Hi everyone!
Yesterday, I was eating some takeout when I started reflecting on what I have learned in the first 15 pounds of my weight loss quest. I wanted to share my thoughts with all of you and maybe it will help someone or generate new ideas in the comments!
Self-control can be incremental.
So, this may seem like common sense to a lot of people, but this realization is coming from someone who is typically an "all or nothing" person. I thought I understood this concept this time around, but I realized I never truly got it until yesterday. Takeout used to translate to "free for all" with me. As I started consciously losing weight, making better choices when ordering in became the biggest self-control battle for me.
First, it was opting to order lean meats and veggies when I reaaaallllyyyy wanted something else. Now, I actively crave salmon and roasted veggies when I know my boyfriend and I are ordering from a restaurant.
Next, it was realizing that I don't have to push myself to finish the entire meal. Once I started really listening to my body, I noticed my body let me know I was full way sooner than I expected it to. I no longer finish all of my food, and that's okay! I can always save it to enjoy later.
Yesterday, it meant opting not to eat that third mozzarella stick to save myself 200 extra calories (I had a lot of calorie room to play around with by dinnertime yesterday). It meant realizing that the salad had so many calories because of the dressing, and I didn't need to use all of it! Even just using half the dressing was plenty. It meant eating all my broccoli first so that I was more full before digging into the salmon, which I did not finish. Those tiny decisions add up and really reduce the caloric impact of a takeout meal.
Overnight oats are a hunger lifesaver.
Recently, I discovered the beauty of overnight oats. I am by no means an oatmeal person, but after reading about the seemingly never-ending benefits, I decided to give it a try.
The recipe I used makes 2 servings and presents an easy, low-calorie breakfast option. I remember making it the first time and thinking, "Ugh, that doesn't look like much food." When I went to eat it the next morning, I told myself that I would try one serving size and that if I was still super hungry, I could eat another without it being hugely detrimental to my daily calorie intake.
It turns out, I REALLY didn't need the other serving. I actually struggled to finish just one because it was so filling. Making it from breakfast to lunch without becoming super hungry has been an ongoing challenge for me, and overnight oats literally kept me full and even had me eating lunch later because it sustained me for so long. 10/10, would highly recommend.
Fullness can be a delayed response.
When I work in the office, I struggle with feeling 100% satisfied after eating my lunch, even though I understand I ate my serving size and had my salad with it. But after a while, I started noticing that it typically takes a good 20-30 minutes after I finish eating to feel full. It sucks to wait for that response, but it also made me learn that I don't necessarily need to eat until I feel full. My body will catch up and I will be okay.
Other things I have learned:
1) I saw someone on this subreddit post about "doing the mental sit-up." Which means, if I am having an insane craving for a food but know I don't really need it, it doesn't fit in with my daily intake, or I want to go over my serving size, I work hard to not give in to that urge. Those have lessened over time, but when they do happen, I just tell myself "do the mental sit-up." Whoever that user was, thank you for sharing that catchphrase!
2) Like many people on this sub, I grew up in a "finish your entire plate" household. Awhile ago, I saw a user on this sub write a comment that if it doesn't go to waste in the trash, it will go to waste on your body. That really sunk in with me, and helped alleviate a lot of guilt I felt about feeling full and not being able to finish my plate.
3) I have learned to enjoy cooking and baking! If you had talked to me a few months ago, I would have told you that cooking felt like such a chore. Gradually, I have learned to love the routine of cooking or baking healthy treats for myself. In fact, I make it a game to see how healthy I can make meals, desserts, etc. Another user once posted that if they wanted to indulge, they would have to make it themselves. This resonated with me to the point that if I really want something, I will have to make it myself...and now I have an ice cream maker!
Phew, that is a lot of life lessons packed into just a couple months of hard work. I cannot wait to see how my life continues to change for the better as I continue working my way back to true health. I hope something in here resonates with at least one of you, and if you have more lessons of your own to share, please feel free in the comments! Looking back, this sub has already taught me so much and has been a wonderful way to feel connected to a community.
[link] [comments]
from loseit - Lose the Fat https://ift.tt/3pdltGi
No comments:
Post a Comment