I need to trust my body to respond to my efforts and I need to trust the feedback I receive from my body instead of relying on the external – i.e scales, devices, experts, calorie counters, etc.

Similarly, my body needs to trust me to provide it with enough, nutrient-rich food, adequate exercise and hydration and plenty of sleep. This trust can only be built by showing my body that I care on a daily basis – in other words, consistency is important.

This is such a biggie for me, I think I might just write a blog post in the near future to expand on this!
.-= Hanlie´s last blog ..Know when to fold ‘em =-.

#1 Calories in, calories out. There’s nothing magical about it. Take in about 500 less calories than you burn per week and you’ll lose a lb. If it’s eating oreo cookie shakes or eating veggies, it’s still the same, although the veggies will be more satisfying. If you want to consume a lot, work out a lot. It’s just a mathematical equation.

#2 You need to start when you are ready and motivated to do it. If you don’t have your heart and soul to throw into it right now, don’t do it. To start a lifestyle change is work and stress and uncomfortable – if you’re not ready, wait til you are. Of course, the sooner the better, but I know that when I tried to lose weight and my heart wasn’t in it, I just failed and got depressed and disappointed in myself. Realize it’s a commitment you have to really want to dedicate time to making happen.
.-= Quix´s last blog ..That’ll Do Pig =-.

My mother’s mother, grandmother and two of her sisters had/have type 2 diabetes. None of them were all that heavy, it’s a genetic thing (and all four of them are teeny tiny old ladies in their 80s now…) But I have blood sugar issues–if I eat a candy bar or a few cookies or drink a couple ounces of a dessert wine on an empty stomach, or if I eat too many carbohydrates during a meal, my heart pounds and I break into a sweat. It’s rather alarming–and it’s a godsend because I have no desire to overeat sweets as I feel so terrible.

I do better eating protein at every meal to balance out the carbs. And I can satisfy my sweet tooth with a couple bites of someone else’s dessert at a restaurant–and at home, I’ll eat berries and yogurt, or 1/2 a serving of Trader Joe lowfat “Cats” cookies, or some no sugar added ice cream. I like the taste of sweet but not the feeling I get from real sugar in any quantity.

Today was taco salad day at the company cafeteria. I love the taco salads, which can be huge, calorie laden monstrosities. But with no thousand island, no chips, very little olives and cheese and an emphasis on tomatoes and salsa, I have them make me a 500 calorie version where most of the calories are coming from the meat–and it’s very filling and delicious and enjoyable and I feel good afterwards because my blood sugar stays stable for hours and hours after a meal like that.

I have many friends who swear by Weight Watchers to keep their weight managed. The thought of weighing in publicly and attending meetings all the time doesn’t appeal to me. They can’t deal with calorie counting and prefer “points.” I like calorie counting and don’t mind it at all. As far as the intuitive eating versus calorie counting goes, I do wait till I’m hungry to eat and can recognize hunger, but have a problem recognizing satiety until it’s long past. So I’d rather be comfortable and count calories to figure out reasonable amounts to eat.

So we’re all different and we all have what works for us. And the BEST weight loss advice–DON’T GIVE UP.

2. Be honest with yourself (Even if no one else saw you eat it, it still counts! A food diary helps on this count)

3. Everything in moderation (including moderation)

1) Find the eating plan that works for you. If it isn’t something you can do for the rest of your life, it will not work. You may initially lose weight, but you will gain it back because you will not have learned how to eat in the real world.

2) There are lots of healthy, balanced, successful programs and plans out there, but always understand in the back of your mind that it is all about calories consumed and calories burned. (Eat less, move more!!)

3) Keep it simple.

realization? Im the expert of my own body.

that notion changed my life. I read and learn and take classes and listen and and and—- but the bottom line is I LISTEN to myself when it all comes down to DOING.
.-= Miz´s last blog ..Post-pregnancy secrets for a flatter stomach guest post =-.