Rules of Dieting

I should make clear, right up front, that I am not a nutritionist. Nor a doctor. Nor an expert of any kind. So when I tell you today's post is about the rules of dieting, please note they are my rules.

My blog, my rules.

I'm not great with rules. I'm the first to admit that. So I guess you could say these are more things I've learned on my ongoing weight loss journey and less rules. Besides, rules tend to make us not want to follow them. It's the rebel in us all. I get that. So fine. We won't call these "rules". We can call them "guidelines." Whatever works, right?

Anyway, whatever you decide to call them, here are Dyana's Rules of Dieting, in no particular order:

Rule #1 - Never let yourself get to that point where you're telling yourself, and everyone around you, that you're starving. This inevitably results in over-eating.

Rule #2 - If you break rule #1, eat a small portion of whatever you're consuming and drink at least two glasses of water with this meal. If you think you're still hungry, wait at least one hour before eating again. I have this rule because usually, if I wait that long, I'll find I'm really not hungry anymore. It's when I don't wait that I end up over-eating and then wind up feeling guilty and gross over the whole mess.

Rule #3 - If you break rule #2, go work out. Go for a walk or run or for a bike ride. Head to the gym for some cardio. Dance around your living room. Doesn't matter what you do, just do something. The best thing you can do when you actually do over eat is exercise.

Rule #4 - Don't break rules 1 and 2!

I broke rules 1 and 2 tonight, but invoked rule #3 and am glad I did. One of the best lessons I've learned in all this is that determination, or coraje as we say is Spanish, goes a long way!

Here's to the strong-willed!
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Weighing In

To loosely quote my friend April, “The scale is not my friend today.”

Woke up this morning, went about my normal routine and then hopped on that most dreaded device, the scale. I was discouraged, to say the least, by what I saw there. Considering I’d had pizza for dinner yesterday, and some ice cream (about a quarter cup which, I have to tell you, while tasty, did bad things to me that we won’t even discuss here, thereby rendering it so not worth it), I definitely wasn’t surprised.

I know I’m only supposed to weigh myself once a week but I’ve spent so much of my life in denial about my weight that weighing in is now a part of my daily routine. Most days I don’t mind it, as I usually see some form of progress, and if not, at least I’m maintaining.

And, on those rare days when I do see a slight increase, whether it’s water weight or the result of a late night pizza and ice cream binge, I refuse to let that deter me in my efforts. In fact, I find this actually has the opposite effect on me, in that I double my efforts to eat smaller, healthy portions, and my resolve to lose the weight is strengthened.

Yep. The scale may not be my friend today, but sometimes it takes our non-friends telling us a truth we’re unable to tell ourselves to get us off our “assets” (again, quoting April!) and moving again.

Here’s to reality checks!

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One of Those Days

Ever have one of those days when you feel like you have it all together? You are comfortable in your own skin, self-assured even? Your confidence bolsters you and you can't stop smiling? You recognize the countless blessings and unconditional love that envelope you?

I don't often have those types of day, historically speaking. I can usually fake it, but rarely do I make it.

But today? Today was one of those days.

Today was one of those days when I knew I could conquer the world. When how I looked on the outside was reconciled with the beauty I felt on the inside. When I could smile with a peaceful calm and genuine gladness. When the world held hope and the promise of new beginnings.

Today was one of those days when I looked around and saw God's hand in everything. Today, I held my head a little higher, walked a little lighter, smiled a little brighter.

Today was one of those days when I caught a glimpse of what God intends every day to look like.

Today, I pray that every woman out there recognizes her own true beauty and strength, and knows it's source.

Here's to those days!


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The Importance of Girlfriends

Yesterday, in my small piece of the world, was Girlfriend day. I ran the Cowtown 5K with one girlfriend, a great friend from church, and then I had lunch with two other girlfriends, ladies I used to work with and saw daily, but now, see only when our three schedules converge.

To say I had a blast would be an understatement. These ladies enrich my life beyond words. Each of them has a special gift: comedic relief, quiet, refined culture, down to earth reality and pure, unfiltered, no-holds-barred craziness - all of which combine effortlessly to make me realize how much I love my girlfriends.

I admit, I don't have many girlfriends. At least, not many that I'm very close to, or spend much time with. I'm a real homebody, and sometimes downright lazy about working at keeping up my friendships if it means doing more than posting a message on someone's Facebook wall or tweeting them a message. Seriously, it's bad, I know.

But after yesterday, I feel so refreshed and am already looking forward to the next time I can hang out with these incredible women, as well as my other girlfriends.

I've overlooked, for far too long, the importance of one's girlfriends, of quality time with women who share common interests, but bring so much of their own uniqueness to the table that you can't help but walk away a better person.

Reach out to your girlfriends today, and let them know how truly special they are. Then, set aside some time, regularly, to spend face to face time with them. You, and hopefully they too, will be better for it.

Here's to the best girlfriends ever!
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