Portion Control Using the Freezer

When I finally lost all my weight for good, I used the freezer a lot in my portion control. I had decided I loved my comfort food, but I needed to reduce my portion size in order to lose weight. So I bought a bunch of 1 cup sized containers and when I would make my family a meal, I would eat 1 cup serving, then I would put several more servings in the small containers and freeze them for later meals. The result was, I didn't feel deprived. In fact I could eat more of my favorite meal than the rest of my family, I just had to space the servings throughout the week. I ate better on this diet than I ever had before in my life (I didn't waste calories on foods that were only so so). This also worked with desserts which I allowed my self to indulge in everyday. (I did have to chant in my mind "one cookie tastes the same as a dozen, one cookie tastes the same as a dozen...")
When I followed this plan, I found my weight just melted away, and I was eating delicious foods that I once considered off limits while dieting. And all because I was portion controlling. I lost weight steadily over a four month period until I lost all the sixty pounds I needed to lose and I have kept it off ever since as I continue to portion control (3+ years).
My maintenance plan: I do what I did while dieting, but I cheat more often. But then (and this is crucial) --I STEP ON THE BATHROOM SCALE DAILY. This tell me when I can and can't cheat on the plan.

Helpful hint in sticking to the plan: take up hobbies, get away from places that remind you of food, get busy living life and doing things you enjoy.

My Personal Epiphany

My personal epiphany with weight loss came when I read Twilight-- strange huh? It has nothing to do with the book itself, but more to do with a personal discovery. Before reading that book, I only read about 1 book a year. I was always too busy with laundry, dishes, cleaning, taking care of kids, etc. Reading was something I really enjoyed but rarely allowed myself to indulge in.
When I read Twilight for the first time, I enjoyed it so much I forgot to eat--all day. Seriously, I had one piece of toast that day, and I don't even remember being hungry. I realized that by doing something else I enjoyed, it distracted me from food. I found my perfect weight loss solution. I could stick to a weight loss program if I used other enjoyable activities as a distraction. I also realized how much I was neglecting my own needs. When I began to put myself as a higher priority, I found I could more easily stick to a weight loss program. And then for the first time in over 20 years, I reached my long time weight loss goal and have stayed there ever since--over 3 years.