Honey, Where’s My Willpower?!?!

Vegetables are a must on a diet. I suggest carrot cake, zucchini bread, and pumpkin pie.

Jim Davis

I had planned to write a post today about habits, and, that’s coming, but before I write that post, I need to come clean. Before I address habits, habit stacking, and the power of habit, I want to address WHY I need the habits. Yep, I’m talking about food and weight and dare I use the word… diet.  I can preach the gospel of will-power, staying “on plan”, “just do it” all day long, but, Honey, it ain’t that simple!!!

In the autumn of last year, I started a much needed weight loss program. One that has been around for years and you can trust it. I lost 27 pounds! But then, spring rolled around, and there was ice cream, and cake and lots of celebrations, and I kind of lost my mojo. What’s that about? Additionally, since menopause, I’ve developed a sugar addiction that is way beyond anything I have experienced before. I actually used to have a “meh” relationship with sugar. Didn’t like things that were too sweet, could rarely finish a whole dessert, and I just moved through the world that way. Enter the dreaded hormonal next stage … Ugh! If this is what addiction feels like, I can only say I’m so sorry. Sugar can become positively compulsive.

One of the things that bothers me the most about this situation is the way I feel about myself. I am ticked off at myself much of the time (so you can imagine the negative self-talk going on). Yes, I know it’s wrong. It goes something like this: I’m a smart person, I can do this, I just have to stick to a plan, idiots can do this, why can’t you, it’s so simple… and, it goes downhill from there – something tells me you know the drill. And, again, yes, I know it’s wrong. Worse still, I would never judge or treat a friend in the same harsh way.

With this in mind, I’ve had a good long talk with myself. I’ve vowed to be kinder to myself as I learn to navigate this valley. I’ve made a few decisions (with the understanding that these will be tweaked as time goes on and results show me the way). Here’s my “so far” list:

1. I can’t really do sugar anymore. I’m giving myself a pass for weddings, major holidays, and birthdays. On normal days, I’m going to have to enjoy berries (unsweetened!!!) Good Lord. Sigh!

2.  When I drink wine (which I really, really like!), I get a stuffy nose AND all my willpower goes out the door.  Poof.  So, wine is a restricted little luxury.  Sigh, again!

3. I’m going to have to watch my carb intake (though I flatly refuse to go super low carb). The heavily processed carbs seem to have the same effects as sugar – manifesting themselves in cravings and ending in poundage. In other words, I’m not going to be eating half the loaf of bread they bring you at some of the restaurants we frequent. Triple Sigh!

So, what I want to know from you, my partners in crime, are some of your tips and tricks. What is the thing that keeps you on track? How do you reward yourself for a job well-done? (Please don’t say a glass of wine!). How do you stay motivated? And, please let me know I’m not alone. That would be too hard to bear. Feel free to reply on the blog… I’ve learned how to answer you!!! (Oh the joys of technology!)

Until next time, when we will, indeed, talk about habits…