Re: Taking the focus off of food

[Guest guest]

" What do I want instead " is my favorite question ever. :-)

Thanks for posting!

________________________________

To: insideoutweightloss

Sent: Thu, May 19, 2011 4:48:47 PM

Subject: Taking the focus off of food

 

Hi, I'm not new to the group but this is my first time posting. I found 's

podcasts a few years ago and have been listening on and off since. Right now I'm

in an " off " mode as far as listening goes but still reading the posts from the

group everyday.

Within the past two weeks I have made some significant changes that have taken

my focus off of food.

I've started to identify activities that give me pleasure and satisfaction and

am making time for those. Amazing how this is working - I am replacing eating

with walking, reading, knitting to name a few. I have been eating foods that I

enjoy - in moderation. (Why was I hesitating to spend $1.49 on a fresh avocado

for my salad but didn't think twice about spending $3.49 on a pkg of Chips Ahoy?

Lol) I am trying to be aware of how full I am and eating (most of the time) to

the point where I am full or a little less than full - AND I AM OK! I am eating

an enjoyable lunch (and reading a book as well) but small enough that I am

actually HUNGRY when I get home.

I'm learning to enjoy the hungry feeling - which I don't think I've felt on a

regular basis for about twenty years :-)! and not feel like I need to stuff my

self with the closest food there is as soon as I feel a hunger pang. (I'm not

exaggerating all that much with that statement either). I'm paying attention to

how I feel when I do something enjoyable compared to how I feel when I look to

get pleasure/enjoyment/satisfaction from a bowl of potato chips while I'm

cooking dinner, or a stack of cookies while I stare aimlessly at the TV.

I don't have a lot of free time, I work full time and am care-giver to my

elderly father who lives with me and my family. I don't like to be out of my

house 3x a week exercising for the sake of exercising, I never have. I am more

of an accomplishment person and would rather work up a sweat cleaning and

organizing, gardening, mowing the lawn or walking with a friend because I enjoy

her company. there is so much focus on exercise that I have felt like a failure

most of my life because most of it I just don't like doing. It never feels good

afterward I hate to admit. So one thing at a time, right now I am honoring

myself and identifying what truly makes me feel good - over time.

I have lost about 5 pounds in just under 2 weeks, but more importantly I feel

better about my life. I have started a book log and am looking forward to

reading all of the books I've purchased over the past year that I haven't gotten

to read. My daughter is looking forward to the afghan I am in the process of

knitting for her new home and I will enjoy not only the knitting, but also

seeing her enjoy it over the years. I am enjoying walking one night (yes, only

one to start) a week with my best friend rather than spending money on dinner

out and leaving the restaurant feeling stuffed because I couldn't control

myself. We chat and chat and chat as we walk and we are accomplishing what we

really both want and that is to talk - and hey no interruptions from the wait

staff and no focus on food - it's all about us! :-)

I keep asking myself " What do I want instead? " and so far it is working and it

has not felt like " hard work " these past few weeks. I think by filling the " hole

in the soul " with things that work and are truly fulfilling, I am moving away

from my continous attempts to fill the void with food. That wasn't working, as

my mood/disposition were testament to. I'm not sure why I feel " ready " at this

point, but I do know that for the past six months I have been learning to love

myself regardless of weight, what I ate or didn't eat, or what I look like in a

bathing suit. Maybe that was the ground work I needed to lay before I could take

this next step. Feels like to took forever though!

I love reading the posts and appreciating everyone sharing their stories and

experiences. It has helped me tremendously!