Re: Re: Newbie: Slowly Legalizing Foods

[Guest guest]

I like the sound of this method. There are a couple foods I still feel extraordinarily tempted by, so I bring these foods in and eat a normal amount, but so I don't binge, I might add a half g.f. if the food doesn't fill me.

Stuff like tira misu tastes amazing, but does absolutely nothing to fill my stomach; I'd have to eat four servings to fill up on that, so I have one serving which is not deprivational, not little, but not an overeating amount, and I have half g.f. I don't think this is exactly IE, but it really works with the few foods that seem just too much for me.

The great news is I had chicken parm tonight; restaurant made, and I ate a totally normal portion and I had absolutely no temptation or desire for more!!! But the key is I was hungry but not overly so because I'd had my broccoli first before the delivery of the chicken parm. I didn't have a "diet" portion, and I didn't have an over-indulgent portion; I think I was right down the middle :.)

Laurie

To: IntuitiveEating_Support Sent: Sun, March 7, 2010 3:26:22 PMSubject: Re: Newbie: Slowly Legalizing Foods

Hi Ginger: When I first committed to eat intuitively 8 years ago, I hesitated to load my house with all of my former 'binge foods'. I also realized that the point of 'legalizing' food was to become more comfortable with and learn to eat all foods moderately, rather than restrict and or binge eat certain foods. So I followed an approach I read (can't remember where) to slowly legalize foods:I listed all the foods I feared or ate during binges or loved but wouldn't let myself eat regularly. Then I rated each food according to which food I feared the most and which food I feared the least and could sometimes eat moderately. Then I relisted the foods from least to most problematic.Then I committed to bring the least problematic food into my house and eat it daily until I felt comfortable with that food. When I could eat that food moderately and no longer worry about overeating that food, I bought the next least problematic food on my list

and ate that daily for a week or until I felt safe with that food or got tired of eating it. I proceeded down my list until I was comfortable with all my former 'binge' foods. I noticed that I really didn't like a few foods that I only ate during binges. I liked the idea of those foods more than I liked the taste or how those felt in my body. Nevertheless, I no longer feared I would lose control or binge eat those foods. I learned that I really loved other foods and feel really good after eating them. (I still eat peanut butter on a muffin with fruit almost every other day for breakfast.)Not all IE books recommend that method. However, bringing just one food into my house at a time let me comfortably legalize all my former binge foods until they became 'just food'. SUE>> Hi Abby-thanks for your thoughts...I sooooo wish I was ready to buy a large> amount of off-limits food and do what you've advised...I don't trust myself> yet. Just ordered the book Intuitive Eating (not available at my library)> and am hoping to make progress on that soon. I want to be brave!!!! Or I> guess I want food to just be a normal part of my life. I will let you know> the day I am able to do what you've said here--I'm looking forward to it. My> son will look forward to it too--he always wants to bake cookies, brownies,> etc. and I usually find some excuse because I am afraid I'll eat it all (and> I usually do when we do bake). But I am hopeful this will change soon!!!!> Thanks for the welcome.

Ginger>

[Guest guest]

I like the sound of this method. There are a couple foods I still feel extraordinarily tempted by, so I bring these foods in and eat a normal amount, but so I don't binge, I might add a half g.f. if the food doesn't fill me.

Stuff like tira misu tastes amazing, but does absolutely nothing to fill my stomach; I'd have to eat four servings to fill up on that, so I have one serving which is not deprivational, not little, but not an overeating amount, and I have half g.f. I don't think this is exactly IE, but it really works with the few foods that seem just too much for me.

The great news is I had chicken parm tonight; restaurant made, and I ate a totally normal portion and I had absolutely no temptation or desire for more!!! But the key is I was hungry but not overly so because I'd had my broccoli first before the delivery of the chicken parm. I didn't have a "diet" portion, and I didn't have an over-indulgent portion; I think I was right down the middle :.)

Laurie

To: IntuitiveEating_Support Sent: Sun, March 7, 2010 3:26:22 PMSubject: Re: Newbie: Slowly Legalizing Foods

Hi Ginger: When I first committed to eat intuitively 8 years ago, I hesitated to load my house with all of my former 'binge foods'. I also realized that the point of 'legalizing' food was to become more comfortable with and learn to eat all foods moderately, rather than restrict and or binge eat certain foods. So I followed an approach I read (can't remember where) to slowly legalize foods:I listed all the foods I feared or ate during binges or loved but wouldn't let myself eat regularly. Then I rated each food according to which food I feared the most and which food I feared the least and could sometimes eat moderately. Then I relisted the foods from least to most problematic.Then I committed to bring the least problematic food into my house and eat it daily until I felt comfortable with that food. When I could eat that food moderately and no longer worry about overeating that food, I bought the next least problematic food on my list

and ate that daily for a week or until I felt safe with that food or got tired of eating it. I proceeded down my list until I was comfortable with all my former 'binge' foods. I noticed that I really didn't like a few foods that I only ate during binges. I liked the idea of those foods more than I liked the taste or how those felt in my body. Nevertheless, I no longer feared I would lose control or binge eat those foods. I learned that I really loved other foods and feel really good after eating them. (I still eat peanut butter on a muffin with fruit almost every other day for breakfast.)Not all IE books recommend that method. However, bringing just one food into my house at a time let me comfortably legalize all my former binge foods until they became 'just food'. SUE>> Hi Abby-thanks for your thoughts...I sooooo wish I was ready to buy a large> amount of off-limits food and do what you've advised...I don't trust myself> yet. Just ordered the book Intuitive Eating (not available at my library)> and am hoping to make progress on that soon. I want to be brave!!!! Or I> guess I want food to just be a normal part of my life. I will let you know> the day I am able to do what you've said here--I'm looking forward to it. My> son will look forward to it too--he always wants to bake cookies, brownies,> etc. and I usually find some excuse because I am afraid I'll eat it all (and> I usually do when we do bake). But I am hopeful this will change soon!!!!> Thanks for the welcome.

Ginger>

[Guest guest]

I like the sound of this method. There are a couple foods I still feel extraordinarily tempted by, so I bring these foods in and eat a normal amount, but so I don't binge, I might add a half g.f. if the food doesn't fill me.

Stuff like tira misu tastes amazing, but does absolutely nothing to fill my stomach; I'd have to eat four servings to fill up on that, so I have one serving which is not deprivational, not little, but not an overeating amount, and I have half g.f. I don't think this is exactly IE, but it really works with the few foods that seem just too much for me.

The great news is I had chicken parm tonight; restaurant made, and I ate a totally normal portion and I had absolutely no temptation or desire for more!!! But the key is I was hungry but not overly so because I'd had my broccoli first before the delivery of the chicken parm. I didn't have a "diet" portion, and I didn't have an over-indulgent portion; I think I was right down the middle :.)

Laurie

To: IntuitiveEating_Support Sent: Sun, March 7, 2010 3:26:22 PMSubject: Re: Newbie: Slowly Legalizing Foods

Hi Ginger: When I first committed to eat intuitively 8 years ago, I hesitated to load my house with all of my former 'binge foods'. I also realized that the point of 'legalizing' food was to become more comfortable with and learn to eat all foods moderately, rather than restrict and or binge eat certain foods. So I followed an approach I read (can't remember where) to slowly legalize foods:I listed all the foods I feared or ate during binges or loved but wouldn't let myself eat regularly. Then I rated each food according to which food I feared the most and which food I feared the least and could sometimes eat moderately. Then I relisted the foods from least to most problematic.Then I committed to bring the least problematic food into my house and eat it daily until I felt comfortable with that food. When I could eat that food moderately and no longer worry about overeating that food, I bought the next least problematic food on my list

and ate that daily for a week or until I felt safe with that food or got tired of eating it. I proceeded down my list until I was comfortable with all my former 'binge' foods. I noticed that I really didn't like a few foods that I only ate during binges. I liked the idea of those foods more than I liked the taste or how those felt in my body. Nevertheless, I no longer feared I would lose control or binge eat those foods. I learned that I really loved other foods and feel really good after eating them. (I still eat peanut butter on a muffin with fruit almost every other day for breakfast.)Not all IE books recommend that method. However, bringing just one food into my house at a time let me comfortably legalize all my former binge foods until they became 'just food'. SUE>> Hi Abby-thanks for your thoughts...I sooooo wish I was ready to buy a large> amount of off-limits food and do what you've advised...I don't trust myself> yet. Just ordered the book Intuitive Eating (not available at my library)> and am hoping to make progress on that soon. I want to be brave!!!! Or I> guess I want food to just be a normal part of my life. I will let you know> the day I am able to do what you've said here--I'm looking forward to it. My> son will look forward to it too--he always wants to bake cookies, brownies,> etc. and I usually find some excuse because I am afraid I'll eat it all (and> I usually do when we do bake). But I am hopeful this will change soon!!!!> Thanks for the welcome.

Ginger>

[Guest guest]

Sue, I think that is a brilliant way to go about things! Very smart way to approach a potentially threatening situation. I like that a lot. And Laurie, congratulations on your progress with the chicken parm! I know that's been a challenge for you in the past.

For me, I tried to just focus on having anything I wanted, only I had to be hungry. (This goes against IE somewhat -- they recommend eating when hungry but say not to make it a rule.) This usually worked for me. I also reminded myself over and over that there was more of that food as soon as I was hungry again and wanted it again. Knowing that there were no limits on how much I was allowed to have greatly reduced my desire to overeat any given food. 

 

I like the sound of this method.  There are a couple foods I still feel extraordinarily tempted by, so I bring these foods in and eat a normal amount, but so I don't binge, I might add a half g.f. if the food doesn't fill me.

Stuff like tira misu tastes amazing, but does absolutely nothing to fill my stomach; I'd have to eat four servings to fill up on that, so I have one serving which is not deprivational, not little, but not an overeating amount, and I have half g.f.  I don't think this is exactly IE, but it really works with the few foods that seem just too much for me.

 

The great news is I had chicken parm tonight; restaurant made, and I ate a totally normal portion and I had absolutely no temptation or desire for more!!!  But the key is I was hungry but not overly so because I'd had my broccoli first before the delivery of the chicken parm.  I didn't have a " diet " portion, and I didn't have an over-indulgent portion; I think I was right down the middle :.)

 

Laurie

To: IntuitiveEating_Support

Sent: Sun, March 7, 2010 3:26:22 PMSubject: Re: Newbie: Slowly Legalizing Foods 

Hi Ginger: When I first committed to eat intuitively 8 years ago, I hesitated to load my house with all of my former 'binge foods'. I also realized that the point of 'legalizing' food was to become more comfortable with and learn to eat all foods moderately, rather than restrict and or binge eat certain foods. So I followed an approach I read (can't remember where) to slowly legalize foods:

I listed all the foods I feared or ate during binges or loved but wouldn't let myself eat regularly. Then I rated each food according to which food I feared the most and which food I feared the least and could sometimes eat moderately. Then I relisted the foods from least to most problematic.

Then I committed to bring the least problematic food into my house and eat it daily until I felt comfortable with that food. When I could eat that food moderately and no longer worry about overeating that food, I bought the next least problematic food on my list

and ate that daily for a week or until I felt safe with that food or got tired of eating it. I proceeded down my list until I was comfortable with all my former 'binge' foods. I noticed that I really didn't like a few foods that I only ate during binges. I liked the idea of those foods more than I liked the taste or how those felt in my body. Nevertheless, I no longer feared I would lose control or binge eat those foods. I learned that I really loved other foods and feel really good after eating them. (I still eat peanut butter on a muffin with fruit almost every other day for breakfast.)

Not all IE books recommend that method. However, bringing just one food into my house at a time let me comfortably legalize all my former binge foods until they became 'just food'. SUE

>> Hi Abby-thanks for your thoughts...I sooooo wish I was ready to buy a large

> amount of off-limits food and do what you've advised...I don't trust myself> yet. Just ordered the book Intuitive Eating (not available at my library)> and am hoping to make progress on that soon. I want to be brave!!!! Or I

> guess I want food to just be a normal part of my life. I will let you know> the day I am able to do what you've said here--I'm looking forward to it. My> son will look forward to it too--he always wants to bake cookies, brownies,

> etc. and I usually find some excuse because I am afraid I'll eat it all (and> I usually do when we do bake). But I am hopeful this will change soon!!!!> Thanks for the welcome.

Ginger>

[Guest guest]

Sue, I think that is a brilliant way to go about things! Very smart way to approach a potentially threatening situation. I like that a lot. And Laurie, congratulations on your progress with the chicken parm! I know that's been a challenge for you in the past.

For me, I tried to just focus on having anything I wanted, only I had to be hungry. (This goes against IE somewhat -- they recommend eating when hungry but say not to make it a rule.) This usually worked for me. I also reminded myself over and over that there was more of that food as soon as I was hungry again and wanted it again. Knowing that there were no limits on how much I was allowed to have greatly reduced my desire to overeat any given food. 

 

I like the sound of this method.  There are a couple foods I still feel extraordinarily tempted by, so I bring these foods in and eat a normal amount, but so I don't binge, I might add a half g.f. if the food doesn't fill me.

Stuff like tira misu tastes amazing, but does absolutely nothing to fill my stomach; I'd have to eat four servings to fill up on that, so I have one serving which is not deprivational, not little, but not an overeating amount, and I have half g.f.  I don't think this is exactly IE, but it really works with the few foods that seem just too much for me.

 

The great news is I had chicken parm tonight; restaurant made, and I ate a totally normal portion and I had absolutely no temptation or desire for more!!!  But the key is I was hungry but not overly so because I'd had my broccoli first before the delivery of the chicken parm.  I didn't have a " diet " portion, and I didn't have an over-indulgent portion; I think I was right down the middle :.)

 

Laurie

To: IntuitiveEating_Support

Sent: Sun, March 7, 2010 3:26:22 PMSubject: Re: Newbie: Slowly Legalizing Foods 

Hi Ginger: When I first committed to eat intuitively 8 years ago, I hesitated to load my house with all of my former 'binge foods'. I also realized that the point of 'legalizing' food was to become more comfortable with and learn to eat all foods moderately, rather than restrict and or binge eat certain foods. So I followed an approach I read (can't remember where) to slowly legalize foods:

I listed all the foods I feared or ate during binges or loved but wouldn't let myself eat regularly. Then I rated each food according to which food I feared the most and which food I feared the least and could sometimes eat moderately. Then I relisted the foods from least to most problematic.

Then I committed to bring the least problematic food into my house and eat it daily until I felt comfortable with that food. When I could eat that food moderately and no longer worry about overeating that food, I bought the next least problematic food on my list

and ate that daily for a week or until I felt safe with that food or got tired of eating it. I proceeded down my list until I was comfortable with all my former 'binge' foods. I noticed that I really didn't like a few foods that I only ate during binges. I liked the idea of those foods more than I liked the taste or how those felt in my body. Nevertheless, I no longer feared I would lose control or binge eat those foods. I learned that I really loved other foods and feel really good after eating them. (I still eat peanut butter on a muffin with fruit almost every other day for breakfast.)

Not all IE books recommend that method. However, bringing just one food into my house at a time let me comfortably legalize all my former binge foods until they became 'just food'. SUE

>> Hi Abby-thanks for your thoughts...I sooooo wish I was ready to buy a large

> amount of off-limits food and do what you've advised...I don't trust myself> yet. Just ordered the book Intuitive Eating (not available at my library)> and am hoping to make progress on that soon. I want to be brave!!!! Or I

> guess I want food to just be a normal part of my life. I will let you know> the day I am able to do what you've said here--I'm looking forward to it. My> son will look forward to it too--he always wants to bake cookies, brownies,

> etc. and I usually find some excuse because I am afraid I'll eat it all (and> I usually do when we do bake). But I am hopeful this will change soon!!!!> Thanks for the welcome.

Ginger>

[Guest guest]

Sue, I think that is a brilliant way to go about things! Very smart way to approach a potentially threatening situation. I like that a lot. And Laurie, congratulations on your progress with the chicken parm! I know that's been a challenge for you in the past.

For me, I tried to just focus on having anything I wanted, only I had to be hungry. (This goes against IE somewhat -- they recommend eating when hungry but say not to make it a rule.) This usually worked for me. I also reminded myself over and over that there was more of that food as soon as I was hungry again and wanted it again. Knowing that there were no limits on how much I was allowed to have greatly reduced my desire to overeat any given food. 

 

I like the sound of this method.  There are a couple foods I still feel extraordinarily tempted by, so I bring these foods in and eat a normal amount, but so I don't binge, I might add a half g.f. if the food doesn't fill me.

Stuff like tira misu tastes amazing, but does absolutely nothing to fill my stomach; I'd have to eat four servings to fill up on that, so I have one serving which is not deprivational, not little, but not an overeating amount, and I have half g.f.  I don't think this is exactly IE, but it really works with the few foods that seem just too much for me.

 

The great news is I had chicken parm tonight; restaurant made, and I ate a totally normal portion and I had absolutely no temptation or desire for more!!!  But the key is I was hungry but not overly so because I'd had my broccoli first before the delivery of the chicken parm.  I didn't have a " diet " portion, and I didn't have an over-indulgent portion; I think I was right down the middle :.)

 

Laurie

To: IntuitiveEating_Support

Sent: Sun, March 7, 2010 3:26:22 PMSubject: Re: Newbie: Slowly Legalizing Foods 

Hi Ginger: When I first committed to eat intuitively 8 years ago, I hesitated to load my house with all of my former 'binge foods'. I also realized that the point of 'legalizing' food was to become more comfortable with and learn to eat all foods moderately, rather than restrict and or binge eat certain foods. So I followed an approach I read (can't remember where) to slowly legalize foods:

I listed all the foods I feared or ate during binges or loved but wouldn't let myself eat regularly. Then I rated each food according to which food I feared the most and which food I feared the least and could sometimes eat moderately. Then I relisted the foods from least to most problematic.

Then I committed to bring the least problematic food into my house and eat it daily until I felt comfortable with that food. When I could eat that food moderately and no longer worry about overeating that food, I bought the next least problematic food on my list

and ate that daily for a week or until I felt safe with that food or got tired of eating it. I proceeded down my list until I was comfortable with all my former 'binge' foods. I noticed that I really didn't like a few foods that I only ate during binges. I liked the idea of those foods more than I liked the taste or how those felt in my body. Nevertheless, I no longer feared I would lose control or binge eat those foods. I learned that I really loved other foods and feel really good after eating them. (I still eat peanut butter on a muffin with fruit almost every other day for breakfast.)

Not all IE books recommend that method. However, bringing just one food into my house at a time let me comfortably legalize all my former binge foods until they became 'just food'. SUE

>> Hi Abby-thanks for your thoughts...I sooooo wish I was ready to buy a large

> amount of off-limits food and do what you've advised...I don't trust myself> yet. Just ordered the book Intuitive Eating (not available at my library)> and am hoping to make progress on that soon. I want to be brave!!!! Or I

> guess I want food to just be a normal part of my life. I will let you know> the day I am able to do what you've said here--I'm looking forward to it. My> son will look forward to it too--he always wants to bake cookies, brownies,

> etc. and I usually find some excuse because I am afraid I'll eat it all (and> I usually do when we do bake). But I am hopeful this will change soon!!!!> Thanks for the welcome.

Ginger>

[Guest guest]

Beware the "few foods that seem just too much for me." Avoiding or restricting them can give them power, make them "magical."

If the grapefruit thing is working for you, great. Just be careful.

Harry

Re: Newbie: Slowly Legalizing Foods

Hi Ginger: When I first committed to eat intuitively 8 years ago, I hesitated to load my house with all of my former 'binge foods'. I also realized that the point of 'legalizing' food was to become more comfortable with and learn to eat all foods moderately, rather than restrict and or binge eat certain foods. So I followed an approach I read (can't remember where) to slowly legalize foods:I listed all the foods I feared or ate during binges or loved but wouldn't let myself eat regularly. Then I rated each food according to which food I feared the most and which food I feared the least and could sometimes eat moderately. Then I relisted the foods from least to most problematic.Then I committed to bring the least problematic food into my house and eat it daily until I felt comfortable with that food. When I could eat that food moderately and no longer worry about overeating that food, I bought the next least problematic food on my list and ate that daily for a week or until I felt safe with that food or got tired of eating it. I proceeded down my list until I was comfortable with all my former 'binge' foods. I noticed that I really didn't like a few foods that I only ate during binges. I liked the idea of those foods more than I liked the taste or how those felt in my body. Nevertheless, I no longer feared I would lose control or binge eat those foods. I learned that I really loved other foods and feel really good after eating them. (I still eat peanut butter on a muffin with fruit almost every other day for breakfast.)Not all IE books recommend that method. However, bringing just one food into my house at a time let me comfortably legalize all my former binge foods until they became 'just food'. SUE>> Hi Abby-thanks for your thoughts...I sooooo wish I was ready to buy a large> amount of off-limits food and do what you've advised...I don't trust myself> yet. Just ordered the book Intuitive Eating (not available at my library)> and am hoping to make progress on that soon. I want to be brave!!!! Or I> guess I want food to just be a normal part of my life. I will let you know> the day I am able to do what you've said here--I'm looking forward to it. My> son will look forward to it too--he always wants to bake cookies, brownies,> etc. and I usually find some excuse because I am afraid I'll eat it all (and> I usually do when we do bake). But I am hopeful this will change soon!!!!> Thanks for the welcome. Ginger>

[Guest guest]

Beware the "few foods that seem just too much for me." Avoiding or restricting them can give them power, make them "magical."

If the grapefruit thing is working for you, great. Just be careful.

Harry

Re: Newbie: Slowly Legalizing Foods

Hi Ginger: When I first committed to eat intuitively 8 years ago, I hesitated to load my house with all of my former 'binge foods'. I also realized that the point of 'legalizing' food was to become more comfortable with and learn to eat all foods moderately, rather than restrict and or binge eat certain foods. So I followed an approach I read (can't remember where) to slowly legalize foods:I listed all the foods I feared or ate during binges or loved but wouldn't let myself eat regularly. Then I rated each food according to which food I feared the most and which food I feared the least and could sometimes eat moderately. Then I relisted the foods from least to most problematic.Then I committed to bring the least problematic food into my house and eat it daily until I felt comfortable with that food. When I could eat that food moderately and no longer worry about overeating that food, I bought the next least problematic food on my list and ate that daily for a week or until I felt safe with that food or got tired of eating it. I proceeded down my list until I was comfortable with all my former 'binge' foods. I noticed that I really didn't like a few foods that I only ate during binges. I liked the idea of those foods more than I liked the taste or how those felt in my body. Nevertheless, I no longer feared I would lose control or binge eat those foods. I learned that I really loved other foods and feel really good after eating them. (I still eat peanut butter on a muffin with fruit almost every other day for breakfast.)Not all IE books recommend that method. However, bringing just one food into my house at a time let me comfortably legalize all my former binge foods until they became 'just food'. SUE>> Hi Abby-thanks for your thoughts...I sooooo wish I was ready to buy a large> amount of off-limits food and do what you've advised...I don't trust myself> yet. Just ordered the book Intuitive Eating (not available at my library)> and am hoping to make progress on that soon. I want to be brave!!!! Or I> guess I want food to just be a normal part of my life. I will let you know> the day I am able to do what you've said here--I'm looking forward to it. My> son will look forward to it too--he always wants to bake cookies, brownies,> etc. and I usually find some excuse because I am afraid I'll eat it all (and> I usually do when we do bake). But I am hopeful this will change soon!!!!> Thanks for the welcome. Ginger>

[Guest guest]

Beware the "few foods that seem just too much for me." Avoiding or restricting them can give them power, make them "magical."

If the grapefruit thing is working for you, great. Just be careful.

Harry

Re: Newbie: Slowly Legalizing Foods

Hi Ginger: When I first committed to eat intuitively 8 years ago, I hesitated to load my house with all of my former 'binge foods'. I also realized that the point of 'legalizing' food was to become more comfortable with and learn to eat all foods moderately, rather than restrict and or binge eat certain foods. So I followed an approach I read (can't remember where) to slowly legalize foods:I listed all the foods I feared or ate during binges or loved but wouldn't let myself eat regularly. Then I rated each food according to which food I feared the most and which food I feared the least and could sometimes eat moderately. Then I relisted the foods from least to most problematic.Then I committed to bring the least problematic food into my house and eat it daily until I felt comfortable with that food. When I could eat that food moderately and no longer worry about overeating that food, I bought the next least problematic food on my list and ate that daily for a week or until I felt safe with that food or got tired of eating it. I proceeded down my list until I was comfortable with all my former 'binge' foods. I noticed that I really didn't like a few foods that I only ate during binges. I liked the idea of those foods more than I liked the taste or how those felt in my body. Nevertheless, I no longer feared I would lose control or binge eat those foods. I learned that I really loved other foods and feel really good after eating them. (I still eat peanut butter on a muffin with fruit almost every other day for breakfast.)Not all IE books recommend that method. However, bringing just one food into my house at a time let me comfortably legalize all my former binge foods until they became 'just food'. SUE>> Hi Abby-thanks for your thoughts...I sooooo wish I was ready to buy a large> amount of off-limits food and do what you've advised...I don't trust myself> yet. Just ordered the book Intuitive Eating (not available at my library)> and am hoping to make progress on that soon. I want to be brave!!!! Or I> guess I want food to just be a normal part of my life. I will let you know> the day I am able to do what you've said here--I'm looking forward to it. My> son will look forward to it too--he always wants to bake cookies, brownies,> etc. and I usually find some excuse because I am afraid I'll eat it all (and> I usually do when we do bake). But I am hopeful this will change soon!!!!> Thanks for the welcome. Ginger>

[Guest guest]

Hi Abby,

I like your idea that you have to be hungry because that's our aim really. If I say it doesn't matter if I'm hungry or not, then I won't aim for that as the way I want to know when to eat. If I have to be hungry but then eat when not hungry, I don't beat myself up at all; I just wait for the next hunger signal; I think it's great if it works for you!

Thanks re the chicken parm; I feel a little silly talking about one food so much! lol It's just a little chicken, bread crumbs, sauce and cheese!! Was it silly for me to make such an issue of one food? It's not like it's so big in the scheme of things! I just don't want to feel there are any foods I can't have in tthe house :.)

Laurie

To: IntuitiveEating_Support Sent: Sun, March 7, 2010 10:41:36 PMSubject: Re: Re: Newbie: Slowly Legalizing Foods

Sue, I think that is a brilliant way to go about things! Very smart way to approach a potentially threatening situation. I like that a lot.

And Laurie, congratulations on your progress with the chicken parm! I know that's been a challenge for you in the past.

For me, I tried to just focus on having anything I wanted, only I had to be hungry. (This goes against IE somewhat -- they recommend eating when hungry but say not to make it a rule.) This usually worked for me. I also reminded myself over and over that there was more of that food as soon as I was hungry again and wanted it again. Knowing that there were no limits on how much I was allowed to have greatly reduced my desire to overeat any given food.

On Sun, Mar 7, 2010 at 7:45 PM, lori <laurietessyahoo (DOT) com> wrote:

I like the sound of this method. There are a couple foods I still feel extraordinarily tempted by, so I bring these foods in and eat a normal amount, but so I don't binge, I might add a half g.f. if the food doesn't fill me.

Stuff like tira misu tastes amazing, but does absolutely nothing to fill my stomach; I'd have to eat four servings to fill up on that, so I have one serving which is not deprivational, not little, but not an overeating amount, and I have half g.f. I don't think this is exactly IE, but it really works with the few foods that seem just too much for me.

The great news is I had chicken parm tonight; restaurant made, and I ate a totally normal portion and I had absolutely no temptation or desire for more!!! But the key is I was hungry but not overly so because I'd had my broccoli first before the delivery of the chicken parm. I didn't have a "diet" portion, and I didn't have an over-indulgent portion; I think I was right down the middle :.)

Laurie

From: sue <penguineahotmail (DOT) com>To: IntuitiveEating_ Support@yahoogro ups.comSent: Sun, March 7, 2010 3:26:22 PMSubject: [intuitiveEating_ Support] Re: Newbie: Slowly Legalizing Foods

Hi Ginger: When I first committed to eat intuitively 8 years ago, I hesitated to load my house with all of my former 'binge foods'. I also realized that the point of 'legalizing' food was to become more comfortable with and learn to eat all foods moderately, rather than restrict and or binge eat certain foods. So I followed an approach I read (can't remember where) to slowly legalize foods:I listed all the foods I feared or ate during binges or loved but wouldn't let myself eat regularly. Then I rated each food according to which food I feared the most and which food I feared the least and could sometimes eat moderately. Then I relisted the foods from least to most problematic.Then I committed to bring the least problematic food into my house and eat it daily until I felt comfortable with that food. When I could eat that food moderately and no longer worry about overeating that food, I bought the next least problematic food

on my list and ate that daily for a week or until I felt safe with that food or got tired of eating it. I proceeded down my list until I was comfortable with all my former 'binge' foods. I noticed that I really didn't like a few foods that I only ate during binges. I liked the idea of those foods more than I liked the taste or how those felt in my body. Nevertheless, I no longer feared I would lose control or binge eat those foods. I learned that I really loved other foods and feel really good after eating them. (I still eat peanut butter on a muffin with fruit almost every other day for breakfast.)Not all IE books recommend that method. However, bringing just one food into my house at a time let me comfortably legalize all my former binge foods until they became 'just food'. SUE

>> Hi Abby-thanks for your thoughts...I sooooo wish I was ready to buy a large> amount of off-limits food and do what you've advised...I don't trust myself> yet. Just ordered the book Intuitive Eating (not available at my library)> and am hoping to make progress on that soon. I want to be brave!!!! Or I> guess I want food to just be a normal part of my life. I will let you know> the day I am able to do what you've said here--I'm looking forward to it. My> son will look forward to it too--he always wants to bake cookies, brownies,> etc. and I usually find some excuse because I am afraid I'll eat it all (and> I usually do when we do bake).

But I am hopeful this will change soon!!!!> Thanks for the welcome. Ginger>

[Guest guest]

The g.f. isn't because i'm restricting the food. i take a nice size piece of tira misu that is not a bit deprivational and I notice as I eat it that it just isn't the kind of food that fills me. I think it's got no fiber in it; nothing that really is filling for my stomach. I can't be deprived because I am eating a nice sized piece, but why would I want to eat four to five nice sized pieces when I can have a satisfying sized piece and something with fiber that will fill me the rest of the way?

To everyone:

four to five squares of Tira Misu in one sitting

Or a nice big reg sized square every single time I want it and 1/2 g.f.?

I am curious to hear opinions on this issue. Some foods don't fill me; I don't get a full signal til I've eaten a near binge quantity and I'm trying to get around this dilemma without restricting or depriving or, on the other hand, binging.

Laurie

To: IntuitiveEating_Support Sent: Mon, March 8, 2010 10:01:14 AMSubject: RE: Re: Newbie: Slowly Legalizing Foods

Beware the "few foods that seem just too much for me." Avoiding or restricting them can give them power, make them "magical."

If the grapefruit thing is working for you, great. Just be careful.

Harry

[intuitiveEating_ Support] Re: Newbie: Slowly Legalizing Foods

Hi Ginger: When I first committed to eat intuitively 8 years ago, I hesitated to load my house with all of my former 'binge foods'. I also realized that the point of 'legalizing' food was to become more comfortable with and learn to eat all foods moderately, rather than restrict and or binge eat certain foods. So I followed an approach I read (can't remember where) to slowly legalize foods:I listed all the foods I feared or ate during binges or loved but wouldn't let myself eat regularly. Then I rated each food according to which food I feared the most and which food I feared the least and could sometimes eat moderately. Then I relisted the foods from least to most problematic.Then I committed to bring the least problematic food into my house and eat it daily until I felt comfortable with that food. When I could eat that food moderately and no longer worry about overeating that food, I bought the next least problematic food on my list

and ate that daily for a week or until I felt safe with that food or got tired of eating it. I proceeded down my list until I was comfortable with all my former 'binge' foods. I noticed that I really didn't like a few foods that I only ate during binges. I liked the idea of those foods more than I liked the taste or how those felt in my body. Nevertheless, I no longer feared I would lose control or binge eat those foods. I learned that I really loved other foods and feel really good after eating them. (I still eat peanut butter on a muffin with fruit almost every other day for breakfast.)Not all IE books recommend that method. However, bringing just one food into my house at a time let me comfortably legalize all my former binge foods until they became 'just food'. SUE>> Hi Abby-thanks for your thoughts...I sooooo wish I was ready to buy a large> amount of off-limits food and do what you've advised...I don't trust myself> yet. Just ordered the book Intuitive Eating (not available at my library)> and am hoping to make progress on that soon. I want to be brave!!!! Or I> guess I want food to just be a normal part of my life. I will let you know> the day I am able to do what you've said here--I'm looking forward to it. My> son will look forward to it too--he always wants to bake cookies, brownies,> etc. and I usually find some excuse because I am afraid I'll eat it all (and> I usually do when we do bake). But I am hopeful this will change soon!!!!> Thanks for the welcome.

Ginger>

[Guest guest]

The g.f. isn't because i'm restricting the food. i take a nice size piece of tira misu that is not a bit deprivational and I notice as I eat it that it just isn't the kind of food that fills me. I think it's got no fiber in it; nothing that really is filling for my stomach. I can't be deprived because I am eating a nice sized piece, but why would I want to eat four to five nice sized pieces when I can have a satisfying sized piece and something with fiber that will fill me the rest of the way?

To everyone:

four to five squares of Tira Misu in one sitting

Or a nice big reg sized square every single time I want it and 1/2 g.f.?

I am curious to hear opinions on this issue. Some foods don't fill me; I don't get a full signal til I've eaten a near binge quantity and I'm trying to get around this dilemma without restricting or depriving or, on the other hand, binging.

Laurie

To: IntuitiveEating_Support Sent: Mon, March 8, 2010 10:01:14 AMSubject: RE: Re: Newbie: Slowly Legalizing Foods

Beware the "few foods that seem just too much for me." Avoiding or restricting them can give them power, make them "magical."

If the grapefruit thing is working for you, great. Just be careful.

Harry

[intuitiveEating_ Support] Re: Newbie: Slowly Legalizing Foods

Hi Ginger: When I first committed to eat intuitively 8 years ago, I hesitated to load my house with all of my former 'binge foods'. I also realized that the point of 'legalizing' food was to become more comfortable with and learn to eat all foods moderately, rather than restrict and or binge eat certain foods. So I followed an approach I read (can't remember where) to slowly legalize foods:I listed all the foods I feared or ate during binges or loved but wouldn't let myself eat regularly. Then I rated each food according to which food I feared the most and which food I feared the least and could sometimes eat moderately. Then I relisted the foods from least to most problematic.Then I committed to bring the least problematic food into my house and eat it daily until I felt comfortable with that food. When I could eat that food moderately and no longer worry about overeating that food, I bought the next least problematic food on my list

and ate that daily for a week or until I felt safe with that food or got tired of eating it. I proceeded down my list until I was comfortable with all my former 'binge' foods. I noticed that I really didn't like a few foods that I only ate during binges. I liked the idea of those foods more than I liked the taste or how those felt in my body. Nevertheless, I no longer feared I would lose control or binge eat those foods. I learned that I really loved other foods and feel really good after eating them. (I still eat peanut butter on a muffin with fruit almost every other day for breakfast.)Not all IE books recommend that method. However, bringing just one food into my house at a time let me comfortably legalize all my former binge foods until they became 'just food'. SUE>> Hi Abby-thanks for your thoughts...I sooooo wish I was ready to buy a large> amount of off-limits food and do what you've advised...I don't trust myself> yet. Just ordered the book Intuitive Eating (not available at my library)> and am hoping to make progress on that soon. I want to be brave!!!! Or I> guess I want food to just be a normal part of my life. I will let you know> the day I am able to do what you've said here--I'm looking forward to it. My> son will look forward to it too--he always wants to bake cookies, brownies,> etc. and I usually find some excuse because I am afraid I'll eat it all (and> I usually do when we do bake). But I am hopeful this will change soon!!!!> Thanks for the welcome.

Ginger>

[Guest guest]

For me, it usually isn't so much about being filled up as noticing that

it just doesn't taste as good as the first bite.  That's when I know I

should stop eating it.

Sohni

lori wrote:

 

The g.f. isn't because i'm restricting the food.  i take a nice

size piece of tira misu that is not a bit deprivational and I notice as

I eat it that it just isn't the kind of food that fills me.  I think

it's got no fiber in it; nothing that really is filling for my

stomach.  I can't be deprived because I am eating a nice sized piece,

but why would I want to eat four to five nice sized pieces when I can

have a satisfying sized piece and something with fiber that will fill

me the rest of the way?

 

To everyone:

four to five squares of Tira Misu in one sitting

Or a nice big reg sized square every single time I want it and

1/2 g.f.?

 

I am curious to hear opinions on this issue.  Some foods don't

fill me; I don't get a full signal til I've eaten a near binge quantity

and I'm trying to get around this dilemma without restricting or

depriving or, on the other hand, binging.

 

Laurie

From:

Harry LeBlanc <hleblancbitstream (DOT) net>

To: IntuitiveEating_Support

Sent: Mon, March 8,

2010 10:01:14 AM

Subject: RE:

Re: Newbie: Slowly Legalizing Foods

 

Beware the "few foods that seem just too

much for me." Avoiding or restricting them can give them power, make

them "magical."

If the grapefruit thing is working for you,

great. Just be careful.

Harry

 

 

[intuitiveEating_ Support] Re: Newbie: Slowly Legalizing Foods

 

Hi Ginger: When I first committed to eat intuitively 8 years

ago, I hesitated to load my house with all of my former 'binge foods'.

I also realized that the point of 'legalizing' food was to become more

comfortable with and learn to eat all foods moderately, rather than

restrict and or binge eat certain foods. So I followed an approach I

read (can't remember where) to slowly legalize foods:

I listed all the foods I feared or ate during binges or loved but

wouldn't let myself eat regularly. Then I rated each food according to

which food I feared the most and which food I feared the least and

could sometimes eat moderately. Then I relisted the foods from least to

most problematic.

Then I committed to bring the least problematic food into my house and

eat it daily until I felt comfortable with that food. When I could eat

that food moderately and no longer worry about overeating that food, I

bought the next least problematic food on my list and ate that daily

for a week or until I felt safe with that food or got tired of eating

it.

I proceeded down my list until I was comfortable with all my former

'binge' foods. I noticed that I really didn't like a few foods that I

only ate during binges. I liked the idea of those foods more than I

liked the taste or how those felt in my body. Nevertheless, I no longer

feared I would lose control or binge eat those foods. I learned that I

really loved other foods and feel really good after eating them. (I

still eat peanut butter on a muffin with fruit almost every other day

for breakfast.)

Not all IE books recommend that method. However, bringing just one food

into my house at a time let me comfortably legalize all my former binge

foods until they became 'just food'.

SUE

>

> Hi Abby-thanks for your thoughts...I sooooo wish I was ready to

buy a large

> amount of off-limits food and do what you've advised...I don't

trust myself

> yet. Just ordered the book Intuitive Eating (not available at my

library)

> and am hoping to make progress on that soon. I want to be

brave!!!! Or I

> guess I want food to just be a normal part of my life. I will let

you know

> the day I am able to do what you've said here--I'm looking forward

to it. My

> son will look forward to it too--he always wants to bake cookies,

brownies,

> etc. and I usually find some excuse because I am afraid I'll eat

it all (and

> I usually do when we do bake). But I am hopeful this will change

soon!!!!

> Thanks for the welcome. Ginger

>

[Guest guest]

For me, it usually isn't so much about being filled up as noticing that

it just doesn't taste as good as the first bite.  That's when I know I

should stop eating it.

Sohni

lori wrote:

 

The g.f. isn't because i'm restricting the food.  i take a nice

size piece of tira misu that is not a bit deprivational and I notice as

I eat it that it just isn't the kind of food that fills me.  I think

it's got no fiber in it; nothing that really is filling for my

stomach.  I can't be deprived because I am eating a nice sized piece,

but why would I want to eat four to five nice sized pieces when I can

have a satisfying sized piece and something with fiber that will fill

me the rest of the way?

 

To everyone:

four to five squares of Tira Misu in one sitting

Or a nice big reg sized square every single time I want it and

1/2 g.f.?

 

I am curious to hear opinions on this issue.  Some foods don't

fill me; I don't get a full signal til I've eaten a near binge quantity

and I'm trying to get around this dilemma without restricting or

depriving or, on the other hand, binging.

 

Laurie

From:

Harry LeBlanc <hleblancbitstream (DOT) net>

To: IntuitiveEating_Support

Sent: Mon, March 8,

2010 10:01:14 AM

Subject: RE:

Re: Newbie: Slowly Legalizing Foods

 

Beware the "few foods that seem just too

much for me." Avoiding or restricting them can give them power, make

them "magical."

If the grapefruit thing is working for you,

great. Just be careful.

Harry

 

 

[intuitiveEating_ Support] Re: Newbie: Slowly Legalizing Foods

 

Hi Ginger: When I first committed to eat intuitively 8 years

ago, I hesitated to load my house with all of my former 'binge foods'.

I also realized that the point of 'legalizing' food was to become more

comfortable with and learn to eat all foods moderately, rather than

restrict and or binge eat certain foods. So I followed an approach I

read (can't remember where) to slowly legalize foods:

I listed all the foods I feared or ate during binges or loved but

wouldn't let myself eat regularly. Then I rated each food according to

which food I feared the most and which food I feared the least and

could sometimes eat moderately. Then I relisted the foods from least to

most problematic.

Then I committed to bring the least problematic food into my house and

eat it daily until I felt comfortable with that food. When I could eat

that food moderately and no longer worry about overeating that food, I

bought the next least problematic food on my list and ate that daily

for a week or until I felt safe with that food or got tired of eating

it.

I proceeded down my list until I was comfortable with all my former

'binge' foods. I noticed that I really didn't like a few foods that I

only ate during binges. I liked the idea of those foods more than I

liked the taste or how those felt in my body. Nevertheless, I no longer

feared I would lose control or binge eat those foods. I learned that I

really loved other foods and feel really good after eating them. (I

still eat peanut butter on a muffin with fruit almost every other day

for breakfast.)

Not all IE books recommend that method. However, bringing just one food

into my house at a time let me comfortably legalize all my former binge

foods until they became 'just food'.

SUE

>

> Hi Abby-thanks for your thoughts...I sooooo wish I was ready to

buy a large

> amount of off-limits food and do what you've advised...I don't

trust myself

> yet. Just ordered the book Intuitive Eating (not available at my

library)

> and am hoping to make progress on that soon. I want to be

brave!!!! Or I

> guess I want food to just be a normal part of my life. I will let

you know

> the day I am able to do what you've said here--I'm looking forward

to it. My

> son will look forward to it too--he always wants to bake cookies,

brownies,

> etc. and I usually find some excuse because I am afraid I'll eat

it all (and

> I usually do when we do bake). But I am hopeful this will change

soon!!!!

> Thanks for the welcome. Ginger

>

[Guest guest]

For me, it usually isn't so much about being filled up as noticing that

it just doesn't taste as good as the first bite.  That's when I know I

should stop eating it.

Sohni

lori wrote:

 

The g.f. isn't because i'm restricting the food.  i take a nice

size piece of tira misu that is not a bit deprivational and I notice as

I eat it that it just isn't the kind of food that fills me.  I think

it's got no fiber in it; nothing that really is filling for my

stomach.  I can't be deprived because I am eating a nice sized piece,

but why would I want to eat four to five nice sized pieces when I can

have a satisfying sized piece and something with fiber that will fill

me the rest of the way?

 

To everyone:

four to five squares of Tira Misu in one sitting

Or a nice big reg sized square every single time I want it and

1/2 g.f.?

 

I am curious to hear opinions on this issue.  Some foods don't

fill me; I don't get a full signal til I've eaten a near binge quantity

and I'm trying to get around this dilemma without restricting or

depriving or, on the other hand, binging.

 

Laurie

From:

Harry LeBlanc <hleblancbitstream (DOT) net>

To: IntuitiveEating_Support

Sent: Mon, March 8,

2010 10:01:14 AM

Subject: RE:

Re: Newbie: Slowly Legalizing Foods

 

Beware the "few foods that seem just too

much for me." Avoiding or restricting them can give them power, make

them "magical."

If the grapefruit thing is working for you,

great. Just be careful.

Harry

 

 

[intuitiveEating_ Support] Re: Newbie: Slowly Legalizing Foods

 

Hi Ginger: When I first committed to eat intuitively 8 years

ago, I hesitated to load my house with all of my former 'binge foods'.

I also realized that the point of 'legalizing' food was to become more

comfortable with and learn to eat all foods moderately, rather than

restrict and or binge eat certain foods. So I followed an approach I

read (can't remember where) to slowly legalize foods:

I listed all the foods I feared or ate during binges or loved but

wouldn't let myself eat regularly. Then I rated each food according to

which food I feared the most and which food I feared the least and

could sometimes eat moderately. Then I relisted the foods from least to

most problematic.

Then I committed to bring the least problematic food into my house and

eat it daily until I felt comfortable with that food. When I could eat

that food moderately and no longer worry about overeating that food, I

bought the next least problematic food on my list and ate that daily

for a week or until I felt safe with that food or got tired of eating

it.

I proceeded down my list until I was comfortable with all my former

'binge' foods. I noticed that I really didn't like a few foods that I

only ate during binges. I liked the idea of those foods more than I

liked the taste or how those felt in my body. Nevertheless, I no longer

feared I would lose control or binge eat those foods. I learned that I

really loved other foods and feel really good after eating them. (I

still eat peanut butter on a muffin with fruit almost every other day

for breakfast.)

Not all IE books recommend that method. However, bringing just one food

into my house at a time let me comfortably legalize all my former binge

foods until they became 'just food'.

SUE

>

> Hi Abby-thanks for your thoughts...I sooooo wish I was ready to

buy a large

> amount of off-limits food and do what you've advised...I don't

trust myself

> yet. Just ordered the book Intuitive Eating (not available at my

library)

> and am hoping to make progress on that soon. I want to be

brave!!!! Or I

> guess I want food to just be a normal part of my life. I will let

you know

> the day I am able to do what you've said here--I'm looking forward

to it. My

> son will look forward to it too--he always wants to bake cookies,

brownies,

> etc. and I usually find some excuse because I am afraid I'll eat

it all (and

> I usually do when we do bake). But I am hopeful this will change

soon!!!!

> Thanks for the welcome. Ginger

>

[Guest guest]

Laurie,It's not silly at all that you talked about chicken parm! i thought it was quite brave, actually. it can be really hard and embarrassing to admit our trigger foods. 

abby

 

Hi Jeanne: What were your previous experiences with creme filled donuts and/or birthday cake? How do you believe you will eat those foods now that you know how to eat according to hunger and fullness? Can you visualize yourself slowly eating a small or moderate amount of those foods as a dessert at a sit down meal, rather than as a stand up snack, when you don't really focus on the taste of the food or the sensations in your body?

SUE

>

> Hi,

>  

> I've allowed candy and cookies since I began this process, but I just can't seem to quite wrap my head around the thought of bringing cream-filled doughnuts or birthday-type cake into the house. 

>  

> Jeanne

>

--

[Guest guest]

Laurie,It's not silly at all that you talked about chicken parm! i thought it was quite brave, actually. it can be really hard and embarrassing to admit our trigger foods. 

abby

 

Hi Jeanne: What were your previous experiences with creme filled donuts and/or birthday cake? How do you believe you will eat those foods now that you know how to eat according to hunger and fullness? Can you visualize yourself slowly eating a small or moderate amount of those foods as a dessert at a sit down meal, rather than as a stand up snack, when you don't really focus on the taste of the food or the sensations in your body?

SUE

>

> Hi,

>  

> I've allowed candy and cookies since I began this process, but I just can't seem to quite wrap my head around the thought of bringing cream-filled doughnuts or birthday-type cake into the house. 

>  

> Jeanne

>

--

[Guest guest]

Laurie,It's not silly at all that you talked about chicken parm! i thought it was quite brave, actually. it can be really hard and embarrassing to admit our trigger foods. 

abby

 

Hi Jeanne: What were your previous experiences with creme filled donuts and/or birthday cake? How do you believe you will eat those foods now that you know how to eat according to hunger and fullness? Can you visualize yourself slowly eating a small or moderate amount of those foods as a dessert at a sit down meal, rather than as a stand up snack, when you don't really focus on the taste of the food or the sensations in your body?

SUE

>

> Hi,

>  

> I've allowed candy and cookies since I began this process, but I just can't seem to quite wrap my head around the thought of bringing cream-filled doughnuts or birthday-type cake into the house. 

>  

> Jeanne

>

--

[Guest guest]

Hi,

This could help because sometimes I do get a comfortably just full signal, but it's so dim, and sometimes I don't seem to get one that I can notice.

thanks,Laurie

To: IntuitiveEating_Support Sent: Mon, March 8, 2010 2:56:53 PMSubject: Re: Re: Newbie: Slowly Legalizing Foods

For me, it usually isn't so much about being filled up as noticing that it just doesn't taste as good as the first bite. That's when I know I should stop eating it.Sohnilori wrote:

The g.f. isn't because i'm restricting the food. i take a nice size piece of tira misu that is not a bit deprivational and I notice as I eat it that it just isn't the kind of food that fills me. I think it's got no fiber in it; nothing that really is filling for my stomach. I can't be deprived because I am eating a nice sized piece, but why would I want to eat four to five nice sized pieces when I can have a satisfying sized piece and something with fiber that will fill me the rest of the way?

To everyone:

four to five squares of Tira Misu in one sitting

Or a nice big reg sized square every single time I want it and 1/2 g.f.?

I am curious to hear opinions on this issue. Some foods don't fill me; I don't get a full signal til I've eaten a near binge quantity and I'm trying to get around this dilemma without restricting or depriving or, on the other hand, binging.

Laurie

From: Harry LeBlanc <hleblancbitstream (DOT) net>To: IntuitiveEating_ Support@yahoogro ups.comSent: Mon, March 8, 2010 10:01:14 AMSubject: RE: [intuitiveEating_ Support] Re: Newbie: Slowly Legalizing Foods

Beware the "few foods that seem just too much for me." Avoiding or restricting them can give them power, make them "magical."

If the grapefruit thing is working for you, great. Just be careful.

Harry

[intuitiveEating_ Support] Re: Newbie: Slowly Legalizing Foods

Hi Ginger: When I first committed to eat intuitively 8 years ago, I hesitated to load my house with all of my former 'binge foods'. I also realized that the point of 'legalizing' food was to become more comfortable with and learn to eat all foods moderately, rather than restrict and or binge eat certain foods. So I followed an approach I read (can't remember where) to slowly legalize foods:I listed all the foods I feared or ate during binges or loved but wouldn't let myself eat regularly. Then I rated each food according to which food I feared the most and which food I feared the least and could sometimes eat moderately. Then I relisted the foods from least to most problematic.Then I committed to bring the least problematic food into my house and eat it daily until I felt comfortable with that food. When I could eat that food moderately and no longer worry about overeating that food, I bought the next least problematic food on my list

and ate that daily for a week or until I felt safe with that food or got tired of eating it. I proceeded down my list until I was comfortable with all my former 'binge' foods. I noticed that I really didn't like a few foods that I only ate during binges. I liked the idea of those foods more than I liked the taste or how those felt in my body. Nevertheless, I no longer feared I would lose control or binge eat those foods. I learned that I really loved other foods and feel really good after eating them. (I still eat peanut butter on a muffin with fruit almost every other day for breakfast.)Not all IE books recommend that method. However, bringing just one food into my house at a time let me comfortably legalize all my former binge foods until they became 'just food'. SUE>> Hi Abby-thanks for your thoughts...I sooooo wish I was ready to buy a large> amount of off-limits food and do what you've advised...I don't trust myself> yet. Just ordered the book Intuitive Eating (not available at my library)> and am hoping to make progress on that soon. I want to be brave!!!! Or I> guess I want food to just be a normal part of my life. I will let you know> the day I am able to do what you've said here--I'm looking forward to it. My> son will look forward to it too--he always wants to bake cookies, brownies,> etc. and I usually find some excuse because I am afraid I'll eat it all (and> I usually do when

we do bake). But I am hopeful this will change soon!!!!> Thanks for the welcome. Ginger>

[Guest guest]

Hi,

This could help because sometimes I do get a comfortably just full signal, but it's so dim, and sometimes I don't seem to get one that I can notice.

thanks,Laurie

To: IntuitiveEating_Support Sent: Mon, March 8, 2010 2:56:53 PMSubject: Re: Re: Newbie: Slowly Legalizing Foods

For me, it usually isn't so much about being filled up as noticing that it just doesn't taste as good as the first bite. That's when I know I should stop eating it.Sohnilori wrote:

The g.f. isn't because i'm restricting the food. i take a nice size piece of tira misu that is not a bit deprivational and I notice as I eat it that it just isn't the kind of food that fills me. I think it's got no fiber in it; nothing that really is filling for my stomach. I can't be deprived because I am eating a nice sized piece, but why would I want to eat four to five nice sized pieces when I can have a satisfying sized piece and something with fiber that will fill me the rest of the way?

To everyone:

four to five squares of Tira Misu in one sitting

Or a nice big reg sized square every single time I want it and 1/2 g.f.?

I am curious to hear opinions on this issue. Some foods don't fill me; I don't get a full signal til I've eaten a near binge quantity and I'm trying to get around this dilemma without restricting or depriving or, on the other hand, binging.

Laurie

From: Harry LeBlanc <hleblancbitstream (DOT) net>To: IntuitiveEating_ Support@yahoogro ups.comSent: Mon, March 8, 2010 10:01:14 AMSubject: RE: [intuitiveEating_ Support] Re: Newbie: Slowly Legalizing Foods

Beware the "few foods that seem just too much for me." Avoiding or restricting them can give them power, make them "magical."

If the grapefruit thing is working for you, great. Just be careful.

Harry

[intuitiveEating_ Support] Re: Newbie: Slowly Legalizing Foods

Hi Ginger: When I first committed to eat intuitively 8 years ago, I hesitated to load my house with all of my former 'binge foods'. I also realized that the point of 'legalizing' food was to become more comfortable with and learn to eat all foods moderately, rather than restrict and or binge eat certain foods. So I followed an approach I read (can't remember where) to slowly legalize foods:I listed all the foods I feared or ate during binges or loved but wouldn't let myself eat regularly. Then I rated each food according to which food I feared the most and which food I feared the least and could sometimes eat moderately. Then I relisted the foods from least to most problematic.Then I committed to bring the least problematic food into my house and eat it daily until I felt comfortable with that food. When I could eat that food moderately and no longer worry about overeating that food, I bought the next least problematic food on my list

and ate that daily for a week or until I felt safe with that food or got tired of eating it. I proceeded down my list until I was comfortable with all my former 'binge' foods. I noticed that I really didn't like a few foods that I only ate during binges. I liked the idea of those foods more than I liked the taste or how those felt in my body. Nevertheless, I no longer feared I would lose control or binge eat those foods. I learned that I really loved other foods and feel really good after eating them. (I still eat peanut butter on a muffin with fruit almost every other day for breakfast.)Not all IE books recommend that method. However, bringing just one food into my house at a time let me comfortably legalize all my former binge foods until they became 'just food'. SUE>> Hi Abby-thanks for your thoughts...I sooooo wish I was ready to buy a large> amount of off-limits food and do what you've advised...I don't trust myself> yet. Just ordered the book Intuitive Eating (not available at my library)> and am hoping to make progress on that soon. I want to be brave!!!! Or I> guess I want food to just be a normal part of my life. I will let you know> the day I am able to do what you've said here--I'm looking forward to it. My> son will look forward to it too--he always wants to bake cookies, brownies,> etc. and I usually find some excuse because I am afraid I'll eat it all (and> I usually do when

we do bake). But I am hopeful this will change soon!!!!> Thanks for the welcome. Ginger>

[Guest guest]

Hi,

This could help because sometimes I do get a comfortably just full signal, but it's so dim, and sometimes I don't seem to get one that I can notice.

thanks,Laurie

To: IntuitiveEating_Support Sent: Mon, March 8, 2010 2:56:53 PMSubject: Re: Re: Newbie: Slowly Legalizing Foods

For me, it usually isn't so much about being filled up as noticing that it just doesn't taste as good as the first bite. That's when I know I should stop eating it.Sohnilori wrote:

The g.f. isn't because i'm restricting the food. i take a nice size piece of tira misu that is not a bit deprivational and I notice as I eat it that it just isn't the kind of food that fills me. I think it's got no fiber in it; nothing that really is filling for my stomach. I can't be deprived because I am eating a nice sized piece, but why would I want to eat four to five nice sized pieces when I can have a satisfying sized piece and something with fiber that will fill me the rest of the way?

To everyone:

four to five squares of Tira Misu in one sitting

Or a nice big reg sized square every single time I want it and 1/2 g.f.?

I am curious to hear opinions on this issue. Some foods don't fill me; I don't get a full signal til I've eaten a near binge quantity and I'm trying to get around this dilemma without restricting or depriving or, on the other hand, binging.

Laurie

From: Harry LeBlanc <hleblancbitstream (DOT) net>To: IntuitiveEating_ Support@yahoogro ups.comSent: Mon, March 8, 2010 10:01:14 AMSubject: RE: [intuitiveEating_ Support] Re: Newbie: Slowly Legalizing Foods

Beware the "few foods that seem just too much for me." Avoiding or restricting them can give them power, make them "magical."

If the grapefruit thing is working for you, great. Just be careful.

Harry

[intuitiveEating_ Support] Re: Newbie: Slowly Legalizing Foods

Hi Ginger: When I first committed to eat intuitively 8 years ago, I hesitated to load my house with all of my former 'binge foods'. I also realized that the point of 'legalizing' food was to become more comfortable with and learn to eat all foods moderately, rather than restrict and or binge eat certain foods. So I followed an approach I read (can't remember where) to slowly legalize foods:I listed all the foods I feared or ate during binges or loved but wouldn't let myself eat regularly. Then I rated each food according to which food I feared the most and which food I feared the least and could sometimes eat moderately. Then I relisted the foods from least to most problematic.Then I committed to bring the least problematic food into my house and eat it daily until I felt comfortable with that food. When I could eat that food moderately and no longer worry about overeating that food, I bought the next least problematic food on my list

and ate that daily for a week or until I felt safe with that food or got tired of eating it. I proceeded down my list until I was comfortable with all my former 'binge' foods. I noticed that I really didn't like a few foods that I only ate during binges. I liked the idea of those foods more than I liked the taste or how those felt in my body. Nevertheless, I no longer feared I would lose control or binge eat those foods. I learned that I really loved other foods and feel really good after eating them. (I still eat peanut butter on a muffin with fruit almost every other day for breakfast.)Not all IE books recommend that method. However, bringing just one food into my house at a time let me comfortably legalize all my former binge foods until they became 'just food'. SUE>> Hi Abby-thanks for your thoughts...I sooooo wish I was ready to buy a large> amount of off-limits food and do what you've advised...I don't trust myself> yet. Just ordered the book Intuitive Eating (not available at my library)> and am hoping to make progress on that soon. I want to be brave!!!! Or I> guess I want food to just be a normal part of my life. I will let you know> the day I am able to do what you've said here--I'm looking forward to it. My> son will look forward to it too--he always wants to bake cookies, brownies,> etc. and I usually find some excuse because I am afraid I'll eat it all (and> I usually do when

we do bake). But I am hopeful this will change soon!!!!> Thanks for the welcome. Ginger>

[Guest guest]

I've been bringing birthday cake and various cakes into the house. most yellow cakes or chocolate cakes, which tasted beyond fabulous at first, and now taste pretty good but not earth shattering. The tira misu still tastes awesome, lol.

I used to eat those Dunkin Donut chocolate creme filled donuts for emotional soothing. I realize I haven't brought them into the house at all.

Laurie

To: IntuitiveEating_Support Sent: Mon, March 8, 2010 3:06:34 PMSubject: Re: Newbie: Slowly Legalizing Foods

Hi,

I've allowed candy and cookies since I began this process, but I just can't seem to quite wrap my head around the thought of bringing cream-filled doughnuts or birthday-type cake into the house.

Jeanne

[Guest guest]

Thanks Abby! I don't know why but an image of me having a sword fight with the chicken parm just entered my mind, lol! But seriously, I was afraid it was silly or trivial, and so I appreciate your kind response.

Laurie

To: IntuitiveEating_Support Sent: Mon, March 8, 2010 8:01:53 PMSubject: Re: Re: Newbie: Slowly Legalizing Foods

Laurie,

It's not silly at all that you talked about chicken parm! i thought it was quite brave, actually. it can be really hard and embarrassing to admit our trigger foods.

abby

On Mon, Mar 8, 2010 at 4:15 PM, sue <penguineahotmail (DOT) com> wrote:

Hi Jeanne: What were your previous experiences with creme filled donuts and/or birthday cake? How do you believe you will eat those foods now that you know how to eat according to hunger and fullness? Can you visualize yourself slowly eating a small or moderate amount of those foods as a dessert at a sit down meal, rather than as a stand up snack, when you don't really focus on the taste of the food or the sensations in your body?SUE

>> Hi, > > I've allowed candy and cookies since I began this process, but I just can't seem to quite wrap my head around the thought of bringing cream-filled doughnuts or birthday-type cake into the house. > > Jeanne>

--

[Guest guest]

Jeanne,

Sounds like a great exercise to try! Why not buy some cake or donuts sometime soon and see how they taste? (Ideally when you are hungry but able to eat consciously.) I think you might find it very empowering.

Abby

 

Hi Sue,

 

When we had cake and donuts at work, I would usually go back for seconds and/or thirds during the workday and usually when not hungry.  But these foods have seemed to be more problematic when I was dieting.  Guess maybe my diet rebel or some emotional thing would kick in, I'd go to the donut shop buy a half dozen or more, drive to the Walmart parking lot and stuff my face in the car.  Sometimes I would do this with several cake slices from the grocery store at home.  I realize this now this was mindless eating.  I always did this secretly because I was too embarrassed by the whole activity but couldn't seem to stop myself. 

 

You know how sometimes when you've been dieting and then find yourself in the presence of some tempting food and all your resolve caves in?  I've wondered many times what I would do now in the presence of these foods.  I can certainly visualize buying a donut or piece of cake (when not hungry), sitting down, eating mindfully and discovering just a few bites may be enough, or it wasn't as good as I imagined it would be. 

 

Apologize for such a lengthy post.  And Laurie thought her issues with chicken parm was silly! 

 

Best wishes,

Jeanne

[Guest guest]

Jeanne,

Sounds like a great exercise to try! Why not buy some cake or donuts sometime soon and see how they taste? (Ideally when you are hungry but able to eat consciously.) I think you might find it very empowering.

Abby

 

Hi Sue,

 

When we had cake and donuts at work, I would usually go back for seconds and/or thirds during the workday and usually when not hungry.  But these foods have seemed to be more problematic when I was dieting.  Guess maybe my diet rebel or some emotional thing would kick in, I'd go to the donut shop buy a half dozen or more, drive to the Walmart parking lot and stuff my face in the car.  Sometimes I would do this with several cake slices from the grocery store at home.  I realize this now this was mindless eating.  I always did this secretly because I was too embarrassed by the whole activity but couldn't seem to stop myself. 

 

You know how sometimes when you've been dieting and then find yourself in the presence of some tempting food and all your resolve caves in?  I've wondered many times what I would do now in the presence of these foods.  I can certainly visualize buying a donut or piece of cake (when not hungry), sitting down, eating mindfully and discovering just a few bites may be enough, or it wasn't as good as I imagined it would be. 

 

Apologize for such a lengthy post.  And Laurie thought her issues with chicken parm was silly! 

 

Best wishes,

Jeanne