Lose Or Chews

Hey guys. I need some help from my fellow lose-or-chews-ers. I have totally fallen off the wagon and have gained weight. I can't seem to sever my ties with comfort food when I'm feeling stressed. Can you help?

I found this article on weightwatchers.com:

1. Plan for treats. Making sure you get to enjoy your favorite treats every once in a while will help you from feeling deprived. Pick a night each week when you can indulge in something decadent like a piece of chocolate mud cake. Give yourself permission to truly enjoy your dessert! Taking time to savor a treat is always more satisfying than gobbling it down with feelings of guilt or shame.

2. Put your pantry on a diet. If most of the foods in your house are healthy, then you're already halfway there. If you must have tempting foods around for a special occasion, store them out of sight or buy them at the last minute. On the big day, enjoy your favorite foods and send any leftovers home with your guests.

3. Choose your friends wisely. Beware of any "friend" who continually tries to coerce you into "just a cappuccino" which you know really means a cappuccino and a slice of carrot cake with frosting an inch thick. Put these friends on hold until you're feeling strong enough to say "no." Or suggest a different kind of get-together such as a walk in the park or an afternoon at the movies.

4. Count the cost as well as the calories. Allocate so many dollars per pound you plan to lose and save the money in a separate account or piggy bank. Or "pay" yourself so much every day you stick to your weight-loss plan. Then treat yourself to something fabulous like a new outfit or a day at a beauty spa.

5. Picture yourself. Find some not-so-flattering photos of yourself and place them strategically at prime temptation spots — the fridge, the cookie jar, or in your desk drawer. That way you will be reminded of the positive changes you're trying to make to your life whenever you're tempted to overindulge.

6. Surround yourself with witnesses. Tell everyone you are changing your eating habits. Give them permission to remind you of your dedication to better health if they catch you transgressing. Make sure you have chosen friends who will support and encourage you. The last thing you need is someone who will try to trip you up.

7. Check up on yourself. Write down every single thing that passes your lips each day. If you often eat when you're upset or stressed, try to record this too. If you gobbled up a candy bar after arguing with your partner, you probably need to find alternative ways of coping with your moods. Next time try phoning a friend or going for a stress-relieving walk.

8. Keep a sense of proportion. We all slip up from time to time. We all forget our best resolutions and bend the rules. It's not the end of the world. The worst thing you can do is give in and say "Well, I blew it. Let's forget it. I'm never going to succeed."

I'm sorry to be such a post hog today. Jennifer's post on body image got me to thinking, and then to writing. This is what came out:

"I'm part of a group that people don't talk about much...guys that struggle with body image. It's a battle I've been fighting since 6th grade. It's a battle I'll fight the rest of my life.

I don't know how to feel good about my body. There are just too many things wrong with it.

It's strange, because I hear other people talk about the things they don't like about their bodies and think, 'But that's what makes your body so beautiful and special. It's part of what makes you you - and you are awesome.' I believe that about other people, but not me.

Lately I've come to realize that despite all my hard work - the running, the core strengthening, the point counting, the eating of the broccoli and the Cod - that it will probably never be enough. I will never see a reflection in the mirror that looks anything like the muscular men with thick hair and noses in proper proportion to their faces.

But that's okay.

I don't know that I can completely reprogram myself, so I say 'Forget it.' I try to latch on to a few things I actually do like about my body...the scar by my right eye...the muscular parts of my legs...the blue of my eyes...the span of my shoulders. They're not much, but they're me.

I try to remember the compliments from others. I have never really liked my smile. Ever. But I don't know how many times people have complimented my smile. Sometimes, when I'm feeling self-conscious, I smile and think about all those people - some I barely knew - that said they loved my smile and wonder who is seeing my smile right now and enjoying it.

I want to try to give compliments liberally. If someone looks nice, I should tell them. Compliment strong legs, pretty eyes, gleaming smiles...whatever. It will make their day, maybe even their year. Plus, it might come back to me some day when I need it the most.

I still have days when I hide behind a hat or a sweatshirt. I still lean on clothes that don't really fit me when I feel like the ugliest honkey that ever walked the planet. But those feelings eventually pass and I feel okay again. The good news is those feelings don't come as often as they used to.

I'm not the perfect man, but I'm me - perfectly unique and original."

Don't forget that you, too, are a beautiful, unique and perfect person who has made a positive impact on my life. I love you all.

Listening to: Iron and Wine - "The Trapeze Swinger"

I found a weight watcher calculator online. I can't find my slide scale so I google searched and found this one. Maybe someone with a slide scale can check its accuracy. Here's the website:
http://www.alexnolan.net/onlinetools/weightwatcherspointscalculator.htm