The practice of Ayurvedic medicine is based on (among other things) the idea that there are different body types (doshas) and each type has different requirements to keep the body healthy and in balance. My body type is the one that doesn’t do well with cold food. I won’t eat a breakfast of yogurt or cold fruit. I have to find another healthful alternative. For me, it is something warm or hot like eggs, oatmeal, or an avocado.
Each of us has individual needs and we all need to respect that. When someone offers a tip/suggestion, it is just that. If it doesn’t work for you, so be it. No need to attack the messanger.
Lifestyle choices. I’ve lost my sweet tooth, don’t ever really snack anymore, no cream in my coffee,no soda, but feel deprived without one glass of something a day. I am way too old to be feeling deprived If I still had a sweet tooth, I’d have a piece of excellent chocolate instead. But I am definitely going to enjoy every bite/sip I put in my mouth and not go to bed feeling empty. That was how I lived for decades. It was worth it to me at the time.
I’m not trying to advise or convert anyone… just responding to BD on “suck the life out”
Probably so. Before you know it, I’ll be dancing on the table (in my hotel room), finishing up that bag of popcorn. Yes, night snacks are an issue, too.
I know I should ditch all alcohol for a better result. I treasure a good glass of wine, and it’s…really…hard to give up.
If I had my way, I’d graze all day long. I think I’m the opposite of someone who can fast. I have my “witching” time (I know you think it’s all the time - lol) 4pm - forget about it, I used to be ready to eat the walls. Now I am doing much better with that, and I believe it’s because I do plan and eat something every few hours. I get now why they do tea in other cultures. I could go for some scones and little sandwiches at 4pm too.
I think where it all went downhill for me was I was always someone who just grazed all day and I married someone who wanted a big dinner and organized meals. So I did both.
Today I did a 45 min peloton ride with Jenn Sherman pop legends - today was Fleetwood Mac. My fitbit tells me I burned 400 calories. I was going to do a 30 min hiit. They’re so hard and I was having an internal hissy fit about not feeling like it.
I’m down 55 lbs now. The trick for me so to speak is to not allow excuses. I also will wear clothes a little tight to remind me. Bottom line, you have to want it, it has to be a lifestyle and at least for me I can’t eliminate food I love forever, but I can be mindful about quantity or how regularly I indulge.
I travel so much that once I woke up with a surge of fear and horror when I realized that there was someone in my bed. And then I realized that I was at home, and that was my husband. Seriously. He’s lucky I didn’t whack him, poor guy. Need more time off!
Haha, @busdriver11. On top of just being on the road, you have time zones to worry about, too. It must be especially challenging to eat healthy for you. I do much better in my eating at home then when at restaurants.
It is very challenging, doschicos. I have extra excuses for that. I’m sure the other road warriors know of what I’m talking about…being confused at where you are when you wake up (even at home), and trying to eat reasonably. Much easier to eat (and sleep) well at home.
I travel a lot, too, and a lot of it involves nice dinners and drinks that are paid for by someone else! Hard to resist (the food and drinks- not the other people…)
When I’m on the road I actually try to be “crank it up a notch” both in diet and exercise. I always attempt to locate a hotel with a gym nearby or book a hotel with a decent gym.
However, when I’m outside CA and order a meal, the wait staff will often look at me like I’m Meg Ryan ordering a meal in When Harry Met Sally. “I’ll have the grilled salmon, but no butter/garlic sauce, no potatoes, but can I have extra veges, and can you steam them instead of saute them…”
When I say that I am looking for encouragement and sympathy, I’m not looking for anyone to excuse my poor eating choices. At my WW meeting when someone comes in and talks about poor eating choices or having “fallen off the wagon,” we all encourage the person to get back on the program, not to beat himself up over it, and not to let it define the way he sees himself. Usually the person who has gained weight and not eaten well feels pretty awful about it and the positive encouragement that it’s a mere temporary lapse helps to renew motivation. I find it helpful, both to be the encouraging voice and to hear the encouragement. Making poor eating choices is probably going to happen for most of us at some point or another. It feels bad and it can be the beginning of the end. Avoiding the self-imposed shame and judgment are keys to continuing on a healthy path, at least it’s key for me. I hope that clarifies my point.
I really appreciate the guidance about mindful and slower paced eating. I have been trying to incorporate that into my daily eating habits with some success. It also works well if you promise yourself you can have a snack but that you must first wait a certain amount of time before having it. It helps me to tease out boredom/restlessness/non-hunger drivers that lead me off track.
@busdriver11 you have it hard! I know I would have a difficult time making great food choices if I traveled like you do. I think the maintenance is easier when you have control over what you cook and how you cook it. If I am out to breakfast I want the eggs, hash browns and toast. If I’m dining out I want the naan with my Indian food, chips with my Mexican food. If I’m in a city with great food I want to experience it not eat salad. That means for me I need to limit the number of meals I eat out each week if I want to maintain a healthy weight.
A few years ago I got back down to a goal weight. I slowly over 3 years gained most of it back. With it being so slow I didn’t notice till I was up into a range I don’t want to be. I know exactly how it happened. Saying yes to the bun, adding pasta back into the weekly meal rotation, stopping for an afternoon mocha. Having some hip problems that led to knee issues and I stopped moving as much.
I don’t have a lot of vices. I don’t think I’ve been inside a fast food establishment for anything besides the bathroom in at least 5 years. I don’t drink soda or sugared drinks. I mainly drink water, iced tea unsweetened and black coffee. If I stop for at a coffee house I want a mocha but I get a green ice tea. I’m not a big alcohol drinker. I will have wine on occasion but I try to limit it to one glass and only on the weekend. @sabaray - a few years ago I listened to a podcast and they talked about slowing down our eating. They suggested to start being more mindful by counting your chews. Most of us chew and swallow so quickly we aren’t even aware of what we are eating. If I’m being mindful I will also put down my fork between bites.
I don’t want to continue the cycle of up and down 15 lbs. I’m not sure how to maintain a good weight long term without paying attention to calories.
Some snacks I’ve been enjoying- before I go to the gym I measure out 1 cup of fresh blueberries. I bring them with an ice pack and when I get out of the gym I have a snack in my car. It allows me to go on a few errands without feeling starved to the point of making bad choices. A baggie of raw almonds serves the same purpose. I try to keep several individual bags of almonds in my car for times I’m starved.
Okay, exercise wise I can execute pretty well even when I travel. (And this thread is helping, too.) I find a hotel with a gym or near a park, etc. I like to walk and will hoof it somewhere instead of driving.
The issue for me is getting too hungry, waiting too long to eat. I can hyper focus on the task at hand and eat late or skip a meal, but I will have a crazy appetite and eat everything in sight if I do. (Yes, I am a breakfast eater. But I need to add an afternoon snack.)
BD, eating while traveling is my issue right now, too. I have to stop treating a trip like a vacation. When I am away from home more than at home, it is my lifestyle, not a special event. I have to stop ordering appetizers and choose fish and vegetables more often.
alcohol, blah blah. Of course. But I’ve traveled halfway across the country to be here. In wine country. I’m not going to abstain from wine when we have gone to a winery. I didn’t gorge on a pizza afterwards. I had grilled shrimp, zucchini noodles, and fresh tomatoes. I’ll be fine.
I’m glad I never got into wine or hard alcohol. I’ll drink good beer but even that’s a rarity nowadays. I can’t drink with my meds more than a glass or two (on occasion).
Ok seriously with the amount of things I can’t eat and whatnot because of my meds, I should be thin as a stick by now :-w
I count my dinner calories and drinks way before dinner.
Sometimes I count them in the morning.
Today I knew what I would be eating for dinner and drink at about 11 a/m.
I seriously try to leave 200 or so to fudge or have popcorn,
But I have not been much of model this round
If I still had a sweet tooth, I’d have a piece of excellent chocolate instead. But I am definitely going to enjoy every bite/sip I put in my mouth and not go to bed feeling empty. That was how I lived for decades. It was worth it to me at the time.
Yes, night snacks are an issue, too.