One thing I'm finding really difficult at the moment is the fact that I don't have a clear image in my mind of the way that I could look if I lost a lot of weight - what I mean is, many other weight loss bloggers have at some point been a healthy/happy weight but had put on weight due to some factor in their life and want to work back to that weight.
I, on the other hand, have always been 'big' and probably not a healthy weight since I was very young so it's difficult to both motivate myself and understand what my issues are with food as I don't have a point to look back on when I can think 'yeah, I want to look like that again.' I have, however, realised that part of my issues has been denial - until a couple of months ago when I looked at the tag, I had been convinced that my leavers ball dress was a size 14 when in reality it was a 16 which the shop owner had commented on how well it fitted. I know this isn't the biggest jump but it's small things like this that end up convincing me that I'm smaller than I am, healthy even, and that it's simply the shops I shop in which have small sizing (although some of them do it's not a valid reason).
I'm finding that most of my overeating comes after dinner, in the evening time so really need to stock up on healthy alternatives that don't cost a bomb and don't just advertise themselves as 'healthy' whilst pumping inordinate amounts of sugar into their products to make them bearable. I'm toying with the idea of a fourth meal like supper but I'm really not sure what I would want/what could satisfy my cravings for all things sweet and chocolatey!
Hopefully I'll be able to find some good recipes a long the line somewhere, but for now an Options mint hot chocolate will have to suffice.
How about picking a model or picture from a magazine that strikes you as a healthy look (perhaps a sports magazine, I am not suggesting a super skinny model.) Then you can picture your face on the picture...
ReplyDeleteAlso: the eating at night is SO hard. One technique that has worked for me and others in the past is to SUBSTITUTE a new activity for the eating. This really takes effort and feels uncomfortable at first. My husband did this very successfully: instead of snacking, he allowed himself limitless glasses of tea of various flavors. So: you're adding something, rather than taking something away and leaving a void. Good luck!
I've been trying to do that but it's still quite difficult to picture it in my mind. Ooh I love the idea of substituting, especially with tea! Thank you :)
DeleteI can relate - I've always been big. Even at my 'smallest' I was still big so I don't know what it feels like or even how I'll look -- but I'm working hard to find out. Looking in the mirror and looking at pictures can get depressing for me. I try to ignore it and remind myself that all it's going to take is hard work.
ReplyDeleteAs for desserts after dinner. I used to always have something sweet - my favorite lowest calorie dessert was an After 8 mint. However I haven't had any dessert for the past 9 days - just a few pieces of fruit (a few strawberries or grapes usually) and that's been enough to satisfy my sweet tooth. I have yet to figure out how to give anything up sweet completely!
Yeah I know exactly what you mean, it's hard to look at yourself and assume you'll always look the same way because you don't know any different. Fruit is a great way to snack as well, I think a lot of the time it's boredom with wanting to eat as well so fruit's a good way to combat that, especially if it's something you've got to peel like an orange.
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