so much of what all this about is less about deprivation and more about awareness. eating mindfully can play a huge role in sufficient weight loss or just plain overall health. this method of mindfulness is actually the same method i used 8 years ago to quit smoking. after smoking for 10 years, i decided that i was sick of being psychologically codependent....which is how i classified it. each time i craved a cigarette i would look at the root of my craving and found most of my excuses for cravings pretty poor. "everybody else is doing it, just this one more, i deserve it cuz..., i've drank enough that i don't care", and all those cliche after school special goodies that could be easily paralleled with food.
cravings can be masked in our favor all the time. that is our lovely ego helping us to manifest our own destiny....which is usually remaining the exact shape that we are not very fond of, and for some, loathe. learning the root of your cravings, which really only takes a second to ask yourself, "how badly do i really need this right now?" can save you from several forms of breakdown on levels far beyond the scale. because, what happens is we eat it, we feel guilty about eating it, so we eat more, and now we've just ruined everything so we shouldn't bother going to the gym cuz we're just so fat and ugly anyway. one brownie can end up being anywhere from a couple hours of punishment to a couple of days.
it may sound dramatic and maybe not at all applicable to you, but on some level, even if only subconscious...as women, unfortunately,...we all do this. that is why so many nutritionist out there are now recommending that if you're gonna have a treat, have it. portion out an appropriate amount and enjoy it. without guilt. because guilt in itself sets off it's own set of hormones and then the spiral begins.
so this week we are not doing sugar. instead of thinking about what you can't have...think about all the great things you can and all the discoveries of delicious food you can make that have far healthier ingredients but are just as tasty. we are not depriving, we are merely enriching;)
be mindful about your snacking and grazing and cut out cravings that have absolutely no baring, because you'll just get mad at yourself for giving in later.
hope you are finding some good options. keep me posted on good finds.
ps...try not to let your food get boring during this challenge just cuz you think that is what you have to do. there are so many ways to make it healthy and taste good all in the same. and, by the way...having it taste good is the only feasible way that dietary changes will stick. this is not a steamed vegetable and boiled chicken program, so if you are having a tough time with selections....post a comment.
the concept
starts november 1st!
what's a two-a-day....that means if you work out hard in the morning, you do a light work out later in the day. so, if you weight train in the morning, i would suggest a 20 or 25 minute cardio of your choice in the evening. or, vice versa. weights and cardio in the morning...yoga at night. whatever. workout ideas will be posted on the regular.
the second workout doesn't have to be crazy. it will just get you moving, get your metabolism revved and keep you from dipping into the candy bowl or the pie tin into the night.
the design...very flexible...workout 5 days a week, with 3 days doubled up. weekends off.
or...
workout everyday and double up once.
or...
any combination...you decide.
a calendar will be provided to keep you on track.
the 2nd component. FOOD!
every week we will have a goal. for instance...one week it might be no sugar, one week no alcohol, one week no eating out. don't be scared....it's feasible and you'll be surprised how much you'll learn about your eating habits and what's actually on your plate.
3rd component. online access and bonus workouts.
this blogspot address will be ours for the challenge. you'll have access to me and each other through this domain. you can bitch and complain or celebrate triumph all in one spot. here will also be our communication board about our upcoming goals and workout ideas.
bonus workouts will be available as well. sunday mornings might be a great time for makeup sessions. all of that can be arranged through our domain.
lastly, weekly weigh-ins and measurements.
measurements are an effective way to give you an idea of your progress...although the way your clothes fit is sometimes the best, and more importantly the way you feel. measurements are also a great tool to see what might be going on if we're not seeing changes. i.e. there might be something else inhibiting weight loss...diet, hormones, thyroid, etc.
we will be using the body fat scale for measurement, as well as tape measure so there will be several ways to track progress.
i look forward to taking the challenge with you.
all my best,
kat
kat@mvfit.com
Here's a good collection of information on sugar and it's addicting qualities - yes, it's from Gwyneth but the real info seems to come from an actual expert. :-) http://goop.com/newsletter/103/?utm_source=Goop+Newsletter&utm_campaign=ab5aeebbd2-Goop103_11_04_2010&utm_medium=email
ReplyDeleteI am a recently recovered diet coke addict. My cravings for it are all but gone and when I do cave and have one, it tastes nasty. Cutting out that fake sugar has also diminished cravings for other sweet foods to an extent. They say eating artificial sweetener makes your body crave sweets and I have read it also slows down processing fats/etc. because your liver and body are busy spending time processing the chemicals... Ew! Now I drink sparking water with squeeze of lime, it is a treat and even sort of feels like a cocktail. Sort of.
ReplyDeletethanks for the link katie, i will check it out this evening when i get a sec.
ReplyDeleteterra, i have quite a few diet coke addicts in my life and i try to tell them all the things you have just noted. the fake sugar depletes the vitamins and nutrients that keep us balanced, so from an imbalanced state, we actually crave more sugar.
it takes between 20 and 45 days to actually alter your taste buds. taking out items for that long of time will change the way you respond to them upon next intake. there are many foods i used to eat all the time that i can't imagine ever consuming now. just for the simple fact that it doesn't taste good anymore...i guess that makes it easier to say no thank you;)