over the years. I believe in common sense and know my common sense may not be yours. I know what's healthy and sometimes I do that and just eat too much, and sometimes I ignore what's healthy.

Then two weeks ago I decided I wanted to make a couple of small changes. I've never eaten much meat. I don't like it. I've suspected that fact led to some tiredness due to lack of protien. So I added a poached egg every morning. This was also a big step, because I rarely eat breakfast. It takes 10 minutes from cooking to plate in the dishwasher and I feel so much better.  I eat 3 to 4 pieces of fruit during the day. Sometime I have string cheese or yogurt. I may eat a very small helping of a leftover or vegtable for lunch. For dinner I have chicken or fish, salad and vegtables. Rarely I throw in whole wheat pasta or brown rice (like 3 times in 14 days). 

Guess what? I'm not hungry. I don't obsess about food. And without realizing it, I've given up processed food, most flour and sugar and a lot of fat. I feel really good. I've excercised more. My goal is to sweat twice a week. I hope to add more days. Right now I climb up the steep hill by my house that makes heart beat fast and illicits new swear words. I'm proud of myself when I get to the top and I have a lovely view. 

I have lost weight. Five pounds the first week, and one pound the second.

Amazing huh ? Eat simple. Move a little. Feel better.

I should write a damn book.

 

Comments

[Lilian]

This sounds a lot like what happened to my friend Jo (do you read her? Former Leery Polyp, now The Modernity Ward) over the past 2+ years... she eats mostly protein and fruit + vegetables (and fat too) and she feels wonderful and lost lots of weight.

(sorry for not using the html to make the rest of the comment look pretty, I'm lazy right now). Jo wrote a post with a ton of photos recently: http://sassmouth.typepad.com/sassmouth/2012/01/the-body-eclectic.html
actually, there's this one too, about her pancake boobs ;): http://leerypolyp.blogs.com/the_modernity_ward/page/2/

(and after that, a defiant sounding post with tons of info: http://leerypolyp.blogs.com/the_modernity_ward/2012/03/in-which-i-am-totally-insufferable-about-food-for-kind-of-a-long-time.html)

And it's also more or less what Heather (Dooce) is doing, right?

[Lisa V]

Thanks for the links, Lillian.

I'd say the main difference between Paleo (Dooce) and Atkins - closer to where Jo started, is that I eat a lot less fat and a lot more fruit. I actually don't really like most meat all that much, but have realized I'm more satiated when I eat it. I like chicken and fish and feel much fuller eating them.

I do read things from lots of diets (Paleo, Atkins, Sugar Busters) that make me think sugar is really my problem. I actually don't want it all because then I'm scared it would be a slippery slope to just going "screw it, put on the eating clothes and get me a bag of oreos and a coke." I like feeling in control.

My next task is figuring out how to get my family eating the same way, or at least closer.

[Christine]

After 15 years of vegetarianism, I just added meat back, too, and I'm finding the same thing - more energy, eating less, dropping weight. And after years of struggling with my cholesterol, it dropped right back into my pre-vegetarian normal levels. I'm not eating much meat, either, because I'm still not that crazy about it, and the Paleo diet makes me stabby from an environmental standpoint. I also still have two vegetarians living in my house, and Paul lost a ton of weight and dealt with high cholesterol eating as a vegetarian, so I think my take home lesson was to eat the way that works for you personally.

[Lisa V]

Christine, I totally agree about the what works for you. I am trying to influence my kids to eat very few simple carbs. I'm convinced they really are the path to disease.

I find myself being a little bit of a zealot because I can't believe how well this is working and how good I feel. Today had a box of Krispy Kremes 4 feet from me all day long. Didn't care. Also went to happy hour tonight where someone else ordered homemade potato chips (they're great, have had them in the past) but I wasn't even tempted. Happily ate my salmon sate with mango.

I think there are some lessons in this even for a vegetarian, like up the protien- no matter what kind and you make see some positive results.

[Christine]

You're inspiring me on the breakfast thing, though. I never eat breakfast; I know it's bad. But I love poached eggs and they take minutes. If I can take the time to make coffee, I can poach an egg.

[Lisa V]

Christine, you can even fry one in a non-stick pan without butter. You add a little pepper, it's even faster than poaching and the calories are the same. That, a glass of juice and a latte keep me full until 1:00.

[Christine]

I did the poached egg this morning with a small slice of melon and I do feel much better. Usually by now my stomach is all rumbly and unhappy and I haven't actually thought about food at all this morning. That said, we have to eat early because we have Max's party this afternoon and we're going to have to leave soon. But, thanks for the tip - really great ideas.