I surrender. I'm officially waving the white flag. I surrender my quest for the "perfect diet." I've been searching for the "perfect diet" for decades.
I once believed that finding the "perfect diet" would solve all my problems. I've been such a sucker for the latest and greatest "dietary wisdom" since I was barely a teenager.
I bought into what the "nutrition experts" and "dietary dictocrats" were peddling hook, line and sinker. I believed it when they said forsaking fat would make me thin. I believed it when they said margarine was the answer. Oat bran would lower cholesterol. Eggs were evil. Carbs were evil. And on and on.
I've searched and searched and searched. I've read and studied and taken course after course. I've preached to others my diet-of-the-moment philosophy. I've prescribed to more dietary philosophies than I can remember.
Martha's Weight Watchers Story: Part 1
Martha's Weight Watchers Story: Part 2
Martha's Weight Watchers Story: Part 3
I'm 50. My life is MORE than half over. How many people do you know who live to be 100? I've been at this way too long. I've lost way too many hours of my life fretting over food. And that's why I surrender.
Here's what I now believe:
- There is NO perfect diet. It's all about balance.
- Thin is not the answer to life's problems. Happiness is.
- To lose weight, you gotta get happy and then eat; NOT try to eat your way to happiness.
- The more I simplify my life and my food, the happier I am.
- The happier I am, the easier it is to stay healthy and slim. Happiness is an Essential Weight Loss Ingredient.
The only thing that's ever worked for me is common sense and moderation. The healthy lifestyle approach that Weight Watchers advocates! It's the approach that worked for my Nana, who lived to be 93. She ate just about anything and everything in moderation, from dulse and dandelion greens to donuts and McDonald's sausage, egg and cheese biscuits. She ate when she was hungry and stopped when she was satisfied. She loved food, but was never controlled by it. She took care of herself, but didn't obsess about it.
So, from today forward, whenever I'm confused about what to eat, I'm going to simply ask myself, What would Nana do?" Focus on everything in moderation. And I'm going to remember to get happy and then eat!
Martha Shares Her Own Weight Watchers Success Story
Martha's Weight Watchers Success Story: Part 1
Martha's Weight Watchers Success Story: Part 2
Martha's Weight Watchers Success Story: Part 3
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Mireya @myhealthyeatinghabits
Hi Martha,
Unfortunately, so many people are so hooked on sugar that they don't know how to eate sensibly and enjoy an occasional doughnut, or slice of chocolate cake. It's easy for you and I now that we've retrained our eating habits, but too many people still struggle learning what a balance diet is.
BTW I love the new look of your blog!
Martha McKinnon
Hi Mireya,
Good point! Everyone has to find his/her own way. I just believe that getting too extreme ends up backfiring and leads to binges. It's an ongoing process of self-discovery and there is no one way.
Meredith
I love this post. This is what I'm striving for, a balance that can last a lifetime. Your quote about your grandmother reminds me of my nearly 90 year old grandfather who enjoys a large variety of foods both "healthy" and "non-healthy". He gets around better than I do.
Martha McKinnon
Thanks, for sharing your thoughts, Meredith. I think the happy healthy balance that can last a lifetime is worth striving for 🙂 We can learn a lot from taking a closer look at the habits and attitudes of our healthy grandparents and great-grandparents.