Lessons learned: Moderation not Denial
If you're new here, you may want to get my RSS feed. Thanks for visiting! I couldn't do this without the help of my commenters!
I thought I would share some of the lessons that I have learned in my weight loss and fitness journey. I’ve lost over 100 pounds now so I guess I must have learned one or two things.
The first major lesson I learnt that I would like to share is that is that a life without chocolate cake is a life not worth living.
In the past I would go on diets etc. where you had to be perfect with your eating and never have anything that was not allowed.
I don’t know about you folks but for me as soon as a food is forbidden then it becomes very desirable and I become miserable when I can’t have it.
For example, I followed a plan where you ate very strictly for 6 days a week and then had a cheat day where you could eat what you like. Oh boy, I lived for that cheat day and I fantasised about it all week long. Then on the cheat day I would eat like there was no tomorrow. That doesn’t work. It doesn’t promote healthy habits that you can keep up in the long term. Did I lose weight? Yes. Was I healthier. No. What eventually happened was that one of the cheat days never ended and I ate nonstop for about two months resulting in a regain of most of the weight I lost.
So now I don’t follow a diet. I have a healthy lifestyle where I eat mainly fresh fruit and vegetables with the odd piece of chocolate cake thrown in. The key for me is moderation. I have one piece of cake rather than the whole cake (I kid you not) and I factor that into how much I’ve eaten for the day. So if I do have a piece of cake then I run a bit more or I have a smaller dinner.
The amazing thing for me now is that it took me so long to realise that moderation is the key to healthy eating.
I utterly agree. Moderation is the key. Very good advice.
j
Andrew, first off, Congratulations on your weight loss thus far! It is truly a great accomplishment. Moderation is definitely key. In my experience, depriving myself leads to failure.
Blog by Donnas last blog post..Starting An Internet Business From Scratch
Great post! You are so very right that moderation is the key, I’ve always followed WW and that is one thing I like about it, it teaches you the moderation aspect of things. It’s ok to eat the ice cream I used to love to eat, but just eat a half cup, or a cup…not half the carton, lol.
Don’t forget the strawberry cake! It’s important, too! And curly fries.
Well said, Andrew! I agree with every word of this post (except the cake schism). For some of us, diets just don’t work. I never thought I would be one of the non-dieters, but focusing on healthier foods (mostly) in moderate amounts (always) has worked wonders.
AndrewE
reply on June 19th, 2008 7:32 pm:
I forgot about curly fries.
I did that 6-days-strict-1-cheat-day thing too. While I always have been an overeater, I credit that diet with pushing me over the edge into disordered eating. I have never truly binged before then but I do now and it is a horrible thing to try to stop. Now I am trying to avoid any sort of “diet” mentality. I guess I am trying to eat intuitively.
AndrewE
reply on June 19th, 2008 7:32 pm:
Yep, that was a bit of a disaster for me too.
Yep, right on Andrew. I was talking with a colleague just yesterday who is on a weight watchers diet and we agreed that we do not want to eat lettuce for the rest of our lives. So the diet has to be real and do-able. Sure there can be times when we cut back to deal with a splurge but I want to live life and eat well - not be worried aboiut what goes into my mouth at every sitting.
And “A life without chocolate cake is a life not worth living” should be indelibly imprinted into everyone’s mind at birth!!
Bill Wallaces last blog post..Day 71b - 100 Push Ups - Day 2
AndrewE
reply on June 19th, 2008 7:33 pm:
Thanks Bill.
I would go a step further and say its not necessary to “run a bit more or I have a smaller dinner.” That might equate in some people’s minds as “punishing themselves” for having that cake.
Otherwise, I agree!
AndrewE
reply on June 19th, 2008 3:32 pm:
But I like running!
I see where you are coming from and it’s a good point. It’s not about punishment it’s about balance.
I can either choose to slow down the weight loss a bit and not do anything - which I sometimes choose or I can choose to indulge and take immediate action to keep things on track.
Hey there Andrew - As you might imagine, I could not agree more, with “real food in moderation” being the theme of my blog and all.
Great post, and beautiful photo!
AndrewE
reply on June 19th, 2008 7:33 pm:
Err…the photo is not mine and the link doesn’t seem to be working. I’ll try and fix it.
“But I like running! :)”
Stop being so selfish, it’s not all about you. Some people *actually* don’t like running!
AndrewE
reply on June 19th, 2008 7:26 pm:
Surely not!
Great entry and can so relate to what you said……
Too true!
it is the key…in this and ALL FACETS OF LIFE.
yet I take to heart your comment yesterday about ditching the diet sodas.
even one a day.
sometimes we need to cut something out entirely huh?
M.
MizFits last blog post..Guest Chef Time.
AndrewE
reply on June 20th, 2008 7:51 am:
Aah yes. I have certain “trigger” foods which I try to avoid entirely as I’ve realised that for me they are just not worth it. Sodas (diet or otherwise) just don’t work well with my physiology. And I can’t do peanuts in moderation so I’ve pretty much banned them from my house.
AndrewEs last blog post..Lessons learned: Moderation not Denial
I fully agree with your post. I’ve completely thrown away the cheat days myself because i didn’t like being restricted to eating something I enjoyed only once a week. Now, I’m all about moderation and just having a slice of cake when I really need it.
[...] is Getting Fit presents Lessons learned: Moderation not Denial. I have posted on this subject as well, but it’s always good to read another [...]
Wise words indeed. It just goes to prove that sometimes you have to live it to know it.
Great advice, Andrew.