Diet vs Dieting

If there is a diet out there, I have tried it.  South Beach.  Atkins.  Paleo.  Keto.  Weight Watchers.  You name it.  I've been on it.  

They all worked.  At least at first.  But as soon as I stopped dieting, the weight all came back.  Sometimes with a few extra pounds - just in case I thought I was winning the weight loss war.

That's the problem with dieting.  It isn't really designed to be long term.  Most of the time it required me to give up something that I really enjoy.  Steak.  Pasta.  Cheese.  And if dieting requires you to give up the foods you love, chances are you are not going to stick with it.  Who wants to go the rest of their lives never having a piece of chocolate cake?  Not me!  But if you stop dieting and go back to your normal eating habits, guess what.  The weight comes right back.

But there is good news!  You don't have to to give up ANYTHING to lose weight!  I've lost 70 pounds and I haven't given up my favorites.  Ok.  Maybe you have to give up a few things.  Like extra large servings.  But the truth is, you can eat all the foods you love and still lose those extra pounds.  Without pills or harmful stimulants.

How?  Stop focusing on DIETING and focus instead on your DIET!

All foods can be part of a healthy diet - in moderation.  Moderation - one of the important factors in long term weight loss.  So I still go out for nachos and beer with my husband.  I just don't go EVERY Friday like we used to.  We split an order of nachos instead of each of us getting our own.  And because we aren't eating as much, we aren't sitting at the table as long so one beer is more than enough. 

My grandkids love Taco Bell.  And I have discovered that a couple of steak soft tacos are just as filling as any of the combos.  And have a lot less calories.  

I still have steak.  Only now my husband and I split one.  Ditto with the baked potato.  I fill up on salad and vegetables and the steak and potato are completely satisfying.

Pasta is now whole wheat with fresh tomatoes or pesto instead of meat sauce or Alfredo sauce.  Actually tastes great!  And I have discovered I love Zoodles (zucchini shaved thin like noodles) with pesto actually more than actual spaghetti.

Dessert?  Not a problem.  If I know I am going to a party where they will be serving a dessert I love, I simply make allowances for the extra calories during the day.  No way am I missing out on a grandchild's birthday cake!  Or Banana Spring Rolls at PF Changs!  

By filling up on healthy foods like vegetables and fruit, I feel fuller longer.  So I'm less likely to overeat.  And by not denying myself my favorite foods but allowing them in MODERATION, I'm less likely to lose control and binge.  And by finding ways to make some of my favorites healthier, I'm getting the best of both worlds.

Yes, this means we don't eat out as often.  It can still be really hard to eat healthfully at a restaurant.  But I love to cook.  And I love trying to new recipes and new foods.  And my husband is finding things that he thought he wouldn't like are actually quite delicious.

So tonight, we enjoyed a steak (1/2 each), baked potato (1 potato split between the two of us), sauteed green peppers, onions, and mushrooms, and a salad with a wonderful balsamic vinaigrette.  And we both actually left food on our plates.  (Good thing I like leftovers!).   That's a healthy diet.  Back in the dieting days the potato would have been off limits.  And maybe the steak depending on which dieting plan I was following.  I wouldn't have been able to have dressing on my salad.  And I would have been miserable because I love all those things.  And because I wasn't feeling satiated I might have succumbed to a craving later in the evening.  

Diet?  Or dieting?  You choose.  I'm working on improving my diet.  If you want to join me and need some suggestions to get started, let me know.  I have a 7-meal plan I'll be happy to send you.  Just pop over to my Facebook page and message me.