What's Eating you?

For me, this was the real question. Before I even talk about FOOD, I should talk about attitudes and beliefs.

Before this competition ever started, I truly believed that I had TRIED to lose weight and to change my habits. I did not BELIEVE I could do it. I thought I had tried my best, and failed, and therefore it could not be done. I have realized over the course of this year that some very self-defeating behaviors were at work. I was attempting drastic diet measures, and when I didn't see the results I wanted, or when I was ready to gnaw off my own arm because I was so hungry, I would just give up and chalk it up to my 'slow metabolism' and 'bad genetics'.

How was I eating before the contest? I was asked that exact question by the magazine as part of the contest. My answer: Mostly pretty well, but too much, too often. There was late night snacking, post-work binging on chips, bored "entertainment eating'", and eating whatever unhealthy treats someone brought into the office an any given day (I call this "found food".) There was also too much "special occasion" eating. Like, "Oh, I worked hard today, I deserve some french fries!" or, "It's the holidays/weekend! Everyone eats/drinks too much during the holidays/weekend!" I just could not seem to stay on track. Something would always derail me. I was not being truly honest with myself about what I was putting in my body.

Does this sound familiar? If you are not where you want to be body-wise, I am betting it does.

Another question they asked me (at the end of month one) was "What has been the hardest part so far?" My reply: Definitely facing up to and changing my eating habits. I always believed that eating was such a small part of being fit and having the body I wanted. I figured as long as I didn't eat THAT much (whatever THAT means) then my workouts should get me where I wanted to go. And yet, year after year, I did not get the results I wanted. I blamed my body; I blamed my genetics, everything but my eating. This experience forced me to take a long, hard look at my eating habits. The result was not only a serious re-examination of the foods I have been taking in, but also a serious re-examination of the attitudes that have kept me from reaching my goals. My whole attitude towards eating and its role in fitness has changed. It was a slap in the face (and a punch in the poofy stomach), but one that I am grateful for, because I think it was the real key component holding me back.

So, I am guessing that I now have you fully convinced on the importance of healthy eating to reaching your fitness goals! Your first step is to determine what a healthy amount of calories for weight loss looks like for YOU. It is very important that you don't starve yourself. This leads to a reluctant metabolism, increased fat storage abilities (like any of us need THAT!), and ultimately, failure. (That is, if you don't maim somebody because you are so stark raving mad with hunger, first!)