I started a diet this week, so I’m likely to be A BIT CRABBY for the next month or two. My motivation is a combination of health (my knees hurt), vanity (underchin and tum areas), and economy (I have perfectly nice clothes in a perfectly obtainable size).
I find that the various woes of dieting need to be balanced with fun stuff, or else the situation is too dismal to work. The best is to have a new fun diet to try, but I have some other ways to decrease the dismal:
1. A New Motto. I’ve liked “It’s worth it,” “This is what YOU WANT,” and of course various mental images of outfits and bathing suits and whatnot. In the Garfield-poster ’80s I think it was “A moment on the lips, forever on the hips.”
2. A Pretty New Whining Journal.
Provence Journal (photo from Amazon.com)
Keep Calm and Carry On Journal (photo from Amazon.com)
When everyone around the dieter can’t stand to hear ONE MORE WORD about the all-consuming diet, it is pleasant for the dieter to have a place to put her thoughts and feelings.
3. Expensive Diet Treats. There are things that don’t seem worth it when I’m not dieting, which suddenly seem WAY WORTH IT when I am. Expensive teas and coffees are my usual, but also more-expensive foods when I’m out: the Burger King Value Menu is cheap and delicious, so if I’m depriving myself of that I’m going to get the lower-calorie higher-price food I WANT. This also goes for going through drive-thrus to get a black coffee instead of a Frosty, or getting a small expensive chocolate bar instead of a large bag of inexpensive ones, or getting a salad from a salad bar instead of making my own at home, or getting steamed fish from a take-out place because I hate cooking it myself, or whatever. I’ve found this can substitute one kind of treat (reducing work, getting something expensive) for the kind I’m trying to reduce (delicious, delicious value meal).
4. A New Book.
Eating Well for Optimum Health (my photo)
Eat This, Not That! (photo from Amazon.com)
The Sugar Addict’s Total Recovery Program (photo from Amazon.com)
It can be the book that accompanies the diet you’re on, or it can be something more general; I prefer something more general. When I’m NOT dieting, such a book makes me feel like washing down potato chips with a chocolate shake. When I AM dieting, I find the information helpful and inspiring, and I appreciate the way it can make broccoli and flax seed meal seem EXCITING. This time around I’m reading Andrew Weil’s book (found it at the library book sale for a buck!) but any book that appeals to you will do.
5. A New Water Bottle. See our recent post for ideas.
I’m leaning toward the Nalgene 1-quart (photo from Amazon.com).
6. A New Hobby. I’ve enjoyed Postcrossing, and knitting can be soothing (plus, it occupies the hands so they do not reach for snackies), and reading scary books can take my mind off things (and/or put me off my food).
If you have more ideas for me, PLEASE DO SHARE. Shopping decreases the dismal.
Since I started dieting a few months ago, I have swapped eating for shopping. I’ve bought some cute necklaces, sent OTHER people yummies from Etsy and bought a couple items of clothing in smaller sizes (just one size down) and I’ve also spent some time buying kid’s clothes. It gives me a nice “high” when I find a good sale. This might not be great for the pocketbook, but it works for me. lol
Devan | April 7th, 2010 at 11:16 am
Those are good ideas and I’m anxious to hear from other people too! You mentioned teas (which I love) and I wondered about where you are with that. I’m kind of a tea snob but there are a LOT of things you can buy there: loose leaf teas (flavors! OMG, the flavors!), all kinds of cool pots and/or infusers, cups, etc. (Teavana is a good retailer and they even have a storefront in my local mall. I also really like Adagio.com) I try to have tea before dinner because it helps me feel fuller and eat less.
We recently bought an elliptical machine and I have been really good about using it all but one of my scheduled days in the last 3 weeks. I’m trying to improve my heart and lung health but I’m wanting to lose weight too and so far, its not working. Guess I need to step it up with the diet thing too . . .
Sally (another! one) | April 7th, 2010 at 12:21 pm
Two months ago I got completely disgusted with myself and created a Sparkpeople account. I will not ever be able to fully communicate how much I love this program. It’s a free tracker and community support all in one. I’ve lost nearly 20 lbs since January 25, and I’m still going strong. If you decide to try it, my username is CHERYLRUSH. Drop by and say hi! http://www.sparkpeople.com
Cheryl | April 7th, 2010 at 1:15 pm
Sally- I’m still at the stage of buying boxes of tea bags, but I find all the loose tea stuff VERY APPEALING. I think it would take me about a decade just to choose which diffuser to buy!
Swistle | April 7th, 2010 at 1:29 pm
May I suggest the IngenuiTEA? http://www.adagio.com/gifts/holiday_ingenuiTEA.html
You dump in your tea, add hot water, wait (and watch the water darken and the leaves dance around . . .) and then place the maker on top of your cup. A filter at the bottom catches the leaves and the tea pours into your cup. Easy-peasy! And if you want ice tea, just set the maker on top of a cup filled with ice.
For $19, you get the tea maker (which I LOVE) and 4 sample tins of black, green, flavored or herbal teas. Adagio has samples of their teas for somewhere between $2 and $4 so its not a big investment if you find you don’t care for a particular flavor. And all their shipping is $3.75. They even have free $5 gift certificates so I’ll send you one! (and anyone else who wants one since I get “points” if you redeem)
I’ve been nothing but pleased with this site/company. I think Teavana has something similar if you have a storefront nearby and want to save the shipping cost.
Sally (another! one) | April 7th, 2010 at 2:00 pm
I’m hoping to go out to buy new workout SHOES this week. I’ve just commenced on my 2nd (or 3rd?) attempt at the Internet’s beloved 30 Day Shred. (Not so much MY beloved.) New shoes will help mentally AND physically… as well as some cute new workout shorts which I found at Old Navy yesterday.
Lee | April 7th, 2010 at 2:19 pm
I totally second the IngenuiTEA from Adagio Teas. LOVE!!!
Also, I’ve had some recent success doing the Game On! Diet (a competition, with points, and teams, etc.) I bought the book on Amazon but your library would probably have it. It was created for one of the writers of Grey’s Anatomy when she gained a bunch of weight and this was the only way for her to get motivated to lose it.
Good luck!!
Felicia | April 7th, 2010 at 6:55 pm
If you don’t have any sort of iPod-ish thing already, I recommend getting one (the Shuffles are so cheap and come in cute colors!) to eliminate boredom/increase excitement about exercising. I get really excited about taking a walk or using the elliptical when I know I’ve just downloaded bunch of new music onto my iPod. “Nostalgia” music (i.e., music that you strongly associate with a certain time & place in your life) is especially effective for me; I listen to one Third Eye Blind song, start reminiscing about my college years, then POW! Before I know it, I’m already 20 minutes into my workout (and thoroughly embarrassed about that one dude I dated my sophomore year. Yeesh.).
jive turkey | April 8th, 2010 at 12:34 pm
Great post. Journaling and taking up a new hobby are some of the best weightloss strategies around. I recommend both to all my clients.
A journal keeps you accountable and a hobby keeps your mind off eating and depending on what it is can boost confidence which always helps you stay on track with your plan.
I took up aerial dance this year and I also planted a small organic veggie garden. I also love hula hooping. It relieves stress and prevents mindless eating.
Monica | April 9th, 2010 at 5:01 pm
I watched a TED talk a few weeks ago that had some really interesting information on long life stats/global dieting tips. It was enough to make my chunky butt start drinking green tea and sitting on the floor (so I have to get up off the floor instead of contemplate leaving my squishy recliner!) As a family we also started prepping and serving meals in the kitchen and then bringing them to the table to eat. Like I said, it’s only been a few weeks, but it seems like we have more leftovers for lunches, so it’s a wallet-padder too. http://www.ted.com/talks/lang/eng/dan_buettner_how_to_live_t
o_be_100.html
Monica mentioned aerial dance which is just so cool. My weight-loss activity of choice is square dancing! I joined a club and lost like 25 lbs without realizing. I think it’s because you’re listening and processing calls like a puzzle, it doesn’t just feel like mindless running. This vid is long, but you get the idea in a few seconds. And I’m the gal in the bright red shirt and jeans in the closest square: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mauBAUIJ1Gw.
Oh, and shopping? (Sorry, went off topic. In my own little square dancing world…) My favorite splurge is a really expensive, miracle-promising, fantastic-smelling shampoo and conditioner set that I only use after working up a good sweat. That way I shower, and then relax while constantly smelling “success!” whenever I turn my head.
Happy Skinny-Making, Swistle!
Bailey | April 10th, 2010 at 11:08 am