Eat to Live with Cerebral Palsy; NOT Live to Eat
Recently, I have been getting some great comments and participation on the blog. I want to thank you very much! Keep it up! It encourages me very much; and, I hope it also encourages other readers.
Among the comments and emails are questions about my diet. It seems others have doctors that “pat them on the shoulder” and offer discouraging advice like: “Just push away from the table.”
Pardon me, but that is not good enough. I needed to learn how to eat to live with CP, NOT live to eat! I needed information about portion sizes, menu plans, and what I needed to include in each meal, in order to ensure a healthy new way of eating, for the rest of my life.
The New Page
Since some of you feel the same way, I have include a new page on my blog, with a link to download the documents my dietitian gave me. Of course, there are notes that are specific to me, because of my special needs, but the papers are for a 1500 calorie diet. (Of course, men need more because their metabolism is higher, and they burn more calories.)
Also I have included a link to a heart healthy cookbook. However, there are a lot more on Amazon.com, or check your local bookstore.
Remember, this is NOT information to lose weight and then go back to the old eating habits that caused a problem in the first place. The plan is to learn to eat healthy, get into the habit, and keep it up for a lifetime.
The Willpower Problem
Now, it’s time to make a confession. I have a willpower problem. Although it’s getting easier, I love fast food (I hate to cook), and I have a sweet tooth. So, I had to come to terms with both, or I couldn’t have lost an ounce.
First, I have discovered that most fast food places have relatively healthy items on their menus. For example:
The real killer in fast food is the preparation. Stay away from the fried stuff. (Sorry, French fries included!) Avoid the dressings on the sandwiches, even if they are baked. Take it home and add ketchup or mustard, if you can’t eat it dry.
Don’t forget the Sweets!
Okay. When it comes to sweets, this is what works for me. If you have absolutely no self control, and will sit down and eat a whole gallon of ice cream, you may need to come up with a better plan. But,. . .
I allow myself a cheat day. Yes, it’s true. I pick Sundays because that is often when I go out with friends, and I especially don’t like to cook.
On Sunday, I eat what I want (unless I am medically supposed to stay away from certain foods), sweets, etc. The trick is to be VERY GOOD the other 6 days of the week. Then, think of it as a reward.
I find it better to plan a cheat day. Then, I am less likely to “fall of the bandwagon” and resume my old eating habits.
BEWARE!
However, be forewarned! Once you get into the habit of eating to live with cerebral palsy, and not living to eat, you will find it difficult to “pig out” on your cheat day. Once you start losing weight and your body begins to like eating healthy, you might make yourself sick when you go back to those favorite unhealthy treats. Moderation, even on cheat day is key.
The Best Part
Good news! The best part of eating healthier will not just be the loss of a few pounds. The best part is simply feeling better, on the inside and out!
I still haven’t reached my goal weight. I am a work in progress. I have been at this for almost a year. I can’t weigh on a scale, unless I go to the hospital, because of the chair. But, I have gone down 6 sizes, (50 lbs??) it’s easier to lift myself around, and I feel so much better.
I still have my chocolate candy bar, once in a while. I don’t really like fried foods anymore. When I eat at my mom’s (she is the best cook), I eat a little bit of everything. Although I would like more, my body feels like I stuffed myself with the whole Christmas turkey! So, I quit.
The first few weeks are the hardest. But, it gets easier, especially when you start feeling healthier.
So, if you want to lose weight and need a diet partner for encouragement, you know where to find me.
