Saturday, April 25, 2009

OK.....I Lied

Food and eating does run my life, LOL!

OK, it doesn'r run my life, but it's a big part of my life in a postive way, how can it not be? It's what I do. What is it, exactly that I do? I am so committed to understanding what makes us fat when, I believe, it's not our true nature. Sure I believe it's our nature to survive....how do we survive without eating? We can't, of course, and I believe, and it's my experience that maintaining health....and health means a healthy bodyweight in addition to some level of physical fitness as well as a body free of disease.....is so multi-dimensional that there is no ONE answer.

The "answers" are the same and different for everybody. Why do we get fat? We eat too much food our bodies don't need. The question that everyone has to answer for themselves is why do I eat too much food, what am I going to do about it and how do I find the motivation to do what I say I want to do? That's were I come in......

I am fascinated with the subject because I have to be. I refuse to ever be so overweight and out of shape as I once experienced, but I also refuse to accept any idea that my life has to be any less than I want it to be by restricting, or feeling like I'm restricting, one of the joys of that this physical life offers......food and eating. I am always looking for answers and I am always finding them, and that's why I know I'll never weigh 250lbs again. And anyone that talks with me can hear my excitement and passion for the hope and belief I have for all of us that have had, or is having, the experience of being fat to make the changes, permanently, so we can live to our physical potential.....which is our true nature. Everybody knows how to diet, but how do we live a healthy life without ever having to diet? That's really the goal, isn't it?

I am in my 3rd year of maintaining a healthy bodyweight and I don't see that changing, but, even though, I consider cooking as my favorite hobby, which keeps food constantly on my mind, I do believe there will be a day when I don't "react" to food in unhealthy ways. Food is art to me, I love it, I love everything about it, but as I've mentioned many times before, food is not the emeny.....our eating habits and behaviors are. We can change our habits and behaviors. I've changed many of mine and that is the key to my success, and that's no lie.

7 comments:

Trixie said...

I just wanted to reach out to you. I too have struggled with my weight. Used to be 176lbs,now I'm 128 and have kept it off for over 7 years. I have always been active,but recently started weight training and could use a "buddy". I LOVE your blog. I enjoy reading it each day,gives me inspiration and helps me feel not so alone in my journey. I don't have many friends or family members that are as into health and fitness as I am. I too enjoy weighing my food, measuring my progress and challenging myself at the gym. I have to say,I truly love the journey! It sure isn't always easy. Like I said,recently starting a lifting program,and would love support!

Look forward to hearing from you,

Tracey:)

Tracy Reifkind said...

Trixie, (or Tracey?)

Maintaining a 50lb weight loss for 7 years says alot! Bodyweight comes down to one thing.....eating. Too much, not enough, or just right!

Being active is not the same as puposely exercising. Good Lord, I didn't know anyone as active as I was when I weighed 250lbs! And I'm not kidding, I was constantly "on the go". In fact my legs and feet were in such pain every night from carrying so much extra bodyweight around doing all the stuff I used to do. (Being so busy was just my way of avoiding doing the really hard stuff, like paying attention to my body by feeding it and moving it in healthy ways)

I'm glad you find some value in my blog....I used to love it, but it's not really what I want it to be. Especially now because I can't seem to find the time, or care enough to find the time, I guess, to share some really incredible insights.

I too don't have many friends that are into health and fitness, but the most important person in my life that is, is my husband Mark, thank God. If it weren't for him, setting an example and being the biggest support of a healthy athletic life, then I don't know what is!

I do still enjoy educating myself about food portions and nutrition, although I rarely weigh and measure anymore, and in fact even "food journaling" has become less important, if even necessary (a subject for a future blogpost). I confess that I do automatically use a tablespoon measure to add cream to my coffee every morning.....it's practically impossible to pour a predictable amount straight from the carton, lol!

My journey of being fat, being thin, being scrawny, being fit, being strong, being and living a healthy physical life is one that wouldn't trade for anything. I'm a better person, and you're right, it isn't always easy, but not being all of those things, for sure, isn't any easier!

As far as a "lifting program", I have to say that I would never trade my kettlebell training for a tradition weight resistence program. As I always say, "If there was something better than kettlebells, I would be doing it!" But any physical exercise is better, way better, than nothing, and it will produce results.

Good luck, and thank you for your comment.

Tracy

Trixie said...

Thanks for getting back to me!

I always thought about having a blog,but like you said..takes a lot of time to maintain! I will certainly check back here day to day for support and new ideas! Just nice to know I'm not alone:)

Tracey

BTW: Do you have any favorite websites/blogs??

Tracy Reifkind said...

Tracey,

I don't have any favorite websites or blogs that focus on weightloss and training because to be honest, I'm sick of all the stupid bullshit ideas and stupid advice from people that...

#1 have never had to lose a significant amount of weight and /or have NOT realized their "goal" of losing weight

#2 don't train consistently or on a regular basis

#3 looking to blame someone else, or something other than themselves for being overweight or staying overweight.

I hate to be such a hard ass, but I can't say alot of the things I really feel........

The only blogs I check in on are food and recipe related....and even those blogs I sometimes find pretentious in an unattractive way.

Trixie said...

LOL...I can relate!!
So many want quick fixes...cutting out carbs etc..I'm sick of it to..but feel compelled to read some to stay up to date with new info. I guess that is where I get into trouble. I mean,I end up second guessing myself. I NEED to start listening to what's best for me. I keep coming back to the fact that the best "diet" is the one that works for you and you can live with. It has taken me up until now to learn it...and I think I'm still sort of tweaking.

So,I do understand you being sick of reading about it:)

Tracy Reifkind said...

Tracie,

There's nothing wrong with reading other blogs, regardless of whether or not they have a positive or negative spin.....in fact many times the inspiration I get to write about certain subjects ususally comes from getting pissed off at the stupidity of some of the things I read (especially lately....another blogpost subject, lol)

I too read things that can trigger positive changes, but I don't feel the need to change anything UNLESS what I'm currently doing isn't working!

If your diet isn't producing the results you want, then you have to change it.....good Lord, I hate hearing people brag about their "low carb or no carb" eating when they're still overweight and havent' lost any weight in....forever! I feel like saying "Well it certainly seems to be working for you!" NOT Seriously.....I know someone, right now, that's easily close to 275lbs. that refuses to eat "carbs" (in front of anyone that is, lol!)

If your training isn't doing what you need it to do, then change it! Especially if you see or read about someone else getting the results YOU want....try it....if you can, I mean, not everyone has the time or natural talent for specific sports or exercises....for instance I'm not a "runner"! I wasn't built to run, although sometimes I dream about being light on my feet and running for miles.

If the way you think about life isn't working for you, then change it. Sometimes we have to get pretty miserable before we can give in and admit we may be wrong about how we think about some things.

Blah, blah, blah....I should copy these comments and post them! For some reason (it took a few days) you seem to have gotten me all "riled up" (in a good way)....I haven't written so much so quickly....ever! Good Lord, don't get me started.....

Trixie said...

Very true! If something isn't working for you,you gotta fix it. I laughed about the no carb thing...if their not seeing results..time for a change:)
BTW: Glad I got you fired up,love your posts!