There is a saying in weight loss circles.
Nothing tastes as good as thin feels.
To which I say, bullshit.
There is plenty that tastes really good and, if I get hold of it, I’ll probably eat it. Like when I’m hungry. It’s especially true since I can’t remember what thin feels like. It’s been so long since I’ve been a “normal” weight that I really can’t remember how great it must feel to fit into normal clothes bought through a catalog or at a regular department store. I can’t remember the feeling of fitting comfortably into an airline seat or restaurant booth or movie theater seat. The keyword being comfortably.
So nothing tasting as good as thin feels? You gotta remember how thin feels, first.
Dealing With Hunger
The real challenge with counting calories or any type of diet or “lifestyle choice” that involves dropping a lot of poundage is that, sooner or later, you’re going to get hungry. Whether it’s true hunger or you just want to satisfy some emotional craving — anger, boredom, ecstasy.
I was dealing with this a little today. I’ve dropped a few pounds since I started this journey and, as a result, the number of calories I can consume and not gain weight has been reduced. This is called my Basal Metabolic Rate (BMR). It’s the number of calories my body needs if I didn’t do anything but sit in my chair all day just to maintain my current weight. If I eat fewer calories, I reduce my weight (theoretically). If I exercise and burn some calories I will reduce my weight or have the capacity to eat a little more during the day and maintain my current weight.
Screw the Numbers
I’m here to tell you that sometimes I just get downright hungry. It’s not the type of hunger that a banana or clementine or apple or even a couple of chocolate grahams will satisfy. Nope. It’s the type of hunger that requires a full blown meal or at least a hearty sandwich (bread!! the killer) with something sweet behind it. Of course, the idea is to drink a ton of water to curb this hunger. That doesn’t always work, either.
So. I deal with it. I try to stay aware of what I’m putting in my mouth and how much. I would love to get to the point of being satisfied on fruit and salads (hold the dressing) but, in the meantime, I occasionally have these cravings for f-o-o-d. Feeding the beast that wants more, more, more. I’m sure it’s an emotional thing combined with a physical thing.
