October 26, 2006 9:26 AM
Diet Round-up
Did anyone watch The Biggest Loser? I can hardly believe that some of those big guys have lost over 70 pounds since the show began. And though they still look pretty enormous, when they flashback to how they began, you can see a BIG difference - especially in their faces.
My favorite moment was when they were confronted with a plate full of fried eggs and hash browns and bacon and someone - I think it was Wylie - said, "I just could never eat that kind of food again."
You all need to know this is so true! Once you break the food addiction cycle, it's amazing how unappealing the most formerly irresistible become. I don't think I could ever again eat a Quarter Pounder with Cheese or indulge in a tub of Costco's Seven Layer Dip.
A good snack now is one of those teensy bags of nuts.
Okay, I know what those of you who need to but haven't started this journey are thinking: I don't want to stop liking those things, because I ....well, because I LIKE them!. That's because until you break the food addiction pattern, you are giving food a priority in your life. You are giving food priority over your appearance, your health, your relationships, your recreational opportunities, your energy level, your budget - everything. It is truly like an alcoholic's relationship with booze. You just don't want to give it up.
What about God? Is overeating put food before God? On this side of the mountain, I have to say yes. There is nothing God-honoring about taking a body that he designed to function a certain way and then wrecking it up. Seriously, every overweight Christian needs to recognize that this kind of behavior and results are way out of line and a terrible witness to our faith.
Whoa! Sorry, but I just got off on a preaching tangent. Yes, I guess I'm zealous now. I set a bad example for a long time and now I just want to set the record straight. Plus I keep making new discoveries about the freedom that is there for the taking when someone in the bondage of fat decides it's time to be free.
So speaking of changing priorities and perceptions and habits, I found this article which uses pictures to expose the lala land we are living in regarding our idea of how much is appropriate to eat: Know Your Portions. Flip through the gallery for some real surprises. Did you know that a proper serving of pancakes is 1?
This article arrived in my Inbox this morning because somehow I got signed up for a daily subscription to Prevention: Smart Ways to Live Well:
Fast But Not Fattening
I know there are times when I'm out driving the older kids around and the little kids are just along for the ride and there is so much going on that getting the kids fast food is tempting. Since none of them have a weight problem, a very occasional Happy Meal is okay. And since I broke my food addiction, a diet soda is fine for me. But I thought for someone who does use fast food more often, this article would be very helpful.
But here’s another idea I came up with when I traveled from California to Virginia with 10 kids in 8 days (a whole other story): get your kids metal lunchboxes and when you have to be out during a meal time, pack them a lunch. Yes, kids love Happy Meals, but they also love the mystique of a lunch box with their own sized servings inside. And it's easy to open a metal lunchbox and eat while riding in the car.
When it comes to our kids, it's probably a good idea not to reinforce the whole McDonald's thing any more than it is already reinforced by the media. Don't get me wrong - I'm not a vigilante.
Balance is everything!
Comments
I've lost over 80 lbs this year myself. My husband and children thought it was funny yesterday that I was sniffing their m & m's, but refused to eat any. I like the smell, but they are just TOO sweet for me now! ;o)
Posted by: Birdie | October 26, 2006 1:00 PM
Hiya, what a cool blog! Kudos with the wonderful family!
This dieting bit really hit home to me, have lost a lot using the GL (glycemic load). I don't have kids but I do travel a lot and that makes dieting tricky. When in England (live between there and Florida) I found dietfreedom.co.uk through the books they have written and it's changed the way I look at food and eat so completely! nearly at goal weight, and for the first time ever no issues about keeping it off. Because like you say the old stuff is just not appetising anymore!
Dieting is real personal so it may not be for everyone, but wanted to spread the word as I have been on every diet under the sun and this is 'diet freedom' ie no more dieting, just great food and a great healthy energetic body as originally intended I do believe!
Off to read more of this great blog now.
Love and wonderful things x Claire
Posted by: Claire | October 27, 2006 3:41 AM
I'm proud of you for sticking with your diet. I lost my dad at the age of 53. He had a heart attack. He wasn't really in good health (very overweight and diabetic), but he died very suddenly. I wish we had had more years to enjoy him and that my children had gotten to know him better.
I'm hoping they will have all of eternity to get to know him.
Wendy
Posted by: Wendy | October 27, 2006 4:28 PM
