A few weeks ago, I announced my intention to shape up and finally start trying to get a little healthier, particularly in terms of weight. As the reason I actually made a post about it is because I wanted to be public, to keep myself honest, I decided I should do the occasional update here and talk about how I’m doing.
I’m doing… okay. I’ve really managed to cut down on the junk food, that’s probably my biggest accomplishment to date. I’ve got myself on a fairly rigid schedule — some sort of breakfast daily (fruit or cereal, low-fat milk), a decent lunch (cold cut sandwich, 100-calorie pack of chips), a mid-afternoon snack (fruit or cereal, low-fat milk), and a dinner that consists of more vegetables and smaller portions of the entree. I haven’t gone to a drive-thru window since I started this endeavor, which is probably a lifetime endurance record for me, at least going back to when I got a driver’s license. The closest thing to fast food I’ve had are Subway sandwiches. Tuna, mostly. A roasted chicken or two in there. I’ve cheated a little on the weekends because… well… you’ve gotta. You’ll go insane eating perfectly all the time, and if I’m going to be weak, I may as well do it on Saturday nights when I’m out with my friends at a pizza joint. Even then, even when I eat something that isn’t quite as good for me, I’m winning the battle of portion control — fewer slices of pizza, diet sodas or lemonade or the like.
Have I noticed any difference yet, you ask? Yes, a few. I do feel like I have more energy during the day. I don’t get tired as easily, and a lot of the general cruds I’ve gotten in the past haven’t been creeping up on me. Even my old arch-nemesis — staircases — have been easier to tackle as of late. I haven’t gone down a pants size or anything, but physically, I’m feeling some results.
I’m feeling other things, too: hungry. I’ve been told that, once you get yourself on a schedule like this, your appetite will subside. I wish it would freaking hurry up and subside, because I’m really sick of being hungry all the time. I don’t crave food any less, I’m just getting better at fighting those cravings. I keep my gaze trained firmly ahead when I walk past the candy aisle. I ignore a low rumbling because I know I’ve eaten everything I actually need for the afternoon. I chew sugarless gum. I’ve chewed a lot of sugarless gum.
When I’m really hungry, I admit, I start to get a little snippy. In the store earlier today, the guy ahead of me in line got a Coca-Cola from the cooler. As he did so, his wife said, “That’s your second Coke today!” My immediate reaction was to snap at her, “And how many times today have you bitched today?” But I didn’t. Because I’m nice.
This is just update number one, status report number one. I’m still going. Keep your fingers crossed for me, will you?
Evertime Realms 
Are you allowing yourself pastas and breads? I’m not certain if I read that they are meant to be healthy or not (you look at one diet book and they are a no-no, yet another will say “eat away”), but they are very filling considering how little you need to have before they will fill you up. Seriously, a plate of pasta with lettuce and tomatoes can’t be worse than pizza.
And remember to stay hydrated.
My philosophy is “Everything in moderation.” Pasta is fine, bread is fine, I just can’t let myself overdo it.
And I’m drinking an awful lot of water. Hydration isn’t a problem.
I posted that I loved you like twice.
Third times the charm?
Good luck with your health, man.
I am going through something similar. I have had to change my habits recently because I started getting horrible heartburn. Clothes that used to fit are too tight. It seems to be caused by my rotating schedule messing up my metabolism and digestion. So about a month ago, I decided to try to fix this.
This is not easy. Especially when friends around me are eating what was once OK for me. I still crave them.
But it is good to know that I am not alone in this.
Kudos! I need to do the same. Those darn Nestle nest eggs do me in. I have been drinking only water with meals (except coffee with Splenda at breakfast) since I got diabetes. I got off my exercise regime when I hurt my knee on our vacation, but am slowly trying to get back to it. Good luck to you!
I know how you feel! I dieted and exercised a lot listening to 2 in 1 Showcase and to date lost 22LBS, and just started P90X two days ago.
Dieting can be really hard, but one trick that I use is kind of lame, but it gets the job done:
Wear a Green Lantern shirt, and every time you get tempted to over eat, just look at your shirt. Willpower.
Like I said, it is kind of dorky, but it works for me.
Good luck Blake.
That is the greatest dieting tip EVER. 😀