Re: Hi From Someone New

[Guest guest]

. Well I use a notebook program on my laptop for my notes and

ideas, and I hand write in my success journal each night before I go

to sleep.

I don't really count anything anymore. One of my main goals is to

have a good breakfast as this set me up for the day. I also made

myself a daily 'to do' list with things like, take time to myself,

listen to the podcast and spend quality time with my family, on it.

And each day I make sure I work through the list and get my 'me' time

in.

I have found that the easiest way to control what I am eating is to

use the hands on stomach idea and think about if I am actually hungry

or not. Using this method I don't seem to snack as often or need as

much food at meal times. I really feel that I have over done the

calorie counting and become obsessed with that aspect of food in the

past. IOWL has really taken a lot of the stress of food away for

me. I feel quite relaxed about food now and if I indulge a little

then I make up for it the next day.

I used to spend so much time and energy stressing, thinking, and

writing about food and what I ate or didn't eat, I am suprised I had

time for anything else.

Some of these ideas are a few podcasts in so if you are not sure what

I am talking about you will get to them to them soon enough.

I hope this gives you some ideas about how you want to go about your

journey.

Kirsty

]

>

[Guest guest]

Hi Cathie

Welcome! What an interesting post and interesting questions you ask.

I'm almost exactly the same weight as you and have been trying to lose

weight for a long time but have only managed to lose 13kg over a long

period of time. I think I've turned a corner in getting there with

finding and listening to 's podcasts and seeing a psychologist

specifically about weight loss and weight management.

I record my exercise (movement) using www.10000steps.org.au and wear a

pedometer every day to record my steps. I started doing this about 3

weeks ago and am feeling better for it. I go out for an exercise walk

5-6 days a week for 40 minutes each day and count all my incidental

exercise as well. You can chart your movement/success over time at

10000steps.org.au ... and it's all free! They have some good online

tools if you take half an hour to explore the fab website.

You mentioned that you have some mental health problems including

depression. Well, walking for exercise serves a dual purpose for me -

it's good for my physical AND mental health (I have problems with

depression and anxiety and the walking does seem to lessen these

conditions). I certainly do feel happier since I started my walking 3

weeks ago and I feel 'more comfortable' in my own skin and happier

about my body since I stopped being a sloth. One of the best things I

ever did was go out and spend a bit of money on a good quality pair of

sports walking shoes. They make all the difference!

I'm a Weight Watchers veteran and go every week to record my weight

but I don't record what I eat each day using the Weight Watchers

Points program as I choose to do the Core Weight Watchers program

where you don't record points but eat wholefoods in moderation. I hate

writing things down all day as I find it a bit obsessive and time

consuming. With that said, in the first couple of months of a new

healthy eating program it is helpful to record what you eat so you

become familiar with how many calories/kilojoules/points are in the

things you eat.

My psychologist does like me to keep a journal which I write in once a

day especially when I'm feeling like bingeing. From writing in my

journal over time I've seen patterns develop in my binges. This has

been helpful as I've been able to talk about these patterns with my

psychologist and I'm pleased to say that the patterns are now changing

gradually and I'm bingeing less.

I hope you find at least some of what I've said helpful. IOWL is

really helping me and I'm sure you'll find the same.

Wishing you all the best with your journey

Twinkle

>

> [] Hi, I am new here and just wanted to pop in and say " hello. " I

> saw that each episode is being discussed which sounds like a great idea.

> I'll probably post in that topic tomorrow.

>

> I'm 46, married for 25 yrs, 2 adult daughters living in another city

> while going to school, 4 dogs (my babies), on disability for depression

> and other mental illnesses. I currently weigh 221 lbs and my goal is to

> be 150 lbs. I've been battling this excess weight for five years now and

> I'm hopeful that this program will finally be the one that gets me

> moving in the right direction and staying on track. I'm exhausted of the

> ups and downs with my weight.

>

> Tomorrow I'm going to start my journal with answering the " How do I know

> I want to change? " questionnaire.

>

> I tend to over analyze, over plan, basically over do everything. [:-/]

> I have used all the online programs available as well as just writing

> everything in my daybook. I get overwhelmed with everything I try, so

> that is why I would like to ask all of you a couple of questions.

>

> 1. Do you use an online journal or do you handwrite everything

into a

> book? Why do you choose this method?

>

> 2. Do you record all the food you eat (calories in), water, exercise

> (calories burned), other goals, thoughts in your journal or in an online

> program or not at all? Why have you chosen what you do?

> [] Thank you so very much for helping me out with this. I look

> forward to getting to know everyone.

>

> Cathie [=;]

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Hi Kathy.

1. I like to write my journal by hand. I am not a very fast typist for one,

and for two I spend all day on the computer, so the last thing I want to do

is use the computer after work. Many weekends I go the entire time without

even looking at my computer.

Thirdly, and this is a personal preference, I just feel there is something

more real about writing the words. Seeing them, feeling them; its somthing I

miss on the computer screen. If you really want to give writing by hand, I

suggest you find yourself a good pen. Ball points are notoriously hard to

write with. Try a fountain pen, there is a wonderful feel as the pen

scratches across the paper, creating the words.

2. Journaling food is a mixed bag, especially if you are someone who

overdoes everything, as I am. Many of us in the group have found that

journaling your food makes you think about food much more than you would

otherwise. For those people, a Success Journal, as describes in

episode 18, would be a more productive use of time.

However, there are a lot of advantages to journaling your food. You can help

find trigger foods and problem areas because its easy to review. " Well I had

this horrible headache today. I had the same thing last week. Well both

times I went to lunch here and had this entree. " Just one example.

I think the general decision in the group is (we have discussed journaling

many times) that try it; and if it works for you, use it. If it causes you

problems, then don't.

Randy

[Guest guest]

Hi Randy,

Well, you sure gave me a lot to think about. I'm feeling that hand

writing may be a good option for me since I'm on the computer far too

much. That's so funny you mention the type of pen to use because I'm an

absolute pen fanatic! It has to feel good in my hand and have a smooth

flow in expressing the ink to know it's the ONE! I can see the benefits

of writing down what I eat, and I think I'll do that, but skip the whole

calorie stuff. I've done that so many times and it's not working, so

it's time to try something new. Thank you so very much for answering my

questions.

Cathie

[Guest guest]

Hi Twinkle,

Thank you for making me realize I'm not alone in some of my behaviours.

I find recording every detail about my food etc., only causes me to

become more obsessed about it. I too have a pedometer and I wear it

while on my recumbent bike. I'm unable to walk at present as my hip

keeps twisting which is very painful. This, the direct result of being

inactive for the last few years. That's a great idea to write in the

journal when I feel like binging. Lucky you living in Australia. My

sister lives near Sydney. I live in Canada and fortunately on the west

coast where we're surrounded by the mountains and ocean. You sound very

positive and you've given me hope that I can do this as well. Thank you

so very much.

Cathie

[Guest guest]

Hi Kirsty,

Boy it was sure good to see someone like myself. I loved the part where

you were surprised you had time for anything else because you were so

busy stressing, writing and thinking about food. This is me 100%.

Putting my hands on my stomach is a really interesting idea to control

my eating and I'm going to give it a go. Your 'to do' list is unique in

that it contains items that are good for you, not your typical 'clean

the house.' Another fantastic idea. Thank you so much for all your great

ideas. I really appreciate it.

Cathie