Seriously though THS, I try and do this every day. I look at it more as a lifestyle than a diet. I think the idea of a timelined diet is what traps a lot of folks. If people just made eating decent (bad things in moderation) and exercising regularly a common occurence, they wouldn't have to worry about a diet. I think your train of thought in on the right track.
This is true. I've been on the diet rollercoaster all my life. Diet, lose, gain it back. I was in decent shape in HS playing sports. In college, I gained, but wasn't just horridly overweight. In my 30s I got that way, and went on a diet and workout binge. Got in great shape...lasted a few years, then stopped for whatever reason, gained it back, plus some, then lost, then gained. I know this. All the diets, Weight Watchers, Jenny Craig, whatever...it's as simple as this. Calories in vs Calories out. Now, I do believe it's harder for some than others, and some people gain weight easier than others. My dad ate whatever the fuck he wanted to, and at 6-2 never got over 195 at his highest. Where some folks will gain 5-10 pounds in 6 months to a year of "letting themselves go" I will gain 35-50.
I have an app on my phone. It's a calorie counter, and journal. It's synced with the website. The rule is I can eat any damn thing I please, but I have to count it. The app and website have thousands of foods already cataloged, and I can also bar code scan in things I buy at the grocery store. If I got to McDonalds, the calories and fat, etc, are all in the app, I just put it in the meal where I ate it, and it keeps up. I stop at 2250 calories per day. The trick is, in order to be able to eat three decent meals, I have to make wiser choices. I don't do McDonald's, I bring a Lean Cuisine for lunch. It requires 2 things, diligence and honesty with yourself. I always have my phone with me, so the only excuse I have for not keeping up is a refusal to be honest with myself.
I started April 1. I'm down 26 pounds. And that is with ZERO exercise. I'm starting that next.
When I have a legit crave, I eat. When I go to a function, I eat. What I don't do is go crazy, and I keep up with what I ate. If I don't have the exact thing in the app, I make a good faith estimate. The other day I was craving a BLT sammich. I asked them to bring the mayo on the side. I deconstructed the sammich to see how much bacon was on there, then applied a measured amount of mayo, and then put the whole thing in for my lunch. I got crinkle cut fries too. The app didn't have that specifically. It lets you add items to the database yourself. So, I looked up Milo's nutrition for small fries, and added that. I saved the meal to "my saved meals" because I crave that sometimes. 670 calorie lunch. I just have to adjust the rest of the day around it. Most days are like today. Light wheat bread and 2% Kraft single for a 85 calorie breakfast, and a 280 calorie Lean Cuisine for lunch. I find that when I get a craving, if I really think about it, I'll decide that I don't really want something that fattening and that calorie expensive right now. But, if I do, I get it, and I count it.
My weakness is at night. I eat a decent sized dinner, and it's snacking at night that is my big deal. I just have better choices. Sliced apple, Pringles Light Chips, low fat Kraft Singles, Light Wheat Bread, a home made veggie soup that is about 30 calories per cup sized serving.
I keep an Auburn insulated cup on my desk at work, and my secretary brings lemons. She cuts them up, and periodically brings me a wedge to remind me to refill my water and drink it.
Bottom line is: A. Make it a lifestyle, B. Be honest with yourself C. Establish better habits. D. When you have a bad day, don't say "fuck it I blew my diet" simply continue on with your newly established good habits.
I will lie to myself if I don't hold myself accountable with the app and keeping up.
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