The Body Beautiful – Part II

Well, here as promised is an update on my weight-loss (I use this term loosely) regime.

I am mostly trying to follow Paul McKenna’s book I Can Make You Thin, which is quite a slim tome itself as it basically contains only five golden rules and then some stuff about reprogramming your mind to behave like a ‘naturally thin’ person.

The golden rules are:

1. Eat only when you’re hungry
2. When you’re hungry, you can eat ANYTHING you want
3. Eat consciously, and enjoy every mouthful
4. When you think you’re full, STOP
5. Listen to the brainwashing CD which comes with the book as often as possible.

I have to say that after dieting for my entire adult life, my mind is pretty screwed up when it comes to food. I’ve been following so many conflicting rules over the years – low-fat, no carbs etc. etc. – that the very act of eating makes me feel guilty. But I do love good food, and it was so refreshing to be able to take things back to basics mentally.

So, how did I get on?

1. I found I was able to stick to Rule 1 most of the time – which made a huge change because since I had the Minx I’ve been eating when bored or stressed rather than hungry. And I realised how much I had been using sugary snacks to get over the afternoon tiredness hump, because some days I had real cravings. But I’ve been trying to get more sleep which has helped.
2. I found Rule 2 unbelievably difficult. I’ve been so brainwashed over the years that it was difficult to think that it was actually OK to eat ‘naughty’ food like butter or cheese when I wanted it. Interestingly Paul McKenna is right that one naturally does gravitate to a healthy way of eating – surprisingly I didn’t actually want to eat chocolate all the time .
3. I also realised that having a baby was making it almost impossible to eat consciously and focus on every mouthful. I’d been stuffing in ‘fuel’ every so often during the day and hardly noticing what it was I was eating. It’s still almost impossible to focus when you have a toddler trying to pull the food from your plate but I shall persevere.
4. This was also very difficult as I think over the years my body has overridden the ‘full’ sensation so often that now I don’t feel it. And sadly it seems that I actually need only very small portions to make me full (I’m short so really should not be eating very much). But I’ve definitely been eating a bit less.
5. The CD was lovely. I’ve only been able to listen to it a few times, but it is incredibly relaxing. I’ve no idea what it says as I always drift off into something almost like sleep but not quite, but I do come round feeling more motivated and inspired.

But does it work? Well I’ve only lost about 1 and 1/2 pounds so far which is somewhat depressing, though the good news is that I have not felt in the slightest bit deprived or like I’ve been on a diet at all. And I have to say that I’ve been sticking to the rules badly overall. And I definitely need to add more exercise to the mix. So onwards and upwards.

I will report back.