Is It Possible That There's Actually a "Diet" Program Made For Me?

Today has been a funny day. Not funny as in "ha ha" funny, but funny as in something weird happened that doesn't usually happen.

I read almost an entire book devoted to weight loss. Never, in my life, have I ever picked up a dieting book and actually had trouble putting it down. Either I was so freakin' bored that I succumbed to the fact I had absolutely nothing better to do than read an incredibly boring book about dieting OR the book was really good. Like, so good I've never read anything like it.

Which one do you think it was? Yes. It was the book being so good spill. It really was - I kid you not. I read over 160 pages in a couple of hours. I had to do my actual job in between my reading time.

The book was the one pictured above. It's called The Writing Diet. And, it's the most awesome dieting book I've ever read. It may have something to do with the fact that it's the first dieting book I've ever read that uses writing as a way of coping with weight loss. Not just that, but it doesn't focus on Do This, Do That strategies - but rather options and suggestions I can put in to effect every day to make small, successful changes to my routine and eating habits.

The book was so good, in fact, that I've decided I'm doing the plan. Me. Doing a dieting plan. Can you say WHAAAATTT?? I know. I hate dieting plans. I hate anything to do with them. But this one? It's so different.

The premise of this book mixes my love of writing with the stress of weight loss. It brings about ways to meditate, reflect, find ways to deflect and avoid stress - or learn from it. It's not all eating plans and exercise plans - it's not that at all, actually. It's a plan that's completely focused on my fall backs, taking one step at a time, and learning how to get myself out of my funk. It's very similar to the Savor book I was reading - but with a plan and actual steps I can take.

I'm going to share the 7 tools the book suggests to use to better my lifestyle. If the tools sound interesting to you - then you MUST buy the book. Or borrow it from the library like I did. There's so much more than just the explanation of the seven tools - and it's actually worth reading the entire book.

So, I'm now going to share with you the 7 tools that I truly believe are going to change my life. In more ways than I ever could have imagined. Are you ready? Good! If you're a blogger, and you like blogging, you may find that this plan may work for you, too!

1. Morning Pages. Every morning, I have to get up and write about my feelings. Well, wouldn't you know this is something I do almost every morning. The key, however, is to write about whatever is on my mind. Some mornings I may do this on my blog. Other mornings, I will be jotting down my thoughts in a private blog. It's for the purpose of expressing my deepest feelings and emotions. Sometimes I don't want to or can't share them with the world. But, I will be writing them down each morning.

2. The Journal. This is a book that I have to carry around everywhere. A book that I'll actually write in, versus typing. Each time I eat or get the urge to eat, I have to write it down. Not for counting calories, but to count how much I eat. To show myself how much I eat. And to find a way to curb some of the mindless eating. When I get the urge to eat, I need to take a second and write about it. I have to write about the feelings behind the eating. Am I eating because I'm happy? Am I eating because I'm bored? Whatever the cause may be, I need to write about it BEFORE it happens.

3. Walking. Here's where some much needed exercise comes in to play - but not because it's exercise. Every single day, I need to walk for at least 20 minutes. The purpose is to clear my mind, recollect on my feelings from the day, and try and make sense of some of the things that may be troubling me. Although, don't we all know that this is exercise in disguise? And what a wonderful disguise it is. If I go out on a walk because I need to think and clear my head, I'm not really thinking about the exercise benefits. I don't have to thing "ugh, I don't want to work out today". Instead,I'll be thinking "I can't wait to get out and clear my mind on my walk". See how that worked? Freakin' genius, right?

4. The Four Questions. These are the foundation of the entire "dieting" plan. Each time I want to eat, I have to ask myself four questions: 1) Am I hungry? 2)Is this what I feel like eating? 3)Is this what I feel like eating now? 4)Is there something else I could be eating? At first, I will write these questions down in my journal to answer them - and the hope is that after a while, the questions will be second nature. I can stop binge eating often with the first question. But, if I am indeed hungry, I can mentally weigh my options of what I should or shouldn't eat. Smart, huh?

5. Culinary Artist Dates. This one intrigued me a little. The purpose and challenge is that one day, usually once a week, I go out and explore a new cuisine or eat foods I've been avoiding. I can either do it alone or with the family. We go to a restaurant and I get something I really want. I treat myself. At first it will probably be a cheeseburger or pizza, but as my tastes begin to change - and I get used to a healthier lifestyle - my hankerings may be for fancy, healthy cuisine. It's a learning process. One that will take time, but will be something I look forward to.

6. HALT. An acronym for Hunger, Anger, Lonely or Tired. Before I eat, I need to make sure I'm not eating just because one of these triggers are the cause. Am I bingeing because I let myself get too hungry? Am I eating out of anger? Am I eating because I'm lonely? Or am I eating just because I'm behind on some much needed rest? Again, more subjects for my journal - to write about before jumping on the snack attack bandwagon. I can use my journal and Morning Pages to evaluate all of these triggers, reflect on them, and learn to tame them. I will learn not to let myself get too hungry, find a better way to deal with anger, find a solution to being lonely, and get the sleep I need.

And last but not least...

7. The Body Buddy. Luckily for me, I already have lots of Body Buddies. That would be all of you. Those of you that comment, tell it to me straight, give me words of encouragement. As I was reading, my mind automatically went to Jenn. She comments almost every day - and when she does, it's stuff I need to hear. She supports me, lifts me up, but also points out any downfalls I may be submerging myself in. Everything I need in a perfect Body Buddy. So, congrats Jenn - you've officially been given the top job... but I can never have too many Body Buddies.

That's it. That's all there is to making my life better one word, one calorie at a time. So, I know you're probably wondering "What about the eating and calorie counting?" Well, this program is designed to work with whatever eating plan being used. However, for people like me who have no eating plan, the author gives some great insight in to Clean Eating. Meaning no white flour, pasta, or refined sugar. Very similar to what I did with my detox - except all the time. I focus on eating fruits, veggies, lean protein, low-fat dairy, and whole grains. I also eat three meals a day and two snacks - any more than that, and I'm bingeing. I need to write everything I eat down in my journal. I need to reflect on my eating. I need to make sure that I'm eating to eat because my body needs the energy - and it's the right energy.

That's why you need to buy the book if you're interested. There's just so much more to it than the 7 tools. But, the 7 tools and the rest of the information is what I'll be using.

I've decided to start on Sunday. Only because it's the beginning of a new week. Tomorrow I'm going out with the fam for a destress day - and I need tomorrow to clear my mind ready for my new adventure on Sunday.

I haven't felt this excited in such a long time. It will help keep my mind off the job hunting, and may even end up helping me cope with the stress I'll be going through.

Well, I just had to share. I may not be posting in the morning because of my day out - so I had to do this now.

Have a great Friday night and Saturday!!

Till next time. ;)