In the past 3 weeks, I learned a lesson that has completely changed my progress.
Learn to like the feeling of being slightly hungry.
As it turns out, there's a huge difference between being slightly hungry, and being hungry hungry. When I'm slightly hungry, I might feel my stomach just a little bit, but mostly, I want a DQ Blizzard, cookie, pizza, or other snack. Healthy foods, such as a salad and small cup of chili, don't interest me.
When I'm actually hungry, though, I feel completely different. For ME, it begins by my stomach growling to the point where it's slightly distracting, and a glass of water doesn't fix it. If I wait longer, I may start feeling a bit weak, and perhaps jittery to boot. Sometimes I can feel a headache coming on. ...That chili and salad that I refused a few hours ago suddenly sounds
perfect.
So I'm learning to enjoy the feeling of being slightly hungry, because it means that my body is having to use some of its fat stores to keep things going. Feeling slightly hungry means I'm losing weight.
Here's the trick, though: I have to plan my meal while I'm still slightly hungry. I also need to eat as soon as possible once I start feeling really hungry. I can't wait until I'm nearly starving. If I fail to plan my meal ahead of time, or wait too long to eat, then I WILL cheat and eat anything I can get my hands on. My willpower fails me once I get to a certain point, so I have to plan around that.
However, when I'm smart about this, eating until I'm ~80% full is actually pretty easy. I just need to remember to eat my food slowly, and start with smaller portion sizes and only add to my meal if I'm still hungry later on.
I've allowed for more 'treats' lately, but have still maintained my caloric intake. October is definitely my downfall month, but still some loss
Yeah, I imagine school makes it more difficult to focus on eating and exercise. It can be a challenge, for sure. As long as you stay focused and continue in the right direction though, you will be fine.
Thank you, sir. Food is better than no food, I'd say. Definitely glad you're making progress and you're going to get a big enfj-infp hug in the near future lol. Some of my favorite kinds of hugs, I tells ya!
Hmm… I don’t know if I’ve ever experienced such a thing. Sounds kinda scary!
Why so? Gets too dark too early?
I used to walk outside more when I was younger, but now I've gotten doubly as squeamish about spiderwebs and things. I love when debbiegirl is around cause she gets me in outside mode (even though we aren't outdoorsy in the slightest)
Yup, it gets dark too early, so I can’t get in my full walks after work. I love outdoors stuff, though! Too bad my sucky Se keeps me from getting out there more frequently...