Why this blog?
Isn’t this some kind of exhibitionism, or narcissism, or worse?
Well, maybe. I don’t really know. But the idea behind it is based on some of my past experiences. It seems to be working, and some of what I have been through in the past make me confident that it will continue working.
8½ years ago I began going to Gamblers Anonymous, a 12-step program based on the principles behind AA, NA and several other self-help programs. I had become involved in a form of gambling in the stock market, called day trading. My activity there was frenzied and destructive, to say the very least, and I knew it had to stop.
I am happy, and very grateful, to say that I have remained free from gambling throughout these 8½ years with the help of this program. I attend only 1 or 2 meetings a week, less than many others do and probably less than I should, but the program is extremely effective for me. I speak at the meetings I attend and share what I have been through, my experience, strength and hope as we say in the program. I listen to other men and women who are honest about their past and current experiences and their hope.
I am well aware that there is a great 12-step program for people who are dealing with eating problems, eating disorders and compulsive overeating. Back in 1981 I attended OA for a few months. I made some temporary progress, but eventually I fell away from the program.
Part of what didn’t work for me was that the meetings that I found were always 95% women. Not that there’s anything wrong with being the only guy in a room full of women. It just didn’t meet my needs.
Another thing that was difficult for me about OA was that, well, eating is not the same as drugs, alcohol or gambling. We all have to eat. Our need to eat a fair amount of food every day is not a disease. We can’t say, if I have an egg, I will never stop eating eggs. In my view, we also cannot say that about bread, sugar, sweets, the occasional beer, or simple carbs.
So what I have been looking for is balance and moderation, and I didn’t find that in OA, which I do think works well for many other people.
I am trying to use this blog as a way to help find that balance and moderation, to “report in” and claim my seat every day as I do every week in GA and to keep a record of what I am doing that works so that I can refer to it later if I need it. In the process I am happy to share it with others, and I’m just not hung up about any exhibitionism that may be involved.
The fastest way to lose weight is to totally cut out animal products from your diet. Then cut out sweets other than fresh fruit. Then up the exercise and eat as many veggies as you want to fill up to stave off hunger pangs.
Good luck! I too am battling the bulge of my belly and am following my own advice with good results so far. I cheat so I am not losing the belly as fast as I could.
Losing weight is simple but not easy!
Donna