Thursday, July 10, 2008

Confessions, Celebrations, and Lessons from a Loser

Ok, I admit it...I'm a loser. I said I'd do multiple stories on Guatemala...but I've changed my mind. Partially because I told the story that messed me up the most on my last post. It's hard to go back to the appetizers after you've already served the dessert. So forgive me if I've let anyone down...there may be more later on developments in G'mala but for now I'm moving on.

To all 4 of you reading this I also admit I'm a loser for not blogging in a while. But I swore I'd make blogging a fun thing, a good tool, not a time gulper. I'm trying to only blog when I've got something to share or celebrate...and with that in mind...

I'm a loser in another way...Inspired by (1) Dino Sinesi who is half the man he used to be a couple of years ago (literally) as well as more recently (2) by my father-in-law, Jerry Noland, who is getting healthy and 50 pounds lighter to date, and (3) by the fact that I'm 40 pounds heavier than when I got married and 10 heavier than 2 years ago, I too have become a Weight Watcher. I've lost close to 10 pounds but more importantly I've found a system I can live with and be healthier through for the rest of my life.

Here's what this "loser" has learned...(maybe it'll help some of you or someone you know)

  • I now know that I really eat because I love food not because I need it (watch out all you folks who--like me--don't drink, don't smoke, but replace them with food as your vice)
  • I've learned that "Full" for me was "If I eat one more bite I will not feel well" rather than "I don't need more".
  • I eat really fast so I tend to eat more than I need before my body chemistry has time to change and tell me that I'm full
  • I ate way more and way worse than I ever realized before I started writing down what I eat.
  • The first week was the hardest part of change (Day 3 and 4 I would have killed to eat as much and as badly as I used to), but 3 weeks later I'm enjoying what I'm eating and I'm satisfied--all while eating much less and much healthier.
  • I'll be dealing with my food issues the rest of my life--just like folks who deal with alcohol, drugs, etc. It's not a short term thing for me anymore...it has to be for the long haul.

If I can do this anyone can...trust me!