Day 26: Sticking with it when times get rough

I will be the first to admit that when times get tough, I get going—usually in the opposite direction.

Changing my lifestyle from one poor in unhealthy foods to one rich in healthy foods is not easy. Some days it is downright tough. Of course, I make it harder than it has to be, but I don't think I am alone in this one. I think so often of all the foods that I need to cut down on—potatoes, white rice, bread, pasta—my favorite food groups, you know. I think of five weeks out, six months from now, a year... and I get myself all worked up because I can't imagine what life will be like without those most favored foods in my daily diet.

That is when I defeat myself. I don't think of the good and healthy food I am eating today, I think of a lifetime of not eating the foods that I enjoyed so much in the past. I defeat myself because my brain says, "You can never eat those things again. Do you really think it is worth it?"

The fact is, I can eat those things again, just in moderation and with a little creative thinking.

For one, I can eat steamed brown rice and it is very low on the glycemic index. I can't eat a lot of it (portion control), but I CAN eat it occasionally.

I can eat whole grain breads in moderation. (Not the four slices slathered in butter like I used to.)

I can eat certain pastas in moderation.

The fact is, I can eat anything, as long as I do it carefully and thoughtfully keeping in mind the portion size and other things like the glycemic index.

I am learning a lot through the Transitions Lifestyle System. I can't say it is for everyone, but it is a good approach to not just weight loss, but learning how to eat and live healthier. If you want to learn more about the Transitions Lifestyle System, send me an e-mail and I will connect you with Tia. Send the e-mail to: karin@inhews.com.

I have been eating celery with some peanut butter on it for a snack in the evening. It is really tasty. I had never had it before because I thought it looked gross, but it really does taste good and gets you the protein you need to help fill you up.

Have a healthy weekend! Just because it is the weekend doesn't mean we get to take a vacation from eating healthy. We have to persevere in spite of distractions.