Weight-Loss

How To Lose Weight With Words

By Krystel

So since starting this specific plan in conjunction with daily visits to Spark People [free online support site] I have lost 8 pounds in 8 days. The best part is that I was able to eat virtually anything that I wanted (even nachos and chocolate). Will this plan work for you ? I am hopeful that it will. The best part is that trying it is absolutely FREE, and requires no additional shopping lists.

Dating and Dieting:

Have you ever noticed that while out on dates people tend to eat less ?. Its as if our eyes scan the menu seeking the perfect “good impression” meal, which usually translates to the healthiest thing that we can think of. We sit there with our perfectly applied makeup (or tied tie for the men) and wonder:

Question 1: “What is the healthiest choice ?”

Hours later we end up starving, and wonder to ourselves: “Why did I only order a salad ?!”. Well turns out that our “good impression” reflex for dates, can be used to make an even better impression on our waistline.

12AM Snack Attacks:

Now on the opposite end of “good impression” meal choices, there are the ever indulgent midnight snack choices which we make alone (oftentimes in the dark) while wearing our pajamas. If the question for date meals is “What is the healthiest choice”, then the usual subconscious question for midnight snacking is:

Question 2: “What would taste absolutely amazing right now, and make me happy/relaxed [etc] ?”

The “Gross Joke” Moment:

Have you ever been in the middle of a meal (or about to make/order one) when someone tells you a gross joke or fact, which causes you to rethink whether or not you were hungry in the first place ?. There you are chatting on the phone with friend, when in the middle of cooking up a huge meal she goes into detail about the “bloody gash” on her leg ?. It is times like those when we ask ourselves:

Question 3: “Am I really hungry right now ?”

Oftentimes if our stomaches aren't growling, and/or we aren't feeling symptoms of hunger we'll decide to have our feast a little later. Yes, as in when we are actually HUNGRY and not overeating for the sheer joy of cooking and taste of our concoctions.

The Workout Meltdown:

Have you ever been in the middle of a tough workout (or simply getting over walking too far/up too many steps), when it suddenly hits you that only water can restore your energy ?. It seems that all of our huffing, puffing, and fatigue can only be withstood after a big glass of H2O. Does it make us feel better ? Usually, even if just because the 5 minutes we spent drinking it allowed us to catch our breath. Surely you can recall a time when you wondered:

Question 4: “Maybe I should drink some water, and quick !”

The “Long Boring” story:

Have you ever been in the middle of a boring lecture, tv show, or conversation with a friend before ?. You know the ones that I am talking about, where you find yourself feeling unusually tired, antsy, and/or thinking up silly questions in your head to pass the time ?. If so, then I am sure you've found yourself wondering:

Question 5: “Am I bored ?” and/or “What would I rather be doing ?”

The Strange Friend/Partner:

Have you ever noticed that your boyfriend/girlfriend/friend is asking unusually “odd” ?. You know, when they insist that everything is “fine”, but in reality you can tell by looking at them that their dealing with something that they haven't shared with you ?. Yeah, that “I'm fine” reply is usually the breaking point before we ask:

Question 6: “Are You sure that everything is okay ?”

The “kind” inquiry:

So for those of you with friends, family, a partner, a pet, coworkers, and even mail men this next question most likely is asked by you to someone at least once daily:

Question 7: “How are you feeling ?” and/or “How are you today ?”

First Date wisdom:

Can you remember your last first date ?, or if you're married that last time that you sat with your spouse and wondered:

Question 8: “So, what do you want to do ?”

The “mooch”:

I am sure you've been asked (or have asked someone yourself) upon seeing the delicious meal they ordered at a restaurant:

Question 9: “Are you going to eat all that ?”

The “granny”:

Which brings us to our finale question asked by grandma's all over the world during thanksgiving:

Question 10: “did you eat enough ?”

By this finale question it is meant to remind you to make “whole” meals, which means to fill up your plate at breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Have a main dish, but include all of things which you should be eating unlimited amounts of whenever you want: fruits and/or veggies. I follow the “half and half” rule: on one half of my plate is my main dish (ex: vegan burger), and on the other half of my plate are the things which I know I should be eating more of: (ex: salad). Not to sound like your granny, but always eat your veggies even if only a half plate at (preferably) 3 meals.

There, you have just gained access to the magic list of questions which have helped me lose 1 pound per day without fail. The secret is to ask OURSELVES these questions throughout the day. Notice that I said “throughout the day”, because it is crucial to check in with ourselves often (not just before meals).

Food List:

So what do you eat ? Anything that you want, so long as you ask yourself ALL 8 questions and answer them honestly before eating it. What about how often can you eat ? For health reasons eating 3-5 meals per day is best, however asking yourself question #1 is going to cut down on having to count calories or even keep a food diary. Once after asking myself all of these questions I determined that I wanted some nachos, and the next day I still lost 1 pound !.

Food Diary:

Some experts claim their benefits, however I have a different view of them. In some cases food diaries do help people shed weight, but in the case of emotional eaters feeling the “pressure” of looking good on paper can actually cause us to eat MORE out of perfectionism. I believe that food diaries can actually cause us to food too intensely on “food” all day long. Am I saying to not keep a food diary ? No, consider whether or not writing in your diary makes you feel any negative feelings such as guilt. If yes, then by all means STOP WRITING, however if you feel better after writing keep up the good work.

So for a recap of the questions to ask yourself every 30-60 minutes):

• Question 1: “What is the healthiest choice ?”
• Question 2: “What would taste absolutely amazing right now, and make me happy/relaxed [etc] ?”
• Question 3: “Am I really hungry right now ?”
• Question 4: “Maybe I should drink some water, and quick !”
• Question 5: “Am I bored ?” and/or “What would I rather be doing ?”
• Question 6: “Are You sure that everything is okay ?”
• Question 7: “How are you feeling ?” and/or “How are you today ?”
• Question 8: “So, what do you want to do ?
• Question 9: “Are you going to eat all that ?”
• Question 10: “did you eat enough ?”

Troubleshooting:

Okay, so what if your answer to question 2 is “chocolate cake”, however your answer to question #1 is a “light salad” what should you do ? Have both. Yes, that is right ! But remember my half plate rule, fill the ENTIRE right side of your plate with the healthy choice that you came up with. Why add more calories to the cake ? Because its not about calories, its about nutrients. Trust me, you will be so full from filling up your plate that you most likely not want seconds (a perk all by itself).

So there you go, try these questions out tomorrow then e-mail me your results. It will feel crazy being able to eat anything you want at first, but once the pounds melt away you won't care !.

Note: I have actually started eating HEALTHIER now that I am allowed to have anything I want.