Decision Point

I had a good week this past week, despite a couple of "special occasion" challenges. I still managed to lose 1.8 lbs, which is better than I do most weeks. Now I may end up not losing anything next week, but that's okay. What's important, as ever, is what I learned this past week.

One thing I am trying to do is exercise every day. I do a bit of dancing every morning such that I miss it if I don't do it.  That may be helping some. All of these things contribute toward weight loss--permanent weight loss.

The key to this whole program, I believe, is making better decisions.  That is what I and everyone else on this kind of a behavior modification plan is learning--how to make better decisions.  Of course, first we have to recognize that we've made ineffective decisions in the past; then we must understand that we can make different, more effective decisions in the present.  Notice I didn't say "future"; decisions about eating behavior can only be made in the present.  Many a diet program has been waylayed by the "I'll start tomorrow" promise that's never fulfilled.  What can we do now to help ourselves to a healthier body? Those are the decisions we can learn to make.

So, for instance, yesterday I celebrated my anniversary with a nice rib-eye steak and some asparagus.  I had decided to save a little food from earlier meals that day to use at dinner time.  I worried that I might be too hungry, but it ended up being okay.  I was hungry, but I was able to wait (with the help of a snack). That meant I could eat a larger piece of steak than I was allowed at suppertime without feeling guilty.  Because I consciously made that exchange, I succeeded in having a special meal.  And what's better is I controlled my eating rather than letting it control me.

I made similar decisions at a luncheon celebration at work the other day.  I got a buffet meal, but didn't use it as an excuse to eat everything in sight (something I would've done in the past).  I ate lots of vegetables and some nice pieces of meat, but didn't indulge in extra bread or butter.  And I didn't eat any of the pumpkin pie or cookies or brownies that were on offer.  Interestingly, once I'd finished my meal I decided something sweet would be nice.  I looked at what they had for fruit and decided a single piece of pineapple and a chunk of watermelon would do the trick, so that's what I brought back to my table.  No one said a word about my choices (I was a little worried someone might tease me); moreover, I was right--that was just enough sweetness and I didn't overindulge in dessert.

I really think that people who devise diets and sell them in highly hyped books or videos are missing the point.  They can put together intricate menu plans and food lists and discuss physiology and metabolism and the complex chemistry of carbohydrates, proteins, fats, vitamins and minerals in magazines, books, on TV shows and internet sites, but none of that is going to do a bit of good if the person following the "amazing" diet plan continues to make the same bad decisions she's been making for years.

The diet is only part of the plan; the rest has to be behavior change.

It's that simple--it's just not that easy.  But it is absolutely essential to success.

See you next week.