The Struggles of Dieting

Recently, I decided to go on a diet to try to lose weight. It's the definition of a struggle!Now, I should start off by saying that I am a very picky eater. It may come as a shock to some that I don't eat fruit. Never have liked it. Most vegetables are a no go with me too. When you're a picky eater like myself, a diet is a major undertaking!

Why have I decided to diet? Like most when they take on a diet, I have gained some weight that I am not too thrilled about. Last year was a rough year on my body. I broke my ankle in February and then had to have surgery on it in October. For most of the year, I was hopping around on crutches. No physical activity. Just a lot of bordem. As you know, sometimes when you are sitting around unable to do the things that you would like, you get bored. When you get bored, for some reason your body thinks it's hungry. Twenty five pounds later, I am looking at myself in the mirror, not happy with what I see.

I used to look like this back in the day:

Now, the most recent photo of me:

So I decided that it was time for a change. I know that there are a lot of people who can relate to this. You're unhappy with the way you look in the mirror. It may be something where no one else sees what you see, but you having that negative self image is enough. The best thing a person can do is be happy with them self. You're the only person that you have to live with your entire life. Make the best out of it. Make that change. Turn that negative into a positive.

Easier said than done, right?

Like I said, I am a picky eater. When taking on this diet, I knew it would be hard considering what I don't eat tends to be the things you're supposed to eat when trying to lose weight. For example, salads. I can't tell you how many times that I have tried salads, but for some reason, something about the taste and texture of lettuce, I just don't like it. But I am determined to lose weight, so I need to be more open to new foods.

Food. That, to me is the hardest part of this diet. A lot of green beans, chicken, and turkey. If you have ever been on a diet, maybe you have ran into the problem that I face. Everywhere I go, I always see this new delicious food - pasta, pizza, burgers, candy - you name it. It follows me around, tempting me to eat it. But as the teachers used to tell me us in elementary schools, you have to "just say no!"

So I am watching what I eat, smaller portions, more healthy food, and drinking nothing but water. Drinking sweet tea is a habit that I thought I would never give up...that's how you know that I am serious about losing weight! But when it comes to the food, it just seems like the same stuff over and over. It gets old fast. Not only that, but I never really seem full. That leaves me somewhat moody and quiet. Leslie Morgan called me out on that yesterday. She was right! The lack of food has made me zone out a little more. Probably because I am day dreaming about pasta. So if you have any tips or recipes you would like to share, by all means!

With the diet comes exercise. Something that I haven't done in over a year. I began doing a program called DDP Yoga. Yoga...another thing that I never thought that I would do! It's a program that a former wrestler, Diamond Dallas Paige, created to help rehab people with injuries or that want to lose weight. I must say that two weeks in, I love it! I highly recommend DDP Yoga to anyone attempting to lose weight who have a fear of gyms.

I guess the purpose of writing this is more of a way that I can express how I feel about myself and my current situation. It's not one of those things where I don't like myself, I just don't like the weight that I have put on! I am hoping that in a few months, I can come back to this blog, read it, and be proud of the progress that I have made. I have to keep telling myself not to get impatient and that you're not going to lose the weight over night.

For anyone reading this that can relate, I encourage you to stay motivated. I am still at the beginning of my weight loss journey, and maybe you are too. Diamond Dallas Paige said something in my workout last night that caught my attention. He said "if you tell yourself you can do it, or you can't do it...you're right." It's all about your mindset. Continue to tell yourself that you can do it, and you will!

...now, time to go eat more chicken and green beans and pretend that it is spaghetti.