Monday, January 11, 2016

Here's the Plan, Stan - Part II

Last week I wrote about my running and walking plans for this year.  And then, the very next day, I skipped my run because it was freezing cold (literally), my bed was warm, and I just didn't want to get up and go outside.  So yeah, you might want to take what I have to say with a grain of salt.  But let's talk about dieting plans because I am the expert (HAHAHAHA) and in that post, I promised to reveal all of my magical dieting secrets.

Secret Number 1:  There is no magic pill, no special way of eating, no particular form of exercise that will make you lose weight.  But you already knew that, right?  I know, I know, I wish it wasn't the case - life would be much easier otherwise.

Secret Number 2:  You just have to work at it.  Maybe not every day, but most of the days.  Eat a little less, move a little more.  It adds up to a smaller body.

Secret Number 3:  You don't have to exercise, but it sure helps with not only speeding up the process, but also with motivation regarding living your new, healthier lifestyle; especially if, as I was, you're coming from a place of eating whatever you wanted and not moving a muscle unnecessarily (ahhh, the good old days...I miss them?).

Magical dieting secrets aside, I do have a plan for this year, which boils down to a simple sentence:  Make better choices.

That's it - no obvious calorie counting (although I can't help but do it most of the time, as it's just an ingrained thing after all these years), no macros, no IIFYM (which I recently found out is different from plain old counting macros), no cutting out specific food groups like carbs or sugar, no excessive exercise.

I'm going to make better choices, kind of like how a parent would when feeding a child.   My lackadaisical "eh, it'll all work out" way of eating that I've done lately is not doing me any favors, and I don't run enough to counterbalance all of the non-nutritional treats I've allowed myself over the last year - yes, YEAR...it's been one hell of a fun ride, and I've enjoyed all of the bonus eating that came with my trips, but it's time to act like an adult and eat my vegetables.  And fruit.  And I don't need dessert all that often.  I could go on, but you get my drift. 

The coasting is over; this is my year of better choices.

26 comments:

  1. I am all for better choices!

    I have to disagree on secret number 3: you do have to exercise. Exercise, just walking 30 minutes a day is enough, is very good for your health, even if you are a thin person. Sitting is the new smoking is a slogan here. Exercise every day for 30 minutes has a lot of benefits for your health.

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    1. Honestly, if I was made to walk for 30 minutes a day at the beginning of my weight loss journey, I probably wouldn't have continued. I just wanted to make sure people know it's not 100% all or nothing right from the start.

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    2. Agree. You don't have to walk 30 minutes straight. Just start with what you're capable of and don't give up and it will get better and better.

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  2. Better choices great phrase for the year! I agree with Fran for your health's sake you do need to move some, and 30 minutes of walking is good for you! Just starting out some people might have to build up to the 30 minutes but it doesn't have to be fast just steady movement. I feel that the scale number comes from the kitchen and not the gym but that doesn't mean exercise doesn't matter.

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  3. Well said! Better choices is the perfect summary!! We can still have fun, still be satisfied, and be healthy! :)

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  4. Better choices will inevitably give you better results but I love the fact that you are also not into deprivation or cancelling out of specific food groups. I honestly believe deprivation is a good set up for bingeing at some point.

    And, I get what you meant about not exercising. I've seen lots of people lose weight without exercising. I'm not sure I'm willing to cut my food that much lol! So yeah, you don't have to exercise. But there are benefits if you do.

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    1. That was my point, about exercise - it can be intimidating at first, and even if you don't jump into working out, you can still be successful with weight loss.

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    2. I still don't agree LOL Yes you don't have to exercise to lose weight but exercise gives you so much health benefits, less chance to get cancer, heart problems or other diseases.

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  5. Truthfully, your secrets aren't secret at all. It's just that staying fit is hard work. And no one wants to hear that!

    You've got this!

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  6. I LOVE IT! I kinda started doing that in the middle of the Christmas "festivities," but I didn't have a name for it. I'm going to keep that phrase in mind this year. Thanks, friend!

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  7. Welcome to the year of better choices with your eating. As for the run....sleep is important too...and you can make that phase three...and it will go hand in hand for those cold mornings when you skip your run!!! ;-)

    I miss the 'good old days' of eating. I hated the stuffed sick feeling and I don't miss that. I miss the innocence of not worrying about what I was eating. I miss the lack of thought. I miss he carefree eating.

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  8. Yep, I agree about making better choices, and while I am still in it to win it, I look forward to my party pizza Friday and that won't ever change. :D

    I'll be along for your ride in 2016! :D

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  9. That's kind of my plan, too. Nothing is completely forbidden, though my plan is to make smart choices and just be more intuitive. I just want to be a healthier version of myself and get more exercise and eat less junk. It's so much less stressful than trying to follow a specific plan, and it CAN work. That said, I will probably still track what I'm eating and how much I'm exercising just because I'm a dork and like to keep track of that stuff.

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    1. Hey, I always track my runs, so I get the dork factor of liking to track things... :)

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  10. PERFECT plan!!! You are an inspiration Shelley!!!!!

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  11. Yes, it is that time of year where FB is exploding with crazy ways of eating. I never comment on those posts because some of the same people have been on and off the same particular diet for years. If it's obviously not something you can stick to, don't do it!

    I need to make better choices as well. It seems I actually need to make better than better choices because what I did before doesn't work as well now. Must be the getting older thing...

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    1. LOL, yes - I think we have a mutual friend on FB who is back on a diet plan that has proven to be challenging to stick to...why lose weight if you're just going to go back to your old ways of eating and gain it back?

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  12. Better choices is a great plan! How do you plan to stop and ask yourself if the choice you are making IS the better one? This is where I struggle? I need some inner stop to make me question myself!

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  13. I'm glad you said exercise isn't a requirement. If I had to formally exercise at this point, I think I would totally throw in the towel. It's something I will have to wrap my head around and try to find something I like to do, but it's not a natural thing for me.

    I have enough trouble making appropriate nutritional choices!

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    1. Ease into this - there's no deadline for good health. For now, making appropriate nutritional choices is perfect.

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  14. Great post! I too plan on making better choices from here on out. I like what you said about feeding yourself like you would your own child. I need to think more like that on a daily basis. If I wouldn't let my kid eat crap why should I. (although my kids are all grown, but when they were being fed by me I never let them eat some of the crap I have been grabbing lately)

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  15. Amen! Better choices! I've always heard, "you can't out exercise a bad diet" I wish I could, but my scale always prove me wrong.

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  16. I have enjoyed reading your blog so much! I have started a doctor supervised Nutrimed program and am on a journey to lose 100 pounds. You are inspiring because you seem so down to earth and relatable. Thanks for sharing all your struggles and victories! :)

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    1. Good luck as you begin your weight loss journey, Sarah! Although I only stayed with Nutrimed for a few months, it was a good tool in getting me started with losing weight and switching to a healthier lifestyle.

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