The scales are finally moving back in the right direction. And like I always do, I search for the reason why. I want to be able to replicate my success. So, I've been trying to do some self anaylsis. I haven't been very successful with that, or at least I thought I hadn't been very successful until I had an epiphany yesterday.
I've been busy. That is why I have not had time to FOCUS on what I was doing right, or even wrong. I've been largely relying on instinct. I've been prepping my meals in advance more because time has been an issue. I know if I spend a chunk of time every 3 or 4 days to measure my portions it will save me time in the long run. So, without much thought, I grab the meal I want, eat and move on with my life. No calorie counting, no carb counting, no fat grams, nothing.
I've already portioned my food and I eat. At meal time there is no epic struggle with what or how much to eat. I just do it. I think that is how naturally thin people do it. (Except I don't think they premeasure everything a few times per week.)
Every day, I get up and the scales have slipped down again. Every day, I am thankful and think I need to figure this out. I need to sustain this success. What is the reason for this new found success? Am I better motivated now? Is it this local, grass fed beef? Am I just better in tune with my body's needs? But, I haven't had time to actually FOCUS and decide what was what.
Then it hit me. I had FOCUSed far too much on all of the above. I'd FOCUSed on carbs, calories, and fat. I'd FOCUSed on organic, and natural. I'd FOCUSed on graphs and spreadsheets. (OK, I still do that!) When I quit trying to laser in on food and make it my FOCAL point, I quit stressing and let meals happen.
Weighing and counting every bite of food that goes in to my mouth drives me insane. I can't do it for long. When the weight loss slows or stalls, I start looking for a problem with the calories/carbs/fat/whatever! I get lost in all of the minutae of the situation.
As I said earlier, I'm still measuring my food. I know what I'm getting, but I don't agonize over every meal anymore. I think that's the key. Food is no longer my FOCUS. Since I'm not wasting a lot of mental energy wondering about the food, I am relaxed and finding greater success than ever before. 65MD even mentioned over the weekend that he liked the way we were eating now.
Life is good. I am grateful and will do my best to never ever FOCUS on food over life.
Lessons Learned
4 years ago
I love having my lunches prepacked. It is REALLY nice to grab that container out and not have to weigh and measure while the rest of my family eats in "freedom." I agree with you! I know a lot of people don't like the new WW program because fruit and most veggies are "free" in points, but I love that. I love that I can just grab an apple without caring how big, how small, blah, blah, blah. Lol
ReplyDeletean epiphany indeed! and thanks for the kind words on my blog darlin, i SHALL be ok!
ReplyDeleteSuch a great place to be! I too look for what I do when I see a loss and last week was very similar to yours for me as well- I had my week planned out as far as food and exercise then just went with the flow and it was soo busy I didn't have time to worry about everything and all of a sudden I was down a pound-hurrah!
ReplyDeleteYou are so right! There is a fine line between focus and obsession :)
ReplyDeleteGlad you are feeling good!