Yeah, I'm not excited about it either.
I know from experience if I don't take steps now to get back to my happy-weight, I will continue to gain. And that means grouchiness, unpleasantness, and a list of other yucky moods I tend to indulge in when I'm "fluffy."
Diets and I don't get along, so I don't do them. But when I make an effort to watch my calories, eat higher quality foods, and *gulp* exercise regularly with intensity, I always get back to my goal weight, and I usually can maintain it.
I have one rule. Don't mess with my coffee!
To kick start my motivation, I stopped at the library and checked out their Health section. Skinny Chicks Don't Eat Salad by Christine Avanti, CN, sounded fun, so I headed home and cracked it open. Sometimes books like this can be too dry and boring, but Skinny Chicks sucked me right in. The testimonials and easy-to-understand biology lesson convinced me to try her method.
Christine discusses how carbohydrates convert to sugar in our bloodstream, so she recommends always eating a combination of carbs and protein to slow the insulin train down. I've read many, many books and articles about diets, and this one makes sense to me. You're not eliminating food groups or starving yourself. You're just eating a meal that contains protein, carbohydrates, and a small amount of fat, and you're eating every four hours.
My one resistance to any diet is the effect it has on my coffee habits. Skinny Chicks allows you to drink coffee, but I have to watch my carbohydrate/calorie additions. This means balancing my coffee with protein (like eating a yogurt or an egg), which isn't a biggie, but when I read the label on my favorite flavored creamer, I about choked. The carbohydrate level is way too high (considering I double the serving size with each cup I drink!), and the ingredients contain bad fats.
Logic gets me every time. I will try--try, mind you--to healthify my coffee for one week, but if it's hurting my day in any way, I'm going right back to my favorite creamer. Right back.
How do you maintain your weight? Do you have one rule about health plans?
Have a fantastic day!
