Re: Ready to give up...

August 31, 2010

Raina,Have you read Geneen Roth's new book, Women, Food, and God? i don't remember much of what she said, but she did talk about this issue a fair bit, and i remember liking what she said. she had one chapter in particular, " It's not about the weight, but it's not not about the weight " that i think really speaks to the issue you are struggling with.

IE is tough because there really are no rules... but that's hopefully to allow you to explore your relationship with food, knowing there are no boundaries. However, I continued to use food as my primary coping mechanism for dealing with life, it's not really intuitive eating (to my mind), it's just more emotional or unconscious eating. So maybe you need to check in with yourself about how you are using food? are you paying attention to hunger and satiety when you eat? are you eating consciously, or mostly when you do other things?

another book i really liked is called I Can Make You Thin by McKenna. he introduced me to the idea of you can eat whatever you want and lose weight.... but only if you pay attention to hunger and satiety. i actually am not sure that i can lose weight, regardless, because of hormonal imbalances but his was the first book that made me stop dieting and start paying attention to eating.

finally, maybe you want to think about speaking with a nutritionist (trained in IE)? or a therapist.it sounds like you are in a really tough spot. we are all here to support you however we can.

best,abby

I have been trying IE for awhile now. In the process, I have put on 50 pounds. I have never been this big or unhealthy in my life. I have trouble with my knees and awful heel pain. I didn't gain this much when I went off a diet. I am so disappointed because I thought this was the way to go. I always want junk food and never crave any of the healthier stuff. I feel terrible. I have acid reflux and terrible anxiety from all this weight I have put on. It is a constant struggle for me to turn away from food. I have to fight with myself all the time to try not to eat when I'm not hungry. To me, this seems so much like a diet. I am only 33 years old and having all these issues. Please tell me how you all get through this. My ankles swell really bad now and gaining all this weight has made me really depressed. What put the icing on the cake was when I went for my yearly physical, my doc recommended gastric bypass. IE seems so simple, but yet is so hard. I just don't know if this is for me. Sorry for rambling.

Raina

August 31, 2010

Hi, Raina,

Your doctor only has so many tools at his/her command, and gastric bypass is one of those tools. That doesn't mean that you have to take that option. You can look elsewhere for solutions.

If you can afford to find a counselor who specializes in eating disorders and is supportive of IE, now is the time to make that commitment to yourself. None of us here can give you the answers that will work for you; these are things that you will find within yourself if you are willing to explore them instead of reaching for food. Give yourself the gift of taking the time to do this.

You may also be on a physiological rollercoaster ride from the junk food you say you are eating. If you can try to back away from that kind of food for a while, you may find yourself not feeling so desperate. I know when I was eating nutritionally empty food, I felt like I could never get enough to eat. I would eat and eat and eat and still feel hungry. I now believe that this was because my body was still searching for real nutrition and not getting it.

All of us have to make a decision about what kinds of food nurture and sustain us. Some of us can eat junk foods on occasion and still do fine. For others, though, these foods make it difficult to hear our body's real hunger, and seem to have some sort of addictive hold on us. If you are finding yourself hungry all the time, struggling all the time, you may simply want to see what happens if you eat differently for a few days. Get curious, and be kind to yourself. What you have chosen to do by eating junk foods is clearly not working for you. You can still do IE if you want, but you may want to consider other food choices than the ones you've been making, because these choices are making you feel desperate and out of control.

Your mention that you never "crave" any of the healthy stuff is telling: Cravings are not the same as hunger. If you are having cravings, I'd bet it is because you're over-indulging in things that are nutritionally empty. See what happens if you simply choose not to eat that stuff for a few days or a week. What do you feel like then? I've found if I eat sugar, I crave sugar. If I stop, the cravings stop. Such liberation! I can now eat a little sugar, but if I go over a certain amount, I become crazed. That's just the way I am, and so I'd rather not eat that much sugar. Truly: I'd rather not. I'm not denying myself--it's my choice. I do not want to have that desperate feeling, so I avoid eating things that get me to that place.

I have SO been where you are. Please be willing to nurture yourself in a way that really gives your body sustenance. You're still young; you have your whole life ahead of you. If you get this right now, you will have many, many years of good health and peace of mind to look forward to.

Laurie

Ready to give up...

I have been trying IE for awhile now. In the process, I have put on 50 pounds. I have never been this big or unhealthy in my life. I have trouble with my knees and awful heel pain. I didn't gain this much when I went off a diet. I am so disappointed because I thought this was the way to go. I always want junk food and never crave any of the healthier stuff. I feel terrible. I have acid reflux and terrible anxiety from all this weight I have put on. It is a constant struggle for me to turn away from food. I have to fight with myself all the time to try not to eat when I'm not hungry. To me, this seems so much like a diet. I am only 33 years old and having all these issues. Please tell me how you all get through this. My ankles swell really bad now and gaining all this weight has made me really depressed. What put the icing on the cake was when I went for my yearly physical, my doc recommended gastric bypass. IE seems so simple, but yet is so hard. I just don't know if this is for me. Sorry for rambling.

Raina

September 1, 2010

These are some great ideas. I will have to try some myself....One day I am all over this IE and then another is like what ,,what is IE? No I don't want to.

I just cant seem to motivate myself like I used to perhaps I am just burned out after 40 some years of yoyo dieting that I just cant seem to have fun with this stuff or there isn't anything to look forward to like there was with the new next diet, the preparation, the opening of a new book, the new promise, the new shoes it all goes with this. Now I just feel me and I don't like it

To: IntuitiveEating_Support Sent: Wed, September 1, 2010 12:10:44 AMSubject: Re: Ready to give up...

Good Luck, Raina.

The process is challenging... To me, I had to do a bit of prayer work about compulsive eating...I don't want to make IE into a reason to eat emotionally or compulsively. It's working for me so far. I don't know if my weight has changed, but I find myself NOT craving junk. I don't really like dry pastries...never knew that until starting this.

But, it seems that one must dig deep...

What about exercise? Do you enjoy exercising for fun? Do you enjoy being strong? Do you enjoy looking at healthy foods because it's FUN to nourish yourself?

Just some ideas on turning the tables around a bit. I love to exercise...but when I resisted it it was some sort of inner body fight. Now I do it more regularly than before...3-4 times a week. When I stopped "dieting", and focus on hunger (without getting obsessive about hunger vs. nonhunger) I'm more relaxed. BUT...peace of mind has happened from this process. I don't know if there is physical difference...but what's most important to me is peace of mind.

The simple processes are hard...being totally brutally honest with self to the core...it's a challenge. What do you like about junk food? Why is it the only thing you want to ingest? Is it the salt? the fat? Why is it so appealing? Past diets? Have you tried eating a piece of fruit for pleasure only, just to see if you could taste some yummyness there? What healthy foods do you like? how could you gravitate towards them compassionately? I'm new to this process so if any of this is counter the IE program someone please clarify!

Dairy products contribute to reflux in some people. When I have eaten dairy the reflux flares up, when I cut it out of my diet it's gone. For some people lactose intolerance manifests as the valve to the stomach staying open, hence when people are asleep the acid travels up. Happens to me!

I'm just throwing some ideas out there...best of luck to you. Keep writing to us...we care about you and support you in your process!

Best wishes,

I have been trying IE for awhile now. In the process, I have put on 50 pounds. I have never been this big or unhealthy in my life. I have trouble with my knees and awful heel pain. I didn't gain this much when I went off a diet. I am so disappointed because I thought this was the way to go. I always want junk food and never crave any of the healthier stuff. I feel terrible. I have acid reflux and terrible anxiety from all this weight I have put on. It is a constant struggle for me to turn away from food. I have to fight with myself all the time to try not to eat when I'm not hungry. To me, this seems so much like a diet. I am only 33 years old and having all these issues. Please tell me how you all get through this. My ankles swell really bad now and gaining all this weight has made me really depressed. What put the icing on the cake was when I went for my yearly physical, my doc recommended gastric bypass. IE seems so simple, but yet is so hard. I

just don't know if this is for me. Sorry for rambling. Raina

September 1, 2010

Hi Raina,

I truly understand how you feel. I, too have been struggling with IE. I haven't

been able to read everyone's posts but I'm sure they mentioned all the things to

start with like get the junk food out of the house, see a nutrionist or

counselor, read Geneen Roth's book " Women Food and God " ...

I can only tell you what helped with me when I was really in touch with my

hunger and my emotions/feelings. I was eating well, felt better, and started

moving ( walking the dogs). I kept a food journal. I really planned out my day

and alloted for the time during the day that was the worst for me; the ride home

from work. It was always so easy to go through the drive thru or stop at the hot

foods line at the grocery store, so I would make sure I ate something before

leaving work and had a piece of fruit while I was driving home. I know one of

the rules is to not eat in the car but for me it worked because I wasn't in the

drive thru line.

Also, I keep an eating journal. I journal before I eat: how I'm feeling ( tired,

anxious, happy etc), my hunger level on a scale of 1-10 ( 10 being STARVING and

I never allowed myself to get to that) and the time. All of these helped me

judge how truly hungry I was. I would journal again after I ate as well: again

how I felt, my hunger level ( usually at 1-2) and the time. It sounds like a

lot, I know but it really can help gage your hunger and your emotions. And if

you don't think you have time for it, you do, really you do (I am saying this

for me as well). I work at a busy animal hopsital and have managed to take the

time for ME. Yep I said it ME!

I hope this helps you in some way. As I said, I am struggling as well to get

back to IE and stop shoving food in my mouth without knowing why, especially

take out and drive thru. I'm starting over today so you have helped because I

have been feeling the same way. So tired of being overweight and tired of

struggling. I have felt bad about myself all the while using food to numb

myself. I'm tired of saying to myself " tomorrow I'll start to journal and eat

well and truly listen to my body " . So, I'm with you. Change is hard but we can

do it!

Cort

>

> I have been trying IE for awhile now. In the process, I have put on 50 pounds.

I have never been this big or unhealthy in my life. I have trouble with my knees

and awful heel pain. I didn't gain this much when I went off a diet. I am so

disappointed because I thought this was the way to go. I always want junk food

and never crave any of the healthier stuff. I feel terrible. I have acid reflux

and terrible anxiety from all this weight I have put on. It is a constant

struggle for me to turn away from food. I have to fight with myself all the time

to try not to eat when I'm not hungry. To me, this seems so much like a diet. I

am only 33 years old and having all these issues. Please tell me how you all get

through this. My ankles swell really bad now and gaining all this weight has

made me really depressed. What put the icing on the cake was when I went for my

yearly physical, my doc recommended gastric bypass. IE seems so simple, but yet

is so hard. I just don't know if this is for me. Sorry for rambling.

>

> Raina

>

September 1, 2010

I used to have a big problem with drive-thrus on the way home from work, too. My route home (and it's the only one feasible) takes me past every freaking fast food joint imaginable. I sometimes used to stop at two different ones, one for my meal (I'd tell myself I wouldn't eat dinner at home) and one for my dessert, then I'd eat a second dinner at home, ashamed to tell my husband that I'd already eaten.

Here's how I was able to still eat at drive-thrus but in an IE sort of way:

(1) If I felt I was hungry (and this was before IE), I'd call my husband first and tell him I was going to eat on the way home, so he should prepare something for himself. I was, in a way, claiming my right to eat because I was "hungry" (not sure I always was) but, pre-IE, this was mostly as a control to keep me from eating again at home, from shame, alas. I'd then eat on the way home, in the car, as I was driving. Sometimes this remained a problem, because by the time I got home, I'd feel like eating again, and sometimes end up bingeing by sneaking food. In hindsight, I think maybe I still felt hungry was because I was eating while driving (not to mention eating nutritionally questionable food), and eating something I identified as "bad," and eating mainly as a way to destress from work, not from hunger. And of course eating really doesn't work to alleviate stress, not for long, anyway.

(2) After I started doing IE, I would do the same, but with these differences: First I'd stop and assess if I was really hungry. If I was just feeling stress, I'd give myself permission to do something else to de-stress, like browse in a store. I'd call my husband and ask him to make something for himself, so I wouldn't have to hurry or worry about him waiting for me to eat his dinner. If I was truly hungry, I'd stop and get something at the drive-thru, but I would either sit in the parking lot and eat or pull into a park and eat at a picnic table. I hate eating inside fast food places, but at least this way I was able to enjoy my food and pay attention to my level of hunger. I wouldn't then have the feeling I hadn't eaten, because I'd paid attention and enjoyed it. I'd also given myself permission to eat whatever it was I had a taste for.

Oddly (or maybe not), I rarely feel the urge to stop anymore. Can't even remember the last time I did.

Laurie

Re: Ready to give up...

Hi Raina,

I truly understand how you feel. I, too have been struggling with IE. I haven't been able to read everyone's posts but I'm sure they mentioned all the things to start with like get the junk food out of the house, see a nutrionist or counselor, read Geneen Roth's book "Women Food and God"...

I can only tell you what helped with me when I was really in touch with my hunger and my emotions/feelings. I was eating well, felt better, and started moving ( walking the dogs). I kept a food journal. I really planned out my day and alloted for the time during the day that was the worst for me; the ride home from work. It was always so easy to go through the drive thru or stop at the hot foods line at the grocery store, so I would make sure I ate something before leaving work and had a piece of fruit while I was driving home. I know one of the rules is to not eat in the car but for me it worked because I wasn't in the drive thru line.

Also, I keep an eating journal. I journal before I eat: how I'm feeling ( tired, anxious, happy etc), my hunger level on a scale of 1-10 ( 10 being STARVING and I never allowed myself to get to that) and the time. All of these helped me judge how truly hungry I was. I would journal again after I ate as well: again how I felt, my hunger level ( usually at 1-2) and the time. It sounds like a lot, I know but it really can help gage your hunger and your emotions. And if you don't think you have time for it, you do, really you do (I am saying this for me as well). I work at a busy animal hopsital and have managed to take the time for ME. Yep I said it ME!

I hope this helps you in some way. As I said, I am struggling as well to get back to IE and stop shoving food in my mouth without knowing why, especially take out and drive thru. I'm starting over today so you have helped because I have been feeling the same way. So tired of being overweight and tired of struggling. I have felt bad about myself all the while using food to numb myself. I'm tired of saying to myself "tomorrow I'll start to journal and eat well and truly listen to my body". So, I'm with you. Change is hard but we can do it!

Cort

>

> I have been trying IE for awhile now. In the process, I have put on 50 pounds. I have never been this big or unhealthy in my life. I have trouble with my knees and awful heel pain. I didn't gain this much when I went off a diet. I am so disappointed because I thought this was the way to go. I always want junk food and never crave any of the healthier stuff. I feel terrible. I have acid reflux and terrible anxiety from all this weight I have put on. It is a constant struggle for me to turn away from food. I have to fight with myself all the time to try not to eat when I'm not hungry. To me, this seems so much like a diet. I am only 33 years old and having all these issues. Please tell me how you all get through this. My ankles swell really bad now and gaining all this weight has made me really depressed. What put the icing on the cake was when I went for my yearly physical, my doc recommended gastric bypass. IE seems so simple, but yet is so hard. I just don't know if thi s is for me. Sorry for rambling.

>

> Raina

>

September 1, 2010

I used to have a big problem with drive-thrus on the way home from work, too. My route home (and it's the only one feasible) takes me past every freaking fast food joint imaginable. I sometimes used to stop at two different ones, one for my meal (I'd tell myself I wouldn't eat dinner at home) and one for my dessert, then I'd eat a second dinner at home, ashamed to tell my husband that I'd already eaten.

Here's how I was able to still eat at drive-thrus but in an IE sort of way:

(1) If I felt I was hungry (and this was before IE), I'd call my husband first and tell him I was going to eat on the way home, so he should prepare something for himself. I was, in a way, claiming my right to eat because I was "hungry" (not sure I always was) but, pre-IE, this was mostly as a control to keep me from eating again at home, from shame, alas. I'd then eat on the way home, in the car, as I was driving. Sometimes this remained a problem, because by the time I got home, I'd feel like eating again, and sometimes end up bingeing by sneaking food. In hindsight, I think maybe I still felt hungry was because I was eating while driving (not to mention eating nutritionally questionable food), and eating something I identified as "bad," and eating mainly as a way to destress from work, not from hunger. And of course eating really doesn't work to alleviate stress, not for long, anyway.

(2) After I started doing IE, I would do the same, but with these differences: First I'd stop and assess if I was really hungry. If I was just feeling stress, I'd give myself permission to do something else to de-stress, like browse in a store. I'd call my husband and ask him to make something for himself, so I wouldn't have to hurry or worry about him waiting for me to eat his dinner. If I was truly hungry, I'd stop and get something at the drive-thru, but I would either sit in the parking lot and eat or pull into a park and eat at a picnic table. I hate eating inside fast food places, but at least this way I was able to enjoy my food and pay attention to my level of hunger. I wouldn't then have the feeling I hadn't eaten, because I'd paid attention and enjoyed it. I'd also given myself permission to eat whatever it was I had a taste for.

Oddly (or maybe not), I rarely feel the urge to stop anymore. Can't even remember the last time I did.

Laurie

Re: Ready to give up...

Hi Raina,

I truly understand how you feel. I, too have been struggling with IE. I haven't been able to read everyone's posts but I'm sure they mentioned all the things to start with like get the junk food out of the house, see a nutrionist or counselor, read Geneen Roth's book "Women Food and God"...

I can only tell you what helped with me when I was really in touch with my hunger and my emotions/feelings. I was eating well, felt better, and started moving ( walking the dogs). I kept a food journal. I really planned out my day and alloted for the time during the day that was the worst for me; the ride home from work. It was always so easy to go through the drive thru or stop at the hot foods line at the grocery store, so I would make sure I ate something before leaving work and had a piece of fruit while I was driving home. I know one of the rules is to not eat in the car but for me it worked because I wasn't in the drive thru line.

Also, I keep an eating journal. I journal before I eat: how I'm feeling ( tired, anxious, happy etc), my hunger level on a scale of 1-10 ( 10 being STARVING and I never allowed myself to get to that) and the time. All of these helped me judge how truly hungry I was. I would journal again after I ate as well: again how I felt, my hunger level ( usually at 1-2) and the time. It sounds like a lot, I know but it really can help gage your hunger and your emotions. And if you don't think you have time for it, you do, really you do (I am saying this for me as well). I work at a busy animal hopsital and have managed to take the time for ME. Yep I said it ME!

I hope this helps you in some way. As I said, I am struggling as well to get back to IE and stop shoving food in my mouth without knowing why, especially take out and drive thru. I'm starting over today so you have helped because I have been feeling the same way. So tired of being overweight and tired of struggling. I have felt bad about myself all the while using food to numb myself. I'm tired of saying to myself "tomorrow I'll start to journal and eat well and truly listen to my body". So, I'm with you. Change is hard but we can do it!

Cort

>

> I have been trying IE for awhile now. In the process, I have put on 50 pounds. I have never been this big or unhealthy in my life. I have trouble with my knees and awful heel pain. I didn't gain this much when I went off a diet. I am so disappointed because I thought this was the way to go. I always want junk food and never crave any of the healthier stuff. I feel terrible. I have acid reflux and terrible anxiety from all this weight I have put on. It is a constant struggle for me to turn away from food. I have to fight with myself all the time to try not to eat when I'm not hungry. To me, this seems so much like a diet. I am only 33 years old and having all these issues. Please tell me how you all get through this. My ankles swell really bad now and gaining all this weight has made me really depressed. What put the icing on the cake was when I went for my yearly physical, my doc recommended gastric bypass. IE seems so simple, but yet is so hard. I just don't know if thi s is for me. Sorry for rambling.

>

> Raina

>

September 1, 2010

I used to have a big problem with drive-thrus on the way home from work, too. My route home (and it's the only one feasible) takes me past every freaking fast food joint imaginable. I sometimes used to stop at two different ones, one for my meal (I'd tell myself I wouldn't eat dinner at home) and one for my dessert, then I'd eat a second dinner at home, ashamed to tell my husband that I'd already eaten.

Here's how I was able to still eat at drive-thrus but in an IE sort of way:

(1) If I felt I was hungry (and this was before IE), I'd call my husband first and tell him I was going to eat on the way home, so he should prepare something for himself. I was, in a way, claiming my right to eat because I was "hungry" (not sure I always was) but, pre-IE, this was mostly as a control to keep me from eating again at home, from shame, alas. I'd then eat on the way home, in the car, as I was driving. Sometimes this remained a problem, because by the time I got home, I'd feel like eating again, and sometimes end up bingeing by sneaking food. In hindsight, I think maybe I still felt hungry was because I was eating while driving (not to mention eating nutritionally questionable food), and eating something I identified as "bad," and eating mainly as a way to destress from work, not from hunger. And of course eating really doesn't work to alleviate stress, not for long, anyway.

(2) After I started doing IE, I would do the same, but with these differences: First I'd stop and assess if I was really hungry. If I was just feeling stress, I'd give myself permission to do something else to de-stress, like browse in a store. I'd call my husband and ask him to make something for himself, so I wouldn't have to hurry or worry about him waiting for me to eat his dinner. If I was truly hungry, I'd stop and get something at the drive-thru, but I would either sit in the parking lot and eat or pull into a park and eat at a picnic table. I hate eating inside fast food places, but at least this way I was able to enjoy my food and pay attention to my level of hunger. I wouldn't then have the feeling I hadn't eaten, because I'd paid attention and enjoyed it. I'd also given myself permission to eat whatever it was I had a taste for.

Oddly (or maybe not), I rarely feel the urge to stop anymore. Can't even remember the last time I did.

Laurie

Re: Ready to give up...

Hi Raina,

I truly understand how you feel. I, too have been struggling with IE. I haven't been able to read everyone's posts but I'm sure they mentioned all the things to start with like get the junk food out of the house, see a nutrionist or counselor, read Geneen Roth's book "Women Food and God"...

I can only tell you what helped with me when I was really in touch with my hunger and my emotions/feelings. I was eating well, felt better, and started moving ( walking the dogs). I kept a food journal. I really planned out my day and alloted for the time during the day that was the worst for me; the ride home from work. It was always so easy to go through the drive thru or stop at the hot foods line at the grocery store, so I would make sure I ate something before leaving work and had a piece of fruit while I was driving home. I know one of the rules is to not eat in the car but for me it worked because I wasn't in the drive thru line.

Also, I keep an eating journal. I journal before I eat: how I'm feeling ( tired, anxious, happy etc), my hunger level on a scale of 1-10 ( 10 being STARVING and I never allowed myself to get to that) and the time. All of these helped me judge how truly hungry I was. I would journal again after I ate as well: again how I felt, my hunger level ( usually at 1-2) and the time. It sounds like a lot, I know but it really can help gage your hunger and your emotions. And if you don't think you have time for it, you do, really you do (I am saying this for me as well). I work at a busy animal hopsital and have managed to take the time for ME. Yep I said it ME!

I hope this helps you in some way. As I said, I am struggling as well to get back to IE and stop shoving food in my mouth without knowing why, especially take out and drive thru. I'm starting over today so you have helped because I have been feeling the same way. So tired of being overweight and tired of struggling. I have felt bad about myself all the while using food to numb myself. I'm tired of saying to myself "tomorrow I'll start to journal and eat well and truly listen to my body". So, I'm with you. Change is hard but we can do it!

Cort

>

> I have been trying IE for awhile now. In the process, I have put on 50 pounds. I have never been this big or unhealthy in my life. I have trouble with my knees and awful heel pain. I didn't gain this much when I went off a diet. I am so disappointed because I thought this was the way to go. I always want junk food and never crave any of the healthier stuff. I feel terrible. I have acid reflux and terrible anxiety from all this weight I have put on. It is a constant struggle for me to turn away from food. I have to fight with myself all the time to try not to eat when I'm not hungry. To me, this seems so much like a diet. I am only 33 years old and having all these issues. Please tell me how you all get through this. My ankles swell really bad now and gaining all this weight has made me really depressed. What put the icing on the cake was when I went for my yearly physical, my doc recommended gastric bypass. IE seems so simple, but yet is so hard. I just don't know if thi s is for me. Sorry for rambling.

>

> Raina

>

September 1, 2010

Hi, Sue,

I was on Prilosec for a couple 6 weeks, then tried to go off it, as my doctor suggested, and got reflux back really bad, so went back on. Then I heard a report on the radio that said that you can't go off Prilosec all at once, you have to wean yourself slowly off of it, because otherwise there is rebound reflux, worse than before you started the meds! So I then read about the vinegar, started taking that, and meanwhile I sloooooowly weaned myself off Prilosec. By the time I was done with the weaning, I discovered the vinegar was working for me.

I can't give you medical advice because I'm not a doctor; I'm just telling you what I did. You should make your own decision, after doing your own research and reading, and maybe consulting with your doctor. I did not check with my doctor before doing this (was pretty sure what she'd say), but I did tell my doctor at my last check up that I was off Prilosec, and why. She was impressed and wrote down what I said, and congratulated me.

Bragg Apple Cider Vinegar is also way cheaper than Prilosec. Only known side effects are that the acid in the vinegar can affect the enamel on your teeth, but if you brush your teeth afterwards, and drink from a straw (I do neither), the effects should be minimal.

Laurie

Re: Ready to give up...

Laurie, I was really interested to read this. I was just diagnosed with GERD a couple of weeks ago and the doctor put me on 2 Prilosec per day. It has helped, but I really don't like taking meds if I can get by without...I have read elsewhere about the vinegar and am wondering if I shouldn't try it....but now I am afraid to quit taking the meds because the reflux was so bad before the meds...did you take meds before trying the vinegar?

Sue

I have had total relief from acid reflux by drinking a small amount of Bragg Apple Cider Vinegar each day. You can find Bragg brand in health food stores and most major grocery chains; it has a cloudiness at the bottom they call "the mother" that is especially beneficial, though other people swear any old apple cider vinegar will do. If you use the Bragg brand, do not refrigerate, and shake before using. I take 1 to 2 teaspoons per day. I like to mix it into ginger tea (which is also beneficial to digestion). Usually I just sip it throughout the day, but sometimes I drink it all in the morning--depends on how I feel. I don't mind the taste (actually sort of like it; Bragg has, I think, a less strong taste than others), but some people prefer it mixed with honey. You can also drink it just mixed with water (and honey, if you like) rather than tea.

I am now able to eat anything I want without any reflux at all. On days when I know we'll be going somewhere that I may be eating something that would usually cause problems, I take the higher amount (2 teaspoons) and sometimes will have a second cup of the tea after I get home. This has been a godsend for me. I no longer have to take any GERD medications.

You can find some information and testimonials here:

http://www.apple-cider-vinegar-benefits.com/vinegar-and-acid-reflux.html

I also use a wedge pillow under my sheet, which initially helped me before I started the vinegar, but now I keep using just because I sleep better with it than without. They sell them in all sorts of elevations; mine is relatively low elevation and suits me perfectly. You can find them on amazon.com and lots of other places--just google "wedge pillow." I think mine cost about $35 and was worth every penny.

I hope this information is as helpful for others as was for me.

Laurie

--

Sue on Fritz

Check out my blogs at: http://alifeofbooks.blogspot.com/

http://suesresearch.blogspot.com

http://suesretirementmusings.blogspot.com/

Check out my books on Goodreads: <

September 1, 2010

Thanks, Laurie! I stopped and got some Braggs vinegar today. I am headed to Orlando Sat. for the Labor Day weekend, so I don't think that I will mess with anything until I return Tuesday, then start trying to ween myself and see if it works!

I know this sounds silly, but I quit all soda in April and my reflux started in June...I keep wondering if going back to soda would help! I only drank1-2 sodas per day.Again, thanks so much for the information! I will let you know how it goes!

Sue

Hi, Sue,

I was on Prilosec for a couple 6 weeks, then tried to go off it, as my doctor suggested, and got reflux back really bad, so went back on. Then I heard a report on the radio that said that you can't go off Prilosec all at once, you have to wean yourself slowly off of it, because otherwise there is rebound reflux, worse than before you started the meds! So I then read about the vinegar, started taking that, and meanwhile I sloooooowly weaned myself off Prilosec. By the time I was done with the weaning, I discovered the vinegar was working for me.

I can't give you medical advice because I'm not a doctor; I'm just telling you what I did. You should make your own decision, after doing your own research and reading, and maybe consulting with your doctor. I did not check with my doctor before doing this (was pretty sure what she'd say), but I did tell my doctor at my last check up that I was off Prilosec, and why. She was impressed and wrote down what I said, and congratulated me.

Bragg Apple Cider Vinegar is also way cheaper than Prilosec. Only known side effects are that the acid in the vinegar can affect the enamel on your teeth, but if you brush your teeth afterwards, and drink from a straw (I do neither), the effects should be minimal.

Laurie

Re: Ready to give up...

Laurie, I was really interested to read this. I was just diagnosed with GERD a couple of weeks ago and the doctor put me on 2 Prilosec per day. It has helped, but I really don't like taking meds if I can get by without...I have read elsewhere about the vinegar and am wondering if I shouldn't try it....but now I am afraid to quit taking the meds because the reflux was so bad before the meds...did you take meds before trying the vinegar?

Sue

I have had total relief from acid reflux by drinking a small amount of Bragg Apple Cider Vinegar each day. You can find Bragg brand in health food stores and most major grocery chains; it has a cloudiness at the bottom they call " the mother " that is especially beneficial, though other people swear any old apple cider vinegar will do. If you use the Bragg brand, do not refrigerate, and shake before using. I take 1 to 2 teaspoons per day. I like to mix it into ginger tea (which is also beneficial to digestion). Usually I just sip it throughout the day, but sometimes I drink it all in the morning--depends on how I feel. I don't mind the taste (actually sort of like it; Bragg has, I think, a less strong taste than others), but some people prefer it mixed with honey. You can also drink it just mixed with water (and honey, if you like) rather than tea.

I am now able to eat anything I want without any reflux at all. On days when I know we'll be going somewhere that I may be eating something that would usually cause problems, I take the higher amount (2 teaspoons) and sometimes will have a second cup of the tea after I get home. This has been a godsend for me. I no longer have to take any GERD medications.

You can find some information and testimonials here:

http://www.apple-cider-vinegar-benefits.com/vinegar-and-acid-reflux.html

I also use a wedge pillow under my sheet, which initially helped me before I started the vinegar, but now I keep using just because I sleep better with it than without. They sell them in all sorts of elevations; mine is relatively low elevation and suits me perfectly. You can find them on amazon.com and lots of other places--just google " wedge pillow. " I think mine cost about $35 and was worth every penny.

I hope this information is as helpful for others as was for me.

Laurie

--

Sue on Fritz

Check out my blogs at: http://alifeofbooks.blogspot.com/

http://suesresearch.blogspot.com

http://suesretirementmusings.blogspot.com/

Check out my books on Goodreads: <

-- Sue on FritzCheck out my blogs at: http://alifeofbooks.blogspot.com/http://suesresearch.blogspot.com

http://suesretirementmusings.blogspot.com/Check out my books on Goodreads: <

September 1, 2010

Thanks, Laurie! I stopped and got some Braggs vinegar today. I am headed to Orlando Sat. for the Labor Day weekend, so I don't think that I will mess with anything until I return Tuesday, then start trying to ween myself and see if it works!

I know this sounds silly, but I quit all soda in April and my reflux started in June...I keep wondering if going back to soda would help! I only drank1-2 sodas per day.Again, thanks so much for the information! I will let you know how it goes!

Sue

Hi, Sue,

I was on Prilosec for a couple 6 weeks, then tried to go off it, as my doctor suggested, and got reflux back really bad, so went back on. Then I heard a report on the radio that said that you can't go off Prilosec all at once, you have to wean yourself slowly off of it, because otherwise there is rebound reflux, worse than before you started the meds! So I then read about the vinegar, started taking that, and meanwhile I sloooooowly weaned myself off Prilosec. By the time I was done with the weaning, I discovered the vinegar was working for me.

I can't give you medical advice because I'm not a doctor; I'm just telling you what I did. You should make your own decision, after doing your own research and reading, and maybe consulting with your doctor. I did not check with my doctor before doing this (was pretty sure what she'd say), but I did tell my doctor at my last check up that I was off Prilosec, and why. She was impressed and wrote down what I said, and congratulated me.

Bragg Apple Cider Vinegar is also way cheaper than Prilosec. Only known side effects are that the acid in the vinegar can affect the enamel on your teeth, but if you brush your teeth afterwards, and drink from a straw (I do neither), the effects should be minimal.

Laurie

Re: Ready to give up...

Laurie, I was really interested to read this. I was just diagnosed with GERD a couple of weeks ago and the doctor put me on 2 Prilosec per day. It has helped, but I really don't like taking meds if I can get by without...I have read elsewhere about the vinegar and am wondering if I shouldn't try it....but now I am afraid to quit taking the meds because the reflux was so bad before the meds...did you take meds before trying the vinegar?

Sue

I have had total relief from acid reflux by drinking a small amount of Bragg Apple Cider Vinegar each day. You can find Bragg brand in health food stores and most major grocery chains; it has a cloudiness at the bottom they call " the mother " that is especially beneficial, though other people swear any old apple cider vinegar will do. If you use the Bragg brand, do not refrigerate, and shake before using. I take 1 to 2 teaspoons per day. I like to mix it into ginger tea (which is also beneficial to digestion). Usually I just sip it throughout the day, but sometimes I drink it all in the morning--depends on how I feel. I don't mind the taste (actually sort of like it; Bragg has, I think, a less strong taste than others), but some people prefer it mixed with honey. You can also drink it just mixed with water (and honey, if you like) rather than tea.

I am now able to eat anything I want without any reflux at all. On days when I know we'll be going somewhere that I may be eating something that would usually cause problems, I take the higher amount (2 teaspoons) and sometimes will have a second cup of the tea after I get home. This has been a godsend for me. I no longer have to take any GERD medications.

You can find some information and testimonials here:

http://www.apple-cider-vinegar-benefits.com/vinegar-and-acid-reflux.html

I also use a wedge pillow under my sheet, which initially helped me before I started the vinegar, but now I keep using just because I sleep better with it than without. They sell them in all sorts of elevations; mine is relatively low elevation and suits me perfectly. You can find them on amazon.com and lots of other places--just google " wedge pillow. " I think mine cost about $35 and was worth every penny.

I hope this information is as helpful for others as was for me.

Laurie

--

Sue on Fritz

Check out my blogs at: http://alifeofbooks.blogspot.com/

http://suesresearch.blogspot.com

http://suesretirementmusings.blogspot.com/

Check out my books on Goodreads: <

-- Sue on FritzCheck out my blogs at: http://alifeofbooks.blogspot.com/http://suesresearch.blogspot.com

http://suesretirementmusings.blogspot.com/Check out my books on Goodreads: <

September 1, 2010

Thanks, Laurie! I stopped and got some Braggs vinegar today. I am headed to Orlando Sat. for the Labor Day weekend, so I don't think that I will mess with anything until I return Tuesday, then start trying to ween myself and see if it works!

I know this sounds silly, but I quit all soda in April and my reflux started in June...I keep wondering if going back to soda would help! I only drank1-2 sodas per day.Again, thanks so much for the information! I will let you know how it goes!

Sue

Hi, Sue,

I was on Prilosec for a couple 6 weeks, then tried to go off it, as my doctor suggested, and got reflux back really bad, so went back on. Then I heard a report on the radio that said that you can't go off Prilosec all at once, you have to wean yourself slowly off of it, because otherwise there is rebound reflux, worse than before you started the meds! So I then read about the vinegar, started taking that, and meanwhile I sloooooowly weaned myself off Prilosec. By the time I was done with the weaning, I discovered the vinegar was working for me.

I can't give you medical advice because I'm not a doctor; I'm just telling you what I did. You should make your own decision, after doing your own research and reading, and maybe consulting with your doctor. I did not check with my doctor before doing this (was pretty sure what she'd say), but I did tell my doctor at my last check up that I was off Prilosec, and why. She was impressed and wrote down what I said, and congratulated me.

Bragg Apple Cider Vinegar is also way cheaper than Prilosec. Only known side effects are that the acid in the vinegar can affect the enamel on your teeth, but if you brush your teeth afterwards, and drink from a straw (I do neither), the effects should be minimal.

Laurie

Re: Ready to give up...

Laurie, I was really interested to read this. I was just diagnosed with GERD a couple of weeks ago and the doctor put me on 2 Prilosec per day. It has helped, but I really don't like taking meds if I can get by without...I have read elsewhere about the vinegar and am wondering if I shouldn't try it....but now I am afraid to quit taking the meds because the reflux was so bad before the meds...did you take meds before trying the vinegar?

Sue

I have had total relief from acid reflux by drinking a small amount of Bragg Apple Cider Vinegar each day. You can find Bragg brand in health food stores and most major grocery chains; it has a cloudiness at the bottom they call " the mother " that is especially beneficial, though other people swear any old apple cider vinegar will do. If you use the Bragg brand, do not refrigerate, and shake before using. I take 1 to 2 teaspoons per day. I like to mix it into ginger tea (which is also beneficial to digestion). Usually I just sip it throughout the day, but sometimes I drink it all in the morning--depends on how I feel. I don't mind the taste (actually sort of like it; Bragg has, I think, a less strong taste than others), but some people prefer it mixed with honey. You can also drink it just mixed with water (and honey, if you like) rather than tea.

I am now able to eat anything I want without any reflux at all. On days when I know we'll be going somewhere that I may be eating something that would usually cause problems, I take the higher amount (2 teaspoons) and sometimes will have a second cup of the tea after I get home. This has been a godsend for me. I no longer have to take any GERD medications.

You can find some information and testimonials here:

http://www.apple-cider-vinegar-benefits.com/vinegar-and-acid-reflux.html

I also use a wedge pillow under my sheet, which initially helped me before I started the vinegar, but now I keep using just because I sleep better with it than without. They sell them in all sorts of elevations; mine is relatively low elevation and suits me perfectly. You can find them on amazon.com and lots of other places--just google " wedge pillow. " I think mine cost about $35 and was worth every penny.

I hope this information is as helpful for others as was for me.

Laurie

--

Sue on Fritz

Check out my blogs at: http://alifeofbooks.blogspot.com/

http://suesresearch.blogspot.com

http://suesretirementmusings.blogspot.com/

Check out my books on Goodreads: <

-- Sue on FritzCheck out my blogs at: http://alifeofbooks.blogspot.com/http://suesresearch.blogspot.com

http://suesretirementmusings.blogspot.com/Check out my books on Goodreads: <

September 1, 2010

Hey Thea. That's why I'm thinking IE is not for me. I have become so unhealthy trying to follow IE. If I get any bigger, I'm not gonna be able to walk. I am having so many health issues from IE that I have to wonder how is any good going to come out of this. Sent from my iPhone

I think it's important to keep in mind that losing weight is not the point of IE. The point of IE is to stop obsessing about food and dieting and get back to a meaningful life. As you do this, disordered eating behaviors should clear up, and eventually you will get to a reasonable weight for your body type. If it takes years, and you have to gain a lot first, so be it.

I was a little put off by the big first heading in that article "They use IE as an excuse to binge". The writer goes on to say that for some people this is a necessary step to recovery, and that it may be something you just have to ride out. So that's fine, but I don't know, it struck me as judgmental at first. I'm not a binger, but I am busy, and sometimes it's just too hard to take the time to focus on yourself the way you need to.

thea

> > >

> > > I have been trying IE for awhile now. In the process, I have put on 50 pounds. I have never been this big or unhealthy in my life. I have trouble with my knees and awful heel pain. I didn't gain this much when I went off a diet. I am so disappointed because I thought this was the way to go. I always want junk food and never crave any of the healthier stuff. I feel terrible. I have acid reflux and terrible anxiety from all this weight I have put on. It is a constant struggle for me to turn away from food. I have to fight with myself all the time to try not to eat when I'm not hungry. To me, this seems so much like a diet. I am only 33 years old and having all these issues. Please tell me how you all get through this. My ankles swell really bad now and gaining all this weight has made me really depressed. What put the icing on the cake was when I went for my yearly physical, my doc recommended gastric bypass. IE seems so simple, but yet is so hard. I just don't know if this is for me. Sorry for rambling.

> > >

> > > Raina

> > >

> >

>

September 1, 2010

Hey Thea. That's why I'm thinking IE is not for me. I have become so unhealthy trying to follow IE. If I get any bigger, I'm not gonna be able to walk. I am having so many health issues from IE that I have to wonder how is any good going to come out of this. Sent from my iPhone

I think it's important to keep in mind that losing weight is not the point of IE. The point of IE is to stop obsessing about food and dieting and get back to a meaningful life. As you do this, disordered eating behaviors should clear up, and eventually you will get to a reasonable weight for your body type. If it takes years, and you have to gain a lot first, so be it.

I was a little put off by the big first heading in that article "They use IE as an excuse to binge". The writer goes on to say that for some people this is a necessary step to recovery, and that it may be something you just have to ride out. So that's fine, but I don't know, it struck me as judgmental at first. I'm not a binger, but I am busy, and sometimes it's just too hard to take the time to focus on yourself the way you need to.

thea

> > >

> > > I have been trying IE for awhile now. In the process, I have put on 50 pounds. I have never been this big or unhealthy in my life. I have trouble with my knees and awful heel pain. I didn't gain this much when I went off a diet. I am so disappointed because I thought this was the way to go. I always want junk food and never crave any of the healthier stuff. I feel terrible. I have acid reflux and terrible anxiety from all this weight I have put on. It is a constant struggle for me to turn away from food. I have to fight with myself all the time to try not to eat when I'm not hungry. To me, this seems so much like a diet. I am only 33 years old and having all these issues. Please tell me how you all get through this. My ankles swell really bad now and gaining all this weight has made me really depressed. What put the icing on the cake was when I went for my yearly physical, my doc recommended gastric bypass. IE seems so simple, but yet is so hard. I just don't know if this is for me. Sorry for rambling.

> > >

> > > Raina

> > >

> >

>

September 2, 2010

Raina,

It always hurts my heart to hear stories like yours of people continuing to gain

weight in their efforts to stop dieting and to eat intuitively. I don't believe

that IE is about weight loss, though I definitely believe that practicing IE is

one of the best methods to find balance; no weight gain and no weight loss.

I definitely concur with Christie's Honoring Your Health blog points about 3 of

the top reasons that people gain weight on their IE path: 1) A person may

interpret intuitive eating to mean " no holds barred " eating (binging) 2) A

connection with a person's true biological hunger and fullness has not been made

or 3) A person on the lower end of the weight range, may need to gain weight.

If someone who does not need to gain weight is experiencing continuous weight

gain with IE, I believe that they should seek outside assistance within the

first 1-3 months. There could be some biological or hormonal imbalance going on.

So, a consult with a MD might be in order. Most likely a connection and ability

to honor hunger signals hasn't been made and eating for emotional reasons and

compulsive eating habits continue to dominate. Who wouldn't be ready to give up

IE, if they've gone 6 months and gained weight?!

I'm 33 too. And, about 3 weeks ago, I felt like a " normal eater " for the first

time since I was 4 years old! For the most part, food is just food. I know that

practicing intuitive eating is a major reason that I've made peace with food and

my body.

A lot of people say that finding balance in your body or losing weight is about

a " lifestyle " change. I don't agree. I believe that a person's " lifestyle " is a

reflection or extension of who they are inside. So, for me finding balance and

disconnecting from an obsessive-compulsive relationship with food required that

I actually become a different person than who I had been.

I had to willingly admit, confront, and transform each one of my habits that

caused me to be a chronic and expert weight gainer for the majority of my life.

That meant learning how to " wait " for my hunger and eventually how to honor my

fullness signals. That meant ending the free pass to overeat during holidays and

vacations and at special event or office gathering, etc. That meant keeping my

body hydrated so that I wasn't turning to moist foods for my water needs.

It meant learning how to stay conscious and mindful, how not to trance out or

abandon myself through food, how to sit with my emotions, and how distract and

soothe myself with non-food self-care methods [Read When Women Stop Hating Their

Bodies]. It meant experimenting with and exploring how and when my body loves to

move and making movement a priority.

Fortunately, I have a masters degree in counseling psychology, so I could coach

and counsel myself through this journey. If I didn't have those

skills/knowledge, I would have definitely sought help with my emotional eating

and compulsive thoughts related to food. Personally, I knew that I had truly

connected with my body's needs and signals when my weight stayed level for 6

whole months at the beginning of my journey.

I have met several healthcare practitioners in my area who have reported that

many of their patients, who have undergone gastric bypass, continue to struggle

with food and have gained weight back. So, whether you continue IE or choose

another option, your weight gaining habits need to be transformed, if you want

to experience peace and balance in your body. You may benefit from a more

structured eating plan to detox from junk food in order to get your body in a

more peaceful place that allows you to connect with your hunger and fullness

signals.

My greatest wish for you, me, and everyone else is to experience ongoing peace,

balance, and love in relationship with our bodies.

Latoya

Practicing IE since January '08