Do you have this problem?
I grew up in a family with 6 kids. I was the second youngest. Every night we ate dinner as a family at the table together. The food was put on the table family-style.
My mother would buy enough for each of us to have a pre-determined amount of meat for each meal. For instance, each of my two brothers and my dad would get 2 pork chops for dinner; the four girls and mom would each get one (yes, isn't that sexist?). The sides were up for grabs -- you could put a serving on your plate, then if you ate it and everyone had some and there was still more, you could serve yourself some more. The key phrase there is IF THERE WAS STILL MORE.
So what do you think we did? We would SHOVEL those mashed potatoes, corn, bread or whatever into our mouths as fast as we could. We wanted more and there was alot of competition for it. My childhood of competitive eating (LOL taught me to eat fast and to eat everything on my plate.
So here I am, a bit more than midway in my 40's, and I still struggle with this! These are just two more factors contributing to my life-long weight issues (being called fatty-patty does not help you either, by the way). I am here to tell you that we CAN retrain ourselves. THIS dog is learning some new tricks!
Here is what I am doing...
- I am trying to leave food on my plate at every meal. ESPECIALLY when I am eating out. Last night I went to a dinner honoring my Mother-in-law -- and the food was wonderful. I actually left 1/2 my mozzarella/tomato salad (yes, I left the cheese, not the tomato LOL) and 1/2 of my Fillet Mignon and Mushroom Risotto on my plate. They were good, too. But you know what? I had enough to eat after I ate just half!
- I am putting my fork down between bites and I am chewing longer and slower. Hey! I can actually TASTE my food!
- I am looking at other things in the dining area OTHER than my plate LOL People are fascinating when they talk -- eye contact is important!
- If I finish the food on my plate, I am having a big glass of water, and waiting 5 minutes before I decide whether to get seconds. Usually, I don't want them.
Okay, so enough rambling for today. Want an update on my weight?
I have lost a total of 38.2 lbs. Hmmm... what is that smell??? Smells like 40 lbs is just around the corner! Hopefully next week, right?
Drop me a note and let me know how YOU are doing. Thanks for stopping by!
11 comments:
Hi Pat -
I am just starting my weight loss trial. I have a long way to go, but I'm really going to do it this time. I've always said there was a thin girl trapped inside this body trying to get out. It's time to let her out!
I've been walking on my treadmill and have gotten up to 2 miles. I watch TV while doing it, so it gets my mind off what I'm doing. I usually get 2 miles in about 45 minutes. I'm going for 3 next. I don't know what motivates me to keep going, but the thought of letting that girl out. =)
I have medical problems out the ying yang, so I want to improve my health for sure. Thanks for encouragement, and I'm going to keep reading and hopefully rejoicing with you! Congrats on your weight loss, you look fabulous!
What a wonderful idea to start this blog..I also struggle with weight. I lost 47 lbs six years ago, and now have put it all back on. And my struggle begins again.
This will be a an inspiration on my new journey.
Connie Paxman
Oh man, I am so proud of you!! I have only moderately started in the last month. I've not been good about it, but I'm trying. I have 60lbs to lose, so it's going to be a long road, but when I see the good others are doing, I am inspired to do it myself! I used to be a very thin girl until I got ovarian cancer. After steroids and medications and early menopause, my body completely changed and was 50lbs overweight. Now it's a long long long road because the weight takes FOREVER to get off, but hopefully i can do it like you did! Way to go, Pat!!!
I was called Kelley Belly!! lol!!
Yeah, I laugh now...
My neighbor and I were best friends growing up and we both had a weight issue. My older brothers called us Fatty Patty and Hippo Heidi. How sweet of them. Things like that just stick with you forever. I'm proud of your success. I am stuck at the same weight I was in January. I went to WW but only lost 4 lbs in 2 months time. I exercise (spinning) 3 times a week but the weight has taken permanent residence on my hips and thighs.
Congratulations - your weight loss is amazing and to chronicle it along the way is truly an inspiration - keep up the great work!
Wonderful, Pat! Keep up the wonderful changes you are inspiring us all!
Christine O'Connor
Hey Pat I just started WW last week and this week had a loss of 7.2 lbs! Ah....I know it is the first week and I am happy and I am very competitive....so here I go...I can't wait until next week...I am competing with myself to stick to the program so I can feel better I am seeing and feeling those results all ready!
Your an inspiration Pat! I started really pursuing weight loss about 4 weeks ago, I have about 30 pounds to lose and have lost about 10 so far. I know its going to be a long road because I didn't put the weight on over night and it won't come off over night either. I am inspired by you and the fact that you shared this. Thank you, you are amazing!
Pat,
I was checking out your blog and saw the link for this blog. I am so proud of you! I have been eating less at every meal for about 1 1/2 years now. I have lost 50 lbs. and want to lose 25 more. I joined a weight lose group at my church called, The Light Weigh. You eat whatever you want but only when your hungry and only what will fit into a 12 ounce mug. Gosh, its amazing! I actually feel when I am hungry and full for the first time in years. Keep up the good work. You will be much happier when you eat what you really want just eat less of it! Its hard but worth it!
Debbie Seyer
Congratulations, Pat! You'll be there in no time! I only have a sister, and there was always plenty of food, but my Dad grew up with 6 siblings and your family's mentality, so he passed it on to us. Not so much the competitive eating as much as the "finish your plate" club. Every day it was a different country in which there were starving children. The poor Vietnamese kids were a popular one (my uncle was in Vietnam when we were little.) I'm trying to not do that to my own children. I tell them they must eat at least half of what's on their plate to get dessert. At least that way, they can walk away after one bite if they are truly not hungry.All those new behaviors of yours are fabulous...keep it up! Have I mentioned the Beck Diet book before? Filled with all those kind of new behaviors; well worth checking out.
Keep up the good work!!
Post a Comment