Having a Healthy Weight

This has definitely been a demon for most of my life. It all began in high school, when I became anorexic. Then after that, college, where I gained more than the "freshman fifteen" because I ate pretty much whatever I wanted and drank a lot of alcohol. Then I graduated and lived on my own, losing weight again (I really couldn't afford groceries). After I got my first real job, I started eating terrible again and drinking heavily, so I gained weight. Joined a gym, lost weight. Stopped going to the gym, gained weight. Back and forth. Dated a man for almost two years who did not care what he ate, gained a lot of weight. Dumped man. Started walking to work and eating healthy. Lost weight. Dating a man now who cares not one bit what he puts in his mouth. Gained weight. Joined a gym. Lost weight. Stopped going to the gym. Gained it right back. I am currently down 14 pounds (and counting) from my weight a year and a half ago, and I have never felt better.

I will share with you why it is working this time and how I am going to keep it off. I write down every single thing that I eat on a sheet of paper, and I keep track of calories. I go by the mantra that "you are what you eat." Keeping track of what I eat makes me think twice before I needlessly shove that candybar, donut, bag of chips into my mouth. I measure out servings/look on the back of products for serving sizes. It is eye-opening that serving sizes are so much smaller in actuality than we think they are. I do not drink a lot of alcohol anymore. I eat a lot of bad food when I am inebriated. Plus, alcoholic drinks can have a lot of calories too. I do not drink juice or soda. I do not put sugar in my coffee or tea. I drink only skim milk and lots of water. I eat a lot of vegetables and fruit. I do not eat out very often. Eating out is a diet disaster. You have no control over what goes into your food. I do not eat what my boyfriend eats. We buy our own groceries. I will even leave the room if he is eating something that is tempting me, and I will go and make myself a cup of hot tea. Tea helps calm my stomach when I feel hungry. I do not eat late at night. On the rare occasion when I do, I limit the calories to around 400 and eat foods that are low in fat. I do not deprive myself. If I feel like having a slice of pizza, I will eat one and adjust my caloric intake accordingly. I eat "bad" foods in moderation. I go out of my way to get more physical activity. I will walk wherever I can, and I take the stairs whenever possible. And I ride my bicycle. I am seeing the results and feeling the results every day. I look better and feel better. I am calmer and happier and feel more in control of my life. Once I made up my mind to treat my body better, the rest came naturally.