Yesterday I finished up a 7 part series on my art blog (HERE) that kept me busy and happy. But... that's not the main reason I've been quiet here.
All Tiny Food photos today
credited to: Shay Aaron
Recently I sort of made a decision that I just wasn't going to post if I didn't feel I had anything to say. I finally let go of that feeling of "obligation", or the "supposed to" thoughts, or even guilt.
Guilt?? Well, because I've received so much support over the last 3 years, and made friends and benefited from the online wt loss community. So I sort of felt it was only fair to give back, ya know?
But at this point in my journey, I feel the best way to support others from my blog is to only post when I honestly feel like it! To be genuine, and not force it.
So, today all I want to share about is a smidge of progress, and a feeling of optimism.
Over the last 3 years I've gone round and round with this counting calories thing. Sooo many opinions on that topic! So many different approaches. What works for one, doesn't work for another, yadda yadda yadda.
I do low carb. That works for ME. I know it's not for everyone, but I love it. Yet I get sooo annoyed with low carbers who INSIST you don't need to count calories.
"Eating low carb will naturally limit your hunger, and you'll automatically eat less, your blood sugars will be lowered causing less insulin release, hence the weight loss."
Uh huh.... right. That IS true... for PHYSICAL hunger.
But my achilles heel has always been: my overeating was not caused by physical hunger.
I love eating low carb. I ate my last sugar and white flour in March of 2009. Best decision I ever made! Yet... I still struggle to lose weight.
TOO. MANY. CALORIES.
Plain and simple. Portion control has always been my nemesis. Well, that and age and menopausal hormones and inability to vigorously exercise... but that's another post. ;-)
I finally admitted to myself that my resistance to consistently counting calories was mostly rebellion on my part. Why me? Why should *I* have to, when others don't? It's not fair... and other such childish thoughts.
I've learned so much regarding health and nutrition from listening to podcasts, especially from Jimmy Moore at Livin La Vida Low Carb (HERE). But I had almost stopped listening recently, because I was sooo tired of the "experts" who insist that if you eat low carb it's like the end-all, be-all panacea for whatever ails the world!
Don't get me wrong...I totally believe it's healthy, but I also acknowledge some people don't take to it, for a variety of reasons, and I don't criticize them.
Well, a couple of days ago I listened to just one more podcast. And I am sooo glad I did! Jimmy interviewed diabetes expert Jenny Ruhl, from Bloodsugar101.com
Finally, someone who tells it like it is! The title of the free podcast is "The Truth About Low Carb Diets"(HERE). I might not agree with 100% of what she said (sorry, I don't know about you, but my ancestors weren't amoebae) but she DID address this thing about calories, along with a lot of other interesting info. If you're on low carb and struggling, you might consider giving it a listen.
Regardless of what "diet" you choose, and regardless of what the promoters of said diet say... calories DO matter in the end.
So... all that jabbering to say: I'm finally okay with having to count the calories! Maybe someday I won't need to... but for now, it's a tool that will help me stay within healthy limits.
I discovered that for me, when all is going smoothly in my life, I can "hear" when to stop, and can do my own limiting naturally.
But when stress amps up, my "hearing" gets clogged, or maybe I just don't WANT to hear it. Either way, it doesn't work under stressful conditions.
So for now, I count. Until I get closer to goal, until I get better at this, until I just don't need to any more: I count.
I think a lot of us "know" there is a thing we need to do. A thing we don't WANT to do. A thing we fight, we resist, we justify NOT doing. A thing we might even resent doing. Yet deep down, we know it would be beneficial. My prayer for all of us is: to have the grace to DO it.
Not talk about it. Not hope about it. Not whine about it. Not think about it. Not read about it. But... to DO it. To add action to the equation. That's what I'm working on.
Pretty boring stuff, nothing new really... but it's just where I'm at. :-D
My book quote for today: "By the grace of God, each moment is a new beginning, a new dawn for your potential. Your thoughts can become totally different, and as a result, your character can change and your life can be transformed. God wants you to be completely alive, full of passion, and bursting with joy." --Tommy Newberry, The 4:8 Principle
My verse for today: "Turn your ear to me, come quickly to my rescue; be my rock of refuge, a strong fortress to save me."
My quote for today: "If you can't fly then run, if you can't run then walk, if you can't walk then crawl, but whatever you do you have to keep moving forward." --Martin Luther King Jr
Enjoy the Journey,
Loretta
=^..^=
DAY 1026
15 comments:
I loved, loved, loved those tiny food pictures. I used to collect miniatures. From the time I was a teenager. (Used to because my vision no longer lets me see them.) They didn't have to be expensive, just small. So, loved these.
As far as the rest of the post--amen, sister!
Deb
I agree that calories do count. Especially for ladies of our years. Bummer. Love the miniatures.
ditto to the whole post....for the longest time I felt forced as well...forced in writing, in explaing etc. I do a version of careful carbs. I am very careful what I ingest. period. I am also an emotional eater, a calorie counter etc. Great post.
What a wonderful and honest post. It shows how much you are still growing and definitely is beneficial to those of us who have struggled with weight. Any insight we can get should be shared!
OMG, super good post, Loretta! Really worth waiting for!
I've come to that same conclusion. I look at myself and know: too many calories. That is the real undeniable truth. And that truth can free us to get happy. I am food journaling again because--calories matter. I don't keep track of calories, per se, but I am acutely aware of them. A nibble or bite of food has calories. Those little extra nibbles/bites are the enemy.
Actually, I've been writing about the same sentiments on my blog. I'm going to do my own thing and find out my own truths about my food plan, regardless of how many people disagree. Feeling twins-y with you about this. :D
I too only post when I feel like I have something to say, which is only 2 times a week. The rest of the week would have been crap posts anyway. :D
:-) Marion
The tiny food pics were fantastic.
Another step for you. Lately I've been thinking I need to figure something new out. I'm glad I've maintained the last few years, but now am ready to shed the last 10-15. They don't seem to want to budge. Maybe I'm a bit too comfortable with where I am, too. Shrug. We'll see. For now I'm trying to work in more physical activity.
Those are awesome!!
I've always enjoyed miniatures, not sure why. I even briefly dabbled in painting miniatures. There is just something about being able to hold the whole thing right in the palm of your hand... something intimate and close and personal... and they are just... cute!
I agree, Lisa. I think most of those insisting there is never a need to count calories are NOT ladies of our years, LOL!
Yes, I noticed that the times you've posted your menu you didn't overdo carbs. I figured you'd understand about counting, too!
Yep, definitely still lots of growth needed here! Thank you. :-)
Yes... the nibbles and bites... ack! And I think you are right to do it the way that works for you. I don't keep a permanent record of WHAT I eat, at least not now. Just the total calories. I think I might eventually switch to more like you, when I get to where I am improving the quality. Glad to know we are on the same page. :-)
Ah yes, Mary, the dreaded comfort zone.
I'm working on that, too, as far as getting more physical activity in. Hey, you could park down the hill and walk UP to PMO on the weekends, LOL!
I think the food journal is good for recording daily food combinations that worked perfectly (as well as those that didn't work well at all). Then, I can look back and have a successful idea for what to plan to eat in the future.
LOL at 'ladies of our years.' i'm gonna have to remember that one.
Great post. I really love hearing people's thought processes. It helps me to think through some things of my own.
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