2009 — My Journey

2009 was a fairly simple year when it comes to my health and eating. Well, simple in the sense of really only having two aspects to it. One, it was a year filled with travel opportunities, so I was generally active in some way. And I was doing something I really love, so that kept my body in a more joyful state.

Secondly, it was simply a year of portion control. I didn’t change what I was eating during this year, I simply didn’t put on my plate as much of what I was eating. It may not seem, initially, like much happens by only taking a little less of a dish, but as each meal is consumed one is really consuming just that much less. That compounds over time to where one has not eaten meals worth of food!

So that is what I did! That simple. No major food changes that year. No crazy crash diets. No cleanses, fasts, or special dietary restrictions. Just eating less food. It very much helped to begin slowly to acclimate to new eating habits. It was also really a joy to see how steady by body held its weight. I was able to hold pretty darn steady at 190–195 lbs. for the whole of 2009. Very reassuring!

To do this for yourself, here are my recommendations…

Never eat out of the bag!

It is amazing just how much more we eat if we have the pack/bag of whatever right in front of ourselves. Chips, cheesy poofy balls, even nuts, chocolate, anything. I would recommend taking just 1 portion of the snack. If eyeballing a portion doesn’t work for you, then bring out the kitchen scale and weight a portion. “When in doubt, weight it out!”

Take a little. Give a little.

I recommend take a portion of what you would like, then put just a little back (or even better… know not to take that little bit extra in the first place, respect for pot-lucks and buffets). Instead of 2 full scoops, maybe shake a little off the spoon to end with a 1 and a 1/2 scoop portion on your plate.

Ask.

Some restaurants offer half portions. They, however, don’t always advertise this. So one has to ask.

Just this little of a start can make a compounding difference in how many calories, fats, sugars, one’s body has to process. Also it begins an amazing awareness and change in the mind. One very well could become used to taking and eating just a little less and this could lead to more awareness when the body has had enough to eat. Each meal, item, blend of ingredients, and even style of preparation can have an affect on how much the body really needs to feel and be satisfied.

Right at the end of that year was when I started to learn about plant based diets, homeopathy, herbs, massage, and many other modalities for health, as my mother began massage therapy classes at the New Mexico School of Natural Therapeutics. But that part of the story will have to wait until the next article.

Join me then for 2010.

Thanks for taking the time to read all the way through! I greatly appreciate it!

If you would like to help me along on my new adventure you can click through to paypal.me/LanceTravels to make a fee-free donation to my Travel Fund!

The information and recommendations herein are my own. Individual results may vary. This is for entertainment purposes only. It is not intended to treat, diagnose, cure, or prevent any disease. Contact your medical professional before making any dietary changes.