Tuesday Talking Points

by Heather Long | More from this Blogger

23 May 2006 05:05 AM

I've always wanted to use the phrase 'talking points' here in my blogs. So like my Friday Fitness Funnies, I want to get into posting my Tuesday Talking Points. Here's the idea - I bring up the points and we talk about them. I'd love to get your feedback, your experiences and your ideas as well.

Today's Talking Points

Bear in mind, you don't have to agree with the talking points - you just have to talk about them. I've discovered over the years that there is no one absolute diet or weight loss program that works for everyone the same way. We're all individual and we're all unique. The following are what I find to be the biggest dieting mistakes we can make - or at least that I can make - and I've paid the piper on more than one of them in the past.

Talking the Talk

• Eating a lot of pasta, potatoes or bread and reducing fruits, vegetables and lean meats. The former are high in starch and carbohydrates and the latter are rich in protein and fiber. We need a balanced diet, not a critically unbalanced one.
• Talking trash to yourself. Constantly telling yourself how awful you are, how fat you are, how weak you are or even just how stupid you are; this is a negative, defeatist attitude that will leave you feeling more defeated than supported.
• Judging others. Just because Atkins worked for your brother and your sister couldn't gain wait if she drank oil straight - don't judge them based on your own personal feelings. We're all different. We're all unique. That size 2 girl down the way may have self-image problems of her own and it's hardly her fault that you are not where you want to be.
• Live by the scale, die by the scale - I hate the scales in my bathroom. I avoid standing on it any more often than once or twice a month. People who jump on the scale daily or weekly are asking to be disappointed.
• All You Can Eat Buffets - Portions are uncontrollable for a lot of us - when offered free food - we eat it.
• Starvation is not conduscive to weight loss - it is a great way to hurt yourself though.
• Breakfast is the most important meal of the day - Mom told you that. Her mom told her. Her mom told her. Think they might have been on to something?
• The Waiting Room attitude - Living your life on hold and waiting for the day when you are thinner, fitter or in better health is not livng at all. Live life to its fullest - not only will it help improve your attitude - it will likely help improve your weight loss.

What do you think of today's talking points? What are the biggest dieting mistakes you have experienced or learned? Talk to me and give me your points!

Learn more about Heather Long

Heather Long is 35 years old and currently lives in Wylie, Texas. She has been a freelance writer for six years. Her husband and she met while working together at America Online over ten years ago.

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Sherry Holetzky (11404) 23 May 2006 07:57 AM

Good points, Heather. My biggest problem seems to be drinking enough water. I found that it helps to keep a handy pitcher of water in the fridge, not only because it tastes better cold, but also because seeing it urges me to drink it instead of grabbing some other beverage.

Heather Long (16954) 29 May 2006 05:36 AM

I am bad about water too. I've got two water bottles that I keep full it's about 96 ounces totally. I have to drink them both every day. I try to drink at least half of one before my morning coffee. Who knew making yourself drink water could be such a chore!