Tuesday, November 30, 2010

The Rules

I bought a scale this weekend. Haven't had one in over a year when I got rid of my old one ~ *not* in a fit of pique ~ but because I needed more CD storage and it was in the way :-) And lets face it, it was old and PINK. A hand-me-down from my husband's grandfather's estate. Yeah. Worked good, and hopefully it found a new home in a PINK bathroom of a Goodwill shopper.

For $30 at Bed Bath and Beyond, tho, one may purchase a gleaming new glass and metal digital scale with *all* the bells and whistles. Can program it for up to four people, with their age, height and gender, and then... when you step on it (barefooted), it will tell you not only your weight, but your BMI, fat in *both* pounds and percentage, your water weight, and bone density. Have to be barefoot because it sends some kind of electric current through your legs, and water, fat, and bone all process electric currents at different speeds... something like that. But that's not why I'm writing.

I'm writing because I had a doctor appointment last week and am currently at my heaviest. Not as in "ever", because I've been here before, but topping out the scale for me, nonetheless. And, as I'm older than I've ever been before (haha), my blood pressure is quickly approaching the "take action" level. The verdict is in: Lose some weight or face medications ~ which I would just as soon avoid.

I know why I'm overweight. I eat too much. Of everything. But cheese and desserts and chips are probably my main culprits. And I've been skinny (or even just 'skinnier') before, too, and know how to eat healthily and well. When I was younger (and skinnier), the way I stayed that way was by following a few simple rules. Thus the name of this blog.

The Rules
  • STOP eating when the *first* ping of fullness occurs. Simple, yes? One would think. Obviously not, tho, especially when it's something I looooove. But you know what? I can pretty much eat whatever I want whenever I want. So that excuse is OUT. I'm full, I put down my fork and leave it down. And I've had a little talk with myself about throwing food out. Fact is, I'm going to have to be okay with it until I re-learn how much to put on my plate in the first place. Or how much to order at a restaurant. Or how to ask for a to-go container before I sit and pick at it until it's gone....
  • Avoid pizza.
  • Avoid deep fried foods.
  • No snacking.
That's it.

Stay tuned for progress....

5 comments:

Sadge said...

You go, girl! I'm trying to ramp up my exercise to 30 minutes cardio every day for now.

Annodear said...

Sounds like you go, too :-) Awesome!

TravelWithMe said...

Use a smaller plate - the sandwich size plate instead of the dinner plate. That might help!

Annodear said...

I've got a diet book called "The 9" plate", Linda :-) Seems that was the standard size plate ~ as discovered by the book's author when he bought an old cabin and his plates wouldn't fit in the cupboard. 9" is the size of an el cheapo paper plate, nowdays. It was all about restaurants having the actual food as one of the most inexpensive parts of business, and more people wanting to have the bigger plates at home, and our (as a country) ever expanding waistlines. Twas interesting, and with funny photos of the 'Adkin's Diet' (among others) ~ mashed potatoes, mac and cheese and meatloaf ~ but everything on only a 9" plate. With ample 'edge space'. No overflowing it! lol

I wish my everyday 'salad' plates were bigger; they're of the 5-6" variety. Too small for anything bigger than a roll or apple. Love my Mom's Corel set with the 8.5" salad plate!

Melancholy Specter said...

Gee, I need to hang around you more. You're definitely a good influence. At least you try. I bought a new scale a couple years ago and it sits in the bathroom collecting dust. I'm not good at stopping as soon as I start to feel full. If it's something delicious I just keep eating and eating. I'm also bad for eating when I'm nervous or depressed. I've been worse about it since I quit smoking a few years ago. Instead of chain smoking when nervous now I chain eat. I've just replaced one addiction with another. I might try that smaller plate idea though, maybe it will help. Good luck with your efforts!