Weight Loss...Broken Down and Building Up

People I haven’t seen in a bit continue to surprise me by commenting on my loss and keeping off of 25 or so pounds. It happened so gradually and organically for me that I am still thrown by the words, “skinny,” and “you lost a ton of weight,” being attributed to me as according to society, I’m still teetering on obese. I think the weight loss is not only fat, but a burden and worry loss as well.

My number one response to the, “How’d you do it?” question has been, “I stopped eating my stress.” The puzzled mixed with a bit of “aha” look I receive in response has told me I need to examine my ability to express the hodgepodge of puzzle pieces that have come together to drop this little bit of physical and metaphysical weight.

My Food Truths:

1. Eat only if you’re hungry - Not because it’s time, not because you’re stressed, not because it’s there. If you eat good stuff, your body will tell you when it’s time to eat and when it’s full.
   
   
2. Increase water intake (Keep a water bottle nearby - reusable, not those throw away and overwhelm the landfill kinds) Sometimes you’re not hungry, just dehydrated. Water will keep all gears running smoothly and fill you up.
   
   
3. Increase fruit/veggie intake - Our bodies know how to deal with this type of food. Our bodies do a happy dance when these types of foods enter.
   
   
4. Limit processed foods - Our bodies spend way too much time trying to figure out how to break down and eliminate the chemicals in our “modern” foods. Our bodies have changed very little since our hunter-gatherer days and is baffled by the crap we put in and that it has to find a way to get it out. A lot of it doesn’t leave.
   
   
5. Up the lean/unprocessed proteins - I am not a big meat eater, but have increased skinless chicken, nuts, Greek yogurt and cheese. It fills you up and lasts.
   
   
6. Do some food math - Don’t focus on counting calories, but eating food in good combinations. ex. fruit+protein=good. bread+fat=bad.
   
   
7. Don’t waste calories on nasty food - If it doesn't throw a party in your mouth, don’t eat it. Just because your kid left it on their plate, does not mean you have to eat it to keep it from going to waste. Don’t put as much on their plate next time. See rule #1!
   
   
8. If you really want it, have it - Deprivation is lame. Life is too short. Eat that damn cookie if you want it, just make sure it’s good. Ask yourself if the calories were worth it. If they were, have that treat again, another day so it stays special. If it didn't taste like heaven, pass next time and wait for something good. If you've been eating “good” food, a little will be enough.
   
   
9. Shrink your portions - Do not eat on that giant, but oh so gorgeous platter. I use a pasta bowl often or only allow my food to fill the inner circle at the bottom of my plate. If I’m still hungry, I get more. Most of the time, it’s enough.
   
   
10. Food is not your enemy, nor your friend - Detach from your emotional relationship with food. You need to fuel the car that is your body with food. Food can not determine any long term happiness or angst. That’s a job for an animate object, not a bunch of calories.

When I, “Stopped eating my stress,” I was able to come to terms with my food truths above. We all know the main food rule - calories in vs. calories spent, but for so many of us, the foggy glasses of emotion and stress interfere with the clear food picture. For me, it was stress. What’s eating you? Be Katy Perry and “Roar” that you've, “got the eye of the tiger, a fighter, dancing through the fire,” and that damned bowl of ice cream is going to hear you roar to tell it to go to you know where, because you are better, stronger, brighter and a fighter. (I know that was a bit much, but it cracked me up so it stays!) Bon Apetit!