Weight Loss Programs

I have tried nearly everything but the way that I choose to eat when I am not binging or eating fast food is based on a balanced diet promoted by the USDA pyramid and the First Place 4 Health program.  Both recommend fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean meats, calcium (milk) and healthy oils in specific serving amounts, which equates to 1 ounce or 1/2 cup servings usually.  It is a very easy way to measure and track food portions and it helps to ensure that our bodies get sufficient vitamins and minerals.

I also prefer to track my food and activity using e-tools rather than writing it down with pen and paper.  And because I was looking for a fresh start I mentioned I have chosen to use the WW website for my tracking efforts.  I did it mainly so I could use a web tool where I had no history already and because it has a lot of helpful tools on it.  Calorie King does much the same thing but again I have used their tool and wanted a fresh slate to start on.  Spark People and Fitbe also have great websites and they are free if you are interested in using web tools.

My only concern and the reason I bring up what food program I am using to guide my food choices is because many of the websites allow you to just count calories, or points, and as long as you stay at your appropriate calorie level you will lose weight.  It is a mathematical certainty.  FP4H is about quality and quantity and it pushes you to eat the appropriate amounts of breads/grains, fruits and vegetables (all carbohydrates when it comes to most web tools) meats, milk products and healthy fat servings--while just eating to meet a number may not.

The other thing to always remember is that we should never eat below 1200 calories on a regular basis (sometimes we're just sick and don't eat) but unfortunately 1200 calories does not actually provide all the nutrients we need to be healthy.  That is why we should be incorporating exercise into our days.  By doing so we can then eat additional healthy calories which will support strong and healthy bodies.  We shouldn't be exercising just so we can eat junk food!

Another reason I choose to follow FP4H is that it looks at each of as a whole being with a spirit, emotions, a mind and a body.  All four need to be healthy in order to be the best we can be and while other programs may look at mind and emotions as a part of their weight loss programs most do not take into account the spiritual aspects of our lives.  Whether you know it or not we were created to worship God and when we don't we try to fill that hole in our lives with something else.  There will always be a sense that something is missing.  And I have to tell you from a personal perspective that when I am on track with my bible study, my weight loss efforts are usually on track too.  Fortunately, we will be starting a new session of FP4H at our church next week and I look forward to being a part of it after more than a year away.  I need the accountability and the relationships it provides me.