I hate to promote any one person's weight-loss and fitness regime because there are many worthwhile ones out there. However, I need structure and Mr. Greene's is as good as any. (For the record, I like Dr. Andrew Weil, too, and his program is even broken down into 8 weeks, but I don't happen to have a copy of his book.)
Mr. Bob breaks things down into phases--and this is its major attraction to me. The first phase is supposed to take 4 weeks (or so) and focuses on making changes in your habits. This is good. I have terrible habits when it comes to eating and excercising. (As if that's news).
Truthfully, this is a focus I can live with. The feverish attempt to lose weight is anathema to me...and in a way, that's fortunate. It means I've never yo-yoed. I have a pretty clean track record when it comes to trying to lose weight, per se. I think that's a good thing, physically speaking.
According to the theory of having a "set-point" (a weight at which your body goes into ultra conservativative hang-on-to-the-fat-or-die mode), yo yo-ing (going on and off diets continually with the consequent results of going up and down the scales) messes with your set-point and, supposedly, "sets" it higher each time. So, if the theory is correct, I don't have a messed up set-point--which may or may not mean anything.
What I want is a healthier lifestyle--a more functional and healthier relationship to life--not necessarily just my body. So, with that in mind....
Here are the objectives for Phase 1:
1) Increase my activity level.
2) Stop eating 2 hours before bed-time. (aack!)
3) Eat three meals, including a nutrious breakfast, plus at least one snack, daily.
4) Stay hydrated. (48 oz of water a day.)
5) Eliminate alcohol. (um, ok. Done. It's not that I don't drink, I just, um, don't drink.)
6) Take daily supplements.
The biggies, here, are 1), 2), and 3).
I plan to do my best to meet these objectives. But what I am NOT willing to do, at least not yet, is change what I eat. For example, the yogurt breakfast, a la Bob Greene is fat free plain yogurt, topped with fruit, nuts, a little honey and (if you like) a spoonful of flaxseed or wheat germ or a couple of spoonsful of low fat granola.
The yogurt breakfast, a la moi is 1/2 cup vanilla yogurt (4% M.G.) with 2/3 cup Quaker "Harvest Crunch." (I only know this because I actually measured this morning.) I throw on a handful of blueberries when I have them. Mmmmm.
I've mixed honey into plain non-fat yogurt before: it's time consuming and the taste takes getting used to. On my previous "diet" --a home made version of weight watchers-- I could only eat it with half an apple cut up into it along with cinnamon and nutmeg. Plain non-fat yogurt is just vile. And I bet French women don't bother. ;)
In winter, I like Red River cereal with a handful of dried cranberries. Oh, and brown sugar.
Perhaps this reluctance to alter what I eat will change. Anything is possible. But eating breakfast, in and of itself, will be a huge change for me. (Normally, breakfast is, well, let's just say lots and lots of coffee and...cigarettes.)
And that's enough for now.
Isn't it?
8 comments :
No alcohol ever? Couldn't do it.
A good beginning. Bob Greene does have a helpful plan to follow.
Um, I eat plain non-fat yogurt. It took a lot of getting used to, and the co-worker that used to sit at the next desk laughed at the faces I made with each spoonful, but I enjoy it now, and find the fruited kinds too sweet, and the ordinary plain yogurt too rich. I eat the Lucerne yogurt that comes in the green container, from Safeway. I don't think I'd like honey in it (but then, I no longer put honey or sugar in anything -- I'm not saying that to sound self-righteous, it's just how it is. Anything too sweet makes me feel sick.)
Good luck!!!!
There's a huge connection between fat and cigarettes--I've been thinking about it, actually, though I don't know if there's ever bee a study done. But think about it--my tongue is coated with all kinds of stuff--so food likely has to be pretty fat and pretty sweet to make an impression.
I'm glad you were able to get used to it.
catseatsocks--I suppose if the husband and I ever went anywhere or did anything, we'd have a beer. The darker the better (for me). But we're homebodies and a whole bottle of wine is, now, too much.
Hmm. I just bought some plain non-fat yogurt of my own to experiment with. I'm thinking fruit and granola mixed in might not be totally unreasonable. Maybe a tiny bit of sugar for starters too. I will be looking for this Harvest Crunch of which you speak.
Also, this made me think of you:
http://maydreamsgardens.blogspot.com/2008/08/embrace-never-finished-for-happier-life.html
if the link doesn't work, check out the may dreams garden blog, it's great, and I think you will appreciate today's post.
You're very gutsy, and it sounds like a sensible plan.
Eating something sensible for breakfast is a great deal better than eating nothing; so what if your breakfast isn't the utter perfection of calorie-reducing bliss?
Just make sure your yogurt has live cultures rather than being held together with gelatin. It's the live cultures that are good for your digestion.
Yes, that's definitely enough for now! I'm pulling for you.
Also, for the plain yogurt eaters - try apple sauce. :)
I see. I guess in reference to the diet, I couldn't do it. Not drinking because you don't want to is fine ;)
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