Don't Tell Me How To Diet
May. 27th, 2012 09:37 am![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
forever_wanderingI changed my layout in celebration of the new season. It's not the best, but I quite like it. It's simple and cute. A few of my friends have been asking me to post both in English and Japanese so that they don't have to struggle through the English. It's pretty time consuming, but I'm considering it.
....ANYWAY....
I'm a sucker for "Limited Edition Items," so as soon as I saw 31 Ice Cream's commercial for a Men in Black Limited Edition flavor, I absolutely had to have it. I told myself that if I could maintain my work out plan for two months, I'd allow myself to have it, and since I completed that goal yesterday, I had my reward for breakfast today!
The huge chunks of cheesecake made it a lot sweeter than I had expected it to be, but it was still quite enjoyable.So enjoyable that I almost regret splitting it with two other people!
A friend tried to guilt me over indulging in this little reward. "When you're on a diet, you can't eat things like this!" she told me, to which I replied, "I'm not dieting." She seemed confused, and told me she had thought I was trying to lose weight. I am, and I know that sacrifices must be made in order to lose weight. However, I do not believe in cutting out all of my favorite foods and snacks. I believe in moderation. From the day I decided I wanted to live a healthier life, I've lost 31 kilos. Not once have I felt deprived. Many of my friends constantly complain about their cravings and then often end up splurging when they go out.
For me, it's all about creating a healthy and active lifestyle I can maintain for more than a couple of months. Some people can completely cut sweets from their diets. I am not one of those people. These days, I rarely have cravings for such sweet things, but when I have a craving I simply can't get out of my system, I satisfy it with a small amount of what I'm craving.
I exercise five days a week (six when I finish my to-do list on time!) for almost two hours a day and dance for almost 45 minutes on top of that. I don't think a splurge every two months, for example, is going to kill me. It anything, it works as a motivator.
I used to be a yo-yo dieter, so at this point in the game, I may not be well educated on the best ways to lose weight, but I know quite a bit about what doesn't, and I can say with full confidence that making yourself miserable does not help.
Getting in shape and living healthy is not just a physical change. It's also a mental and emotional change. If you feel cranky and stressed, you won't be able to make the best decisions when it comes to this new life you want.
Every time I try to explain this to my friends, they roll their eyes and tell me I don't know what I'm talking about.Well, as I said, I may not be an expert but....I'm not the one sitting there making complaints about how difficult and stressful dieting is, am I? No, I'm the one eating a slice of cake while I browse through a magazine for a new size 4 dress.
I've never met a guy who puts themselves through the same torture girls put themselves through to lose
weight.....
EDIT: Some hours after I posted this, I went on to discuss diets with a friend, which led to a discussion about food in Japan vs. Food in the US.
Where did this idea that all food in Japan is automatically healthier than food in the US? Their argument was that in the US, they eat certain things and get fat, but in Japan, they can eat whatever and not get fat. This has more to do with the lifestyle than the actual food itself, I feel. For instance. In Japan, you buy a burger at MOS burger. The size is considerably smaller than that of an American burger, so you feel you won't gain weight. The truth is, you'll most likely walk a lot of it off because well, you do a lot of walking in Japan. That's life.
In the US, you order a burger and it's almost the size of your head. You eat it then get in your car, drive home, and complain that you've gained weight because American food is icky and that this would never happen in Japan. Wrong. Cut the burger in half and walk home.
In my mind, the only real difference is that people in Japan do all the work for you. You eat smaller portions because they give you smaller portions. That doesn't mean you can't be an adult and control your own portions in your own country. You burn things off quickly in Japan because you walk a lot. You can't walk in your own country? The thing is...you can.
The same rules apply for every country, in my book. So, whenever I hear girls make the argument or go with the assumption that just by being in Japan, they'll be able to eat whatever they want and still lose weight, I feel totally confused.
It feels to me like the issue isn't the food itself but more an issue of an individual's discipline.
....ANYWAY....
I'm a sucker for "Limited Edition Items," so as soon as I saw 31 Ice Cream's commercial for a Men in Black Limited Edition flavor, I absolutely had to have it. I told myself that if I could maintain my work out plan for two months, I'd allow myself to have it, and since I completed that goal yesterday, I had my reward for breakfast today!
The huge chunks of cheesecake made it a lot sweeter than I had expected it to be, but it was still quite enjoyable.
A friend tried to guilt me over indulging in this little reward. "When you're on a diet, you can't eat things like this!" she told me, to which I replied, "I'm not dieting." She seemed confused, and told me she had thought I was trying to lose weight. I am, and I know that sacrifices must be made in order to lose weight. However, I do not believe in cutting out all of my favorite foods and snacks. I believe in moderation. From the day I decided I wanted to live a healthier life, I've lost 31 kilos. Not once have I felt deprived. Many of my friends constantly complain about their cravings and then often end up splurging when they go out.
For me, it's all about creating a healthy and active lifestyle I can maintain for more than a couple of months. Some people can completely cut sweets from their diets. I am not one of those people. These days, I rarely have cravings for such sweet things, but when I have a craving I simply can't get out of my system, I satisfy it with a small amount of what I'm craving.
I exercise five days a week (six when I finish my to-do list on time!) for almost two hours a day and dance for almost 45 minutes on top of that. I don't think a splurge every two months, for example, is going to kill me. It anything, it works as a motivator.
I used to be a yo-yo dieter, so at this point in the game, I may not be well educated on the best ways to lose weight, but I know quite a bit about what doesn't, and I can say with full confidence that making yourself miserable does not help.
Getting in shape and living healthy is not just a physical change. It's also a mental and emotional change. If you feel cranky and stressed, you won't be able to make the best decisions when it comes to this new life you want.
Every time I try to explain this to my friends, they roll their eyes and tell me I don't know what I'm talking about.Well, as I said, I may not be an expert but....I'm not the one sitting there making complaints about how difficult and stressful dieting is, am I? No, I'm the one eating a slice of cake while I browse through a magazine for a new size 4 dress.
I've never met a guy who puts themselves through the same torture girls put themselves through to lose
weight.....
EDIT: Some hours after I posted this, I went on to discuss diets with a friend, which led to a discussion about food in Japan vs. Food in the US.
Where did this idea that all food in Japan is automatically healthier than food in the US? Their argument was that in the US, they eat certain things and get fat, but in Japan, they can eat whatever and not get fat. This has more to do with the lifestyle than the actual food itself, I feel. For instance. In Japan, you buy a burger at MOS burger. The size is considerably smaller than that of an American burger, so you feel you won't gain weight. The truth is, you'll most likely walk a lot of it off because well, you do a lot of walking in Japan. That's life.
In the US, you order a burger and it's almost the size of your head. You eat it then get in your car, drive home, and complain that you've gained weight because American food is icky and that this would never happen in Japan. Wrong. Cut the burger in half and walk home.
In my mind, the only real difference is that people in Japan do all the work for you. You eat smaller portions because they give you smaller portions. That doesn't mean you can't be an adult and control your own portions in your own country. You burn things off quickly in Japan because you walk a lot. You can't walk in your own country? The thing is...you can.
The same rules apply for every country, in my book. So, whenever I hear girls make the argument or go with the assumption that just by being in Japan, they'll be able to eat whatever they want and still lose weight, I feel totally confused.
It feels to me like the issue isn't the food itself but more an issue of an individual's discipline.
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no subject
Date: 2012-05-26 11:50 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2012-05-26 11:57 pm (UTC)This was the last time I did a photo update: http://kurikuribebi.livejournal.com/86877.html
Major difference!
no subject
Date: 2012-05-27 12:01 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2012-05-27 12:05 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2012-05-27 08:51 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2012-05-27 09:13 am (UTC)People also don't seem to realize that because life is always on the go-go-go, a lot of conbini bentos and instant meals are becoming the usual. Those aren't exactly healthy either.
I don't know. Sometimes people tell me things and I sit there wondering, "Do we live in the same Japan?!"
no subject
Date: 2012-05-26 11:55 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2012-05-27 12:00 am (UTC)It gets annoying, especially when they can look at me as proof of my words. Obviously something must be right if the weight is coming off >.<
I'm not trying to be a know it all or make them jealous. I've been in their shoes. I'm trying to help them get out of those shoes and in to some prettier ones, lol.
no subject
Date: 2012-05-27 01:33 am (UTC)Also, congratulations on losing weight! I'm having such a hard time since having my daughter. Something always seems to happen that causes me to be bed-ridden for weeks. I'm going to start walking again soon though. I can't wait until we get to Japan. I will feel more motivated to workout.
no subject
Date: 2012-05-27 01:55 am (UTC)You'll lose weight in Japan for sure, especially with all those stairs. Just don't assume everything is healthy. I've known quite a few girls who assumed that everything the Japanese ate was automatically healthier, and ended up gaining weight. Just like in the US, it's still about moderation and portion control =)
no subject
Date: 2012-05-27 09:08 am (UTC)Your approach to losing weight is muuuuch healthier than what most people do. :)
no subject
Date: 2012-05-27 09:22 am (UTC)Lol. I have to admit that when I first moved, I was like that as well. I'd go to class, then on the way home buy a conbini okonomiyaki every day. After two weeks I was so confused.
no subject
Date: 2012-05-27 09:32 am (UTC)Hehe, mmmm combini okonomiyaki! I was also a bit like that when I first went to Japan, hehe, but I soon realised that of course eating a load of deep fried food and ramen all of the time wasn't going to help me lose weight.
no subject
Date: 2012-05-27 05:26 pm (UTC)Ahaha, Ramen was the one thing I stayed away from as much as possible. That was the one food my senpai warned me about.
no subject
Date: 2012-05-30 01:13 pm (UTC)These days I almost never eat instant ramen (I think I've had it once in the past 3 years) and only occasionally eat ramen when I'm out. It's nice as a treat but not something that I want to end up eating all of the time!! My husband loves it though. He has a whole shelf in our house dedicated to instant ramen. Haha.
no subject
Date: 2012-05-30 10:32 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2012-05-27 09:54 am (UTC)The only thing that uk-ers struggle with that pile on the pounds is drinking too much alcohol. Everyone pretty much binge drinks, which contains sooooo many bad stuff in it for the body. Which makes people put on weight and damages their bodies. I think if we all drunk in moderation, we would be a healthier country with less obesity and less crime rates, etc.
When i go out on average i will have 4 single shot mixer drinks. And that's me done for the night. Even then i space them out, its also cheaper on the pocket too.
no subject
Date: 2012-05-27 12:59 pm (UTC)I have IBS which means that for a while I had problems eating anything overly oily or fatty and the only place that I could reliably eat out in the UK without getting sick afterwards was subway, whereas in Japan I have a lot of options.
no subject
Date: 2012-05-27 04:02 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2012-05-27 05:28 pm (UTC)I don't know how it was before though.
no subject
Date: 2012-05-30 01:17 pm (UTC)I'm still not sure that the UK has THAT many healthy options, but maybe that's just because I'm only counting healthy options that I would want to eat, hehe. Most of the time if I'm having lunch out I just end up getting something from M&S, where I can see really clearly whether stuff is healthy or not, so I guess it doesn't really matter in the end :)
no subject
Date: 2012-05-27 05:30 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2012-05-30 01:21 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2012-05-30 10:34 pm (UTC)I always try to answer as best as I can but there is only so much one can say.
Really though, we could make things up and no one would be the wiser.
no subject
Date: 2012-05-27 12:15 pm (UTC)I'm in the middle of a struggle against my own body and I get a lot of pressure around me about my body. 31 kilos is a lot, a lot! Congrates ! That's very brave. I lost 7 kilos those past 6 months and I feel very proud of it but it seems that it's not enough and I wanna loose more again. It seems to be endless but I can't keep going feeling that bad in my body.
no subject
Date: 2012-05-27 05:34 pm (UTC)7 kilos in 6 months is great! Keep at it =)
no subject
Date: 2012-05-27 07:25 pm (UTC)That is all I have to say. =]
no subject
Date: 2012-05-27 08:36 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2012-05-27 10:53 pm (UTC)It's a bit harder when you're trying to gain weight though. :(
no subject
Date: 2012-05-28 12:12 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2012-05-28 01:05 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2012-05-28 02:23 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2012-05-28 01:20 am (UTC)Oh but that is sooo true, we are the fattest country in the entire world because we rely so much on transportation and easy food that we can just get instantly at a low price. But our portions are SO big compared to Asian countries. Our food is also cooked differently., which the majority of all fast food is processed and fried. Put that all in a big portion and you've got yourself some blood clots and possibly obesity. Nbd.
no subject
Date: 2012-05-28 02:29 am (UTC)No denying that at all =) I totally agree with you on that being the reason the US is the fattest country in the world. However, people can easily follow another culture's lifestyle in their own. Wanting to move to Japan just to lose weight is a stupid idea because in the end, you still don't know how to eat properly, so you're still going to gain weight. I'm just really...shocked? at the idea that a person can assume that Japanese food is magic. It's pretty unhealthy too, lol.
no subject
Date: 2012-05-28 02:01 am (UTC)When I first came to Japan I was shocked at how big some portions ins restaurants were ... well compared to Germany!
When I moved to Japan I gained weight.
I think it's cuz there's a lot of sugar in many products that wouldn't have sugar in Germany (or at least not that much) and all that fried food and white rice ...
I agree. An active lifestyle and eating healthy food is much better than just limiting yourself to certain things when dieting. The latter might work temporarily, but always comes back to haunt you.
no subject
Date: 2012-05-28 02:34 am (UTC)There is definitely a lot of sugar flying around there. That used to annoy me so much when I wanted a slice of plain white bread for breakfast. Not raisin bread, not melon pan, not cinnamon bread, not choco-pan...just plain white bread.
no subject
Date: 2012-05-28 04:30 am (UTC)I think your way of not completely cutting yourself off from things works out well.
no subject
Date: 2012-05-28 11:33 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2012-12-29 07:27 pm (UTC)