“Without commitment, you’ll never start but more importantly, without consistency, you’ll never finish.” – Denzel Washington.
“I’m SO hungry.”
“My body feels weird.”
“Clearly my body isn’t used to eating salads only.”
“I’m going to have sugar in my coffee just this one time today.”
After eating salad for three days in a row: “Kill me now.”
“My colleague’s two-minute noodles smells SO GOOD.”
“I miss two-minute noodles.”
The things above are some of the thoughts that went through my mind on a daily basis.
Yup, you’ve guessed it: I’m on a new diet. I’m trying to eat healthier and exercise. Whyyyy? Well, why not.
I told my husband about how weird my body feels since I’m eating salads whole day – it’s not a normal feeling. As soon as I eat something unhealthy like sugar in my coffee or a packet of chips or chocolate, then my body feels okay again.
I thought Husband would have empathy for me, but he replied: It just shows that your body has to adjust to these new things.
He then basically said that it’s not like whatever I’m eating now is bad just because my body is reacting badly to it.
Husband and I also spoke about our blood types and finding out (Google) what foods work for your blood type. I Googled and saw that my blood type prefers a diet filled with vegetables and fruit. Interesting 🙂
Anyway,
For those of you saying that I don’t need to lose weight, thank you. I’d like my tummy to be a teeny bit flatter – I’m still wearing clothes I had worn when I was pregnant two years ago.
I enjoyed doing hikes last year but I’ve huffed and puffed most of the way during the trail. So I have to do something about it.
Also, since I started eating vegetables mostly, cutting out bread and sugar (sometimes not), I don’t feel bloated like before.
I’m one of those people who could live on potatoes, so I cut down on this. Instead, I eat more carrots and cucumber now.
That’s my inexpensive diet the past two weeks: cucumber, carrots, green beans and tomato.
A group of friends and I are trying a new diet and exercise programme. I haven’t tried the exercise of my group yet. Instead, I’m doing my favourite full body workout video that I got on YouTube. I saw this workout video from fitness blogger, Samantha Dube’s list of home workouts. It’s really easy to do workouts.
Anyway, the diet says that we are not allowed to have sugar, grain, and alcohol.
I’m doing this with a community to help keep myself accountable. Also, I have no clue on what to cook or eat, so it helps when you have people giving you ideas.
One of the people who gave me advice on food is fitness blogger Natasha, known as FitLikeMummy. She’s not part of the group who I’m dieting with, but Natasha has already lost 15 kilos by doing exercise and eating healthy.
Natasha told me to find balance. “Each week introduce a change.”
She suggested avocado or eggs for breakfast because it keeps you fuller for longer.
I love Natasha’s advice.
One piece of advice I got from my group is that eating a big meal before 2pm is key.
Apparently, because your metabolism works slower after 2pm (late afternoon and night). So rather save some of your dinners for lunchtime the next day, they told me.
I haven’t done this yet because at night I feel so hungry, I just binge eat. Don’t judge.
Do you have any healthy food tips for me? Also, have you ever been on a diet, and how did it go? Thank you for reading!
I would encourage you to increase your water intake. Play around with spices to improve the flavour of your veggies. Stay away from processed foods (canned, bottled) they have sugar in them. Look at seeds as well. As for grains I would have started with alternate versions before giving them up totally. Healthy eating has to be manageable.
Don’t think about it as a diet but more of a lifestyle change. Yes you do look amazing – but I understand where you are coming from. You want to be more healthier. Good luck and just remember Rome wasn’t built in one day and seeing results takes time.#Lekkerlinky
Good advice Sam, thank you. It’s hard to stay away from processed foods though 🙂
I needed that reminder Mrs Miller – about Rome wasn’t built in a day. Thank you.
I have zero tips since I don’t do diets, I once tried an exercise challenge, and it was an epic fail, by day 2 I crumbled – too much planning required.
Hey Mel 🙂 I previously wrote about my weight loss journey and the eating plan that my personal training gave me. It’s pretty generic, but it’s basically removing all junk food, processed food and artificial sugars and eating wholesome stuff like brown rice, coconut oil, chicken breasts, fruits and veggies. Check it out here: https://ladylebz.wordpress.com/2013/08/23/the-journey-to-being-healthy/ – hope this helps 🙂
I love this – I am not a dieter either, I feel like its just too hard. BUT having said that I do realise the necessity! So these are some awesome tips. Don’t be too hard on yourself! xx
Lebo, I will definitely check it out, thank you. Chev, thank you for stopping by. I’m a first time diet-er.
Yes it’s hard but we try. Small adjustments.
I don’t do diets either – usually short-lived. Don’t beat yourself up – and take change slowly as much as you are able. 🙂
I’m not much of a dieter either – it has to be a sustainable lifestyle change for me. That’s why my husband and I maintain a ketogenic diet. We’re down 70 lbs and never looking back! Good luck on your journey!
Taking it slowly is a really good idea, by introducing one change a week you’re more likely to stick with it then. I don’t think you can underestimate having a support network who understand what you’re going through. Good luck with it!
I definitely need to cut out sugar too! That is interesting about foods for your blood type. I never knew that was a thing. I’ll have to look mine up.
God luck! I am just trying one thing to go from juice to water. I don’t think I’m good with dieting.
Take it one day at a time. If you can make it through one day, you can make it through the next. One foot in front of the other, love!
My Mom and sister started a diet with the new year, and I’m currently seeing my role as biggest cheerleader, because also, for both of them, staying away from the baked goods and sweets doesn’t come so naturally. You sound like you’re really on the track of figuring out what foods are good fuel for your body and your lifestyle!
I need to be joining you and start doing exactly what you’re doing. I’m pretty sure that bread it the thing that makes me feel awful, so my plan is it cut it out for a while and see if I feel different. I love your salad by the way. You’ve just inspired tomorrow’a lunch 🙂
You’re doing great! Keep it up! I hate dieting, my husband goes on these yoyo diets quite often and they never stick. #lekkerlinky
Thanks for the mention hun. Consistentancy and perseverance is definitely key. You got this !!!
I love the strategy to introduce one new change per week. That’s such a great way to stick with your goals without getting overwhelmed and throwing in the towel. I’m like you – I love to snack at night. The only thing that’s really helped me with that challenge is simply getting rid of the junk food in my house. That way, if I’m snacking, at least it’s on apples or greek yogurt rather than zero-nutrient food like crackers, handfuls of sugary cereal, etc.
Thank you for sharing. I am feeling so bad right now. Ever since 2018 started, I have been eating junk, Im still in festives I guesse. But your post makes me start taking my health serious. I will start next week with your guidance.
This was a really interesting blog post. I think I need to google what foods work best for my blood type. Good luck with your diet Melissa…You got this. ☺
I try to not call it diet, but lifestyle change. Adding more water and ensuring that I eat enough protein helps too. Good luck with this new change. You will do great. #lekkerlinky