Itty Bitty Hooves

Finding A Better Way

Administrator — Tue, 06 Nov 2007 15:18:48 +0000

I was just reading an article from a much loved diet related website ‘Sparkpeople.com’ and they suggested that for weight maintainence after you’ve reached your goal that you should incorporate daily weigh-ins to keep a watchful eye on your new-found thinness. That’s such a double-edged sword, in my opinion. It’s true that most people, both men and women will regain a large portion of the weight they lost, and some even exceed their previous ‘high mark’ within a year or two of stopping their diets. And yet, constantly weighing both during weight loss, and after can lead to an obsession just as wicked as that of the previous food obsession. It’s kind of important to realize, I think, that people with weight problems are often obsessive just like those addicted to other forms of negative reinforcement, ie: drugs, alcohol, cigarettes, amongst others.

Perhaps the most important maintainence regime is making sure you have a good support system in place to keep things on a level keel. If you don’t have it from home sources, family, friends, be sure to find a reliable source online. Find it SOMEWHERE. Perhaps a quality health center, or gym where you can find others deeply commited to their own health as well as being a good source of inspiration to you. That can help immeasurably both during and after weight loss…

but no matter what, make no mistakes, diets fail largely because they are ‘diets’ that you will eventually stop. True weightloss occurs, and REMAINS when you finally realize it’s a lifestyle choice — something you will learn to embrace, and keep, or not, and end up back where you started. Walk the walk, and live the life, and love the process… no more yo-yo’s, find a better way to live.

First Twenty-Five

Administrator — Wed, 29 Aug 2007 14:33:10 +0000

I weighed myself this morning. I should only weigh myself once a week, but I can’t stand the suspense so I do it twice. Even though this isn’t my ‘official’ weigh in day (Saturday), it IS a milestone day! I’ve made it to my first TWENTY FIVE pounds lost! A friend of mine highlighted the significance of it. It sounds like a lot — 25 pounds– but it’s not easily visualized until you think about it. Go to the grocery store (or if you’re like me and get them all the time anyway just go to the back porch) and lift a 25 pound bag of dog food!

THAT’S A LOT OF WEIGHT.

No wonder I feel so fantastic lately… I have a long way to go, but thanks to my friend, Mal, I now have an even better way to visualize what an accomplishment each 10 to 25 pounds is… the local dog food aisle at my grocery store.

20 Minutes!

Administrator — Thu, 23 Aug 2007 21:03:48 +0000

Okay, I’ve always known the diet ‘tip’ about eating slowly. Taking the time to really digest the food and even realize you’re eating it. It always made sense, but I just read something that really floored me–an important reason for eating very slowly at meal time, even putting your fork down between bites, is that it takes the stomach TWENTY MINUTES to know it is full. I’m not sure what that says about our stomaches, lol, kind of slow I guess… downright stupid, but at the same time, it makes even more sense to really take your time eating. I’m not sure what part of our survival instincts are brought into play with that delayed realization, it must have served some purpose at some point in time but it sure isn’t necessary any longer.

Chew slow and lose weight. LOL