Weightless for Smarties

By: Yogatiger
I think for all of us, there is that perfect number on the scale that will change our lives forever. Once that number is realized, we will transform from being fat, undesirable and uncomfortable with our bodies to a reincarnation of ourselves as something resembling Gisele Bundchen, or whatever image springs to your mind. I have let that number on my bathroom scale tell me if i am going to be happy today or feel miserable and fat.  Why did i give so much power to something i bought for $25 at Bed Bath and Beyond me? In my youth i was a big fan of diets, there were so many to try and there still are.  Most of the diets just made me hungry and ill tempered.  But, i saw that miraculous number on the scale and for a day I was beautiful. Then I gained weight and was back to square one.  What really changed my life and my relationship with food was to stop dieting.  Dieting just makes you focus on food and what you can't eat.  We all know how that works out!  Instead, I think of what i want to include in my diet, not leave out.  As a country, we are blessed with abundance! But we have a negativity bias that is hard wired into our beings.  I bring this up, because with all this abundance, our instinct is to think, "this won't last, i've got to eat and store as much as i can!". Our survival instincts and fear of not having enough are a big part of wanting to take in more food than we need.  So, I think diets just trigger food insecurities that are built into our brains for survival.  Just changing your view of what you eat and why will change how you eat. If you are concerned about weight loss, most likely you are living with abundance and choices.  There are so many beautiful foods that are provided by nature for our benefit.  I like to take in as many colors as i can daily, each one offering different nutrients.  This time of year, think of all the beautiful squashes, apples, dark leafy greens and potatoes of all shades! Of course, all seasons of produce are available now all year round.  Lots of folks feel that you should just eat seasonally, but it's 5 o'clock somewhere! It's still nutritious.  I love tomatoes and eat them all year! 
Bottom line: first acknowledge that you are beautiful, now, the way you are. Any weight you want to relieve your body of is because you want to take care of yourself and this amazing gift of embodiment you were given. Nourish yourself like you would the most precious child in your care, because you are that precious child.
Try to include as many colorful fruits and vegetables as you can.  There are a lot of processed foods out there that are convenient, but they have a lot of ingredients that are unnecessary. See if there are dishes you can make for you and your family that are quick and tasty, but without the additives pre packaged food has.  There are so many recipes available online!  And, don't be afraid of natural fats (in avocados, butter, olive oil, etc..), they offer essential vitamins and/or help your body ingest vitamins.  Let yourself enjoy your comfort foods, but enjoy them knowing there will always be more and you don't have to eat it all right now! 
The magic of weight loss is loving yourself not hating your body.
Also, keep your body active.  It is built to move!  I'm a big believer in yoga, it fits every body!
bon appétit
namaste
yoga tiger