One step back...two steps forward

One of the hardest parts about making a change is that most of us like our lives and our routines. When you're talking about poor eating habits and physical inactivity, this is so true! It's so much easier to make the same high fat, high carb, low nutritional density foods that we've been eating for years than to learn new ways to cook and prepare food.

Last week I encountered a setback. Who am I kidding? I am my setback. My beloved husband celebrated his birthday on Wednesday. He's the kind of man who would do without for himself to make me and the kids happy. So when he requested ribeye steak and Costco buttercream frosting cake for his birthday dinner...well, I couldn't find it in my heart to say no.

I couldn't find it in my heart to not make it, or to not eat it. The mistake is that I chose to eat those foods although I had setup my kitchen to have lots of low fat, healthy alternatives within arm's reach. I chose to eat another piece of cake, and another. (I did not lose all control...I have only had TWO pieces of that cake...I have been able to say no since then.)

So I am here to report my weekly weigh-in:

(sad trumpet fanfare)

242.2

(sigh)

I suppose it isn't as bad as it could have been. Our weekend involved having lots of foods that weren't good choices, and I did make the right choices most of the weekend. In fact, in light of that knowledge, I am quite glad that my weight didn't rebound anymore than it did.

*****
Two steps forward. I am starting the alli plan today. I had resolved to do this a while ago, but then it just didn't fall into our budget. This payday, we could afford to buy it, plus I found out that if you go to their website and participate in a survey, you can receive a printable coupon for alli--a whopping $10 off the purchase of a 60-ct. or 90-ct. starter package.

Now, I am not suggesting that everyone go out and purchase/use alli(orlistat). The reality that I've learned about diet/lifestyle changes is that different strokes are for different folks. If planning a menu that is lowfat and healthy while also calorie controlled is something that works for you, alli might be something to consider. The nutrition component of alli is very similar in design to Weight Watchers, LA Weight Loss, or any other food exchange system.

So what makes this different?

Alli(orlistat) works in the digestive tract to keep some of the fat you consume from being absorbed by the body. This is significant because fat carries 9 kcals/gram, compared to 4 kcals/gram for protein and carbohydrates. It's also helpful because most proteins are animal-derived which means that they include fat, and many carbs are processed with animal-derived products including fat.

The nutrition program varies in kcals based on your starting height/weight, but here is what I know: even if you followed only the nutrition program without the alli pill, you would lose weight! That's why they can claim that you can lose 50% more weight using alli than with diet/nutrition alone.

What does that mean for me? I know that by following the nutrition plan and increasing my physical activity level gradually, I can lose 8-10 pounds a month. I know this because I did it before, back in 2006. With alli, I should be able to do the same thing but with the help of the pill, increase the loss to 12-15 pounds a month.

This is really important for me for two reasons:

1. I am experiencing a lot of weight related issues- joint pain, back pain, snoring-that can only be resolved through weight loss.

2. I am a goal-oriented person and will quit if I don't feel like I'm getting results.

So, here is where I'm at...

This week, I'm going to keep eating the way I have been--low calorie, low fat--and add alli to my daily intake. I am also going to maintain/morph my activity schedule to make sure I get three days of "planned" physical activity--walking, elliptical, whatever it takes--which may be difficult as our family schedule is changing again to accomodate a change in my husband's work schedule.

But watch and see: next week I will see a weight loss, and I will be successful with the activity changes.

How about you?