1/2/11 And the winner is....Sheena! Congratulations!
I am having a Giveaway to celebrate the holidays and because, I want to know something.
What is the craziest thing you have ever done attempting to lose weight? The wackiest diet? The most restrictive, punishing thing while desperately needing to lose weight?
I realize this isn't the most convenient time to be considering such a question, with just three weeks left in the year, you are right in the middle of what can be a tremendous source of anxiety for people caught in the vicious chronic yo-yo dieting cycle.
There's a good chance you are filled with guilt as you feel your "willpower" slipping or have decided to "be bad" and just eat like there's no tomorrow, resolving to get back on your diet and to the gym in the new year.
Either way, it's an uncomfortable place to be.
I wish I could wave a magic wand to have you experience the joy and freedom that results when you finally break free from this unending no-win dieting cycle.
But since, that's not possible, I have the next best thing. It's an incredible book by Michelle May, MD, called Eat What You Love, Love What You Eat: How to Break Your Eat-Repent-Repeat Cycle (affiliate link).
It's a simple and compelling heart-mind-body approach to weight loss that can help you reconnect with the pleasure of food and eating.
I noticed I was nodding my head up and down saying "yes" and underlining like crazy as I read it.
So, I would like to offer one copy as a free giveaway for one lucky winner who will hopefully opt out of making a typical New Year's diet resolution and instead decide to read this powerful book and begin the journey toward a happier, healthier relationship with food.
TO ENTER
To enter this giveaway, just answer the following question in the comments section of this post:
"What is the craziest, most restrictive, unhealthy, punishing thing you have ever done in an attempt to lose weight and why you are ready to learn to Eat what you love (affiliate link) and love what you eat instead?
Did you ever try to sustain yourself drinking only diet soda and now want to be able to enjoy 1 or 2 slices of your favorite pizza without guilt? Or did you spend hours at the gym trying to work off last night's dinner and are now ready to experience what it's like to move your body in ways that feel good instead? Just share one of the things you have done while dieting and why you want to try a new approach and you will be entered to win the book.
I've done so many unhealthy punishing things, I could go on for days. At the time they seemed like the right thing to do. Looking back, I realize I was trying to force, punish and shame myself thin. And my body totally resisted. If I had to pick one thing I would say choosing all kinds of artificially sweetened, low fat, highly processed, chemical filled food like substances because they had no or few "weight watchers points" instead of real wholesome nourishing food was the most ridiculous thing I ever did.
THE RULES
One entry per person, please.
Giveaway ends on December 31st at midnight.
A winner will be selected at random and announced the first week of the New Year.
This giveaway is sponsored by Simple Nourished Living. Awarded prize may differ slightly (color, design, etc.) from images that appear here - based on availability. Giveaway prizes may be forfeited if not claimed within 90 days.
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Kara
I would say the Atkins diet is the most extreme thing I have done to try and lose weight. Sure I lost a few pounds, but even more came back when I stopped the strict regimen!
Thanks for the giveaway, this looks like a great book.
Kara
Oh and I am ready to learn to eat what I love because I think the mind-body connection is very important.
Elina (Healthy and Sane)
Sounds like a great book! The craziest diet I've ever done was a crazy high protein/super low carb diet. I was also not allowed to drink any alcohol and I did this my junior year of college... while studying abroad. I was so miserable because I was hungry but I couldn't just grab a peace of fruit because it had too many carbs. And parties were such a torture without alcohol. lol Never again! [I did lose a bunch of weight, but surprise surprise, gained it all back and more the following year.]
Martha
I know. Those crazy super low carb diets are insane! To think of making fruit off limits when your body is craving it and in
so many countries abroad, alcohol is just part of a healthy balanced life!
Jenn at A Girl Who Loves Cupcakes
Losing track during the holidays when I visit my family in Ohio is always something stupid I do. I think I'll just do it for a few days.... which turns into a few weeks and then I've gained 10lbs back. I hoping to do better this year!
Martha
Jenn, You would love Eat What You Love Love What You Eat. It's all about learning to be in charge of that side of you who want to eat everything in sight instead of trying to control her (which is futile).
Marisa @ Loser for Life
The craziest, most restrictive diet I went on was given to me by a "diet doctor". Along with taking phen-phen, I wasn't allowed to eat bread, sugar, oil or alcohol. I lost weight but, I was cranky and miserable most of the time. I continued on...all in the name of skinny.
Needless to say, I gained it all back and then some.
I've been ready to learn to eat what I love. It's a process and some days it's really, really hard. I have so many years of dieting to try and "undo"!
Martha
Marisa, I know how challenging it can be to undo old behaviors, but when you take it slow and steady and try to focus on loving yourself the way you would a child or best friend, it is so much easier. One day you wake up and realize you are miles away from the diet crazed person you used to be.
Sheena
I've counted calories to make sure I stay under 1500, but I'm 5'7 and believe that 1500 is too few calories for me! Also, I knew nothing about healthy foods so I would eat 1000 calories worth of chips and then feel hungry and starve, or spend hours at the gym to burn it off. Currently I'm working on reducing my reliance on food as a coping mechanism and would LOVE to read this book to give me some guidance. Thank you!!
Shannon Baker
The craziest diet/plan I ever followed was to eliminate all sugar, flour and wheat from my diet. I was able to follow the plan for several years and lost a significant amount of weight that I kept of for a couple years, but my focus was so much on the food that I ignored the mental and spiritual aspects of my compulsive eating. So, the weight is back and today I am learning how to practice a more balanced approach that is less about food and more about loving myself, my life and my body.
Martha
Shannon, Good for you for focusing on balancing and loving your life and body. I believe that loving and nourishing ourselves is key to a happy, healthy, nourished life.
Colleen
I tried a watermelon fast. I heard it was a good thing for weight loss and a good way to cleanse the body. After a few hours of eating nothing but watermelon my body was going into a blood sugar shock. I ended up "cleansing" my body in a very unhealthy way and spent the rest of the day and night in bed hoping I hadn't done permanent damage. Moderation in everything is the key!
Martha
Colleen, You are so right about moderation. So many of today's diets offer extreme advice that is neither healthy nor sustainable!
Cee
I struggled with an eating disorder for some time while in college. After recovering from that, I went in the opposite direction. I am tired of dieting, tired of feeling bad about myself and my body, and want to learn how to be moderate and be in tune with what I want and need. Thank you for this giveaway.
Martha
Cee, I am glad you found my giveaway. Learning to tune into your body, loving it, and giving it what it needs takes time to cultivate, but keep with it. It is so worth it!
Colleen
I joined Medifast and it worked really well. Now I try to eat 5 times a day, small little things like fruit, pretzels and then one meal at night of lean meat and veggies!
Sooz
Hi - I'm 56... I have been on diets since about 6th grade - I was on diet pills in jr high school... in college I went on a medically supervised fast and lost 70# in 3 or 4 months... Most recently I've been on "medically supervised" high protein, low carb diets that I lost 40# on two different times - every time I gain it back... I began being bulimic in high school - but that stopped when I started taking Prozac for depression about 21 years ago.. I started going to therapy 2 years ago to figure out what triggered eating and have been doing pretty well actually - and have recently figured out that I am a binge-eater - mostly at night - not at all helped by the Ambien I was taking for sleeping until 8 or 9 months ago... I have no idea how much I sleep ate, sleep cooked - and who knows if I went grocery shopping in my sleep... I am a photographer and have been working as a caregiver with the elderly... the last two positions have been end-of-life where I was cooking for the clients - one for 4 years and one for 6 months... there is something oh so very convoluted in all that - not the photography - all the other - so - anyway - I saw your book giveaway tonight and thought I'd write!
Martha
Dear Sooz,
Thanks for your comment. Our eating issues can be very convoluted, indeed. I think for so many of us who have experienced disordered eating it boils down to using food as a replacement for something that is missing. Atleast that has been true for me. I hope it helps to know you are not alone!