My New Path

I mentioned yesterday that I was on a new diet plan. I'd considered doing a post about it before, but wavered back and forth on whether I wanted to keep this private or not. In the end I guess I decided to mention it, so I should explain the whole of it: what I'm doing and why.

The plan I joined is called Optifast. It is a medically supervised program where I drink5 shakes and have nutrition bar a day (I can also exchange one of the shakes for a tomato soup). So it's essentially a liquid diet. I consume 960 calories a day. This goes on for 12 weeks until I spend 6 more weeks transitioning back to "real" food with the help of a dietitian so that I can make smart choices.

I'm sure this sounds pretty horrifying to many of you. I assure you, I did not make the decision to do this quickly. I thought about it for quite a while before I decided it was the right choice for me. Why is it the right choice? Read on...

At first glance this seems like a short-term plan. You lose the weight and then once you go back to eating normally, you'd gain the weight back. Yes, that is a possibility (as it is with anything I'd try). However, I recognize this for what it is. It's a jump start on weight loss. It's also giving me time to figure out what I was doing wrong. What is triggering me to eat like there's no tomorrow for no reason or why do I think I have to eat everything because I paid for it. Essentially it's a vacation from food. It's a time to recognize my behavior for what it is and deal with it.

I don't plan to go back to my old ways. In fact, after the 18 weeks are through, I'll likely go to Weight Watchers because I know that's a solid eating plan. And I expect to be armed better to make the right choices I wasn't making before.

Another reason for this plan is to get a bunch of weight off so I can start to exercise more comfortably. I don't want to exercise incessantly every day, that's just not me, but I want to be able to go for a jog or even run a 5K.

I realize this plan isn't for everybody and there was probably a time when I would have said this wasn't for me. But I have had to face facts. If I don't act now, who knows what will happen. This plan (and the price) forces me to stick to it to lose weight, and it gives me some tools and resources (dietitian, behaviorist, doctor) to make this permanent. I know I'll always need to be wary of my weight. I know I'm not ever going to be able to just eat whatever I want (like my sisters).

I just want to be healthy and this is the path I've chosen to get me there.