Ever experience guilt when trying to strive towards a "healthy lifestyle?" I admit it, guilty as charged. Last week was my dad's birthday, so we went out to dinner to celebrate. I thought that I would make that effort and eat something that I thought would be OK on my "healthy meal plan." Well guess what? I could have, should have, and would have eaten something a little healthier if I didn't have so many "elegant" choices. Good excuse ... no! I think I really could have ordered something more appropriate but I didn't; after all, it was my dad's birthday.
Now that leads me to my other point. Ever experience blame when trying to strive towards a "healthy lifestyle?" I believe blame and guilt go hand in hand. It goes something like this ... Well, if only I didn't go out to eat, I wouldn't have made a poor choice! I can't believe I ate the whole thing!
Despite the week full of poor choices, I learned something from it. I believe that everything, even if it is negative ... can be turned into a positive. I realized that it is crucial that I must bring my own food on certain occasions. For instance, when getting together with friends, I will bring something "Casi-friendly." I also learned that it could be possible to order specific items from a restaurant if you just simply ask for the food to be prepared a certain way.
Blame and guilt factors can also be motivation. For instance, instead of saying "Well, seeing as though I didn't eat like I should have this past week, the whole week is blown." Not true. It is possible to turn that negativity into motivation for eating properly. However, depriving yourself is not really an option either, just eat smaller portions and/or substitute. Instead of ice cream, eat sorbet or frozen yogurt.
I have, for the most part, made those changes. Although, I would kill for my favorite snack (potato chips and cheese), I have 1 percent milk fat sharp cheddar cheese and some baked potato chips, instead. Other changes that I've made are drinking low-fat chocolate soymilk for breakfast instead of cereal. Also for breakfast, I eat either Greek yogurt (an acquired taste) or low-fat yogurt with a half a glass of juice. Not only does it pack a protein punch, it keeps me full until lunch.
At one time or another, I used to love to watch that show, "The Biggest Loser," while eating a pot full of shells and cheese. Well, that is an oxymoron. I used to polish off a large pizza in one sitting. Those days are gone. So is the constant berating that I used at my own accord. When I used to weigh that 400 or so pounds, I had this saying, so degrading, it left me in a cloud of depression. It goes something like this, "I am a big, fat, ugly, idiot." I am pleased to say, I no longer use that statement. What you perceive to be true on the inside reflects on the outside.
I have many goals or mile-markers that I wish to accomplish. Instead of trying to squeeze myself into a pair of elastic banded pants ... I want to fit into some zip-up pants. Simple things like that are understandable and not taken lightly. I don't think I have worn zip-up pants for a while. Good news! Goal accomplished, I found one pair of zip-up jeans that fit me with a little room to spare. That is a positive motivator.
Like I said, this past week and a half have been filled with ups and down. You can take what you can use and leave the rest, that's what I do with any situation. It is so important to stay balanced and find good in anything even having blame and guilt.
I am pleased and excited to announce ... I still lost weight. In fact, I lost 8 pounds. I am now 307 versus 315. This new number gives me that courage, support and encouragement to continue to work hard and achieve my goals and desires. I especially want to thank the community for their support on this weight-loss journey. Stay turned for every other Monday's edition.
Casi Stewart can be reached at casichilstew@yahoo.com . A Weighty Issue appears every other Monday on the Life page.
