Sandy Want a Cracker?

Here is the kicker - yes, I would like to consume food; but, it would need to be worthy of me breaking the track I am on. I've lost a total of 13.4 pounds and I really don't want to screw that up. Not bad for starting the focus (hate the term 'lifestyle change') on Sunday. I have re-focused myself and I am gearing for yet another change today. Today I eat real food - one meal at lunch - no shakes and lots of liquids. It will be a very healthy meal, but the first solids I have taken in since Saturday. So excited.

In my life I have easily tried over twenty different diets: WW, Slim-Fast, Grapefruit, 3-Day, Nutrisystem, Atkins, South Beach, Biggest Loser, Jillian Michaels, ....the list is long. Basically, if it is a diet - I've tried it. There were only two that worked for me to lose weight and keep it off: WW and one I created for myself. Back in my late 20's, I created a diet for myself where I only ate what I truly enjoyed - I'd have a chicken breast for lunch or a can of green beans or other veggie, for dinner I'd enjoy what I truly loved - lobster/steak/shrimp/fish with a beer and a side like baked potato with butter/sour cream. I lost over 80 pounds that weigh and I didn't gain the weight back until I got pregnant.

Now, I am kind of doing the same thing. I am creating something that I want to do for me. I truly consider everything I put into my mouth. I am aware of it and I ask myself questions like:

• How will it make me feel?
• Is it healthy for me?
• Do I need it in my body?
• Will I regret consuming it?
• Is it what I want for myself right now?
• Is it worthy of consuming? (Delicious, decadent, and I truly love it.)
• Will I love myself more for consuming it?

I know people say to be aware of what you are eating. They usually want you to be at the kitchen table (I am), consume slowly and with thought (not so much - too easily distracted). My thought process mainly goes into the before consumption time. If I don't have a plan of what/when/where/how much I am going to consume - that is where my problems would begin. So far, so good. Happy March!