Welcome to the Healthy Weigh!

Hi All!

Thanks for participating in The Healthy Weigh. We discussed goals and action plans yesterday - I want to know how the changes are coming along. Are you keeping up with your action plan? Are you logging your food and physical activity?

I also want to plant another thought seed in your brain. Next week, we will be discussing food behaviors - that is, how do you see and interact with food? This may seem like a silly topic, but we all view food in a different way. Some of us look at food as a pure source of energy to get through the day - that is, food is simply a means to not be hungry. Others look at food as enjoyable due to the social interaction, or the comfort factor, or maybe taste. Some of us eat out of boredom, others eat when stressed. Both over- and under-eating are most often triggered by these views toward food.

Why do you eat? What makes you WANT to eat? Do you overeat? If so, why do you think you overeat? These are very intrinsic and personal questions, but I would appreciate any and all candid responses. Remember, this is a place of honesty and growth and most definitely not of judgement! You never are obligated to share anything. Even by realizing within yourself what your strengths and weaknesses are to food, you can learn and grow to better avoid temptation and set yourself up for success.

I'll start by sharing myself: I eat partially because I need energy to get through my day and partially for taste. My main "problem" with food is the issue of control. I've always been a bit of a control freak - in all aspects of my life. I like the feeling of being in control of how I think, what I say, and how other people affect me. When I was much younger - middle/high school aged- I had a couple of incidents where I felt like the control in my life was  forcefully taken from me. When I lost that control, I decided to over-control another aspect of my life, and that happened to be food. I started gradually reducing my food intake, and over time I restricted more and more and more. When I was a freshman in high school, I was under 100 pounds and simply skin and bones. I ate only raisins and Tums (strange combination, huh?) a couple of times a day and exercised compulsively. I was eventually forced to start eating again, somewhat against my own will. It wasn't until years down the road that I finally understood the huge toll I had put on my body and how my interactions with food had such a negative impact on both my body and my life.

How does this impact my life today? I know that if I get myself into a habit of not eating, I'll continue it. I have extremely strong willpower - my mind can convince myself of pretty much everything. If I tell myself I'm not hungry, I'll convince myself I'm not hungry and it will spiral from there. I have to make sure that I am scheduled and routined with my meals, and that I have available access to food at mealtimes if I'm out teaching and training all day. By having food with me, I avoid talking myself out of stopping to get food during the day.


ALRIGHT! I'd LOVE to hear your thoughts on food behaviors and/or how you are implementing the plate technique, logging foods, sleeping more, or increasing physical activity!

Has anyone tried the recipe or the daily fit challenges??!!?

GOOD LUCK and keep in touch!! :)

Rachel