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?