So I started off the year at 218, and it’s now been basically two weeks. How am I doing this Friday?
Great, actually. I weighed in at 209, which is consistent with the loss I’ve seen over the two week period. I’m checking M/W/F, so I get both the view of the post-weekend and the (historically more reassuring) end of the work week.
And how am I doing this? The Geek Diet, as previously described, seems to work fine when you actually stick to it — essentially counting calories and recording them (I’m still using my old BalanceLog program, as I’ve not found anything else as convenient). That includes input and output — I do get a nice boost from karate nights, and a steady “income” from walking.
It may not be as nuanced as some other systems, but it’s easy, it’s free, and it’s working so far.
And, so how am I doing it? The old standby, portion control. I’m eating what I eat, but I stop after a single helping at dinner, not going back for seconds (and not overdoing the firsts). Because I’m counting, I know what that extra glass of wine costs, or that cookie. But, hey, if I’ve been doing okay, I can have that extra. Even if I haven’t, I can, if I work to make it up later. It’s not about food as reward (or lack as punishment), but about awareness and responsibility.
Yes, it makes me a marginally better person, too. Go fig.
Anyway, it’s only two weeks in, and I have miles to go before my target (and, really, I’m recovering old territory) (and returning to reasonable eating habits after the holidays would have been helpful regardless), but I’m feeling leaner, which is good. This weekend will be a challenge, with our Twelfth Night Party (i.e., food and drink a-plenty); actually, I tend to flit around like a hummingbird at Twelfth Night as the concerned host. It’s our Thirteenth Day gaming party on Sunday that will be the real threat.
But, if I “backslide,” I still know what works. It’s not a race. It’s not about avoiding setbacks as long as I’m headed toward a goal.
So … feeling pretty good.