A New Way to Think About
New Year's Resolutions
PAGE 2
When January 1 rolls around (because that's what I'm doing, rolling around), I throw out anything in cellophane bags, because whatever is in those has too much fat, salt and calories. I get rid of all soda cans with ingredients I can't pronounce. I buy vitamins, which I already have and forgot that I do, so now I have a year's supply. I buy boatloads of herbal teas with no caffeine—teas that move things along gently—and tinctures from the health food store that some how miraculously will restore my hair, face, neck, skin, nails, teeth and bones back to their youthful glow (this hasn't happened yet. Maybe it would if I could remember to take them three times a day for the rest of my life.)
I'm good for about three days when I'm on a diet-vitamin-herbal-laxative tea routine. I monitor my organic low-calorie, low-fat, no-flavor food, drink 12 8-ounce glasses of distilled water a day and make sure not to go out because I run to use the restroom every 15 minutes. The idea of having to stop in a gas station restroom pretty much keeps me at home. When I do go out, I have to plan how long it takes me to get to my destination! I get up early to go to the gym one day, the track the next and the park on the third day. On the fourth day, I wake up and I'm completely over it, all of it—the eating, the exercising and the remembering to take my vitamins.
I believe the reason I can't keep my resolution is because I set up unrealistic expectations for myself. I set myself up to fail. I buy into the idea that if I could only get into a size 8 again, I could sprout wings and be a 50-something Victoria Secret model, the first of its kind! That if I eliminate white things (sugar, flour, bread) I would lose weight faster and my sinuses would clear up. It's actually true because I have done that diet before, but you know what? I know that I can't commit to that diet forever because there are foods l love, like pasta, cheese, great breads, hamburgers, steaks, fried chicken, mac 'n' cheese, fries, pizza, ice cream, chocolate, cookies, pies, cakes (I'm making myself hungry here) and more. I can't go though life not ever having another burger!
So, what's the solution? I think in my case it's making the choice to make better choices . After all, I love fruits and vegetables and I do love the way I feel when I make better choices about what I put into my body. I notice when I eat foods that are processed, salty or fatty I just don't feel well afterward. I get moody, a headache and my stomach hurts.
When I do make choices that are better for me, I feel great and my attitude is so much nicer—so I've been told by the people who love me. But the reality is, I'm not going to always make the choices that are the best for me. I'm human and I love food, and when I deprive myself of anything, I just want more of it. So instead of making the resolution to lose weight, I'm going to resolve to make better choices for myself. For me, it's difficult. I struggle every day with food and food choices, but if I make the choice to eat a cheeseburger, I should enjoy it and not beat myself up and feel so guilty afterward that it makes me want to continue down a path of creamy, sugary destruction.
Cristina's new approach to New Year's resolutions
I'm good for about three days when I'm on a diet-vitamin-herbal-laxative tea routine. I monitor my organic low-calorie, low-fat, no-flavor food, drink 12 8-ounce glasses of distilled water a day and make sure not to go out because I run to use the restroom every 15 minutes. The idea of having to stop in a gas station restroom pretty much keeps me at home. When I do go out, I have to plan how long it takes me to get to my destination! I get up early to go to the gym one day, the track the next and the park on the third day. On the fourth day, I wake up and I'm completely over it, all of it—the eating, the exercising and the remembering to take my vitamins.
I believe the reason I can't keep my resolution is because I set up unrealistic expectations for myself. I set myself up to fail. I buy into the idea that if I could only get into a size 8 again, I could sprout wings and be a 50-something Victoria Secret model, the first of its kind! That if I eliminate white things (sugar, flour, bread) I would lose weight faster and my sinuses would clear up. It's actually true because I have done that diet before, but you know what? I know that I can't commit to that diet forever because there are foods l love, like pasta, cheese, great breads, hamburgers, steaks, fried chicken, mac 'n' cheese, fries, pizza, ice cream, chocolate, cookies, pies, cakes (I'm making myself hungry here) and more. I can't go though life not ever having another burger!
So, what's the solution? I think in my case it's making the choice to make better choices . After all, I love fruits and vegetables and I do love the way I feel when I make better choices about what I put into my body. I notice when I eat foods that are processed, salty or fatty I just don't feel well afterward. I get moody, a headache and my stomach hurts.
When I do make choices that are better for me, I feel great and my attitude is so much nicer—so I've been told by the people who love me. But the reality is, I'm not going to always make the choices that are the best for me. I'm human and I love food, and when I deprive myself of anything, I just want more of it. So instead of making the resolution to lose weight, I'm going to resolve to make better choices for myself. For me, it's difficult. I struggle every day with food and food choices, but if I make the choice to eat a cheeseburger, I should enjoy it and not beat myself up and feel so guilty afterward that it makes me want to continue down a path of creamy, sugary destruction.
Cristina's new approach to New Year's resolutions
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