The opposite of success is failure and as people who have gained and lost weight, struggled to maintain weight we have experienced way more failure than success.
One aspect of the Fasting Diet (Doctor's Answer is what I used) is that the weight loss is so very quick and in many ways "painless." What I see as missing are the real life successes that only dealing with real food and challenges can offer. Whereas with the fast there is only one type of failure, cheating and if you cheat, you are really done, give it up.
On Maintenance it is all shades of gray, this is why it is so very hard to do. Fanaticism is easy, Moderation is a bitch. ( a modification of my previous statement)
What I have seen in the last 3 weeks of what I can only call "Fanatic Moderation" is that my successes are very empowering and are very challenging and like other successes where I am thrilled by "not screwing up" I am having fun.
I am doing what came to be called the "Bonnie Modified Fast." Where, because I was in business and often had a lunch or dinner to attend I used the 3rd week of what my program called "Transition" and made it my PLAN.
I have a shake when I wake and one or 2 more in a day and one of my meals is a fabulous grilled chicken or other protein with a large salad (I do love lunch at the Whole Foods Salad Bar) and I don't skimp. Carbs are rarely in my world -- right now --
So, last night I knew I would go out to eat with a friend before an art opening. We both ordered a Caesar salad and I added Anchovies and Chicken. They put a basket of fabulous smelling focaccia on the table.
I ate my salad and gee a really beautiful and crispy looking piece of bread was calling my name. I thought, well, it won't hurt. And, truthfully, calorie wise it most certainly would not have "hurt" my day's totals. But I said to myself, no, don't blow your streak, your challenge to see how long you can resist.
Like my basketball team, the Golden State Warriors, the streak of winning is a high and fun and feels really special. So, I did not touch the bread.
Like my travels in Japan when I figure out where to get the train, figure out which track and with some little knowledge of Japanese, get off at the exactly right station and where I am going is right in front of me, I feel like a fist pump and a smile are appropriate because I was competent, I did it myself, I did not screw up, I made it where I intended to go.
Right now, I am on the right train, I want to take it as far as I can towards my goal, and the process is a good type of challenge.
I don't want to screw up.
B
