I tried for 12 years to lose weight. Nothing seemed to work. I worked hard to drop 2 pounds, only to sabotage it on a visit to KFC. All I got were tighter clothes and a growing sense of despair, not to mention the various (horrible) gastric disturbances caused by eating nothing but grapefruit for a week, and then pounding down a Big Mac and fries.
Well, I ended the diet. I decided it’s bad for your mental and physical health. I decided that I had no willpower, so therefore could not expect to stick to a “diet.” I researched what a diet meant, which turned out to be slow starvation and a vicious cycle that would actually make my body retain fat.
But I didn’t want to get heavier (not to mention I can’t afford new clothes!) I made myself promise to take my lunch to work for a week. No more fast food for a week. I would eat only food I had prepared at home. This had the added bonus of putting my wallet on a diet as well.
I nervously cooked dinner Sunday, making sure I made enough for myself for lunch. Would I starve? Would I hate it? Would I get sick of eating my own cooking?
I was surprised to find that not only was the shrimp stir-fry delicious, I was full and able to go the whole day without a mid-afternoon energy crash (that usually sent me in search of a Mars bar.) I cooked dinner that night with more confidence, and prepared 2 meals—one in the crockpot, the other on the stove.
I had the same results the next day, and the next. I was full, I felt good, and I wasn’t spending money. But was I losing weight? “I don’t care!” I thought. “I feel good, and that’s what matters.” Plus, I was making new acquaintances in the break room and being social.
I kept this up for 3 weeks, and then we took my boss to lunch at a posh restaurant for his birthday. I studied the menu carefully and thought to myself, “What looks good and is similar what I’ve been having?” I settled on a delicious tomato bisque and salad, and only 1 piece of bread.
“Wow,” I thought. “I’ve really turned around my eating habits, without even really missing the fast food.” An added bonus was my gastro-intestinal problems had virtually disappeared.
So it’s been a month. Have I lost weight? I have no idea. But—my clothes are looser! I can walk from the car to the office without huffing and puffing!
I stopped buying chips and my family is eating healthier. For snacking, we make air-popped popcorn and season it with fat-free flavored salts and herbs (my favorite is the lime-chili popcorn.)
Do I miss KFC? Not really…because I’m not on a diet. I can have it…if I want. But I’ve found I don’t. I’m excited to see what’s to come.
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