I started blogging almost a year ago now. Recently I ran the Blogalizer® software and found I have written more than seventeen gazillion words, most of them, according to the Blogalizer®, were very profound. From these seventeen gazillion words a few have caused people to write to me. Far and away there was one predominate subject. Well, actually three people asked me the same question. Either that or the same person asked me the same question three times. Based on my years of teaching, that seems more probable.
Anyway, some interest was expressed about one statement I made in one blog awhile back. At that time I mentioned I had lost 50 pounds in 3 or 4 months. The question invariably was, "What diet did you use?"Well, listen up children. You are about to get your answer. But first, just a little background which, I think, qualifies me to dispense information on this subject.
If degrees were given in Weight Loss, I would have several doctorates. If degrees were given in Keeping the Weight Loss, I would still be waiting for my second grade certificate. Without exaggeration, I estimate I have gained and lost over 1000 pounds in my lifetime. However, this last time I have maintained my weight for over three years and think I finally got it right. Now I will share my secret.First, there is no magic diet! If the questioner was wondering if I used Weight Watchers,© Jenny Craig,© Atkins,© South Beach,© North Beach,© East© or West Beach,© the answer is "None of the above©". At least not this time. I have used almost all these in days past but they didn't do any more than solve the problem temporarily and most of the time it was very temporary. I even developed my own theory as to why I had trouble keeping the weight off. I theorize that the fat on my body had been building up in little cells. Well, not so little in my case. When I lost the weight these cells would be empty and knowing their supply of fat was scarce, they began slurping up anything they could as fast as they could, thereby gaining the weight back. So first, we need to get ready to combat those cells wanting their fat back. Well, not actually "first". First we need to lose the weight but we do need to get ready for the War Against the Empty Fat Cells.
OK, so you now have too much fat on your body. Let's take a look at that fat and think about how it got there. Where does that fat come from?
Class????
Right! It comes from stuff you eat and drink. You don't absorb it from the air or swimming pools. You don't get it from using unsanitary rest rooms. You get it from stuff you put in your mouth and swallow! Oh, you knew that? What's the problem then? It isn't that you don't know which eating habits (and they are habits) cause this. If you have ever tried to lose weight or even talked with a person you wants to lose weight and you have an IQ higher than 6, you know the answer.In general, you know you shouldn't be eating white stuff.(Click on this and then scroll down for a short story about THE BEST SUNDAE I'VE EVER HAD.)
In general, you know you shouldn't be eating sweet stuff.
In general, you know you shouldn't be eating lots of fat stuff.
In general, you know you shouldn't be eating whenever and whatever you feel like eating.
In general, you know you shouldn't be eating the quantities you do.
So, why do you do it? Because it tastes good and you like it and it makes you feel good. Well class, you might as well get over that idea right now or forget about losing weight and extending your life so you can see your grandchildren grow up and be around when the Chicago Cubs win a World Series. (I used to say "Boston Red Sox" but that doesn't work anymore.)
What you really want is some magic diet that allows you to do the same as you have been doing and lose weight - come on now - you know that won't accomplish anything except leave you right where you are now. Let's not kid ourselves. You will need to make some major adjustments in your lifestyle. You cannot eat things just because they taste good. That's kid stuff! You shouldn't be sucking your thumb anymore either.If you really want to lose weight you cannot eat things because your brain tells you that you need them. Your brain will lie to you. You might think you are starving. Your brain will keep telling you this. You aren't starving! You know better than that. You are smarter than your brain. Starving does happen in certain parts of the world under certain conditions. Starving has occurred in concentration camps but you know that's not your situation. Your brain is trying to trick you. Why shouldn't it? Your brain gets lots of pleasure from things you have been doing that resulted in your being overweight. (By the way, you do know that "overweight" is just a euphemism, which is only a polite way of saying you are "too fat".)
Now one of the easy ways to avoid eating this stuff is to not have any of this stuff within reach. I personally have no trouble not buying this stuff but if it is within my reach I will eat it eventually.So, my Number 1 Rule is ---
Class????
Very good, don't buy it! My daughter uses a phrase I like. "I don't shop in the inside aisles." Think about it. That's where all the cereals, breads, and pasta are. All the good stuff!
My Number 2 suggestion is to get rid of what you currently have in the house that you should not be eating. The best way is to get one of those large, plastic bags and go through every shelf in your house and throw out all of what you know is not good for your losing weight. All of it! Out!
If you lack mental or physical strength, then get a friend to do it for you. Or get someone you don't like and tell them they can keep the food. If it's a real friend have them throw the food away. Don't worry about those starving pygmies in Borneo. They aren't going to get your food anyway -- not if you eat it!
Finally, I suggest a few hard and fast rules. For one thing, try to avoid "eating out" or "ordering in" as much as possible. Think about it. The people who run these eating establishments have no interest whatsoever in your losing weight. In fact, it's quite the opposite. You are their worst enemy so stay away from them.
Another one is to never buy anything while you are in the checkout line of the supermarket and, most of all, don't ever buy anything except lottery tickets from a convenience store. If possible, don't even go inside one.So, that isn't really so hard is it. Have a little confidence in your own ability to know what's good from what's bad. You don't need some millionaire, book-writing guru to set it up for you. It's a great Do-It-Yourself project and it doesn't cost a penny.
Good luck although you know and I both know that luck doesn't have anything to do with it.Oh, there is one more thing. If all else fails you might be able to do what I did. You can get on the Internet. If you are very lucky you might find a lovely Chinese lady who also happens to be a professional dietician. If you are single and she is single the two of you might strike up a close personal relationship and you can live together where she will be able to help you immensely. One thing to keep in mind if you go this route: It helps if you like tofu.
The Old Professor