Looking at "diet" vs. accepting change

Total epiphany for me this afternoon.

I was asking myself if I could stay on my diet and lose xxxx amount by thanksgiving and how to cheat during the upcoming holidays. Then it hit me; I'm not on a diet, this is simply the way I eat now. Period. I will eat like this for the rest of my life and I don't need to worry about 'cheating' because I know that I can't cheat or indulge and just stop.

Somehow that realization makes me less anxious.

Just thought I'd share. Hope this helps someone else too.

I am trying to get to that point. It's been a many year battle. When I was single I didn't have a problem eating well and staying physically active. After a spouse and 2 kids I find it more difficult to stay on the right path and once I get off for only one day it can take several to get back or up to weeks. I am an all or nothing girl and it's hard to break the habit. I have all the tools and information. It's up to me to utilize. U did make a difference in my life today. Thanks for sharing.

I also had this discussion with myself today. I was at the gym and pushing myself harder than I had previously and I was a whipped puppy. Afterwards I was driving to the store and was telling myself that I wouldn't have to push this hard. I was also worried about bringing my youngest daughter to the gym with me after she turns 13 because if I wasn't still working out when my youngest daughter turned 13 it wouldn't be fair. I realized that this is a lifestyle change and I will always be going to the gym and always be working out. This is my life now.

I thought that Atkins was my "lifestyle change" but there are too many things during that diet that I was restricted from, even if I had pushed myself through to the final "permanent" phase. While what we are on is a lifestyle change, it incorporates so many foods I love and hated giving up in Atkins, like fruit, and I am not limited by calories or carbs or whatever, I'm just eating better. So when I do "cheat" as it were, I allow myself small little treats, a really good meal once a month or every other month, the single chocolate kiss the other day, my half-cup of coffee this morning with breakfast. OK that last one had me jonesing for Starbucks, but I stood my ground. The metric TON of water I've been sucking down helps stave off the "I'm-hungry-what's-in-the-fridge" moments. Or, I have some veggies instead of make myself go without. I'm happy with my progress, and excited to continue, now remembering just how AWESOME I used to feel working out every day. I wouldn't skip a day either. If I skipped, I wouldn't have as much energy, it seemed, and besides, it helped me sleep. I wasn't obsessive, just would make the time. KEEP IT UP LADIES!! We can ALL do it.

Thank you guys! Sorry for the delay - I didn't know where to go to see replies :-/ I really appreciate your feedback. Also, I look forward to keeping up with you too. Best, woowoo

Exercising is key, I just started Zumba and found it to be fun, and I can laugh at myself when I mess up the steps. I do it at home while my husband is sleeping, not that he would make fun of me, but I'd rather do it in private so I can laugh at myself. I know, it's blond logic, but I can't help it, I'm blond! We are all in this together, and we can do it!