SET REALISTIC, ATTAINABLE GOALS
I've had better luck setting manageable, easily-achieved, short-term goals than I've had focusing on an etched-in-stone deadline to lose ALL my extra weight. I'm comfortable with weekly, half-pound losses, and I figure I'll reach my goal when I reach my goal. In the meantime, I'm happy to accept small, weekly successes.
SIMPLIFY MENUS AND CHOICES
I don't mind eating a lot of the same stuff day after day or week after week--as long it contains all the essential elements of nutritious eating. I have to cook for me and my husband only, so I usually spend two days a week making everything we'll consume for the week, with a few exceptions. I find that having fewer options, but more essentials, helps me not to be tempted. In other words, I MUST eat what's on hand.
EAT ENOUGH, BUT NOT TOO MUCH
I am a fast eater, so it's taken some awareness for me latch onto these sensations. My practice has been to eat meals on the smaller side. If I'm still hungry an hour later, I'll have a little something more. That usually does the trick for me.
HUNGER PANGS ARE A GOOD THING
Hunger pangs are the signals that tell me I need to eat something sometime soon, even if it's just a banana. I like to be able to endure them for a while before eating, but if I go too long, I start to feel woozy and lightheaded, which isn't good. Then I might wind up with a headache. I've learned to know when I need to eat by listening to these signals.
PREPARE AND EAT MOST MEALS AT HOME
I know this may be somewhat difficult for many, but I find that it's important for me to control what I eat as much as possible. These days, I make what I consume, oh, 90% of the time. That makes it a lot easier to count calories and to make wise choices. For me, preparing and eating meals at home most of the time makes dining out all that much more special.
COUNT CALORIES
Counting calories works for me. A little calculation has yielded a general range, and, for the most part, I try to stay in or around that number most days. I'm not terribly rigid about it, though, and some days I'll eat more and some days less. However, I DO strive for an overall eveness through the week.
ENJOY ALL FOODS
Even though it's a good idea to eat simple, solid, nutritious, whole foods MOST of the time, it's also important for me to feel free to enjoy EVERYTHING. I think that sweet and savory snacks, or a meal out at a special restaurant, shouldn't be avoided at any cost, otherwise I'd certainly feel deprived. I enjoy these things but am careful about overindulging.
MAKE GOOD FOOD CHOICES
It is important to eat well MOST of the time. Whole grains, lean meats, lots of fruits and vegetables, maybe some yogurt, a little sugar, good fats, etc. Eating these foods, more often than not, is making it A LOT easier for me not to go off track.
WEIGH EVERY DAY
The scale is my friend. The times I ignored it were the times when I gained the most weight. I hop on first thing in the morning. I am very mindful that weight can fluctuate from day to day. If I go away, I can easily leave the scale behind and not fret about it. I want to develop the habit of weighing every day. I think it will be an important tool in maintaining my ideal weight.
