The Doctor was on Reddit today looking at the Loseit forum (an online weight loss group).  One thing I picked up quickly is that dieters are really dedicated to using their willpower, and are discovering real reserves of willpower in themselves, to force themselves to stay on their diet plans.  The Doctor is impressed with their strength.  There is no way The Doctor would last that long.  That’s why I have invented a new system that makes the weight loss program self reinforcing.  

So how does The Doctor keep motivated and keep dieting?  It’s hard to answer that in the way it is asked.  I am not using willpower to keep on the diet.  Instead, I have totally changed how I look at things, including food. 

In my old life, my goal when eating was to be full and to enjoy whatever comfort or satisfaction came with a full belly.  When I was thinking like that, dieting was almost impossible.  Every time I tried to diet by eating less, I was pushing against my need to be filled.  I had no satisfaction from eating things I didn’t want to eat, and didn’t even have the cheap satisfaction of feeling filled.  In no time, I would start rebelling against my diet and break it.  I wasn’t someone who could lose weight on purpose.  

Now, being thin is at the top of my moral hierarchy.  That might sound shallow, but I have a serious weight problem that needs care and attention.  Obsession is fully justified.)  Now my goal, when eating, is to be hungry when I sit down to eat.  It’s a more refined and powerful eating goal than eating until filled.  I could eat and eat for a long time before feeling full, when that was my goal.  The food tastes so different, and exciting, and fulfilling, when you are really hungry for it and are really looking forward to it.  Focusing on being hungry has several benefits.    

The beauty of focusing on being hungry is that I have to plan to be hungry for my next meal too, and the next, and the next.  So I play a game where I balance eating just enough to last me until my next meal.  Also, it can’t be so little food that I get hungry too early.  Being seriously hungry just in time to eat something really delicious, that I really want, is hugely satisfying.  It’s become a source of fulfillment to have that timing work out for every meal.  

The second benefit of focusing on my hunger regards overeating.  With my new goal of being hungry, I have noticed that only the first portion of food is really fulfilling.  And it really is amazing how good food tastes when you have been looking forward to it for a while and are super hungry also.  Taking a second helping, even of food you love, just doesn’t taste as good and doesn’t feel satisfying.  In consequence, it’s started to feel really distasteful to have a full belly.  It prevents fulfillment of my eating goal.

Embrace hunger!  It does have its downsides, though. I’ll talk about that later.  

-The Doctor