Broccoli

The first time I ever heard this quote was during a movie on Cinemax at 3:30am. It was a love scene between a psychologist and her patient, and she kept on repeating the quote.

The movie was bad, but I fell in love with Einstein's quote. It made so much sense to me!

I am looking in the media now, and I am seeing so many people gaining back weight. Oprah, Eric Chopin from Biggest Loser, and even Randy Jackson are struggling.

So what hope do I have?

I have lost over 200 pounds. I have done so pretty quick!
My fear is that I will gain back all of my weight, and then some.
I hear it from so many people.
I will gain my weight back, I should have gotten the surgery, and once an addict always an addict still circle in my dreams.

I see people at WW meeting who have rejoined three times.
I see people who "kind of " do South Beach a few times a year
I see people who eat Jenny Craig food with Chips Ahoy!

Why am I different?

Then, like a rainbow in the sky, I read something that gave me hope!
It was one of my favorite bloggersJennette Fulda ( Pastaqueen ) talking about food addiction. She was talking about being a food addict, which I am as well. Here is what changed my thought though:

Well, the answer is that food addicts are not addicted to all foods. I've never heard of someone being addicted to broccoli. It might taste good roasted with olive oil and tossed with pine nuts and Parmesan cheese, but I've never sat on my couch thinking, "Oh my God, I want to binge on broccoli!" And even if I did, it's broccoli. How much damage can a load of cruciferous vegetables really do? I'm not going to start sprouting green florets out of my head.

When I read this, I looked at the plate of food I was eating, and it was a big plate of raw broccoli, with salt, garlic, and a little salsa.

In fact, over the last year, I have completely changed the way I eat! I only eat fruits, vegetables, lean meats, fat free dairy, and the occasional low fat beef jerky (high in sodium)

Broccoli has been my favorite food over the last year as well. Every day, I have eaten about a pound of it. Most of the time raw, but sometimes steamed. I put a little seasoning on it, and pop it in my mouth like Tic Tac's. I absolutely LOVE broccoli. I look forward to eating it every day, and can not remember a day in the last year that I have not had any!
When she wrote that, I realized I shouldn't be so worried.

I'm not going insane! I have changed.

I am not eating the same foods I used to, nor am I craving them. I am loving new foods. Apples, broccoli, fish, eggs, and cottage cheese are all of my passions. They have been that way for close to a year now, and I have not strayed off yet.
In fact, I do not think I ever will.
I have finally done what my grandfather always told me:

"If you want to lose weight, learn to love foods you did not like before!"

Thank you grandfather. My son/daughter will thank you when I am there for them! I am not going to go insane this time around!