Calling It
I'm calling off the fruit cleanse - today would be my last day, but as of last night, when I was felled by a sweet potato, I realize that I've achieved what I hoped to. Now the real work starts.
I've had a lot of time to think about why I've struggled to lose weight this last year. I've also been thinking about my assertations that "diets don't work" for me. It is true. Many of the diets I've tried have had limited success, if any. This is 99% because of my rebel personality. I don't like to be told what to do, and I'm always looking for loopholes. I'm also the queen of excuses. If I had actually followed the diet to the letter, I most certainly would have lost weight.
This last 9 days has given me plenty of time to think about how I need to proceed. I don't want to start 2007 with all these extra pounds weighing me down. I don't want to cringe when I look at my family photos from this season, or worse, stay behind the camera, and have another year's worth of "missing mama" photos.
I've been eating healthy...except for the candy benders and random overeating.
I've been exercising...except I haven't actually exercised beyond arm exercises in over a month.
I've been cooking for my family...except for all those meals out.
I've been staying positive...except for all the negative self-talk I've been flinging around.
I feel like I'm a fraud - I started this blog with high hopes and high spirits, determined to show the world that I could successfully lose weight without a "real" diet. And I've struggled for half a year.
While I believe wholeheartedly that the principles laid out in The Fat Fallacy are fantastic, I'm finding that I need to stop embracing the brie and baguettes, and spend more time embracing the produce, lean protein and whole grains. I need to be very, very mindful of portion sizes.
I also need daily exercise, of at least 30 minutes. I'm so inspired by Mel's great track record. I started off yesterday with 45 minutes on the mini-trampoline. We'll call that day one. I'm going to start my own exercise streak!
The real work begins today.
Comments
No need to feel like a fraud. This is just weight-loss reality. I'm struggling with this, too. Each of us just needs to find the thing that makes it click for us.
I'm still looking ...
Posted by: elsie | November 15, 2006 7:33 AM
No way are you a fraud. I love this blog because it is so real. I came coming back because I love the sucess you are having and your goal for your family and their diet are exactly what I want for mine. Be proud of what you have achieved.
Posted by: Anonymous | November 15, 2006 11:17 AM
Go, Jenny, go Jenny!!!!! As soon as we get back from Vegas, I'm going to hit it hard - I've got to!
Posted by: Jen | November 15, 2006 11:46 AM
I can totally relate--I hate being told what exactly and when exactly I can eat and that I MUST write it down or die (fat).
The low-glycemic diet really doesn't feel like a traditional diet to me. It just feels like eating healthy . . . with the benefit of stabilizing my blood sugar so I don't drown in a vat of cookie dough during a binge.
Anyway, you can do it! Success will be so sweet after all of this!
Posted by: Shrinkingmom | November 15, 2006 1:33 PM
Try setting a personal exercise for goal. Like, between now and the end of November you will do XX minutes of cardio and XX minutes of weight training. It's actually kind of fun to total your accumulated daily minutes as you go, and by the end of the month, when you've rocked it, you'll feel like a success! A real, genunie non-fraud!
It worked for me, anyway.
Posted by: EverydaySuperGoddess | November 15, 2006 1:41 PM
Do not despair, Jenny! I was there with you embracing the bread and cheese (and wine), but I was eating *WAY* too much of it. I really embraced it. I have started a low glycemic way of eating (the only "fake" "food" I use/eat is Splenda or Stevia when I can find it) since the end of September. I rarely feel overly hungry and I have lost 18 pounds now. I am with you on the exercise front too. I cannot seem to keep with it, esp. with cardio exercise.
Good luck, keep the spirits up, YOU ARE WORTH IT!
Posted by: Cindy | November 15, 2006 2:00 PM
Keep on going!!
I am stalling big time, but I refuse to give up. I know the end result will be totally worth it, plus my body will thank me for being good to it.
You're not a fraud. You are a real woman, with a family. I am so glad to read posts that say "I had a bad day, and didn't do so well" instead of "I lost 15 lbs this week, ran 25 miles, and I feel wonderful all the time" (insert lots of !!! in there too) I love keeping it real. Because we all realize, we are just human. Not perfect by any means - but it takes courage to admit it. Which you have done, and I'm glad you do so! Good or bad, continue to write. You're doing more good for others than you realize.
Posted by: Amanda | November 16, 2006 6:03 AM
I have recently stumbled upon your site...and I'm glad I did. I too am struggling with unwanted poundage. I would be happy with a loss of 30 pounds--ecstatic even!! However, I realize it's not going to move if I don't. Well, I haven't---and it hasn't either!!
We are just human, doing the best we can with what we have. Keep writing, it lets the rest of us know we're not alone in this struggle.
Posted by: Kima-Shai | November 16, 2006 2:00 PM
Oh. My. God. They have a mini-trampoline?? For grown-ups?!!
How am I just hearing about this and where can I get one because, hello, trampoline + martinis= fun. Or injury. Maybe I'll just stick to the trampoline?
Posted by: Ali | November 16, 2006 2:22 PM
GO JENNY! I've been thinking for ages now that you need to try what Mel's been doing. I'm not one to be bossy though...but I'm so glad you reached the same conclusion! I don't think you'll even have to change your menus all that much.
I think the fat fallacy stuff is just too much temptation for those of us that like us some sweets. It's there and WE'RE supposed to control the portion? AS IF!
Posted by: Nancy | November 16, 2006 7:59 PM
I say keep up the great work Jenny. You've lost over 10 lbs and that is something to be very proud of. You are an inspiration to the women that read this blog because of your realistic way of telling it like it is.
Posted by: MJ | November 17, 2006 10:37 AM