I Hate Dieting - UPDATE

A while ago, I wrote a a blog post about how much I hate dieting.  I declared an end to my continuous battle with the bulge.  I have to admit now that this plan was a failure.  I gained more weight and am pretty unhappy about it.  So, starting today, I am back to dieting.  I have come to the realization that whether I like it or not, I will have to diet for the rest of my life.  However, I am trying to keep a healthier attitude and approach about it.  My goal weight is reasonable and healthy.  It's one I think I can maintain with some discipline.  I am sticking to most of my goals from my previous post as well as some new ones:

1. I will eat when I am hungry and will stop when I am full.
2. My diet will consist mainly of fruits and vegetables - 7 a day at a minimum.
3. Trigger foods are to be avoided, unless it is a special day like birthdays, anniversaries, holidays, etc.  My trigger foods are sweets of any kind and chips.  Once I start eating foods like this, I cannot stop.  So the plan is not to start.
4. I will limit my intake of bread.  This is mainly because I think my stomach and digestive system function better without bread and wheat products.
5. When dining at restaurants, I will not automatically order appetizers or desserts along with my main course. 
6. I will drink at least 8 glasses of water a day.
7. I will exercise for at least 30 minutes 5 days a week.  I have signed up for a 10K on Nov. 21 to  help keep me on track.

I really hope the revised plan will work.  I am trying to find a balance - something that will help with weight loss / weight maintenance while also being a balanced diet that can be sustained forever.  When I gave myself free reign to eat whatever I wanted, it was a little too freeing, and I was like an out-of-control child grabbing every sweet in sight.  The result was not only weight gain, but a general feeling of yuckiness.  I actually feel better when I eat more fruits and veggies and less crap.  Go figure!

So, here's the start to the new diet.  Nothing extreme - just a re-focus and an elimination of some things that don't work so well for me.

Comments

[Stan]

Good Luck with the Diet and the 10K!

[Elizabeth]

Thanks Stan! So far so good this week, except for the exercise. I need to train for that 10K! :)