Well, I've lost 8 pounds since January by "sneaking up on it."

[crispini]

I really can't believe this works, to be honest. I started a new job in January and immediately realized how out of shape I was-- lots more travel in this job, which means lots more walking, which was a wake-up call as to all the puffing I was doing trying to get around. Also, I figured out that the large amount of travel I'm doing means that I absolutely cannot use food as a treat for the stresses of traveling. You know how it is -- you're out at a restaurant, you're tired from a busy day, you're on an expense account and you're far from home, so you have an extra drink and order the burger with fries instead of salad because you "deserve it."

However, I have to admit that I have really had my share of dieting. Weight Watchers, South Beach, etc. And I just couldn't face another "let's gear up with all the little accessories and rigamarole that goes with A DIET." Ick. Start with great fanfare and high hopes and fail with a thud.

So I just decided that
1) When on the road at restaurants, I would always make the healthiest choice on the menu. Salads, grilled meat with veg, etc. Starbucks oatmeal for breakfast has been AWESOME -- there's a healthy quick breakfast choice EVERYWHERE now. Woohoo!
2) I would stop stuffing myself. Eat only until I'm full, and don't feel pressured to eat everything on the plate, or eat until I feel like I'm going to explode. It's OK to stop.
3) I would carry protein snack bars with me everywhere so I always have some security that, Yes, I have food, and it's a good choice. You never know where you're going to be stuck in an airport or something like that.
4) I would take the shoes and start taking advantage of the hotel treadmill. I've been walking about 3 times a week for 30 minutes.

And that's it! I haven't been making a "big deal" out of this, I haven't been trying super hard, I've just been trying to make the "better" choice when I have the opportunity. AND I'M DOWN EIGHT POUNDS! How crazy is that? I kind of know what they mean now when they say "It's a lifestyle change."

Actually, though, now I'm worried. I was just sort of doing this in the back of my mind, not making a big deal out of it, and I feel like now that I've seen such a big number come off, that it's a big deal now and I'm setting myself up to fail. LIKE ALWAYS. Maybe I should go back to kind of ignoring what I'm doing. Hehehehe.

[supernova]

1. Congrats on your lifestyle changes!

:toast: Good work, crispini! :toast:

Yes, I know what you mean about eating out. I don't travel a lot but it's so easy to overeat in a restaurant. And eat all the wrong things at that. I've started eating a lot more salads than I ever had before. Not just veggies, but salads. They really fill you up without a lot of calores (minus all the dressing, of course).

I have also begun to think about going in spurts, like 6 weeks, give myself a day or weekend to eat what I want and get back to it, so that it doesn't feel like I'll NEVER have forbidden foods again. I really miss fresh artisanal bread and desserts, for example. I've got a long way to go, so breaking it into chunks is useful.

Agreed about protein snacks and bars. I have eaten my weight in those. They keep me from eating bad stuff like out of vending machines while on the go. Same thing with an apple. I'm still looking for a recipe for a savory protien bar. Haven't found one yet though. I got a huge bag of protein powder from Costco the other week and it's a life saver. I put a serving in a plastic bag and keep it in my purse if I'm going to be out for a long time.

Keep up the good work! :thumbsup:

[crispini]

2. Thanks!

I always had the association in the back of my mind that "eating out" was a "fun" or special occasion. However, when I realized that I would eating out every single meal for 4 or 5 days a week, I knew I had to break that habit of thought immediately. I've still been eating "bad" stuff, like the yummy appetizers the others on the team order, but I've just been having a bite or two and not eating a LOT of it like I used to do. So I haven't felt deprived at all in the "fun food" area. I agree, feeling like you can NEVER eat certain foods is THE PITS. I've been trying to think, instead, that YES, I can have tasty things, just less of it, and not all the time.

Good luck to you too! Thanks for the tip on the protein powder. I'll have to check it out at the next Costco trip! :)

[justgamma]

3. Congratulations on your loss!

It's amazing how little changes add up. Keep up the great work.

[Broken_Hero]

4. Congrats,

Keep up the good work, :toast:

[firedupdem]

5. Congrats! Excellent News!!

About 2 yrs ago I lost 30 pounds in a little over 3 months doing just what you are doing! Keep up the good work!