January 12, 2007 8:57 AM
Diet Update
I haven't blogged about dieting for a while. Mostly because there's no news. So let me share where I am right now.
I started the Fat Flush Fast Track Diet last year on February 2 - Hey! I just realized that was Groundhog Day, one of our family's favorite days because of the Bill Murray movie of the same name (read my review here). By September I had lost 75 pounds and had an abdominoplasty to remove the extra skin which had been left behind. My clothing size had gone from 22 to 12/14. My blood pressure had gone from 180/130 to 130/80 (with no meds). I felt 20 years younger.
Since then – though I really have 27 more pounds to lose to reach my target weight of 150 (I’m 5’5” although my kids say I’m shrinking :), I've been on maintenance.
I found my eating habits had changed drastically. If you had asked me before, I would have told you that I didn't overeat, that my metabolism was slow, yada yada yada. Following a strict diet in which I still had to cook my family’s food and not touch it – feeling the hand-to-mouth impulse and having to restrain myself – showed me how much in denial I was. I also understood that my metabolism was slow precisely because of my overweight. I’d been thin before and knew how much more energy I had and how much more I could eat without being penalized.
Over the holidays, I did overindulge. I put on 7 pounds. On January 1, I went back on the Fast Track Diet – although this time around I am allowing myself coffee and an occasional diet soda – and have almost taken it off. I’ve not had time to begin a true exercise regimen, but plan to before the end of this month. My goal is to be down to 150 (from current 177 and a high weight of 252) by my birthday 5/26.
I have seen people lose weight and put it back on and I am determined not to let this happen to me.
A woman at my church has initiated a group for women to deal with eating disorders. It will begin February 2 (there’s that date again!) and will be based on Beth Moore’s book Breaking Free. She began it for women who struggle with anorexia and bulimia, but I asked her to add women like me who just want to break free of struggling over weight/food issues. I’ve never been anorexic or bulimic. For many years I thought I had found peace by giving up the struggle to keep my body in shape, by “self-acceptance.”
I’m not going to discount that period of my life completely. Perhaps God was teaching me something through all that – which is why I would never presume to judge anyone else. We never know what lessons God is teaching another person or through what means. But last year the time had come for me to stop surrendering and accepting myself and to start taking charge of that aspect of my life – which frankly, was out of control. I mean, why if I got fatter did I just go out and buy the next size up? Looking back, it seems kinds crazy.
Anyway, I will be at that group and if there are any readers in the area who would like to join a group of very brave and honest Christian women (after all, because Christians try so hard to look “perfect” I’m sure it’s not easy to “come out’ with an eating disorder – I’m sure there will be a high level of confidentiality and trust in the group), please email me for the details.
As I said, I have no experience with eating disorders as they are limited in our use of the word to anorexia or bulimia, but overeating and putting on weight is also something I would like to put behind me forever.
A couple things I want to pass on:
Half Their Size
People magazine (which I must admit I love to read in doctors’ offices) has an inspirational diet issue out right now with stories of people who’ve lost half their weight or more – through the time-honored traditional way of eating less and exercising more. I LOVE before and after pictures and stories! LOVED The Biggest Loser (check out all the before/after photos here), where the winner this year lost over 200 pounds and found a new life as huband and father.
Fridge Wide Open: Step inside one scientist's food lab to learn why we eat as much as we do--and 10 ways to stop ourselves
From Prevention Magazine, gives ten tips to help you take control of your eating. I found the scientific research – which showed things like why different colored M&Ms encourage us to eat more than if they are all the same color – very empowering. It will help me make better choices. And btw, you can subscribe to this site for email healthy dieting updates like I do.
Please remember that we are all absolutely 100% lovable in God’s eyes no matter what we look like. He is unconditional. Some of our families are unconditional. Mine was. They never said anything to me about my weight. Now they do intervene if I am tempted to eat a piece of cake: “Mom, is that on your diet?” While I find it irritating, I understand now that the reason they never said anything before was because they felt helpless.
By seeing me overcome this problem, they feel empowered too. Though none of them have a weight problem (and, by the way, I’m getting neck strain from being surrounded by all these tall people :), they have confidence that with God they can overcome any other personal issues they struggle with. Seeing me lose weight has given them a lot of hope for their own futures.
For everything I've written about dieting, go to my Diet Archives. Also, don't forget my good Blogging Buddy Mel at Amazing Shrinking Mom, who offers encouragement daily as she's facing the same calling to lose weight.
Comments
Dear Barbara,
Thank you for sharing your journey and your plans with us!
Honey :)
Posted by: Honey | January 12, 2007 10:11 AM
i just finished reading the book Prevention's article is based on... "Mindless Eating". It is a page turner because I have always found the scientific observation of human behavior to be so instructive. It turns the light on for me. One of the memorable studies the author performed was the 'bottomless bowl of soup' ... get it and read!
One of the author's exciting discoveries is that we can turn "Mindless Eating" to our favor!
Posted by: floorplan | January 12, 2007 11:31 AM
YOUR NEW PICTURE is just right Barbara, btw.
Posted by: floorplan | January 12, 2007 11:34 AM
Hi Barbara,
There is a good PBS piece this week on Generation Next. http://www.pbs.org/newshour/generation-next/
I think you might like it. I heard a part on NPR this morning and it was really interesting. I think it is airing this Sunday night, but it might be a different time where you are on the East Coast.
Like the new pic!
Posted by: Imajackson | January 12, 2007 12:50 PM
Barbara, thanks for the link. I'm going to link your post on my blog, too.
Posted by: Mel | January 12, 2007 5:33 PM
Barbara--
I have been reading your blog for more than a year. I sometimes feel left out on some of your articles as I am a single mom and have to work full time outside the home. But I am a Christian mom, so most of it is still applicable.
I was really impressed last year when you started your diet. In fact, I have become an avid reader of Mel's BLOG "The Amazing Shrinking Mom" because your mention of it here.
I started my own weight loss/lifestyle change back in mid-April. I weighed in at 210. In November, just before Thanksgiving, I hit my goal weight of 155.
We did a Biggest Loser competition at our workplace. The grand prize was over $2000. Sigh. They started this when I was already down 40 pounds. (READ: I did all the hard stuff without money!)
We did a body fat loss, and I almost won :( I came in second, but I went from a body fat composition of 37% to 22%. For women, the healthy/fit range is between 20-25%. I reduced my body fat by 40%!
I have maintained within +/-5 pounds of my goal for almost two months. I still am working on my fitness level. I am slightly envious that you were able to have an abdominoplasty. I could use one, but it's just not in the budget financially, timewise, or responsibility wise. That's the joy of single parenting.
Thanks for sharing your struggle and change. It helps us too!
Posted by: Ceci | January 13, 2007 3:09 AM
Dear Ceci -
Thanks for sharing your success story! Yay for you!
Sorry about the feeling left out. I was a single mother myself for five years. It's a hard life. Please know that I don't think any less of single moms or working moms. I'm just writing about my life and ideals. I'm so glad you can find a little encouragement here.
The important thing is that you are a mom. I even thought for the Apron contest that working moms could be like Mr. Rogers: as he would come home and put on his cozy sweater and shoes, working moms could come home and put on their aprons - a symbol to their kids that Mom Is Home For Them.
Be of good cheer! I know you must work very hard. And you have shown your kids a great example!
Posted by: barbaracurtis | January 13, 2007 6:21 AM
Dear Mrs. Barbara,
I finally have a chance to be online for more than a couple of minutes at the library. Plus I had my baby 6 weeks ago and weight issues are becoming important again (btw, I've already dropped 27 lbs from the end of Jan.- Timothy was a big baby).
It is nice to see the understanding that you have come to in regards to your own past and your family's actions. Having a mom and dh who struggle has been tough for me. I do what I can to encourage and support them, but at some point you have to decide how far you can go and maintain a healthy relationship and respect for their position.
I also understand how much of a blessing it is to give your kids hope for their own future. I grew up with the fear that I was in for it if God ever blessed me with children. Now that my mom has shared some of the emotional causes of her own struggle and I've come through three pregnancies without any net gain, I have so much more hope for myself and my children.
Keep up the good work!
Posted by: Cheri | March 14, 2007 11:22 PM
