Food.

It really is the crux of the whole weight loss issue.

We are supposed to focus on eating to live, not living to eat.  But who wants to live a life without enjoying food?  For me, food is a party.  It is family and comfort and friends.  It makes me feel good.  It's a way to celebrate.

Okay, so how do I manage to lose weight when food means so much to me?

The key, I think, is portion control.

If I try and block out all the "good" food, I'll be miserable.  So, I need to be more mindful of how I eat, when I eat and WHAT I eat.

On normal days, I can strive to make the lower fat/lower calorie versions of foods I love.  I can make smarter choices in what I eat.  On special days, the days where food is a part of the party, I need to control the portions, but still enjoy what I love, and ignore the foods I don't have to have.  Luckily for me, I'm the cook, so I can control what I make.  There are lots of foods that others love that I can take or leave.  And there are healthier versions of just about any kind of food you can think of.

My next holiday where I'll be facing the food issue is Mardi Gras.  I do so LOVE Fat Tuesday.  I will make a jambalaya, shrimp po' boys, and I'm sure many other yummy things.  But what I'll concentrate on is, eating my smaller portion of jambalaya over a larger portion of whole grain rice.  And maybe the shrimp without the bun and sauces of the po' boy.  I'll practice portion control, but still share in the joy of the food and the party with my family and friends.  I won't be munching on carrots in the corner and feeling deprived and unhappy.  And the king cake?  Not really a favorite of mine, so I will be able to by-pass it altogether this year.  No eating food that doesn't mean anything to me - that's a waste of calories! 

And, I'll have my blog to help me through if I feel the need to party a bit more than I should.

I can control my actions.  And by allowing myself to eat these things, I'm not having to face my inner demons or fight temptation (a battle I almost never win ... sigh ...). 

This way of thinking is totally new to me.  I've always thought that it's an all or nothing type thing.  Which is why I've always failed in the past.  This self-permission thing, along with all the other tools I have, seems to be making a huge difference for me.  After all, I started this journey on January 2nd.  It's February 15th and I haven't quit yet.  I think that might be a record for me (sad, but true).  And I still feel motivated, excited and determined. 

  I like this picture/quote.  We all have to work on our kingdoms, and food is a part of it.  We have to embrace it - you can't have a kingdom without it.

So, even if you feel like you live for food and you don't see how you could ever diet and deprive yourself, there is a way to do this.  It isn't about deprivation - because that only leads to an opposite binge.  Deprivation doesn't work.  You have to work WITH the food.  But do we really need to eat three hot dogs?  No, of course not.  There are other things we can eat and still enjoy the party.

And you know what?  If a hot dog is one of those things you have to have?  Then have one - sometimes.  It's okay!

We are going to make it through this journey!