You Have To Want It: More Than Anything

Let me start off by saying to my dear readers (that's you): I love you!

I cannot believe I have so many of you already. I'll try and make it worth your while. You guys are my inspiration, my commiseration committee, my favourite people.

I will not beat around the bush. Today sucked. I had an assessment with a psychiatrist this morning who said I was displaying symptoms of two separate disorders (one anxiety, one personality) but because the condition I actually have isn't listed in the DSM-IV yet, didn't diagnose me with ANYTHING. FAIL. The meeting was pretty much like this "Oh hai. Error 404: Diagnosis not found. Redirecting you to a similar page. Wud you likes some drugz?" Long story short, I have an incurable condition that might not haunt me emotionally forever but will sure as hell impair my physical quality of life, because I'm probably going to be on migraine medication for the rest of it. Hurrah.

On to slightly cheerier things: I've had a request for some tips and tricks and I'm very flattered Thank you to all of you for your congratulations. Your encouragement means the world to me. Enough gushing. Some of these you'll probably know, others you might not but I'll throw everything in there, regardless:

Tips and Tricks

1) Do not eat after 7pm. Your body is more likely to store calories eaten after this time as fat.

2) Drink as much hot lemon water as you like. I suggest two per day, minimum. One teaspoon of lemon juice in hot water is one calorie. It boosts your metabolism which is especially good if you're fasting.

3) A long brisk walk is better for you than a run. The reason for this is because you have two main sources of energy: glycogen and fat. Sudden bursts of energy (e.g. running) encourage your body to use up all your glycogen. This will reduce your fat a little, but not much. Longer, more consistent energy use, however, encourages your body to use your fat storage instead. Thus, a walk burns more fat, if not calories, than a run. I usually do step aerobics while I watch the TV though, which has the same effect :)

4) Munch on ice cubes if you feel hungry. It keeps your mouth busy and you get extra water!

5) I use this as a last resort, if I need to. If you feel like you're going to eat when you don't want to/can't, weigh or measure yourself. Think about how well you're doing and how eating will spoil it.

6) We live in a world with Twinkies and chocolate and muffins and crisps and fries and cookies and that's something that we're going to have to accept. My great-grandma used to say that "a little of what you fancy does you good." No one can live off vegetables all the time. Especially not if they've tasted Twinkies first. Let yourself indulge once in a while. Just do it in moderation. Fit a treat into your calorie allowance. You deserve it!

7) Do math. This is my solution for nearly every problem in my life, believe it or not ^^;

It helps me sleep and it helps me keep my mind off food. For example, there are 3500 calories in 1lb. Let's say your basic metabolic rate is 1450 and you're an average person that consumes 2000 calories a day. That means that 550 calories are stored as fat. Let's say you burn off 200 a day, leaving 350 stored as fat. Conclusion: every 10 days you gain 1lb. That's 36lbs a year. Obesity mystery = solved.

8) Don't berate yourself too much if you screw up. Positive thinking is more effective than negative thinking. Corny, but true :)

9) Eat from smaller bowls and plates. I have a very small in the shape of a frog and small rainbow plate, with matching cup. Portion control can be fun!

10) I think that as a community our biggest fall is from too many liquid calories. I try and get around it by making my calorie allowance cover my drinks as well as my food.

I think the biggest tip of all is the title of this post, though. You need to really want it. It'll be hard but that's what makes it most rewarding in the end. I hope some of this has helped you :)

Today's Thinspo

Waist Day! (This is like Wednesday - but not) A good waist is essential to a perfect figure. Half-moon postures, people!

Today's Quote

"Hate to break it to you but it's out of my control. Forces go to work while we are sleeping. If I could attack with a more sensible approach, obviously that's what I'd be doing, right?...If you had to live with this you'd rather lie than fall. You think I can't fly, well, you just watch me!" - Gravity, The Dresden Dolls.

Today's 5 Song Playlist

1) Where'd You Go by Fort Minor

2) Knowing Me, Knowing You by Abba

3) Hot Hot Heat - In Cairo

4) Sincerely Hope It's You - Edith Backlund

5) Evelyn Evelyn - Evelyn Evelyn

I hope you're all well :)

Love,

Analise.