Question of the Day for June 6:
But why did I tell you all of this? I think there is a lesson to be learned from the Norwegians: There ability as a country to exercise moderation. Yes, some of the oil money goes to benefit the people living there. But most of it isn't. They know that spending everything would be nice now, but really bad later. How do you deal with moderation? Is this easy for you or do you struggle with it? Have you found ways to help you being better in this regard?
I think this is a big question and it's so hard to nail down as it's moving target. A friend had to spend her day in the hospital with her child undergoing surgery recently and mentioned she had cheese toasties and bowl of cereal for dinner. To me this is moderation, considering the situation and while it didn't fit her view of healthy, it wasn't terrible choice or excessive quantity
If you are very unhappy with your weight, there isn't much moderation in having a 1600 calorie pizza followed by 1000 calorie dessert and half a bottle of wine with your mates on Friday night outing in aim for moderation. It doesn't feel very moderate to want to lose weight and stuff yourself with large, unhealthy meal even if it's only once a week. If your behaviour and you goals clashes - it can make you miserable, were is the balance in that?
I will post a holiday report in few days (in terms of healthy behaviour, some not so healthy, weight pre post etc)
I told myself I can have ice cream on the last day if I want to. The 9th, last day I didn't really want it to be honest! I was afraid turning ice cream in big forbidden food that may lead to me over eating on it once my will power doesn't hold. So I went to my favourite ice cream place in the world, where a German family makes their ice cream daily. My goodness it was AMAZING! It tasted soo good. I had few bites of the 2 tastes I got and I left the rest. You know what, I didn't enjoy it regardless of the amazing taste! I had delicious and perfectly satisfying watermelon as my dessert and other amazing super tasty fruit grown locally at the island we were and it made me happier eating that way. I am glad I had little and I was able to stop. I view food enjoyability now about how happy I am after I finish my meal. I didn't eat entirely healthy, I had few drinks, pasta meal, sangria once in moderation but I felt that ice cream is just so high on food processing with hyperpalatable over sweet taste that I am more content with super tasty watermelon with more simple but still incredibly enjoyable.
Balance is a challenge and it's about food, exercise, sleep and rest including. As a recovering dieter I have often in the past over done it both ways - too much and too little with food and exercise and rest hasn't been high on my priority but it is very important long term.
I think last month there was my aha moment, where I decided to allow myself flexibility in exercise
I am active person and I regularly exercise - good and moderate for me
compared to I lift 3 times weekly in the gym - not good as sometimes I don't get the time or I need extra day to recover
Hopefully this helps me with sustainability
For some skipping ice cream or dessert may not be moderate behaviour but for me as they are so hyper enhanced and far from simplicity of natural taste I feel it's more moderate for me to give them a miss and focus on naturally sweet fruit I can enjoy
But I had Indian meal, pasta, even chips (French fries) once, small bit of fresh bread and butter on holiday and doesn't seem to send my taste buds so far on fire and can enjoy in moderation without any issues at all. For some people leaving half of their French fries may be challenge. It's personal and it changes as life changes
Moderation to me is behaviour consistent with goals, while allowing to still enjoy life including foods you love and enjoy.
. Nothing major planned, no cake that's for sure!
