all or nothing

[nosebeepbear]

I'm not saying anything new if I point out that all-or-nothing thinking is what eventually kills most diets (and causes other problem too, but diet is my focus here). Weight Watchers knows this, and they put a lot of energy into telling people it's OK to not be perfect - that going off-plan doesn't mean you have to stay off-plan and you can get

Comments

[vvalkyri]

Hm. Do most people think like that?

I choose salads and such most of the time* partly in order to allow for godawful stuff other times. I ended up at Hard Times with coworkers today, which has very little green on the menu and I rarely order salads when out. One guy got tater tots with chili and cheese and sour cream over it, and that sounded good so I followed him. I plan, because of that, to eat something sane tonight, and I justify it to myself with the plan to get some strenuous dancing in tomorrow.

True, on a given day if I start into the potato chips I'll sometimes get into the "well I've already been eating cr&p; might as well go ahead with it..."

I think maybe a hybrid - not so much each meal independant as partly a balance? 'Cause I totally agree with your last couple sentences.

Hm.

*partly b/c i really like the taste of green

[nosebeepbear]

Maybe not people generally? But in my experience most people who are trying to lose weight do.

[themangoavenger]

*nods* I understand what you mean; although in my case it has not been with food. My doctor told me that 20 minutes of exercise would help me with something, but really all I was up to was 10. After 10 minutes was a good stopping point for me; but instead of thinking I could work up to 20, I wouldn't want to exercise at all. So I didn't.

It's a life change, not a diet.

[anonymous]

It's just changing little pieces at a time. Yes I can have that cookie, but I need to walk a bit longer. I'd love a hamburger, but I haven't had much fiber today, so maybe for lunch tomorrow. Going "on a diet" holds in it the idea of going off. The idea is to gradually nudge yourself into habits that make you feel better physically. It may not make you a 110lbs, but if it makes you the healthiest, happiest Jo you can be, that's all I really think you can ask.