The Hunger Games

I have been reading The Hunger Game books this summer and of coarse I have to relate it to my food journey - everything does at some point.

Just like Katniss Everdeen, I have to use a variety of t weapons to survive my "hunger game". All of them are useful in my arsenal however, like Katniss and her bow and arrow, my specialty is logging. I love it. It is my most useful tool. Yours may be different and finding yours is key to your success. It cannot be something you think you "should" do. You will know it when you find it - not to say it will automatically come to you. Katniss still had to practice...a lot...on her bow to be great at it. That is one reason why I am always preaching TIME in this journey. It takes time to be good at anything, especially when opposing habits are in play. So, cut yourself some slack.

As far as some of my other weapons, I have many that make my journey possible. I was asked to name three in my article coming out next month in Women's Health. It was hard to narrow it to three and I can't even remember which ones I said. Each weapon produces small success which add up to one BIG success.

Imagery and self talk are two key players in my "success" (remembering that it is summer and, for me, this is my weightier months - dag nabit). Actually, that is another tool. I have to keep positive and realistic. I have to accept my body and how it works. I cannot compare my apple to others' oranges so-to-speak.

Another weapon would have to be weights I think they are wonderful - not that I enjoy using them but they helped me see change in the mirror and that is VERY motivating. Weights also keep me from just cardio-ing my way hungry. When I get too hungry I lose all control of myself. Which reminds me of another. I have to have foods I can go to. If I have "nothing to eat"  monster Mechelle appears and it is not pretty. 

Getting off the fence about a few things made a difference as well.  For example:  say I am at Subway (Love it by the way.  My specialty is turkey or beef with all the veggies and a little pepper and oregano) I would get white bread as a treat.  No more.  I made a firm decision to get wheat.  I don't have to think about it anymore.  Same with fat free dressings or sour cream where fat free makes a big difference in calories.  I don't treat them as a reward.   This might only be me that played these mind bogging games.  Also, I automatically head toward the back of the parking lot.  I don't think about it anymore. I picked a side of the fence and live there happily.

The journey to discover my pack of weapons was one of the greatest of my life.  It was hard going through it and in the middle of it I was unsure I would win the game.  But, isn't that what most hard things we go through are like? 

Avoid Bankruptcy

One of the most common phrases I here is "you are so good".  I hear this when I refuse a treat or pass on the butter...things like that.  I am not the perfect "dieter" but I do watch what is going inside my  body.  I wonder sometimes what these people would think if they never checked their bank balance or credit limits  - heaven forbid. 

Our bodies only have so much in its account and when we overdraw we store fat.  I treat watching my health the same way.  Like with money matters, things come up, occasions or "emergencies" when we dip into a line of credit that needs to be paid back.  However, if we are too casual with our definition of occasion or emergency and use too much credit we go bankrupt.  Illnesses related to weight are the number one killer in the U.S.  That kind of bankruptcy doesn't happen in one bad year or one pregnancy.    It is one choice after another one step at a time. 

If there is one thing I could change it would be that attitude behind watching what is going in your body.  Why is that such a depressing and negative thing?  Why is ignoring the truth so much more appealing?  This kind of fear is epidemic.  We all have it but why?  I wish I knew. 

For me the click was I was no longer going to be afraid of the truth.  I was going to face it no matter what.  It is still hard at times.  I have to re-click again and again.  But I still look.  I am not sad that I might be logging my foods the rest of my life.  I check my financial account almost every time I spend and my health takes precedent over money right?  Aren't we grateful for health before riches when it comes down to it?  From what I have seen, when facing financial bankruptcy, looking at the truth is step number one as well.  Many times bills have gone unopened to avoid the heartache but it is only when you face truth that triumph can prevail.