Things to Remember While Losing Weight

I hesitate to use the word "diet" because it sets a negative tone for me. I've never had success dieting, so I'd rather not associate that word with what I'm doing. I'd rather call it my "life change" because that's what I'm doing - changing my life. It's not like I'll stop watching what I eat or stop exercising once I hit my goal weight -I have the maintain this for the rest of my life. But there are things that make it hard to do this. There are so many life elements that can get in the way of succeeding.

1. Food is everywhere. It's at every social event, there's a fast food place at every corner, and there is a food advertised every other commercial. We'll never be able to get away from it, so how do we deal with this constant parade of cheeseburgers and pizzas in our face? Easy. "If I eat that, I will die". That sounds dramatic, but how true is it? If we keep eating the way we do, we'll eventually die from some obesity-related disease. "If I eat that, I will die and my family and friends will have to live without me". If you're going to an event with food, eat before you go. Eat something healthy so that when you get there, the need to eat is gone and you have a better chance of passing up the food. Drink as much water as you can and the urge to tear apart that buffet will pass.

2. Portions are LARGE these days. Just because you're watching what you eat does not mean you can't go OUT to eat. If you decide to go out, know that the portion on your plate is going to be more than you can eat, especially if you've had weight loss surgery. There is no way I can physically finish a meal anymore, so this is something I often deal with. A great tip is asking for a children's meal or ordering an appetizer. My doctor provided me with a card to give to a manager that basically says that I've had bariatric surgery and cannot consume large portions. But you don't need this card to eat out. If you order a regular meal, ask for a to go box to come out with your meal. When it comes out, immediately put half of your meal into the box and then eat the remaining portions. This gets the majority of your meal out of your line of sight and out of your stomach. Or you can share a meal with someone, if the restaurant allows it. There is a way that you can eat out, enjoy your meal, and not overeat.

3. You have to plan. If I didn't plan my meals, I would definitely have a harder time staying on course. If I didn't make my lunch the night before, you can bet your sweet tush I'd be eating out every day. If I didn't bring my oatmeal and banana for breakfast, I'd partake in the breakfast buffet my work often has. If I didn't have a dinner in mind on the way home, I'd be stopping for chinese. It's also important to write down what you're eating. It makes you accountable for your food intake and keeps your portions in control. It's so easy to forget what you ate or think you ate less than you did. Leaving your meals up in the air spells disaster. Plan, plan, plan!