I have been 'dieting' for months. Note pictures below. I have decided to write down a few of the things I have learned along the way, because I am literally the laziest, most 'I hate to diet' person out there. I have read diet blogs, books, memes, watched videos, and almost always come away thinking there is no way I am going to do THAT! But, after years of successes and failures, I have comprised a personal list of things that work (for me) and things that don't.
And, believe me, I have gone for the easiest, most pain-free way to lose weight possible, because this time I wanted not only to lose weight, but to finally have a way to keep it off. That, of course, meant a lifestyle that I could continue to live with after the weight was GONE.
These are MY rules for dieting...they work for me. They are like 500 different diet types all put together into a lifestyle that works. Everyone has to adjust what they do to make things work for themselves.
The one thing I have done on every diet that has ever really worked for me is write things down. I have been working on losing weight for exactly 267 days. I know this because I have been charting my progress for that entire time. At this date, I am 3.8 pounds from my goal, which is to be officially In Normal Range for weight.
| Mary | Mary | Mary | Mary | Mary | Mary | Mary | Mary | Mary |
| date | weight | amount lost | total # lost | between weigh in | full time | fifth goal | comments | comments |
| GOAL 4! | GOAL 4! | GOAL 4! | GOAL 4! | GOAL 4! | GOAL 4! | GOAL 4! | GOAL 4! | GOAL 4! |
| fifth goal | new | outfit | to be | sassy in | yay | 164 | GOAL 4! | Achieved! |
The last time that was that weight was in the eighties. And at that time, I felt like I still needed to lose at least another 20 pounds to look good. Isn't that just how it goes. This time, I have learned to be happy, every step of the way.
So, STEP ONE, create a chart and measure your successes. I use MICROSOFT EXCEL, even a notebook of a paper on the back of the bathroom door works. In addition to weight, be sure to take measurements. I forgot this step until after I had lost the first fifteen pounds. It really help with motivation when the scale doesn't move but the measurements continue to go down. And, yes, that 
happens, especially if you start walking or lifting weights.
Now, don't gasp about the mention of exercise. I said I was lazy, not dead. Start simple, like parking at the far end of the parking lot and walking the entire distance. And buy yourself a kettle ball to lift while watching TV AND an exercise ball to sit on and bounce, again while the ol' television plays.
Work up to the gym or a walk around the block, if you feel like it. Baby steps.
STEP TWO, and this is a big. Get someone to join you in you diet, healthy life style plan. Someone to celebrate your successes and encourage you, while you do the same for them.
Really, though, diets are all about the FOOD. And hunger...oh so hungry! And, isn't that where ALL diets fail.
And find or make some social media site that work for you. This is a link to my pinterest page. Note it is based on positive thoughts, not just dieting.
STEP THREE, let's talk about FOOD! I am not an expert, and I am definitely not claiming any superior knowledge. Just hours and hours of internet research and personal experience. There are basically two different categories food falls into, carbohydrates and proteins.
Everybody has heard of the Atkins diet, it works by only allowing the dieter to eat proteins and then the body fat just 'runs' out of them. Eeww. It's pretty efficient, but nobody can stick to that diet for very long. And, when you start eating normally again, the weight just piles back on. The Paleo diet works kind of the same way, allowing the dieter to only eat natural foods that would have been around an eon ago. But, still, no bread, no WINE, no way!
So, what can you eat and still lose weight. It is really more about the rules of how you eat, than what you eat. This is a lot like the Atkins diet and the Paleo diet, only I think it is much or user friendly, so to speak.
I like food. I really LIKE food, if I haven't made that clear. Look once again at the before photos. How does one go about the whole process of losing the blub while still wanting food, food, food?
Let's start again with the idea of the Aitkin's diet. It is popular not so much because you can eat protein, but because you can eat as much protein as you WANT. What do I mean by protein? A steak, eggs, CHEESE!!! So much cheese! Bacon, Bacon, Bacon! And, you can eat until you are full!
Then, later, all of of that greasy slimy protein just kind of slides out of you. Good times.
If you haven't guessed it yet, I am not a big fan of this diet. But I like the idea of isolating protein meals from carbohydrate meals. There are many times when we have taco leaf wraps for dinner because they consist of taco meat, cheese, tomatoes, avocados and lettuce. Without the taco shells this is a protein meal and diet friendly AND delicious.
The reason that I can't follow Atkins, is I LOVE carbs. BREADS, PASTA, CEREALS. I could never stick to a diet that did not include carbohydrates. It would absolutely be destined to fail. The real trick to keeping carbs diet friendly, as well, is to keep ALL proteins out of your meals.
When we choose to have pasta, we choose a pasta sauce with no meat or cheese. We serve it with a salad that has a vinaigrette salad dressing not oil based. And, sorry, no garlic bread. At least no buttery garlic bread.
Keeping carb meals and protein meals separated makes it easier for you body to digest the food faster. And, by separated, at least-LEAST-two hours between. The longer the better. Plus, fruit, sugar or desserts should be separated for both the carb and the protein meals by the same amount of time.
Ah, so many rules.
Here's a few more:
STEP FOUR: Don't eat anything you don't love. If you take a bite of something you don't like, push it aside and don't finish it. Save those calories for something that you will really enjoy.
STEP FIVE: Stop eating when you are full. Sound simple doesn't it? I don't care if there is only one bite left of your hamburger. Stop eating when you are FULL. Period.
STEP SIX: There are NO foods you are NOT allowed to eat. Just eat one doughnut, not three. And remember, every 2 hours, you start fresh. That is the best thing about this diet plan; you never waste an entire day if you eat something fabulously sinful. In two hours, you know your body has reset itself. You can still lose weight that day! Absolutely NO cheat DAYS! What you stuff your face with for a single day will take at least a week to lose, again. Go ahead and eat that lemon cake. Just be certain to stick to your diet for all the other meals.
Finally, STEPS SEVEN, EIGHT, NINE... Read labels on food. In other words, eat naturally. The peanut butter jar should say PEANUTS, SALT. Really. Your body can't process chemicals, so avoid them whenever possible. Whole grain breads, not whole wheat, whole grain.
Apples, avocados, almonds, pistachios...chia seeds. Finds some health foods you love.
Make you own smoothies at home. USE organic honey, not sugar. And, GREEK yogurt. 'FAGE' works great with frozen berries.
Add quinoa to everything. Chili, spaghetti, life.
Non fat milk on your cereal. Honey and cinnamon on your toast.
Grilled chicken. Salad with blue cheese and pecans and cran-raisins. Num.
EAT Breakfast...snack...lunch...snack...dinner...stop eating!
Water, water, water.
Green tea and lemon.
Do not eat diet food. Just don't do it. Those 100 calories snack bags have no food value and will just leave you hungry. Spread real peanut butter on celery and eat with raisins. It will fill you up longer and is so much better for you. Or humus and pita bread. Or vegetables with dip. Or smooth DARK chocolate. Calories: Per Chocolate Bite : 39 Calories, 1.5 g Fat, 6 g Carbs, .05 g Fiber, 2.5 g Sugar, .08 g Protein.
And remember, you are always the strongest on your diet the first few weeks, so be strictest, then. So when you start to weaken, you already have a few pounds of success to smile about.
Mostly, find good delicious food that you love. I love grilled salmon and, paired with broccoli, it is satisfying and delicious. Find your 'go to' meals. Make them delicious, so you don't feel deprived. Healthy meals will still drop pounds.
And, when you get frustrated, go out for that hot fudge sundae. Enjoy it. Then, start again. I have eaten every delicious thing I have wanted for the past few months. Doughnuts and cookies and chocolate dipped ice cream cones. Knowing I can do that, is how I get through the days when I choose to be strong.
