The Pros and Cons of Dieting

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We made it: I officially came in second in The Biggest Loser Challenge at my work. It’s been a really awesome three months, where I learned that I can actually lose weight, I can stay motivated and I can totally do it. However, dieting is hard and should be a life change that continues forever, not a three month long competition. But today’s not what about what lies ahead for me and my pact with myself to live a healthier life, but a reflection upon the clichéd “peaks and valleys” of dieting.

The Pros of Dieting

  • Being able to visually see changes. I went to go wear my white pants, and I couldn’t wear them because the waist was too droopy for me.
  • I am excited to put on a bathing suit for the first time in a long time. I’m going to even buy a new one.
  • I feel fucking fantastic. I am happier, healthier and more confident.
  • I know I can do anything if I set my mind to it. I originally wanted to lose 10 pounds. When I hit that, I said to myself, “Let’s do another 10.”  Then when I hit that, I said, “Hell, let’s lose 5 more.”
  • I ran a 10K (the whole thing) and then a 5K in the same day. I legitimately think I was tearing up at the end of the 10K because I was so damn proud of my roommate and myself – and I’m a very unemotional person when it comes to tearing up.
  • My roommate said, “Let’s run to the river,” and then we proceeded to run to the river. We ended up running about 5 miles that day, just because we felt like it and knew we could do it. Before my diet, it was a push to get me over two miles without bitching.
  • I notice the things like my pants having extra room, but other people notice things I don’t notice, like my face thinning out, or my stomach seeming flatter in a dress.
  • I made 50 bucks.

The Cons of Dieting

  • I went to go wear my white pants, and I couldn’t wear them because the waist was too droopy for me. I need to go buy new white pants now, because we’re almost at Memorial Day.
  • It took me a loooooong time to not feel constantly hungry.
  • Now that I’m used to eating healthy food and smaller portions, I feel like total shit when I eat too much, especially food that isn’t on a diet plan.
  • My mom hates when I share TMI on my blog, so skip to the next one, Mom. But my boobs lost quite a bit of weight in the process. RIP.
  • I’m now constantly nervous I’m consuming too many calories, I get stressed when the gym gets cut from my schedule and I’m scared that I’ll gain weight back without the work incentive.

Despite the fact that there are definite cons to dieting, there is really no question in my mind which side wins out: pros every time.