the retail diet.

I know, I'm just certain of it that this will go viral and "the retail diet" will be the craziest new weight loss fad!  No, actually, there are plenty of people who could not endure retail work long enough to actually see any weight loss benefits.  After a year and eight months or so working retail I have probably lost close to 20 lbs.  a much needed 20 lb loss.  I feel significantly lighter, healthier, happier, more energetic, less self conscious... it's wonderful.  I say close because I actually don't document any of this, I just have a vague idea of what was and what is.  Here's how the diet works: get a job in retail.  end of story.  Actually, I find that when I have to drive 25 miles to and from work, and when I have to stand, walk, and run all around a store all day, I don't really have much time to think about food.  There isn't the temptation of snacking mindlessly out of boredom.  Also, I'm cheap and like easy food, so I bring the same, easily microwaveable, small lunch every day.  And a granola bar.  I try to eat breakfast in the morning and a little something when I get off work.  But the needed exercise part of a healthy lifestyle is built in with the job.  Eating less is built in with the job.  As I said, there is little time to think about food.  And if I eat too much on my lunch break I don't have the energy right away to dive back into work.  Retail keeps me very busy.  Being very busy keeps me losing weight.  It's a win-win.  I have had people tell me that I shouldn't focus on weight, but it is really a small part of my life focus.  What I want is self improvement -- to be healthier, somewhat more fit, to be more self confident.  I don't care to be stick thin.  I don't plan to get there.  Losing around 10 lbs a year when a person is overweight is not crazy.  I don't take any weird diet supplements (although annoyingly customers recommend them to me from time to time - what, do you think I need them?! that's somewhat insulting), I just live, eat a little less, and put my focus on things other than food.  The weight rolls off.