I have always struggled with the dieting stuff but I think I have finally found the secret. You always hear people talking about how Americans are overweight and that it is due to all of the processed/convenience foods and fast foods that we eat. I now see just how true this is. We have been in Chicago for almost 9 weeks and I have lost about 20 pounds since we got here. And to be honest, it’s been the easiest 20 pounds I have ever lost. I am not following a strict diet, I am just simply eating healthier. Because we live in the city, we do not have cars so there is no “drive thru” lunches/dinners. We don’t really eat fast food at all. But we still enjoy a good greasy hamburger. You probably think that this is the same thing right. Wrong. Fast food establishments use a lot of processed foods and preservatives. I don’t know what all of the processed stuff is made out of and I can’t tell you why it’s bad for you because I am not a scientist, but I can honestly say it’s bad for me. When we eat those not so good for us hamburgers now, it’s fresh meat being thrown on a grill with fresh ingredients. And it tastes so much better! The Husband even said to me the other day “You know, food in Chicago tastes better.” I think this is because we are eating fresher food, not frozen processed stuff. I shop differently here also. Because the market is close and I only buy what I can easily carry, I shop more often. Which means I am only buying for a couple of meals at a time. And it’s fresh, quality ingredients. I know, I know….you are probably thinking “oh here she goes, talking about all organic, expensive stuff”. Not at all. I just don’t (or usually don’t) buy frozen or packaged foods. I buy the fresh produce, fresh meats, breads, pastas, etc. Not the organic stuff (I have never really bought into that fad), just fresh. And I cook meals from that. And they taste amazing!! Granted I like to cook, and The Husband thinks I am pretty good at it, but I think anyone cooking with such fresh ingredients can make wonderful tasting foods. And my body feels satisfied and full. And much more healthy! I feel much healthier now than ever have and I am not even at my lowest weight. I once had a nutritionist tell me that the best way to shop at a grocery store/market is to shop the perimeter. She said that is where you find the healthy, fresh foods. She said the inner isles contain the processed, less healthy foods. What a simple concept!
Now I will not lie and say I am not working out, I am, but nothing majorly intense. I am mainly walking the city, lakefront, and the park. Walking is an amazing workout all in its own. It’s very therapeutic for me and I get to explore my new surroundings! I am also trying to do the Couch to 5k training. I am at the end of Week 3 of the program and it’s going okay so far (but I still prefer the walking!) I lift weights but only as little as possible (ask The Husband, he will vouch for me on this one ;). But this really has been the easiest 20 pounds to lose.
I think that we all like to make eating right harder than it is and we are all looking for the miracle diet that will magically transform us into super models. Not gonna happen, sorry. First of all, we are not all made to be super models (thank goodness, that would be boring). But we can be healthier and lose weight in the process. I think it simply boils down to eating fresh foods and being active! Easy enough right? See ya on the perimeters!