The title is deliberate. That is exactly what I have been doing - with food - AND it's a reference to our new elite dieter (!) friend, Lesley, whom I am thrilled to say is rising to the Olympian challenge over at the velodrome in Manchester.
I do urge you to go to her blog and see what she has been up to. There is much to think about,particularly with the chimp theory, which I won't even attempt to explain over here!
Sooooo...back to the food thang. And losing weight. Or gaining it, in my case. There is something about Lesley's comments and blog that bring me right back down to earth - a great reality check with some humour thrown in. It's what I needed. There will be no more chocolate chat because...there will be no more chocolate for a while! Let's just say my little experiment gave some interesting results. Unless I am in a restaurant and having a chocolate dessert, chocolate and I can be in a very destructive co-dependent relationship! When it's good, it's really good and when it's bad, it's awful.
I really did see for myself how highly addictive the brown stuff (well, probably the sugar) can be. The thing is, I think it's important to test oneself every now and then. And sadly, I've proved that there need to be some very strong boundaries around sugar.
I've also really neglected the work I need to do to really prepare for a life of maintenance. I'll be honest, it scares me. I cannot do abstinence again. I absolutely cannot. So what that means is that I need to get real about me and food. We're going to be in a relationship for the rest of my life! I don't want it to dominate my life. I already feel highly conscious of just how much time it has taken up and there are so many other things in the world that deserve my attention.
BUT what I do understand is that maintenance is going to take practice. I am an expert in being bigger! I know how to put on weight VERY easily. I also know, now, how to take it off fairly rapidly. But it's a tortuous process and not a long-term solution. A VLCD gets amazing results. The real work starts when the VLCD stops. And that's what I have yet to learn; how to maintain this loss. I also want to lose some more weight, to be honest - at least another 10 lbs. But the only way that is going to happen is with exercise. And a super healthy diet. Aha!
Yes - it's a lot of work and sometimes you feel that you're taking 2 steps back after a few forward. And I empathise with your point about wanting to do things other than worry about food!! Still, a necessary evil so let's stick to it.
Keep it up chuck...with hugs from your (not so) elite pal...
Lesley x
Posted by: Lesley | May 03, 2009 at 06:51 PM
Well made a comment about the last post, and now this one... Watch your language.. You sooooo know so much about keeping your weight off. The learing is the living, is the practice. Keep practising and learing and we shall get there. I am using my vision board.... See the wonderful beautiful slim woman you are !!! xxxx
Posted by: Doodle | May 04, 2009 at 07:34 PM