's motd Tuesday June 10, 2008

[Guest guest]

NEVER

Tuesday, 10 June 2008

When a lot of people get the urge to lose weight and go back on a program to lose it, they often send me E-mails to let me know about the epiphany they've just had. Their revelations often sound like these:"That's it! I've had enough. I've been on this diet weight-loss merry-go-round for too long. This time, I am going to lose this weight! And I promise myself that I will never eat starches again. That's right, no more potatoes, no more rice, no more pasta, none of them...never again!"

"I just got up this morning and decided it was time to get this weight off me once and for all. And I know I'm going to do it this time. I'm never going to eat sweets again. No more candy bars, no more cookies, no more pies or cakes. That's it. Never again.""I've tried it all and I've failed it all. But now I have a strong desire to get back into a size 8. I'm never eating fat again. No more butter, no more margarine. Nothing with fat will ever pass these lips of mine again. Never again will I eat fats!"And I've gotta tell you, as I read these kinds of E-mails, so very often, I have to smile. Why? Well, because I used to say the same kinds of things to myself...

"I'll never eat ice cream, pizza or fried shrimp again. I'll never go into a Chinese restaurant again where just about everything is fried. And I'll never eat cookies again because they are the 'devil's toys!' Never again!"And oh sure, I'd be good for a few days or maybe even for a whole week. But before long, I'd go right back to the ice cream and Chinese food.Now let me tell you something, you can't play this "Never Game" with yourselves any longer. It seems you're trying to punish yourself by eliminating all fats, sugars or starches from your eating plans. (Or any other food group you may try to entirely kick out of your life, all of a sudden. No good!)

You have to remember that the reason you've gained weight in the first place is because you've eaten too much of the foods you love. Hey, I have to tell you that I still eat a slice of pizza every now and then, just not very often. I like to have a little Chinese food once in a while, too. And yes, I'll have ice cream on rare occasions. It's one of my old buddies. But I'll have just one scoop. I close my eyes as I eat it and just love to feel it playfully and smoothly tickle the back of my throat.You need to know that you must eat from all of the six food groups and have a balanced, healthy eating plan. Don't eliminate but...don't overdo certain foods, either. Just be careful with those portion sizes and, believe me, you'll...Never say never again!Love,