Diet Tips from a Former Fattie

That's right everyone, I am a former fattie. Growing up I was a chunky kid, which turned into a chunky middle schooler and then a fat teenager teenager. By the time I moved to New York at 22, I was pushing 200 lbs., which at 5'6" is just on the boarder of obese.  Part of this is because I had been sick for almost a year before moving up and spent a lot of time eating and sleeping - but regardless there I was 22, living in NYC, and still the fat friend. During that first 1.5 years in NYC I dated, I made new friends, I went out and had fun, I got to know the city, I excelled at my job - but I wanted more. I wanted to not get out of breath going up the stairs, I wanted to carry my groceries without huffing, I wanted to not be embarrassed going with my friends to the gym, I wanted to borrow clothes from my them, I wanted to look in the mirror and like what I saw - so I decided to make some changes. That being said, I loved food and was super broke, as such gym memberships and fad diets were out. I was on my own, but I was determined to make some changes and within 1.5 yeas I was down to 135 lbs. I learned pretty quickly that my ideal weight - the weight where I could live my life: eat out, miss a workout, have a drink after work - was actually 140 lbs and 9 years later I am happy to report that I am still maintaining it. 

So, how did I do it and how do I keep it off (or drop it after the holidays)?  Well here are my top 5 tips, I hope they help a few of you out as you work on those NYE resolutions:

1. Eat, Eat, Eat (Your Veggies). Vegetables are so good for you, they fill you up and are packed with nutrients. When sitting down to my main meals (breakfast, lunch, dinner) I try and keep at least 75% of my plate vegetables, the other 25% will be a lean protein (typically eggs, chicken, turkey, or fish) and healthy carbs (sweet potatoes, brown rice, quinoa, couscous, whole wheat bread). I also think you should be eating all day and keeping small snacks handy that provide both protein and fiber. which will fill you up and keep you going - think: yogurt and berries, almonds and fruit, almond butter and celery, carrots and hummus. Pack these at the beginning of the week so they are handy at your desk when you get hungry, instead of sugar filled granola bars or chocolates.
2. Spice it up. The food you eat while trying to lose weight should taste good and shouldn't feel like a punishment - the way to do that is to use spices.  By keeping your meals flavorful you will enjoy them more and not feel deprived while trying to lose weight. If you're nervous about experimenting with spices on your own, check out the labels as they suggest what proteins they compliment. In addition to a stocked spice cabinet, go ahead and pick up some BBQ sauce and hot sauce, these add a lot of bang for few calories. 
3. Exercise. Seriously, you've got to work for that loss. When I got started losing weight I did yoga at least 5 days a week. After I had lost the first chunk of weight I slowly started adding in some cardio and now I do a combination of both. I like yoga and bodyweight workouts, because you usually don't need a gym and they build a practical strength (i.e. being able to get up the stairs without losing your breath, carting those groceries, etc.). But whatever you choose, it should be a workout that you like, because if you don't like it - you won't do it.
4. Cheat (in Moderation). Before you get too excited, I don't subscribe to cheat days. What i advocate, and what works for me, are thoughtful cheats. This means, if you are craving a burger, go for it, but only eat half! The problem I have with cheat days are that they make the rest of your week seem like the purgatory you have to get through to get to the reward. Instead, i think you should go for it when you really want to and do it in moderation. I still love food, usually the kind that is bad for me, and I hate being deprived - so when I get a craving for pizza, first I see if it goes away (do I want this because I smelled it or am I really craving this?), if it doesn't go away, I get myself a pie, I am present while I enjoy it, but I don't eat the whole thing. 
5. Be Honest. You need to know why you are doing this and what is realistic for you. I loved being 135 lbs, but I needed to be honest about what kind of life I wanted to live and what I was willing to do to maintain it. You should know this for yourself, if you want 6-pack abs but also want to go to happy hours 2-nights a week and eat cheeseburgers - it isn't going to work. So be honest about your goals and what kind of lifestyle you are willing to maintain to get them. 

None of these are ground breaking ideas, but instead are practical tips that have worked for me and I hope they can help you as you embark on your own journey.