Last week I went to the ER twice for a nosebleed. At one point my blood pressure was over 220/120. Wow! We are not sure which came first, the nose bleed or the high BP but it got my attention.

I stopped all aspirin, reduced caffeine, and started eating less. This time not by counting calories, although calorie intake is still a key factor, but by eating until I’m satisfied. NOT FULL… SATISFIED.

As many will attest to, counting calories can be a pain but eating foods you know are not loaded with calories until you are satisfied really makes more sense to me. My obsessive self previously wanted to have a system that was either success (under my allotted calories) or failure (over the allotted calories). I am now thinking that this success/fail system was counter productive.

I now may not “clean my plate”, try something just because I’m curious, or say yes if someone asks me if I want more just to be polite. This new way of eating is much more natural and freeing. It doesn’t restrict anything but I do watch the sweets, fats, and other high calorie foods I eat.

In just a few days I have lost a few pounds and feel a bunch better. Prayers are always welcome.