How did it happen?

So, how did I start losing weight without drugs, strict diet plans, or vomiting?


I began eating the angel way.  Very slowly.

http://eatingtheangelway.blogspot.com/p/10-angel-way-guidelines.html


I've been talking about eating the angel way, but because one doesn't lose 30 lbs a month or anything exciting like that, people just sort of smiled and nodded.  And were grateful that I don't tell them what to eat.


But this is what has happened for me.


At first, I added a rainbow or two a day.  I'd think about what I was going to eat, whether it was a pot luck lunch after church or the breakfast bar at Shoney's or dinner at home.  I think about adding different colors, I'm finally OK with not having a rainbow in EVERY meal, but I like to add different things.


At first, I didn't really stop eating stuff.  I ate cheese burgers from Hardees when my boss did a food run.  I still ate fried fish and chips or chicken tenders with fries, or fries with fries. 


And then, I started running out of room for the rainbows and the other stuff.  I started thinking about light proteins (white food) that didn't over power the rainbows.  I discovered Greek yogurt.  THAT was a red letter day.


I'd have to plan meals that my family would eat.  They were OK with adding veggies and fruits, but still wanted hamburger or fried chicken or something.  Then two things happened, and so I'm not sure which had a bigger effect. 


I realized I had to eat for myself, not for others (one of the ETAW rules).  If I like pickled beets and Greek yogurt, I should eat them.  If I don't want fries with that, I shouldn't eat them.  And all meals didn't have to be meat and three (starches) with more meat on the side.  It was time for them to eat like me for a change.  Or not, they know how to cook.


The second thing is that my husband got test results and his cholesterol was awful.  And being the orderly thinking type person he is, he changed his eating habits, right then and there.  He is now addicted to Greek yogurt.  He often throws a fillet of salmon and two veggies on a plate and microwaves it.  He is learning that moderation is OK and doesn't beat himself up if he has a piece of fried chicken at the picnic.  He has learned that one piece tastes as good as 10.  

During the last tax season, instead of burgers and fries or steak egg and cheese biscuits, I ate yogurt, cheese and crackers, veggies and humus, rainbow chili, and all kinds of things.  I have an occasional chili dog but mostly I don't eat fast food.  Wendy's salads or chili and baked potato are about the only thing I'll do now.  I still think baked macaroni and cheese is the best food ever.  Throw in diced peppers, corn, shredded carrots, and purple onions and serve it as the main course, and you're humming with the angels.

The biggest thing is that I eat to feel good.  I eat what I need.  Intuitive eating doesn't mean eat whatever the hell you want, because we have to learn to be intuitive.  (Yeah, counter intuitive, I know.)  Said another way, we have to unlearn not being intuitive.  We have to unlearn that visceral response to a television add with a great big piece of greasy chicken --- no it is not yummy.  As my brother has said, "It makes you feel like you should wash your face in Dawn."  And just because it's good for you doesn't mean it tastes bad.  Why do we keep saying that?

I'll tirade more later... I'm sure you can't wait.