Thinking of Food as Fuel, Not Entertainment
The title is one tip that our this week's featured member, tbutler4 would like to share with you. She has lost over 25 pounds by logging her foods and incorporating daily exercise. She contacted us through our Share Your Story feature, and provided the following answers to our questionnaire.
1. What made you decide to lose weight this time?
This is going to be a year of changes for me. My daughter is getting married in June and my youngest son is leaving for the Marines in August. I think I was feeling like a lot of things in my life were out of my control, and my eating habits should be one area that I can control. Of course I was motivated by wanting to look better at the wedding, but it's not the end goal.
2. What other "diets" (programs, products, plans, or services) had you tried in the past?
I have tried everything at one time or another. The Zone, The Dr. Ornish
program and South Beach.
3. What changes did you make to your usual diet, activity, lifestyle, and attitude?
Portion control. Actually it has been a series of baby steps. At first, I ate everything I was normally eating but just less of it to get my appetite under control. Then I started looking at quality of food, and trying to eat foods that would be more filling for fewer calories. I started exercising regularly again after about 6 weeks of dieting. That has helped a lot. Now I am counting calories but eating mostly foods that are considered "super foods". The most important change for me has been losing the cravings for sweets and processed carbs. I am really trying to think of food as fuel, not entertainment. For the first time in my adult life, I am eating the way I want to eat for the rest of my life. Perhaps a few more calories when I reach my goal weight, but the same kind of foods.
4. How did Calorie Count help you to lose weight?
I am a data junkie. I love numbers and having objective information to back up what I am doing. So I love the information I am getting from my food and activity log. The totals, the percentages of food groups and nutrients. I was surprised to find out I never am anywhere near what I need for Iron everyday, so I have become much more consistent in taking a multivitamin with iron. I also enjoy checking the calorie and burn meters, feeling like I am winning all day if my burn meter is ahead of my calorie meter.
5. What was most challenging about losing weight?
Everything at first. Being post menopausal, I thought I had a "slow metabolism" and thought I was not capable of losing weight. I knew I could be healthier, but did not really believe the weight would come off. When I first started cutting out foods, I really missed the sweets and refined carbs. I am one of those people who get pleasure out of eating sweets. I actually felt sorry for myself, not being able to have ice cream 3 times a week.
6. How long did it take you to see results?
It seemed slow as I've been averaging a pound of weight loss a week, but that is disappointing at first when you see people losing 5 pounds the first week.
7. When did you realize that you were a success?
When I reached the 10 pound mark. That was huge for me. In the past, I might lose 5 or 6 pounds and then just give it up. I still have quite a ways to go, but feel I am on my way now.
8. How do you prevent relapse?
Fear. I am 54 now, and if I let myself gain this 25 pounds back, I don't think I can start all over again.
9. How has your life changed now that you've lost weight?
I have regained energy. When I look back at 10 or 12 years ago, I was never a big TV watcher. In the past year I would make it to 7:00 and then I am in my chair in front of the TV for the rest of the night. Now I am finding I am too restless to watch TV every night, so I find other things to do.
10. What five tips do you have for other dieters?
- Start small. You may have a goal of changing your whole life, but pick one thing to focus on, and then add to it.
- Believe in yourself.
- Start to think of yourself as a person who doesn't overeat or as
someone who just has to get some exercise everyday. - There will be bad days, let them go.
- And on a more practical note, get rid of the food in your
environment that you don't want to eat. No one in your house needs
soda or chips.
If you would like us to feature your success story, you can submit it here. The most insightful stories will be featured on this blog and in the weekly "Success Stories" newsletter.
Comments
you are inspiring. im 30 with ten or less to lose (vanity pounds) but still look for motivation from others. so thanks
Thanks for your inspiring story, you give me courage that I WILL lose the cravings for sweets! You are going to look great at that wedding, you earned it! I am going to think about food as fuel the next time I feel like eating something unhealthy, especially when I am not really hungry.
Your story was a great way for me to start my day. I'm just getting started, and several of your answers really hit home for me. I'm going to put a note on the refrigerator that says: Food As Fuel, Not Entertainment. Thank you so much for sharing. Looking forward to hearing how you're doing in the future.
What a great idea- setting your mind for food as fuel. I will try your slogan when tempted by unhealthy foods. Enjoy the wedding.
Your post really hit home with me! I am a "grapher" as well and I am starting right at about your same (top) weight. I have only lost my first 3 pounds so far (also in about 3 weeks of working on it) - but you gotta start somewhere! My plan for losing weight sounds just like yours and I am mostly in my portion control phase but I am already looking to improve the quality of what I eat by looking to substitute higher calorie foods with what I call "free foods" - that are low calorie and good for you like raw vegetables! I am also trying to tame my sweet tooth and think I am having some success there - certainly I have reduced the quantity of sweets enormously. And exercise is ramping up slowly - I joinmed a walking program and see my energy level incresaing. Even though it's "just walking" the way I see it, all exercise is a HUGE improvemnet over my couch potato self. I hope next October my graph looks as good as yours! Congratulations on your success. I hope your son's wedding day is fabulous for you and he both!
Brilliant! My sentiments exactly! I lost all the weight I wanted to, and I'd been wanting to lose it for YEARS, some months ago by reminding my self that food is fuel, not entertainment - or therapy, or a friend or whatever we try to substitute it for etc etc - I track all my nutrients daily, and my cholesterol has improved - I'm finally the weight I was meant to be!
I've been working hard for the past five months, and am with in a pound of my first 25. When I started I had high hopes that it would be more by now but even a pound a week is going in the right direction. It kind of helps me to know that others lose slowly also. I'm working with a personal trainer on weights 2-3 times a week and cardio most days. If it takes me another 5 months to lose the next 25... so be it. It will happen if I keep working on it. Thanks for sharing your story.
Thank you for sharing your experience strength and hope! I really needed this today! Congrats!
Thanks for sharing your story and sweet success! It was inspiring and you sound like me - same loosing pattern, same challenges - wow! Thanks.
Thanks for your comments. I am a few years younger (48), but had the worst year with menopause, now I am ready to go, but only lost 1.5 pounds in the first 10 days ( but I stuck to recomended calories,and worked out hard- 75 miles of biking, 3 x with a personal trainer. I feel stronger, but I am not loosing weight... I guess your message says, hang in there -even we menopause-aged woman can do it! I have about 40 lbs. to lose and like you- feel like this is my last shot! thanks for your story. GL
Thanks so much for all the positive feedback. I have been so inspired by reading about others' challenges, setbacks and successes. Happy to think that I returned even a portion of that.
Congratulations! I love the title. This is just what the doctor ordered today.!
I lost over 100 lbs. about 14 years ago and had been able to keep them all off; until recently. I now need to lose at least 25 lbs. to get back to my "feel good" weight; and after reading your story I know I will be motivated to do it.
Thanks and continued luck!!!
the effect of this article and your story sheila is amazing!!! over the past week, every time i want to eat a second helping of ice cream or crack open the teddy grahams, i've though of you. i never though about it that way: food as fuel, not entertainment. you've really given me a new way of looking at food. thanks for the motivation!
I made it through the wedding and only gained a pound. tried to really step up the work outs to counter all the great wedding food! Thanks for your comment, I have really had to rmind myself as well this week.
I loved your tips. Especially the line about how "No one in your house needs soda and chips". I constantly keep buying chips for others in my family but it's hard to avoid foods you don't want to eat when they are sitting in your kicthen. Thank you for your inspiring story!
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Congratulations on all your hard work and success. You are an inspiration! Lots of things happening for you now. I wish you the best and blessings to your son and daughter.