Guest guest Posted December 19, 2011 Report Share Posted December 19, 2011 , I returned to my " natural weight " this summer after a couple years of struggling to " get " IE. I've mentioned it a few times on this board, but I don't want to focus on it or sound like I'm bragging. I found IE in October of 2008 when I was just a few pound over the range that seems to be best for me. I was struggling with anxiety attacks and depression which drove my emotional eating. Over the next two and a half years, I slowly released the diet mentality and tried to make peace with food, but I had a hard time feeling fullness or waiting until I was hungry to eat. I started eating compulsively and gained 20 pounds or so. This March, I visited a holistic doctor who ran a series of revealing blood tests (turns out I was deficient in many mood-related nutrients) and my blood sugar was so low that I should have been in a coma. She also gave me her book " Healing from the Heart. " I read that book and it was like something in my mind shifted. It's an amazing book. I think the click happened when I realized that life's trials are here to teach us, and to be grateful for those lessons. I swear, my years of depression and anxiety lifted away, I moved away from a work and living situation (nanny job from Hell) that didn't work for me, and gave myself time to heal, both body and mind. I respected my body and ate to manage my blood sugar while taking a few supplements to correct my nutritional deficiencies and heal my adrenal glands. I reconnected with my creativity, which is a huge part of me that I'd been neglecting, and I started waiting until I was hungry to eat, stopping when I was full, my emotional eating decreased a ton (I still struggle with it sometimes) and in general, I started choosing life over food. For the first time in years, I enjoyed some things more than food. And yes, I lost weight. Almost quicker than I'd lost it from dieting. If you want numbers, it was a steady loss of about 30 pounds between April and August. I only weighed once a month or so when I visited my mom, but I wasn't focused on weight. I was just so happy that I was enjoying life again and helping my body feel good that food didn't seem to important. At the end of the summer, I stopped losing and I felt really good. It wasn't the thinnest I've ever been, about 9 pounds over actually, but it felt perfect. Now that it's winter, I'm struggling with winter blues like I do every year (I'm very susceptible to depression, as you may have guessed) and I've put on about 6 pounds, which still feels comfortable and doesn't make a difference in my clothes because I'm tall. I get really cold, so I kind of feel like my body wanted some " insulation " . I'm taking steps to cope with winter blues and the very real-feeling emotions that come with it, but I'm not panicking at all. I know that my moods will return to normal in the spring and my body will WANT to release any extra weight. I didn't mean to ramble on, but I've never really told the whole story on here. It was never about weight, but about taking care of myself physically and especially emotionally. -McKella > > Has anyone on this board actually returned to a normal weight using IE? Or are headed in the direction of weight loss? > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 19, 2011 Report Share Posted December 19, 2011 Mckella I loved reading your story. I had no idea that you had been at IE for that amount of time. Bravo for hanging in with all the challenges you faced and double kudos for conquering them too! You have perfectly good reasons to brag all you want :-) But I suspect that this accomplishment is sweet enough for you to savor all for yourself. Really loved your last line - it says it all. Thanks for being here and sharing your inspiration too. ehugs, Katcha IEing since March 2007 > > > > Has anyone on this board actually returned to a normal weight using IE? Or are headed in the direction of weight loss? > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 19, 2011 Report Share Posted December 19, 2011 Mckella I loved reading your story. I had no idea that you had been at IE for that amount of time. Bravo for hanging in with all the challenges you faced and double kudos for conquering them too! You have perfectly good reasons to brag all you want :-) But I suspect that this accomplishment is sweet enough for you to savor all for yourself. Really loved your last line - it says it all. Thanks for being here and sharing your inspiration too. ehugs, Katcha IEing since March 2007 > > > > Has anyone on this board actually returned to a normal weight using IE? Or are headed in the direction of weight loss? > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 19, 2011 Report Share Posted December 19, 2011 Mckella I loved reading your story. I had no idea that you had been at IE for that amount of time. Bravo for hanging in with all the challenges you faced and double kudos for conquering them too! You have perfectly good reasons to brag all you want :-) But I suspect that this accomplishment is sweet enough for you to savor all for yourself. Really loved your last line - it says it all. Thanks for being here and sharing your inspiration too. ehugs, Katcha IEing since March 2007 > > > > Has anyone on this board actually returned to a normal weight using IE? Or are headed in the direction of weight loss? > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 21, 2011 Report Share Posted December 21, 2011 Oh my goodness, McKella, I can relate to A LOT of what you wrote. ESPECIALLY with the low blood-sugar levels. I have diabetes on both sides of my family. This past spring I was on the cusp of being pre-diabetic and went to see a nutritionist who specialized in diabetes management and eating disorders. It did not work for me. I also know that when I do get into that restricting/binge cycle…its always something emotional going on in me. then, it throws my endocrine system in a frenzy: my thyroid slows down, my adrenals go into fatigue, my pancreas gets a workout…which in turns affects my moods and emotion. It’s a downward spiral. When I left the nutritionist and just prayed to my higher power to help me, a friend who is a recovered bulimic gave me the IE book. I have been slowly reading through it, not speed reading it, like I normally do with all the diet books I have read and bought. I do believe that I will return to my natural weight and I am so early on this journey, but I know I am willing, open and ready to go through the process to make peace with food. reading your story gives me such strength, inspiration and hope. It reminds me that it is going to take time. I am not here for a fad, I am here to bridge the gap between my body, food, and my soul. And, during the winter months, I have to remind myself that the days are shorter (so, not as much energy from the sun), colder and most of the major holidays all fall within a couple months. I don’t think there is any other time of the year where that happens. So, I keep reminding myself that I am not alone, its winter, and to enjoy the holidays this year…with the food. ^_____^ My personal ‘struggle’ that I am letting go of during this winter and holiday time, is not restricting myself from eating the holiday foods. I have never really allowed myself to just eat that slice of cake or have a few cookies or the hot cocoa with the whip cream. I am a nibbler and that nibbling turns into self-abuse, restriction, and bingeing. Reading what you read about allowing yourself to just really eat, and how you came back to a natural weight is proof that I just have to go through the process and know I am getting to that other side. On top of this, family gatherings are a trigger for me to stuff down food and binge. I am going to just go through that too. thank god I have you all here! Thank you, mckella! I do hope you will keep posting here. have a joyous holiday! lulu Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 21, 2011 Report Share Posted December 21, 2011 Oh my goodness, McKella, I can relate to A LOT of what you wrote. ESPECIALLY with the low blood-sugar levels. I have diabetes on both sides of my family. This past spring I was on the cusp of being pre-diabetic and went to see a nutritionist who specialized in diabetes management and eating disorders. It did not work for me. I also know that when I do get into that restricting/binge cycle…its always something emotional going on in me. then, it throws my endocrine system in a frenzy: my thyroid slows down, my adrenals go into fatigue, my pancreas gets a workout…which in turns affects my moods and emotion. It’s a downward spiral. When I left the nutritionist and just prayed to my higher power to help me, a friend who is a recovered bulimic gave me the IE book. I have been slowly reading through it, not speed reading it, like I normally do with all the diet books I have read and bought. I do believe that I will return to my natural weight and I am so early on this journey, but I know I am willing, open and ready to go through the process to make peace with food. reading your story gives me such strength, inspiration and hope. It reminds me that it is going to take time. I am not here for a fad, I am here to bridge the gap between my body, food, and my soul. And, during the winter months, I have to remind myself that the days are shorter (so, not as much energy from the sun), colder and most of the major holidays all fall within a couple months. I don’t think there is any other time of the year where that happens. So, I keep reminding myself that I am not alone, its winter, and to enjoy the holidays this year…with the food. ^_____^ My personal ‘struggle’ that I am letting go of during this winter and holiday time, is not restricting myself from eating the holiday foods. I have never really allowed myself to just eat that slice of cake or have a few cookies or the hot cocoa with the whip cream. I am a nibbler and that nibbling turns into self-abuse, restriction, and bingeing. Reading what you read about allowing yourself to just really eat, and how you came back to a natural weight is proof that I just have to go through the process and know I am getting to that other side. On top of this, family gatherings are a trigger for me to stuff down food and binge. I am going to just go through that too. thank god I have you all here! Thank you, mckella! I do hope you will keep posting here. have a joyous holiday! lulu Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 21, 2011 Report Share Posted December 21, 2011 Oh my goodness, McKella, I can relate to A LOT of what you wrote. ESPECIALLY with the low blood-sugar levels. I have diabetes on both sides of my family. This past spring I was on the cusp of being pre-diabetic and went to see a nutritionist who specialized in diabetes management and eating disorders. It did not work for me. I also know that when I do get into that restricting/binge cycle…its always something emotional going on in me. then, it throws my endocrine system in a frenzy: my thyroid slows down, my adrenals go into fatigue, my pancreas gets a workout…which in turns affects my moods and emotion. It’s a downward spiral. When I left the nutritionist and just prayed to my higher power to help me, a friend who is a recovered bulimic gave me the IE book. I have been slowly reading through it, not speed reading it, like I normally do with all the diet books I have read and bought. I do believe that I will return to my natural weight and I am so early on this journey, but I know I am willing, open and ready to go through the process to make peace with food. reading your story gives me such strength, inspiration and hope. It reminds me that it is going to take time. I am not here for a fad, I am here to bridge the gap between my body, food, and my soul. And, during the winter months, I have to remind myself that the days are shorter (so, not as much energy from the sun), colder and most of the major holidays all fall within a couple months. I don’t think there is any other time of the year where that happens. So, I keep reminding myself that I am not alone, its winter, and to enjoy the holidays this year…with the food. ^_____^ My personal ‘struggle’ that I am letting go of during this winter and holiday time, is not restricting myself from eating the holiday foods. I have never really allowed myself to just eat that slice of cake or have a few cookies or the hot cocoa with the whip cream. I am a nibbler and that nibbling turns into self-abuse, restriction, and bingeing. Reading what you read about allowing yourself to just really eat, and how you came back to a natural weight is proof that I just have to go through the process and know I am getting to that other side. On top of this, family gatherings are a trigger for me to stuff down food and binge. I am going to just go through that too. thank god I have you all here! Thank you, mckella! I do hope you will keep posting here. have a joyous holiday! lulu Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 21, 2011 Report Share Posted December 21, 2011 ,I'm glad you asked this question because I think a lot of folks, especially those new to IE, wonder about this.Where I found peace was with the mantra, " I can control (or being in charge of) my eating but my weight will take care of itself. " I have Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS), which makes it very hard for me to lose weight. Diets never really worked for me. However, I feel like i am doing GREAT with IE. I realized recently that I've pretty much stopped emotional eating. I just don't feel the urge to eat when I am tired or stressed out any longer. Of course there are exceptions to every " rule " ... but it's been months since I've done so. I think the last time was when my baby was 3 weeks old and just wouldn't go to sleep and I was exhausted. She's now 4 months old (and sleeping beautifully, thank goodness!). This is the part that I can control! And I feel AWESOME about this. I have grown so much since I started my IE journey three years ago.That doesn't mean that I don't ever worry about my weight, but it is no longer a preoccupation. It doesn't make me hate myself anymore that I have some extra padding. I have recently found a new way of eating that is supposed to help my PCOS symptoms -- which includes taking a lot of coconut oil and other " healthy " fats (I put " healthy " in quotes because there one person's healthy is another person's danger) -- and I think it is helping my weight as well. But I weighed myself last week and it upset me (I weighed because I was worried I was losing too fast, causing fatigue, and found out I weighed more than I had thought) so I am not going to weigh myself again for a long time. I do think that if I did not have PCOS that I would've lost the extra weight by now. Because I am not eating more than my body needs (as judged by hunger and fullness). And I wanted to tweak my hormones to help prevent acne, excess body hair, and other lovely side effects of PCOS anyway... and it does seem to be helping... but I had to get to a place with IE where I didn't feel like I was restricting anything before I could try it. That took quite a while. Now I don't ever feel restricted... I WANT to eat the foods that make me feel good. And the more I don't eat the foods that make me feel bad... the stronger the reaction when I do have them... and thus, it's even longer until I want them again! It feels AMAZING to not have a rule about anything, but to look at a food and say, " that food will give me a headache... it's not worth it " or, alternatively, last night, to say " it's the first night of hanukkah and i'm with family and i DO want that special food, even if it might make me feel unwell. "  I hope this helps.Best,Abby  Oh my goodness, McKella, I can relate to A LOT of what you wrote. ESPECIALLY with the low blood-sugar levels. I have diabetes on both sides of my family. This past spring I was on the cusp of being pre-diabetic and went to see a nutritionist who specialized in diabetes management and eating disorders. It did not work for me. I also know that when I do get into that restricting/binge cycle…its always something emotional going on in me. then, it throws my endocrine system in a frenzy: my thyroid slows down, my adrenals go into fatigue, my pancreas gets a workout…which in turns affects my moods and emotion. It’s a downward spiral.  When I left the nutritionist and just prayed to my higher power to help me, a friend who is a recovered bulimic gave me the IE book. I have been slowly reading through it, not speed reading it, like I normally do with all the diet books I have read and bought. I do believe that I will return to my natural weight and I am so early on this journey, but I know I am willing, open and ready to go through the process to make peace with food.  reading your story gives me such strength, inspiration and hope. It reminds me that it is going to take time. I am not here for a fad, I am here to bridge the gap between my body, food, and my soul.  And, during the winter months, I have to remind myself that the days are shorter (so, not as much energy from the sun), colder and most of the major holidays all fall within a couple months. I don’t think there is any other time of the year where that happens. So, I keep reminding myself that I am not alone, its winter, and to enjoy the holidays this year…with the food. ^_____^  My personal ‘struggle’ that I am letting go of during this winter and holiday time, is not restricting myself from eating the holiday foods. I have never really allowed myself to just eat that slice of cake or have a few cookies or the hot cocoa with the whip cream. I am a nibbler and that nibbling turns into self-abuse, restriction, and bingeing. Reading what you read about allowing yourself to just really eat, and how you came back to a natural weight is proof that I just have to go through the process and know I am getting to that other side.  On top of this, family gatherings are a trigger for me to stuff down food and binge. I am going to just go through that too. thank god I have you all here!   Thank you, mckella! I do hope you will keep posting here. have a joyous holiday!   lulu Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 21, 2011 Report Share Posted December 21, 2011 ,I'm glad you asked this question because I think a lot of folks, especially those new to IE, wonder about this.Where I found peace was with the mantra, " I can control (or being in charge of) my eating but my weight will take care of itself. " I have Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS), which makes it very hard for me to lose weight. Diets never really worked for me. However, I feel like i am doing GREAT with IE. I realized recently that I've pretty much stopped emotional eating. I just don't feel the urge to eat when I am tired or stressed out any longer. Of course there are exceptions to every " rule " ... but it's been months since I've done so. I think the last time was when my baby was 3 weeks old and just wouldn't go to sleep and I was exhausted. She's now 4 months old (and sleeping beautifully, thank goodness!). This is the part that I can control! And I feel AWESOME about this. I have grown so much since I started my IE journey three years ago.That doesn't mean that I don't ever worry about my weight, but it is no longer a preoccupation. It doesn't make me hate myself anymore that I have some extra padding. I have recently found a new way of eating that is supposed to help my PCOS symptoms -- which includes taking a lot of coconut oil and other " healthy " fats (I put " healthy " in quotes because there one person's healthy is another person's danger) -- and I think it is helping my weight as well. But I weighed myself last week and it upset me (I weighed because I was worried I was losing too fast, causing fatigue, and found out I weighed more than I had thought) so I am not going to weigh myself again for a long time. I do think that if I did not have PCOS that I would've lost the extra weight by now. Because I am not eating more than my body needs (as judged by hunger and fullness). And I wanted to tweak my hormones to help prevent acne, excess body hair, and other lovely side effects of PCOS anyway... and it does seem to be helping... but I had to get to a place with IE where I didn't feel like I was restricting anything before I could try it. That took quite a while. Now I don't ever feel restricted... I WANT to eat the foods that make me feel good. And the more I don't eat the foods that make me feel bad... the stronger the reaction when I do have them... and thus, it's even longer until I want them again! It feels AMAZING to not have a rule about anything, but to look at a food and say, " that food will give me a headache... it's not worth it " or, alternatively, last night, to say " it's the first night of hanukkah and i'm with family and i DO want that special food, even if it might make me feel unwell. "  I hope this helps.Best,Abby  Oh my goodness, McKella, I can relate to A LOT of what you wrote. ESPECIALLY with the low blood-sugar levels. I have diabetes on both sides of my family. This past spring I was on the cusp of being pre-diabetic and went to see a nutritionist who specialized in diabetes management and eating disorders. It did not work for me. I also know that when I do get into that restricting/binge cycle…its always something emotional going on in me. then, it throws my endocrine system in a frenzy: my thyroid slows down, my adrenals go into fatigue, my pancreas gets a workout…which in turns affects my moods and emotion. It’s a downward spiral.  When I left the nutritionist and just prayed to my higher power to help me, a friend who is a recovered bulimic gave me the IE book. I have been slowly reading through it, not speed reading it, like I normally do with all the diet books I have read and bought. I do believe that I will return to my natural weight and I am so early on this journey, but I know I am willing, open and ready to go through the process to make peace with food.  reading your story gives me such strength, inspiration and hope. It reminds me that it is going to take time. I am not here for a fad, I am here to bridge the gap between my body, food, and my soul.  And, during the winter months, I have to remind myself that the days are shorter (so, not as much energy from the sun), colder and most of the major holidays all fall within a couple months. I don’t think there is any other time of the year where that happens. So, I keep reminding myself that I am not alone, its winter, and to enjoy the holidays this year…with the food. ^_____^  My personal ‘struggle’ that I am letting go of during this winter and holiday time, is not restricting myself from eating the holiday foods. I have never really allowed myself to just eat that slice of cake or have a few cookies or the hot cocoa with the whip cream. I am a nibbler and that nibbling turns into self-abuse, restriction, and bingeing. Reading what you read about allowing yourself to just really eat, and how you came back to a natural weight is proof that I just have to go through the process and know I am getting to that other side.  On top of this, family gatherings are a trigger for me to stuff down food and binge. I am going to just go through that too. thank god I have you all here!   Thank you, mckella! I do hope you will keep posting here. have a joyous holiday!   lulu Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 21, 2011 Report Share Posted December 21, 2011 ,I'm glad you asked this question because I think a lot of folks, especially those new to IE, wonder about this.Where I found peace was with the mantra, " I can control (or being in charge of) my eating but my weight will take care of itself. " I have Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS), which makes it very hard for me to lose weight. Diets never really worked for me. However, I feel like i am doing GREAT with IE. I realized recently that I've pretty much stopped emotional eating. I just don't feel the urge to eat when I am tired or stressed out any longer. Of course there are exceptions to every " rule " ... but it's been months since I've done so. I think the last time was when my baby was 3 weeks old and just wouldn't go to sleep and I was exhausted. She's now 4 months old (and sleeping beautifully, thank goodness!). This is the part that I can control! And I feel AWESOME about this. I have grown so much since I started my IE journey three years ago.That doesn't mean that I don't ever worry about my weight, but it is no longer a preoccupation. It doesn't make me hate myself anymore that I have some extra padding. I have recently found a new way of eating that is supposed to help my PCOS symptoms -- which includes taking a lot of coconut oil and other " healthy " fats (I put " healthy " in quotes because there one person's healthy is another person's danger) -- and I think it is helping my weight as well. But I weighed myself last week and it upset me (I weighed because I was worried I was losing too fast, causing fatigue, and found out I weighed more than I had thought) so I am not going to weigh myself again for a long time. I do think that if I did not have PCOS that I would've lost the extra weight by now. Because I am not eating more than my body needs (as judged by hunger and fullness). And I wanted to tweak my hormones to help prevent acne, excess body hair, and other lovely side effects of PCOS anyway... and it does seem to be helping... but I had to get to a place with IE where I didn't feel like I was restricting anything before I could try it. That took quite a while. Now I don't ever feel restricted... I WANT to eat the foods that make me feel good. And the more I don't eat the foods that make me feel bad... the stronger the reaction when I do have them... and thus, it's even longer until I want them again! It feels AMAZING to not have a rule about anything, but to look at a food and say, " that food will give me a headache... it's not worth it " or, alternatively, last night, to say " it's the first night of hanukkah and i'm with family and i DO want that special food, even if it might make me feel unwell. "  I hope this helps.Best,Abby  Oh my goodness, McKella, I can relate to A LOT of what you wrote. ESPECIALLY with the low blood-sugar levels. I have diabetes on both sides of my family. This past spring I was on the cusp of being pre-diabetic and went to see a nutritionist who specialized in diabetes management and eating disorders. It did not work for me. I also know that when I do get into that restricting/binge cycle…its always something emotional going on in me. then, it throws my endocrine system in a frenzy: my thyroid slows down, my adrenals go into fatigue, my pancreas gets a workout…which in turns affects my moods and emotion. It’s a downward spiral.  When I left the nutritionist and just prayed to my higher power to help me, a friend who is a recovered bulimic gave me the IE book. I have been slowly reading through it, not speed reading it, like I normally do with all the diet books I have read and bought. I do believe that I will return to my natural weight and I am so early on this journey, but I know I am willing, open and ready to go through the process to make peace with food.  reading your story gives me such strength, inspiration and hope. It reminds me that it is going to take time. I am not here for a fad, I am here to bridge the gap between my body, food, and my soul.  And, during the winter months, I have to remind myself that the days are shorter (so, not as much energy from the sun), colder and most of the major holidays all fall within a couple months. I don’t think there is any other time of the year where that happens. So, I keep reminding myself that I am not alone, its winter, and to enjoy the holidays this year…with the food. ^_____^  My personal ‘struggle’ that I am letting go of during this winter and holiday time, is not restricting myself from eating the holiday foods. I have never really allowed myself to just eat that slice of cake or have a few cookies or the hot cocoa with the whip cream. I am a nibbler and that nibbling turns into self-abuse, restriction, and bingeing. Reading what you read about allowing yourself to just really eat, and how you came back to a natural weight is proof that I just have to go through the process and know I am getting to that other side.  On top of this, family gatherings are a trigger for me to stuff down food and binge. I am going to just go through that too. thank god I have you all here!   Thank you, mckella! I do hope you will keep posting here. have a joyous holiday!   lulu Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 22, 2011 Report Share Posted December 22, 2011 I " m glad my story inspired you, Lulu! I'm flattered and kind of surprised. I didn't think it would matter much to anyone. I hear you on the adrenals though. I've been feeling a " drag " lately, along with headaches and brain fog that I know have to do with low blood sugar. It's powerful for me to be able to recognized those symptoms and to take some loving steps to fix them, at my own pace and without feeling deprived or forced into anything. I also found that prayer and faith were both a huge part of my journey, because faith is what gave me the courage to let go of what I thought I knew. I had faith that everything would be ok. -McKella > > Oh my goodness, McKella, > > > > I can relate to A LOT of what you wrote. ESPECIALLY with the low blood-sugar > levels. I have diabetes on both sides of my family. This past spring I was > on the cusp of being pre-diabetic and went to see a nutritionist who > specialized in diabetes management and eating disorders. It did not work for > me. I also know that when I do get into that restricting/binge cycle.its > always something emotional going on in me. then, it throws my endocrine > system in a frenzy: my thyroid slows down, my adrenals go into fatigue, my > pancreas gets a workout.which in turns affects my moods and emotion. It's a > downward spiral. > > > > When I left the nutritionist and just prayed to my higher power to help me, > a friend who is a recovered bulimic gave me the IE book. I have been slowly > reading through it, not speed reading it, like I normally do with all the > diet books I have read and bought. I do believe that I will return to my > natural weight and I am so early on this journey, but I know I am willing, > open and ready to go through the process to make peace with food. > > > > reading your story gives me such strength, inspiration and hope. It reminds > me that it is going to take time. I am not here for a fad, I am here to > bridge the gap between my body, food, and my soul. > > > > And, during the winter months, I have to remind myself that the days are > shorter (so, not as much energy from the sun), colder and most of the major > holidays all fall within a couple months. I don't think there is any other > time of the year where that happens. So, I keep reminding myself that I am > not alone, its winter, and to enjoy the holidays this year.with the food. > ^_____^ > > > > My personal 'struggle' that I am letting go of during this winter and > holiday time, is not restricting myself from eating the holiday foods. I > have never really allowed myself to just eat that slice of cake or have a > few cookies or the hot cocoa with the whip cream. I am a nibbler and that > nibbling turns into self-abuse, restriction, and bingeing. Reading what you > read about allowing yourself to just really eat, and how you came back to a > natural weight is proof that I just have to go through the process and know > I am getting to that other side. > > > > On top of this, family gatherings are a trigger for me to stuff down food > and binge. I am going to just go through that too. thank god I have you all > here! > > > > > > Thank you, mckella! > > > > I do hope you will keep posting here. have a joyous holiday! > > > > > > lulu > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 22, 2011 Report Share Posted December 22, 2011 I " m glad my story inspired you, Lulu! I'm flattered and kind of surprised. I didn't think it would matter much to anyone. I hear you on the adrenals though. I've been feeling a " drag " lately, along with headaches and brain fog that I know have to do with low blood sugar. It's powerful for me to be able to recognized those symptoms and to take some loving steps to fix them, at my own pace and without feeling deprived or forced into anything. I also found that prayer and faith were both a huge part of my journey, because faith is what gave me the courage to let go of what I thought I knew. I had faith that everything would be ok. -McKella > > Oh my goodness, McKella, > > > > I can relate to A LOT of what you wrote. ESPECIALLY with the low blood-sugar > levels. I have diabetes on both sides of my family. This past spring I was > on the cusp of being pre-diabetic and went to see a nutritionist who > specialized in diabetes management and eating disorders. It did not work for > me. I also know that when I do get into that restricting/binge cycle.its > always something emotional going on in me. then, it throws my endocrine > system in a frenzy: my thyroid slows down, my adrenals go into fatigue, my > pancreas gets a workout.which in turns affects my moods and emotion. It's a > downward spiral. > > > > When I left the nutritionist and just prayed to my higher power to help me, > a friend who is a recovered bulimic gave me the IE book. I have been slowly > reading through it, not speed reading it, like I normally do with all the > diet books I have read and bought. I do believe that I will return to my > natural weight and I am so early on this journey, but I know I am willing, > open and ready to go through the process to make peace with food. > > > > reading your story gives me such strength, inspiration and hope. It reminds > me that it is going to take time. I am not here for a fad, I am here to > bridge the gap between my body, food, and my soul. > > > > And, during the winter months, I have to remind myself that the days are > shorter (so, not as much energy from the sun), colder and most of the major > holidays all fall within a couple months. I don't think there is any other > time of the year where that happens. So, I keep reminding myself that I am > not alone, its winter, and to enjoy the holidays this year.with the food. > ^_____^ > > > > My personal 'struggle' that I am letting go of during this winter and > holiday time, is not restricting myself from eating the holiday foods. I > have never really allowed myself to just eat that slice of cake or have a > few cookies or the hot cocoa with the whip cream. I am a nibbler and that > nibbling turns into self-abuse, restriction, and bingeing. Reading what you > read about allowing yourself to just really eat, and how you came back to a > natural weight is proof that I just have to go through the process and know > I am getting to that other side. > > > > On top of this, family gatherings are a trigger for me to stuff down food > and binge. I am going to just go through that too. thank god I have you all > here! > > > > > > Thank you, mckella! > > > > I do hope you will keep posting here. have a joyous holiday! > > > > > > lulu > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 22, 2011 Report Share Posted December 22, 2011 I " m glad my story inspired you, Lulu! I'm flattered and kind of surprised. I didn't think it would matter much to anyone. I hear you on the adrenals though. I've been feeling a " drag " lately, along with headaches and brain fog that I know have to do with low blood sugar. It's powerful for me to be able to recognized those symptoms and to take some loving steps to fix them, at my own pace and without feeling deprived or forced into anything. I also found that prayer and faith were both a huge part of my journey, because faith is what gave me the courage to let go of what I thought I knew. I had faith that everything would be ok. -McKella > > Oh my goodness, McKella, > > > > I can relate to A LOT of what you wrote. ESPECIALLY with the low blood-sugar > levels. I have diabetes on both sides of my family. This past spring I was > on the cusp of being pre-diabetic and went to see a nutritionist who > specialized in diabetes management and eating disorders. It did not work for > me. I also know that when I do get into that restricting/binge cycle.its > always something emotional going on in me. then, it throws my endocrine > system in a frenzy: my thyroid slows down, my adrenals go into fatigue, my > pancreas gets a workout.which in turns affects my moods and emotion. It's a > downward spiral. > > > > When I left the nutritionist and just prayed to my higher power to help me, > a friend who is a recovered bulimic gave me the IE book. I have been slowly > reading through it, not speed reading it, like I normally do with all the > diet books I have read and bought. I do believe that I will return to my > natural weight and I am so early on this journey, but I know I am willing, > open and ready to go through the process to make peace with food. > > > > reading your story gives me such strength, inspiration and hope. It reminds > me that it is going to take time. I am not here for a fad, I am here to > bridge the gap between my body, food, and my soul. > > > > And, during the winter months, I have to remind myself that the days are > shorter (so, not as much energy from the sun), colder and most of the major > holidays all fall within a couple months. I don't think there is any other > time of the year where that happens. So, I keep reminding myself that I am > not alone, its winter, and to enjoy the holidays this year.with the food. > ^_____^ > > > > My personal 'struggle' that I am letting go of during this winter and > holiday time, is not restricting myself from eating the holiday foods. I > have never really allowed myself to just eat that slice of cake or have a > few cookies or the hot cocoa with the whip cream. I am a nibbler and that > nibbling turns into self-abuse, restriction, and bingeing. Reading what you > read about allowing yourself to just really eat, and how you came back to a > natural weight is proof that I just have to go through the process and know > I am getting to that other side. > > > > On top of this, family gatherings are a trigger for me to stuff down food > and binge. I am going to just go through that too. thank god I have you all > here! > > > > > > Thank you, mckella! > > > > I do hope you will keep posting here. have a joyous holiday! > > > > > > lulu > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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