The Law of Subtraction: How the Universe Taught Me to Lose Weight

How many years, how many times have I asked GUS (That's God/Universe/Higher Self) to help me lose weight? Only all my life!

I've never actually been very much overweight, living most of my life at the higher end of "ideal". But a few years ago, I gained 15 pounds suddenly and for no apparent reason. I was only 38, and doctors were unwilling to blame it on pre-menopause or a thyroid problem, just a need to move more and eat less as I got older. Hmph. I wanted to pinch them.

I tried to lose this pesky weight that had snuck up and accosted me so unfairly. I ran. And I mean, I RAN. I ran at least 4 times a week for over four months. Nothing.

I tried one of those herbal weight-loss products. Double nothing. Although I have to say that maybe one or both of these attempts kept me from gaining. Who knows how fat I may have wound up?

When it was all said and done, by 2007, I was about 30 pounds over where I wanted to be, which would be "not too skinny, still feminine, pleasantly slender". So I asked GUS yet again, "Will you please help me lose weight?"

One day, without even thinking, I went for a walk. I didn't have anything in mind, just maybe some fresh air. The next day, I went for another walk. Before I knew it, I was walking every day, rarely even taking a day off. Nothing special, just walking for about 35 minutes.

After 6 or 8 weeks, the scale suddenly showed a slightly smaller number. Over the next few weeks, the number-and my body-continued to shrink.

Hallelujah!

How did this happen? I wondered if I had changed any of my eating habits along the way, so I started analyzing (I like to analyze) and sure enough, a few things had changed. Subtly, slowly, my habits had changed as if by MAGIC, or at least by instinct. My body and soul had spoken and I had listened!

As of this writing, I am down by that sneaky 15 pounds and two sizes! I have purged my wardrobe of the bigger items that are now much too big, and renewed space in the closet for those items that used to be tight. When I shop, I flirt with even the next size down!

Here's how I have done it, almost without thinking:

WALK: I walk every day for about 35 minutes, sometimes more. I give myself a break occasionally, but I usually really don't mind going. In fact, I almost crave it.

NOTHING IS OFF-LIMITS: I eat what I want, but I don't want as much as I used to. If I want M&Ms, I eat them. But I don't want a lot of traditionally fattening things.

SODA: Okay, maybe soda is off-limits. I know myself and, left to my own devices, I would drink Coke every day. I love it. And none of that diet crap, either. But I know it's fattening for me (It apparently is not fattening for everyone.), so I do limit Cokes to "on occasion".

ALCOHOL: I've never been much of a drinker, but I do enjoy the occasional glass of red wine. It's supposed to be good for you, too, so if I want it, again, nothing's off-limits. Most other alcoholic drinks are very rare for me.

BREAD, PASTA, POTATOES: I think I eat less of these now tha
I used to, but I still eat them if I want them. If I eat potatoes, I remind myself of all the nutritious value they have, along with fiber. It's all good!

SALAD: I try to eat salad every day. I make a great salad, plus the dressing I really like just happens to be "lite". I don't know if it's low-carb, low-fat or what, and I don't care. I eat what I like, and I like to eat raw veggies and greens every day. My granddaddy is 96 and in great shape, and he has eaten salad twice a day for as long as I know of.

FRUITS AND VEGGIES: I have always eaten a lot of these. Nowadays, every time I turn on Oprah, Dr. Oz is on there, talking about scrubbing your colon. So I eat fruits and veggies (they have lots of fiber). Can't hurt. I also eat red meat, chicken, fish, and whatever else I like. Remember, nothing is off-limits for me.

TIMING: I go for my walk after supper and I usually don't eat anything between then and bedtime. Unless I really, really want something or feel very hungry. I generally eat when I am hungry and I stop when I am satisfied, not full. That's another thing I've done for years, so I guess GUS got through to me early with that!

HAPPINESS: I was pretty happy with my weight and my body before, except when I saw myself in pictures. Then I would say, "I didn't know I was that fat!" I'm pretty happy with where I am now, 15 pounds lighter. And if I lose more weight, I'll be happy there too. Maybe even a little happier. Happiness helped me lose weight, along with a lot of other good things.

LOVE: I eat with love. If I choose to have ice cream, I say, "I love myself and this ice cream is good for my soul!" So I recommend that you love yourself, love your food, and love the life that makes all this possible!

I can't say whether these methods will work for you, but hey, there's some reason you're reading this article right now. My advice is to listen to your own body and soul, and do what they want you to do. It worked for me.

Now I think I'll see where GUS leads me when I ask for more money.