Monday, April 14, 2008

The Little Plate Club....


The knee is much better and I only have a hint of a black eye - so all is well.


Yesterday the goyls were supposed to take this 4 1/2 mile guided hike and everybody bailed out. I was even going to go with my injured knee! I think my sisters are fizzling out on the weight loss efforts. Which makes my mojo in short demand too. Luckily my niece, the bride to be - is all over this and it looks like the two of us may be the last ones standing.


To rub salt in the wound - my pedometer bit the dust...and it's brand new! Got it when I joined AARP *gasp!* I actually am old enough to join AARP! When did this happen? So today I'm off to the store to buy another. I can't testify enough about the merit of clipping this little monitoring wonder to my waistband every morning. When ever I'm tempted to take the easy route (you know...make about 4 loops in the parking lot to find the absolute closest spot to park) I remember that I need those extra steps to reach 10,000. And don't I feel so proud as I saunter in past all the chubettes still making loops! not that I'm not a chubette - but at least I'm walking!


So yesterday I was feeling like things were moving too slow and decided I would kick start this thing and go for some quick weight loss. I decided to do a no-carb day and then ease into a 2 week lo-carb regime. It lasted till about 4 PM. (My haunting hour every single darn day!) What is it about me and late afternoons?


Anyway - I'm sitting there last night watching the final segment of "I Can Make You Thin" and I realized that I had been incorporating the small plate thing - and eating slowly and consciously for a whole month! And it was becoming...drumroll here....a habit!


So why the heck was I throwing that all away and tempted to go backwards and try this unrealistic, restrictive diet technique (aka LO-CARB) and toss my efforts to the wind? I'm going to stick with Paul McKenna's method for the long haul because it's honestly the first thing I've ever done that I feel I can live with (in the real world!)


To recap:


Eat only when you're hungry.


Eat whatever you want.


Eat CONSCIOUSLY (enjoy the food - no distractions...tv...newspaper... -fork down between each bite)


Stop when you think you're full.


When you eat slow - and you savor each bite - you truly are satisfied much quicker than normal. And I know that the main reason I go for seconds or fill my plate to overflowing - is because I'm not satisfied when I'm done. It has nothing to do with fullness. I ate the food so fast that it didn't register with my taste buds.


I know that eventually when my mind (yes...it's all in the mind) is used to eating smaller amounts - that I'll be able to progress to a normal sized plate and not look like an odd ball. But for now - my little plate is here to stay.


And you now what? My pants are fitting better too!

12 comments:

Erin said...

You are awesome! I'm glad that McKenna's plan is working for you. Head on over to my place for a chance to win a little prize!

Hanlie said...

That is an amazing picture! I can see how that can work... Well done for recognizing the merits of this approach and applying it!

I just want to say that I always appreciate your sense of humour and you honesty on your blog. You're a breath of fresh air!

Diana Swallow said...

I leave you alone for a few days and you go and trip and get all bloody bloody!

I'm glad to hear you weren't more seriously injured and I'm glad your niece is still wanting to walk. You need to give your sisters a kick in the backside and keep them inspired tell them they can walk now or they can be jealous of you when you look smokin hot at the wedding and they don't!

HappyBlogChick said...

Yay for plans that work and pants that fit better!

Sorry you're finding that your sisters are fizzling out on the weight loss thing. It makes it harder to stay on track - but you're doing it anyway, so good for you!

Sorry about your injuries. Poor thing! I'm glad you're OK!

*ccc* said...

All of that advice makes a whooole lotta sense. I'm glad it's helping you make some progress. And I hope you keep improving from that fall. Hang in there!

Jamie said...

I am trying the McKenna method as well and I notice I am eating less. Thanks for your Welcome! I am enjoying your blog very much!!!

Unknown said...

Glad to hear you aren't fizzling out :). We won't let you! Sorry to hear you had a little mishap and glad you didn't hurt yourself worse!

Cammy@TippyToeDiet said...

I'm so glad your knee is getting better!

I haven't watched the "I Can Make You Thin" episodes, but a lot of it sounds like good, solid advice.

Too bad about your sisters. You'll just have to do it without them, and then won't they be sorry. :)

Grumpy Chair said...

Sounds like the easy thing to do, only why can't I stop!? I never thought about my not feeling satisfied.

Congratulations on pants that fit better and not doing the circle thing in the parking lot (I hate when people do that!).

briy said...

The difference between satisfied and full is such a hard one for me. Especially when it comes to delicious things like ice cream, I'm not sure I'd ever be satisfied. I could eat pizza until my stomach exploded, I think. But good for you! It's such a nice feeling when you realize that something that used to seem impossible has actually become a habit. I recently had a moment like that with morning exercise, and it was great.

Good for you for coming to your senses and sticking with what works for you! :) And I hope your knee is all better soon! At least you've still got your niece.

Take care, and good luck!
~briy

Human Microbiome Search Engine said...

I just keep coming back to this page and staring at the pictures of those two plates. It's amazing how much more satisfying the food looks on the smaller plate! I guess those two pictures are worth TWO thousand words. Thanks!

Anonymous said...

I'm right with you girl! I also use smaller plates and it really does work!
Now the key is to prevent myself from going back for seconds :)

Well done! I've listened to McKenna's ideas on a CD a few months back. It all makes sense.