So I've invented a new approach...it's called... the tranquil townhouse subtlety diet! But I need your help...
- I don't like being told what to do or when to do it...so eat this at that time while holding a strange yoga position doesn't work for me;
- I'm never disciplined or organised enough to have bought all the right foods, organised the fridge and safeguarded its contents from the 22 year old's non-stop eating;
- I've never been accused of being subtle so there's some lovely perversity in calling it the subtlety diet; and
- This might actually be something I can do.
So here's how it's going to work. Subtle changes to my habits...implemented from next week (it has to start on a Monday surely)...I'm thinking might include:
- eating breakfast every morning not just the mornings when I could be bothered or am organised enough;
- when deciding to have a biscuit with a cup of tea (which I don't do all the time, but more than I should), only one biscuit not two (yes, yes I know I shouldn't have any, but this is the subtlety diet remember);
- for every cup of tea or coffee I drink, one large glass of water follows before I can have another tea (I only ever have one coffee a day, if that) and I know I don't drink nearly enough water;
- the same goes for each glass of wine (and I do have at least two alcohol free days a week);
- drinking at least one cup of green tea or peppermint tea a day (any other teas you'd recommend);
- only one 1.25 litre bottle of diet coke per week (yes I've read all the horror stories about this drink and I have cut it out completely before but that was part of a dare)
- walking for 30 minutes two days a week (from a current base of nil that's subtle enough to start with...and I am booked in for a free ten day trial at a gym on 1 December);
- eat three pieces of fruit a day;
- substitute nuts for chocolate;
- ban myself completely from buying lollies...not subtle but absolutely necessary unless I want to become a candidate for type II diabetes...like I saw on Oprah on my day off on Wednesday; and
- when I have rice, switch from white to brown.
Now, I know full well that this is only a small, subtle start and therefore will only give me small, subtle results, but these are changes that I feel I might be able to manage and more importantly maintain before I make other, bigger ones.
So can you help me? I do make decent meals for myself...I know all the theory. It's just the putting into practice I have problems with.
Does anyone have any other subtle ideas? Or sledge hammer ones if you must...!
I'm off to have breakfast with friends...I'll be the one ordering the fruit and yoghurt :)
So can you help me? I do make decent meals for myself...I know all the theory. It's just the putting into practice I have problems with.
Does anyone have any other subtle ideas? Or sledge hammer ones if you must...!
I'm off to have breakfast with friends...I'll be the one ordering the fruit and yoghurt :)
They're surely subtle ideas in isolation Kerry, but together I think this is a big effort my friend, especially the cutting out of lollies! I should do the same things but it is so difficult, especially when I am trying to fatten up Lyn. How can I feed him chips without having some myself?
ReplyDeleteHave a lovely weekend :)
I think you have set your sights quite high...maybe you need to moderate some of the moderation and glide into this a little slower {especially since this is the time of year that our foods are more calorie ridden}. I have put on some {!!} weight myself and I have been following a low carb diet for the past 10 weeks. It takes awhile to kick in but I have lost 11 pounds so far. I hope it's okay to brag...or maybe that's not a brag!! The Atkins Diet has taken a beating but I find it to be the easiest {if you can hold off on sweets}.
ReplyDeleteBest of luck, Kerry and sorry I am so long winded. I may just be hungry.
XO,
Jane
I would add a few subtle thoughts to add to your subtle diet (love that, by the way). 1) Try switching to whole wheat pasta (I hardly notice the difference and it is much better for you). 2) No more than 20 almonds a day (I literally count them out and eat them at about 4:00 to get me through the pre-dinner-I'm-famished stage. 3) Finally try keeping your breakfast and lunch really boring and the same every day (all healthy mind you, like bran flakes etc) because that way you are less inclined to eat too much of them as they are just the same old healthy bran flakes. If you go all out and make unique things you are more tempted to have a little extra. You also don't have to think about them which helps stop the constant thinking about food when you are on a diet. I think our diets do need a little variety though so dinner is it (time to mix up the veggies for different vitamins etc). Good luck - losing weight is not easy that's for sure.
ReplyDeleteEverything in moderation, including moderation is my motto! Your changes seem very sensible and do-able. It is the silly season though, so please practice my motto and use moderation in moderation. :)
ReplyDeleteHey Kerry!
ReplyDeleteI have recently dropped 12 kilos by "Intuitive Eating" in other words, basically recognising my true hunger and eating accordingly. SO basically I served up smaller, healthier sized meals, asked myselfif I was truly hungry when I went to grab a snack, didn't finish off my plate if I had enough, things like that. I didn't deprive myself of treats as such, but found I didn't want so much of them if at all. I'll send you a think on FB where I heard about it.
Eat five or six small meals a day.
ReplyDeleteCarb portions should only be the size of a small fist, not the whole plate/bowl.
Water, water, water, water, water.
Maybe you should cut down on the booze mummy poo! Tres fattening.
VEGETABLES!
Eat slowly and stop eating just before you're full - body takes 20 minutes to recognise it doesn't need anymore food.
Aaaaaand....
have chocolate once a day...life's too short for all this BS!!
x
What has worked for me (and I am constantly revising this 'eating plan'--I hate the word diet) is protein with every meal. So poached eggs for breakfast or yogurt; big salad with a can of salmon or sardines at lunch (get the ones with bones, best source of calcium, much better than dairy) and some kind of meat or fish grilled for dinner with lots of veggies. and plenty of fruit throughout the day but keep bananas to a minimum.
ReplyDeleteAs you know I'm gluten intolerant so wheat has been off my list for awhile. But recently I've done some reading and learned that wheat, whole grain or otherwise isn't a good carb for fat burning; instead it ups your insulin and tells your body to store the fat, not burn it. If you can switch to something else like spelt or kamut, all the better. Good idea on the brown versus white rice.
I also switched recently from rice crackers or carrots as a snack when I'm hungry to almonds or pistachios. Much better for satisfying hunger. On teas, I'm a big fan of Celestial Seasonings Bengal Spice (get it at Woolies) and Black Adder licorice tea. Both are full bodied and a good substitue for coffee.
All things in moderation is the key I feel. What you don't want to do is deny yourself things you really want because that will just set up cravings and create an unhealthy cycle of guilt. If you want something have it, just make sure it is a realistic amount. I am sure the people who love you are not worried a bit about any soft bits. The key is for you to feel good about yourself. Have fun with your changes and hopefully you will feel fantastic.
ReplyDeleteYou've distilled so much information down to very sensible and achievable ideas. Well done, Lovely! If that doesn't work, you could try the Tony Ferguson shakes - I am and have lost a heap of weight. Most effective. Best of luck with changing your habits! J x
ReplyDeleteThe best I have done was on the Very Best Diet - you eat nothing but the very best. You have a marvellous time, and don't eat cheap chocolate, run-of-the-mill biscuits or bad bread. Works for me!
ReplyDeleteSounds like lots of great advice here Kerry. I just want to cheer you on. I wrote nearly the same thing today at www.b-wellreport.blogspot.com
ReplyDeleteI joined a health club for the same reason. We can support each other thru this exasperating stage of life:)
B-well my friend!
Jeanne xx
found your blog through sara in the petit village and i have really enjoyed reading!!
ReplyDeleteKerry - I've just borrowed the perfect cookbook for you from the Kingston library. It's called "Fabulous food, minus the boombah" by Jane Kennedy. As soon as I return it you can borrow it! The call number is 641.563 ;-)
ReplyDeleteThat sounds like a great set of changes to me. The best way to eat less, I reckon, is just to keep busy - don't have time to eat, and have a fruit-bowl in between the places in the house you'll be rushing between. Also ALWAYS have a glass of wine instead of dessert/pudding (what do you guys call it?).
ReplyDeleteThanks for visiting my blog. I'm glad I found you. I'm on a low carb diet ... easy to do when you are the only person in the household, and it really works. Now just to keep the momentum over the holidays...
ReplyDeleteLove your banner ... the blue and white female figure really adds a touch of whimsy to the otherwise traditional blue and white pieces. Very cute!
Great blog. You should sign up at BlogCatalog.com You would be most welcomed there. My user name there is Theresa111 and my blog is Sleeping Kitten - Dancing Dog. Look me up sometime, remind me and I'll show you around. Again ... lovely blog.
ReplyDeleteThese subtle changes sound like a great way to lose a few kilos - I'm going to give the 'subtle diet' a go too. Thanks Kerry :)
ReplyDeleteLol you are hilarious Kerry:).
ReplyDeleteI think your subtle changes are all a very good start. I have been serving myself just 10% less for meals and lost 1+1/2kg in 1 week. And 10% less is very subtle, something you could do.
Good luck it's not easy when we get over 40:(
I'm cheering you on too Kerry - and should subtley join you too I think. I love the everything in moderation including moderation idea! xx
ReplyDeleteLosing weight is so hard..my husband goes hell for leather on the treadmill and bike every day and eats well and yet he's only just starting to see some results. It's staying motivated when the weight drops off so slowly that's the key I think. Eating breakfast is very important, obviously. Lots of fibre and protein. I drink a tea called Rooibos (it's an African tea) that is apparently insanely high in antioxidants, replenishes lost fluids and calms the nervous system. You can get it at the supermarket. I lost a bit of weight when we went away because I couldn't graze all day - amazing how all those little tidbits add up! Good luck my darling, it's not easy. Kate Moss has a great quote - "Nothing tastes as good as skinny feels"! Rachaelxx
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