Re: Re: Being Aware of What and Why You're Eating

[Guest guest]

> However, even knowing that, each time throughout the day when I want

> to eat something, even if I try to stop and think why I want to eat

> this food (meaning the junk food), I can't seem to answer that

> question.

I stopped trying to ask myself why I wanted a food. I know why I want it -- like

most of us, I know it fills a void. What I ask myself now is -- is it worth it?

Do you want to weight 400 pounds again? Do you want to gain back this week the

pound you lost last week? Does this really taste THAT good? Sometimes I take a

taste just to find out.

Yesterday at work, we had pizza for the whole crew (30 electricians plus 4

office staff). I didn't have any, not a bite. I ate my egg salad & lo-carb

crackers, and was satisfied (as far as full), and went on. I'm thinking I'm

real proud of myself!

Then I go home, and there's a couple slices of leftover frozen pizza (obviously

not nearly as good as what I had passed up) looking at me in the fridge. I took

out a slice and nearly put it in my mouth. Then I thought -- is this worth it?

is it THAT good that I would be willing to eat 2 day's worth of carbs right now?

So I cut off the front tip and ate it. It wasn't that good. It really wasn't. I

thought how close I came to mindlessly munching it down, and realized that I was

still the little kid who'd been denied the goodies at lunch time, and thought

somehow I DESERVED this -- hey, I've been good all week! I had a bun-less

sandwich from Burger King, I ate protein bars while my kids had pancakes, I " VE

BEEN GOOD DAMMIT, and I WANT THIS! But it didn't give me any pleasure to eat

that bite, and it was stupid of me to think it would. So I put the rest back in

the fridge, and someone in my family who really wants it can have it, if they

don't mind that the point's been cut off.

I'm feeling better today, and so far I've eaten sensibly. And I'm going to keep

doing so to the best of my ability -- and keep asking myself if the next bite is

WORTH IT.

Hanging in there and going back down the scale..... ~~ Lyn

[Guest guest]

> However, even knowing that, each time throughout the day when I want

> to eat something, even if I try to stop and think why I want to eat

> this food (meaning the junk food), I can't seem to answer that

> question.

I stopped trying to ask myself why I wanted a food. I know why I want it -- like

most of us, I know it fills a void. What I ask myself now is -- is it worth it?

Do you want to weight 400 pounds again? Do you want to gain back this week the

pound you lost last week? Does this really taste THAT good? Sometimes I take a

taste just to find out.

Yesterday at work, we had pizza for the whole crew (30 electricians plus 4

office staff). I didn't have any, not a bite. I ate my egg salad & lo-carb

crackers, and was satisfied (as far as full), and went on. I'm thinking I'm

real proud of myself!

Then I go home, and there's a couple slices of leftover frozen pizza (obviously

not nearly as good as what I had passed up) looking at me in the fridge. I took

out a slice and nearly put it in my mouth. Then I thought -- is this worth it?

is it THAT good that I would be willing to eat 2 day's worth of carbs right now?

So I cut off the front tip and ate it. It wasn't that good. It really wasn't. I

thought how close I came to mindlessly munching it down, and realized that I was

still the little kid who'd been denied the goodies at lunch time, and thought

somehow I DESERVED this -- hey, I've been good all week! I had a bun-less

sandwich from Burger King, I ate protein bars while my kids had pancakes, I " VE

BEEN GOOD DAMMIT, and I WANT THIS! But it didn't give me any pleasure to eat

that bite, and it was stupid of me to think it would. So I put the rest back in

the fridge, and someone in my family who really wants it can have it, if they

don't mind that the point's been cut off.

I'm feeling better today, and so far I've eaten sensibly. And I'm going to keep

doing so to the best of my ability -- and keep asking myself if the next bite is

WORTH IT.

Hanging in there and going back down the scale..... ~~ Lyn

[Guest guest]

> However, even knowing that, each time throughout the day when I want

> to eat something, even if I try to stop and think why I want to eat

> this food (meaning the junk food), I can't seem to answer that

> question.

I stopped trying to ask myself why I wanted a food. I know why I want it -- like

most of us, I know it fills a void. What I ask myself now is -- is it worth it?

Do you want to weight 400 pounds again? Do you want to gain back this week the

pound you lost last week? Does this really taste THAT good? Sometimes I take a

taste just to find out.

Yesterday at work, we had pizza for the whole crew (30 electricians plus 4

office staff). I didn't have any, not a bite. I ate my egg salad & lo-carb

crackers, and was satisfied (as far as full), and went on. I'm thinking I'm

real proud of myself!

Then I go home, and there's a couple slices of leftover frozen pizza (obviously

not nearly as good as what I had passed up) looking at me in the fridge. I took

out a slice and nearly put it in my mouth. Then I thought -- is this worth it?

is it THAT good that I would be willing to eat 2 day's worth of carbs right now?

So I cut off the front tip and ate it. It wasn't that good. It really wasn't. I

thought how close I came to mindlessly munching it down, and realized that I was

still the little kid who'd been denied the goodies at lunch time, and thought

somehow I DESERVED this -- hey, I've been good all week! I had a bun-less

sandwich from Burger King, I ate protein bars while my kids had pancakes, I " VE

BEEN GOOD DAMMIT, and I WANT THIS! But it didn't give me any pleasure to eat

that bite, and it was stupid of me to think it would. So I put the rest back in

the fridge, and someone in my family who really wants it can have it, if they

don't mind that the point's been cut off.

I'm feeling better today, and so far I've eaten sensibly. And I'm going to keep

doing so to the best of my ability -- and keep asking myself if the next bite is

WORTH IT.

Hanging in there and going back down the scale..... ~~ Lyn

[Guest guest]

Wow, , I could have written your post - everything matches me, even our

age and therapy history. Sometimes I think I should get a refund from my

therapist......

Like you, , I go through periods of uncontrollable eating. Like you,

, it can be a snap decision to pick up a sweet or walk to the candy

machine. I keep only healthy foods at home, go to the gym regularly, have

changed my eating patterns drastically since surgery - and yet there are

times when I eat all the wrong foods.

I did have an " AHA " moment last week. I have a young relative who has not

been able to hold a job, and can not seem to find himself. I was thinking

about him, and wondering why he has such a poor work ethic (his parent worked

hard all their lives), and thought that he has a weird sense of entitlement -

it's like he feels he deserves money without having to work for it.

Suddenly, I felt an AHA - because I realized that is exactly how I feel about

food. I have a warped sense of entitlement... - I think about a food. I

want the food. I am entitled to the food. Even though I know it's bad for

me, I'm going to have the food.

I don't know where this comes from, but I am trying to be aware of it now,

and work through the feelings.

Helene

wrote:

> I've been following this thread with interest. I seem to be unable

> to get to the why's each time I want to eat the " wrong " foods. I do

> realize the big picture is that the sugar foods (cookies, candy,

> etc.) are used to fill voids in my life.

>

> However, even knowing that, each time throughout the day when I want

> to eat something, even if I try to stop and think why I want to eat

> this food (meaning the junk food), I can't seem to answer that

> question. I am thinking it is a lot habit, it having been almost a

> lifetime habit, or at least a 35 year one out of my 48 years.

>

> An example is I am sitting here at my desk at work and all of a

> sudden I decide I want to eat something, not even being hungry. And

> of course even though I have protein powders, protein bars, an apple,

> a good healthy half sandwich, etc., I go for the brownies, cookies,

> etc. I don't know why and don't seem to know how to get to the

> reasons for it. I've had years of therapy and am in therapy now twice

> a month but still can't understand why if I want/need to eat

> something, I can't reach for something that will make me feel better

> both physically and emotionally.

>

> My therapist says I am continuing to punish myself the way my mother

> did most of my life. That may be true but god almighty, at 48 years

> young, isn't it time to break the habit and do what is good for me

> and take better care of myself.

>

> I tell myself daily, why are you doing this to yourself, you came

> close to death after the WLS and still you persist in not taking care

> of yourself the way you should be.

>

> I went from 315 to 179 and am now going between 198 and 203 for the

> past couple months. I had gained 10 lbs over the past year (surgery

> June 2000) and then in June put on 10 lbs. I am trying to get out of

> the " diet mentality " but having a hard time. I go a few days eating

> very healthy and then a few days eating crap which keeps me from

> gaining any more weight back but also just has me going up and down 5

> lbs over and over never getting anywhere. Even having to buy jeans in

> the next size, hard as that was, hasn't been enough to wake me up.

>

> How do we " fix " our screwed up heads?????? I know the right things

> to do, I just can't seem to do them.

>

> ....who started a short post and continued to ramble here!

>

> > Your body has changed but not your mind. It's great that you see

> what's

> > going on. I believe, that is a major step. Being human though, bad

> habits

> > are hard to break. You have to be very aware of what and when you

> eat. When

> > it is time to eat, make sure you sit at the table with no other

> > distractions. No TV, reading, or even extensive conversation. Pay

> attention

> > to how you chew, putting down your fork in between every bite.

> Enjoy the

> > meal by taking the time. Spend the time on you and your meal so

> that you

> > don't feel cheated. I've found that if I'm busy while eating that

> in my

> > mind, it's like I never ate. I would keep eating at scheduled

> times. This

> > will be something to look forward to. If you wait until you are

> hungry, you

> > may over eat.

> >

> > Another thing about having had WLS, we cannot eat very much at

> once. This is

> > great in the weight loss process. I myself, find myself eating

> possibly 5

> > small meals a day. I don't eat anymore than normal. I only eat

> approximately

> > half meals. My surgeon told me that females need only 2 cups of

> actual food

> > a day and males 3 cups. People wonder how I can eat so much and not

> gain.

> > Even my dad, who I didn't tell about my surgery until a year ago,

> thought I

> > ate constantly. In the time it takes most people to eat a large

> meal, I've

> > only eaten a little. They don't see how much I eat but how often.

> >

> > One other suggestion is treat yourself occasionally. I don't eat

> candy much

> > but I love ice cream. I do treat myself to it once in awhile.

> Frozen yogurt

> > is a personal favorite. It's something good for me and it makes me

> feel

> > better than a piece chocolate cake.

> >

> > The last thing I want to mention is that we all go through periods

> of

> > cravings. Most of the time we think it's for goodies. Our bodies

> actually

> > crave what we need. When I crave ice cream, I believe it's actually

> the

> > calcium I need. When we figure it out the need, we can find the

> right food

> > for the craving. For women, there is a time during the month that

> we crave

> > more than others. Some years ago, I read a book about determining

> the sex of

> > your child, when trying to get pregnant with my third child. While

> I found

> > the entire book interesting, one section explained why we women

> crave and

> > the reasons for it. I will try to find references if interested.

> > Anyway....be aware of all aspects of eating and you will learn how

> to keep

> > it under control.

> >

> > I hope this helps,

> > Dawn

>

> Homepage: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Graduate-OSSG

>

> Unsubscribe: mailto:Graduate-OSSG-unsubscribe

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Wow, , I could have written your post - everything matches me, even our

age and therapy history. Sometimes I think I should get a refund from my

therapist......

Like you, , I go through periods of uncontrollable eating. Like you,

, it can be a snap decision to pick up a sweet or walk to the candy

machine. I keep only healthy foods at home, go to the gym regularly, have

changed my eating patterns drastically since surgery - and yet there are

times when I eat all the wrong foods.

I did have an " AHA " moment last week. I have a young relative who has not

been able to hold a job, and can not seem to find himself. I was thinking

about him, and wondering why he has such a poor work ethic (his parent worked

hard all their lives), and thought that he has a weird sense of entitlement -

it's like he feels he deserves money without having to work for it.

Suddenly, I felt an AHA - because I realized that is exactly how I feel about

food. I have a warped sense of entitlement... - I think about a food. I

want the food. I am entitled to the food. Even though I know it's bad for

me, I'm going to have the food.

I don't know where this comes from, but I am trying to be aware of it now,

and work through the feelings.

Helene

wrote:

> I've been following this thread with interest. I seem to be unable

> to get to the why's each time I want to eat the " wrong " foods. I do

> realize the big picture is that the sugar foods (cookies, candy,

> etc.) are used to fill voids in my life.

>

> However, even knowing that, each time throughout the day when I want

> to eat something, even if I try to stop and think why I want to eat

> this food (meaning the junk food), I can't seem to answer that

> question. I am thinking it is a lot habit, it having been almost a

> lifetime habit, or at least a 35 year one out of my 48 years.

>

> An example is I am sitting here at my desk at work and all of a

> sudden I decide I want to eat something, not even being hungry. And

> of course even though I have protein powders, protein bars, an apple,

> a good healthy half sandwich, etc., I go for the brownies, cookies,

> etc. I don't know why and don't seem to know how to get to the

> reasons for it. I've had years of therapy and am in therapy now twice

> a month but still can't understand why if I want/need to eat

> something, I can't reach for something that will make me feel better

> both physically and emotionally.

>

> My therapist says I am continuing to punish myself the way my mother

> did most of my life. That may be true but god almighty, at 48 years

> young, isn't it time to break the habit and do what is good for me

> and take better care of myself.

>

> I tell myself daily, why are you doing this to yourself, you came

> close to death after the WLS and still you persist in not taking care

> of yourself the way you should be.

>

> I went from 315 to 179 and am now going between 198 and 203 for the

> past couple months. I had gained 10 lbs over the past year (surgery

> June 2000) and then in June put on 10 lbs. I am trying to get out of

> the " diet mentality " but having a hard time. I go a few days eating

> very healthy and then a few days eating crap which keeps me from

> gaining any more weight back but also just has me going up and down 5

> lbs over and over never getting anywhere. Even having to buy jeans in

> the next size, hard as that was, hasn't been enough to wake me up.

>

> How do we " fix " our screwed up heads?????? I know the right things

> to do, I just can't seem to do them.

>

> ....who started a short post and continued to ramble here!

>

> > Your body has changed but not your mind. It's great that you see

> what's

> > going on. I believe, that is a major step. Being human though, bad

> habits

> > are hard to break. You have to be very aware of what and when you

> eat. When

> > it is time to eat, make sure you sit at the table with no other

> > distractions. No TV, reading, or even extensive conversation. Pay

> attention

> > to how you chew, putting down your fork in between every bite.

> Enjoy the

> > meal by taking the time. Spend the time on you and your meal so

> that you

> > don't feel cheated. I've found that if I'm busy while eating that

> in my

> > mind, it's like I never ate. I would keep eating at scheduled

> times. This

> > will be something to look forward to. If you wait until you are

> hungry, you

> > may over eat.

> >

> > Another thing about having had WLS, we cannot eat very much at

> once. This is

> > great in the weight loss process. I myself, find myself eating

> possibly 5

> > small meals a day. I don't eat anymore than normal. I only eat

> approximately

> > half meals. My surgeon told me that females need only 2 cups of

> actual food

> > a day and males 3 cups. People wonder how I can eat so much and not

> gain.

> > Even my dad, who I didn't tell about my surgery until a year ago,

> thought I

> > ate constantly. In the time it takes most people to eat a large

> meal, I've

> > only eaten a little. They don't see how much I eat but how often.

> >

> > One other suggestion is treat yourself occasionally. I don't eat

> candy much

> > but I love ice cream. I do treat myself to it once in awhile.

> Frozen yogurt

> > is a personal favorite. It's something good for me and it makes me

> feel

> > better than a piece chocolate cake.

> >

> > The last thing I want to mention is that we all go through periods

> of

> > cravings. Most of the time we think it's for goodies. Our bodies

> actually

> > crave what we need. When I crave ice cream, I believe it's actually

> the

> > calcium I need. When we figure it out the need, we can find the

> right food

> > for the craving. For women, there is a time during the month that

> we crave

> > more than others. Some years ago, I read a book about determining

> the sex of

> > your child, when trying to get pregnant with my third child. While

> I found

> > the entire book interesting, one section explained why we women

> crave and

> > the reasons for it. I will try to find references if interested.

> > Anyway....be aware of all aspects of eating and you will learn how

> to keep

> > it under control.

> >

> > I hope this helps,

> > Dawn

>

> Homepage: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Graduate-OSSG

>

> Unsubscribe: mailto:Graduate-OSSG-unsubscribe

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Wow, , I could have written your post - everything matches me, even our

age and therapy history. Sometimes I think I should get a refund from my

therapist......

Like you, , I go through periods of uncontrollable eating. Like you,

, it can be a snap decision to pick up a sweet or walk to the candy

machine. I keep only healthy foods at home, go to the gym regularly, have

changed my eating patterns drastically since surgery - and yet there are

times when I eat all the wrong foods.

I did have an " AHA " moment last week. I have a young relative who has not

been able to hold a job, and can not seem to find himself. I was thinking

about him, and wondering why he has such a poor work ethic (his parent worked

hard all their lives), and thought that he has a weird sense of entitlement -

it's like he feels he deserves money without having to work for it.

Suddenly, I felt an AHA - because I realized that is exactly how I feel about

food. I have a warped sense of entitlement... - I think about a food. I

want the food. I am entitled to the food. Even though I know it's bad for

me, I'm going to have the food.

I don't know where this comes from, but I am trying to be aware of it now,

and work through the feelings.

Helene

wrote:

> I've been following this thread with interest. I seem to be unable

> to get to the why's each time I want to eat the " wrong " foods. I do

> realize the big picture is that the sugar foods (cookies, candy,

> etc.) are used to fill voids in my life.

>

> However, even knowing that, each time throughout the day when I want

> to eat something, even if I try to stop and think why I want to eat

> this food (meaning the junk food), I can't seem to answer that

> question. I am thinking it is a lot habit, it having been almost a

> lifetime habit, or at least a 35 year one out of my 48 years.

>

> An example is I am sitting here at my desk at work and all of a

> sudden I decide I want to eat something, not even being hungry. And

> of course even though I have protein powders, protein bars, an apple,

> a good healthy half sandwich, etc., I go for the brownies, cookies,

> etc. I don't know why and don't seem to know how to get to the

> reasons for it. I've had years of therapy and am in therapy now twice

> a month but still can't understand why if I want/need to eat

> something, I can't reach for something that will make me feel better

> both physically and emotionally.

>

> My therapist says I am continuing to punish myself the way my mother

> did most of my life. That may be true but god almighty, at 48 years

> young, isn't it time to break the habit and do what is good for me

> and take better care of myself.

>

> I tell myself daily, why are you doing this to yourself, you came

> close to death after the WLS and still you persist in not taking care

> of yourself the way you should be.

>

> I went from 315 to 179 and am now going between 198 and 203 for the

> past couple months. I had gained 10 lbs over the past year (surgery

> June 2000) and then in June put on 10 lbs. I am trying to get out of

> the " diet mentality " but having a hard time. I go a few days eating

> very healthy and then a few days eating crap which keeps me from

> gaining any more weight back but also just has me going up and down 5

> lbs over and over never getting anywhere. Even having to buy jeans in

> the next size, hard as that was, hasn't been enough to wake me up.

>

> How do we " fix " our screwed up heads?????? I know the right things

> to do, I just can't seem to do them.

>

> ....who started a short post and continued to ramble here!

>

> > Your body has changed but not your mind. It's great that you see

> what's

> > going on. I believe, that is a major step. Being human though, bad

> habits

> > are hard to break. You have to be very aware of what and when you

> eat. When

> > it is time to eat, make sure you sit at the table with no other

> > distractions. No TV, reading, or even extensive conversation. Pay

> attention

> > to how you chew, putting down your fork in between every bite.

> Enjoy the

> > meal by taking the time. Spend the time on you and your meal so

> that you

> > don't feel cheated. I've found that if I'm busy while eating that

> in my

> > mind, it's like I never ate. I would keep eating at scheduled

> times. This

> > will be something to look forward to. If you wait until you are

> hungry, you

> > may over eat.

> >

> > Another thing about having had WLS, we cannot eat very much at

> once. This is

> > great in the weight loss process. I myself, find myself eating

> possibly 5

> > small meals a day. I don't eat anymore than normal. I only eat

> approximately

> > half meals. My surgeon told me that females need only 2 cups of

> actual food

> > a day and males 3 cups. People wonder how I can eat so much and not

> gain.

> > Even my dad, who I didn't tell about my surgery until a year ago,

> thought I

> > ate constantly. In the time it takes most people to eat a large

> meal, I've

> > only eaten a little. They don't see how much I eat but how often.

> >

> > One other suggestion is treat yourself occasionally. I don't eat

> candy much

> > but I love ice cream. I do treat myself to it once in awhile.

> Frozen yogurt

> > is a personal favorite. It's something good for me and it makes me

> feel

> > better than a piece chocolate cake.

> >

> > The last thing I want to mention is that we all go through periods

> of

> > cravings. Most of the time we think it's for goodies. Our bodies

> actually

> > crave what we need. When I crave ice cream, I believe it's actually

> the

> > calcium I need. When we figure it out the need, we can find the

> right food

> > for the craving. For women, there is a time during the month that

> we crave

> > more than others. Some years ago, I read a book about determining

> the sex of

> > your child, when trying to get pregnant with my third child. While

> I found

> > the entire book interesting, one section explained why we women

> crave and

> > the reasons for it. I will try to find references if interested.

> > Anyway....be aware of all aspects of eating and you will learn how

> to keep

> > it under control.

> >

> > I hope this helps,

> > Dawn

>

> Homepage: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Graduate-OSSG

>

> Unsubscribe: mailto:Graduate-OSSG-unsubscribe

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Lyn,

As usual you're right on point. You want so much to

be able to mindlessly eat like we did before...but you

really do have to talk to yourself.

I just celebrated the fact that I could buy a coat in

size medium from TJMaxx...and on the way home thought

I'd stop at Starbucks for a Mocha Frappucino.

I know that halfway thru it I'll think it's too sweet

and throw it out.

I know that I can make a much better for me and taste

similar Mocha Cappucino ProBlend 55 protein shake. So

I get home and decide to down my last 32 oz of Crystal

lite before I make any decisions on what I want.

It really is a conscious effort and you must stay on

top of it if you want to continue your success.

Kim

324/174/160

6/26/01

lap rny

--- butterflye@... wrote:

> > However, even knowing that, each time throughout

> the day when I want

> > to eat something, even if I try to stop and think

> why I want to eat

> > this food (meaning the junk food), I can't seem to

> answer that

> > question.

>

> I stopped trying to ask myself why I wanted a food.

> I know why I want it -- like most of us, I know it

> fills a void. What I ask myself now is -- is it

> worth it? Do you want to weight 400 pounds again? Do

> you want to gain back this week the pound you lost

> last week? Does this really taste THAT good?

> Sometimes I take a taste just to find out.

>

> Yesterday at work, we had pizza for the whole crew

> (30 electricians plus 4 office staff). I didn't have

> any, not a bite. I ate my egg salad & lo-carb

> crackers, and was satisfied (as far as full), and

> went on. I'm thinking I'm real proud of myself!

>

> Then I go home, and there's a couple slices of

> leftover frozen pizza (obviously not nearly as good

> as what I had passed up) looking at me in the

> fridge. I took out a slice and nearly put it in my

> mouth. Then I thought -- is this worth it? is it

> THAT good that I would be willing to eat 2 day's

> worth of carbs right now? So I cut off the front tip

> and ate it. It wasn't that good. It really wasn't. I

> thought how close I came to mindlessly munching it

> down, and realized that I was still the little kid

> who'd been denied the goodies at lunch time, and

> thought somehow I DESERVED this -- hey, I've been

> good all week! I had a bun-less sandwich from Burger

> King, I ate protein bars while my kids had pancakes,

> I " VE BEEN GOOD DAMMIT, and I WANT THIS! But it

> didn't give me any pleasure to eat that bite, and it

> was stupid of me to think it would. So I put the

> rest back in the fridge, and someone in my family

> who really wants it can have it, if they don't mind

> that the point's been cut off.

>

> I'm feeling better today, and so far I've eaten

> sensibly. And I'm going to keep doing so to the best

> of my ability -- and keep asking myself if the next

> bite is WORTH IT.

>

> Hanging in there and going back down the scale.....

> ~~ Lyn

>

> Homepage:

> http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Graduate-OSSG

>

> Unsubscribe:

> mailto:Graduate-OSSG-unsubscribe

>

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Lyn,

As usual you're right on point. You want so much to

be able to mindlessly eat like we did before...but you

really do have to talk to yourself.

I just celebrated the fact that I could buy a coat in

size medium from TJMaxx...and on the way home thought

I'd stop at Starbucks for a Mocha Frappucino.

I know that halfway thru it I'll think it's too sweet

and throw it out.

I know that I can make a much better for me and taste

similar Mocha Cappucino ProBlend 55 protein shake. So

I get home and decide to down my last 32 oz of Crystal

lite before I make any decisions on what I want.

It really is a conscious effort and you must stay on

top of it if you want to continue your success.

Kim

324/174/160

6/26/01

lap rny

--- butterflye@... wrote:

> > However, even knowing that, each time throughout

> the day when I want

> > to eat something, even if I try to stop and think

> why I want to eat

> > this food (meaning the junk food), I can't seem to

> answer that

> > question.

>

> I stopped trying to ask myself why I wanted a food.

> I know why I want it -- like most of us, I know it

> fills a void. What I ask myself now is -- is it

> worth it? Do you want to weight 400 pounds again? Do

> you want to gain back this week the pound you lost

> last week? Does this really taste THAT good?

> Sometimes I take a taste just to find out.

>

> Yesterday at work, we had pizza for the whole crew

> (30 electricians plus 4 office staff). I didn't have

> any, not a bite. I ate my egg salad & lo-carb

> crackers, and was satisfied (as far as full), and

> went on. I'm thinking I'm real proud of myself!

>

> Then I go home, and there's a couple slices of

> leftover frozen pizza (obviously not nearly as good

> as what I had passed up) looking at me in the

> fridge. I took out a slice and nearly put it in my

> mouth. Then I thought -- is this worth it? is it

> THAT good that I would be willing to eat 2 day's

> worth of carbs right now? So I cut off the front tip

> and ate it. It wasn't that good. It really wasn't. I

> thought how close I came to mindlessly munching it

> down, and realized that I was still the little kid

> who'd been denied the goodies at lunch time, and

> thought somehow I DESERVED this -- hey, I've been

> good all week! I had a bun-less sandwich from Burger

> King, I ate protein bars while my kids had pancakes,

> I " VE BEEN GOOD DAMMIT, and I WANT THIS! But it

> didn't give me any pleasure to eat that bite, and it

> was stupid of me to think it would. So I put the

> rest back in the fridge, and someone in my family

> who really wants it can have it, if they don't mind

> that the point's been cut off.

>

> I'm feeling better today, and so far I've eaten

> sensibly. And I'm going to keep doing so to the best

> of my ability -- and keep asking myself if the next

> bite is WORTH IT.

>

> Hanging in there and going back down the scale.....

> ~~ Lyn

>

> Homepage:

> http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Graduate-OSSG

>

> Unsubscribe:

> mailto:Graduate-OSSG-unsubscribe

>

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Lyn,

As usual you're right on point. You want so much to

be able to mindlessly eat like we did before...but you

really do have to talk to yourself.

I just celebrated the fact that I could buy a coat in

size medium from TJMaxx...and on the way home thought

I'd stop at Starbucks for a Mocha Frappucino.

I know that halfway thru it I'll think it's too sweet

and throw it out.

I know that I can make a much better for me and taste

similar Mocha Cappucino ProBlend 55 protein shake. So

I get home and decide to down my last 32 oz of Crystal

lite before I make any decisions on what I want.

It really is a conscious effort and you must stay on

top of it if you want to continue your success.

Kim

324/174/160

6/26/01

lap rny

--- butterflye@... wrote:

> > However, even knowing that, each time throughout

> the day when I want

> > to eat something, even if I try to stop and think

> why I want to eat

> > this food (meaning the junk food), I can't seem to

> answer that

> > question.

>

> I stopped trying to ask myself why I wanted a food.

> I know why I want it -- like most of us, I know it

> fills a void. What I ask myself now is -- is it

> worth it? Do you want to weight 400 pounds again? Do

> you want to gain back this week the pound you lost

> last week? Does this really taste THAT good?

> Sometimes I take a taste just to find out.

>

> Yesterday at work, we had pizza for the whole crew

> (30 electricians plus 4 office staff). I didn't have

> any, not a bite. I ate my egg salad & lo-carb

> crackers, and was satisfied (as far as full), and

> went on. I'm thinking I'm real proud of myself!

>

> Then I go home, and there's a couple slices of

> leftover frozen pizza (obviously not nearly as good

> as what I had passed up) looking at me in the

> fridge. I took out a slice and nearly put it in my

> mouth. Then I thought -- is this worth it? is it

> THAT good that I would be willing to eat 2 day's

> worth of carbs right now? So I cut off the front tip

> and ate it. It wasn't that good. It really wasn't. I

> thought how close I came to mindlessly munching it

> down, and realized that I was still the little kid

> who'd been denied the goodies at lunch time, and

> thought somehow I DESERVED this -- hey, I've been

> good all week! I had a bun-less sandwich from Burger

> King, I ate protein bars while my kids had pancakes,

> I " VE BEEN GOOD DAMMIT, and I WANT THIS! But it

> didn't give me any pleasure to eat that bite, and it

> was stupid of me to think it would. So I put the

> rest back in the fridge, and someone in my family

> who really wants it can have it, if they don't mind

> that the point's been cut off.

>

> I'm feeling better today, and so far I've eaten

> sensibly. And I'm going to keep doing so to the best

> of my ability -- and keep asking myself if the next

> bite is WORTH IT.

>

> Hanging in there and going back down the scale.....

> ~~ Lyn

>

> Homepage:

> http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Graduate-OSSG

>

> Unsubscribe:

> mailto:Graduate-OSSG-unsubscribe

>

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Sometimes the " high " of triumphing as you did is WAYYYYYY better than the

plate of ______ woulda tasted anyway. Know what I mean?

Thanks,

Vitalady T

www.vitalady.com

Re: Re: Being Aware of What and Why You're Eating

> > However, even knowing that, each time throughout the day when I want

> > to eat something, even if I try to stop and think why I want to eat

> > this food (meaning the junk food), I can't seem to answer that

> > question.

>

> I stopped trying to ask myself why I wanted a food. I know why I want

it -- like most of us, I know it fills a void. What I ask myself now is --

is it worth it? Do you want to weight 400 pounds again? Do you want to gain

back this week the pound you lost last week? Does this really taste THAT

good? Sometimes I take a taste just to find out.

>

> Yesterday at work, we had pizza for the whole crew (30 electricians plus 4

office staff). I didn't have any, not a bite. I ate my egg salad & lo-carb

crackers, and was satisfied (as far as full), and went on. I'm thinking I'm

real proud of myself!

>

> Then I go home, and there's a couple slices of leftover frozen pizza

(obviously not nearly as good as what I had passed up) looking at me in the

fridge. I took out a slice and nearly put it in my mouth. Then I thought --

is this worth it? is it THAT good that I would be willing to eat 2 day's

worth of carbs right now? So I cut off the front tip and ate it. It wasn't

that good. It really wasn't. I thought how close I came to mindlessly

munching it down, and realized that I was still the little kid who'd been

denied the goodies at lunch time, and thought somehow I DESERVED this --

hey, I've been good all week! I had a bun-less sandwich from Burger King, I

ate protein bars while my kids had pancakes, I " VE BEEN GOOD DAMMIT, and I

WANT THIS! But it didn't give me any pleasure to eat that bite, and it was

stupid of me to think it would. So I put the rest back in the fridge, and

someone in my family who really wants it can have it, if they don't mind

that the point's been cut off.

>

> I'm feeling better today, and so far I've eaten sensibly. And I'm going to

keep doing so to the best of my ability -- and keep asking myself if the

next bite is WORTH IT.

>

> Hanging in there and going back down the scale..... ~~ Lyn

>

> Homepage: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Graduate-OSSG

>

> Unsubscribe: mailto:Graduate-OSSG-unsubscribe

>

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Sometimes the " high " of triumphing as you did is WAYYYYYY better than the

plate of ______ woulda tasted anyway. Know what I mean?

Thanks,

Vitalady T

www.vitalady.com

Re: Re: Being Aware of What and Why You're Eating

> > However, even knowing that, each time throughout the day when I want

> > to eat something, even if I try to stop and think why I want to eat

> > this food (meaning the junk food), I can't seem to answer that

> > question.

>

> I stopped trying to ask myself why I wanted a food. I know why I want

it -- like most of us, I know it fills a void. What I ask myself now is --

is it worth it? Do you want to weight 400 pounds again? Do you want to gain

back this week the pound you lost last week? Does this really taste THAT

good? Sometimes I take a taste just to find out.

>

> Yesterday at work, we had pizza for the whole crew (30 electricians plus 4

office staff). I didn't have any, not a bite. I ate my egg salad & lo-carb

crackers, and was satisfied (as far as full), and went on. I'm thinking I'm

real proud of myself!

>

> Then I go home, and there's a couple slices of leftover frozen pizza

(obviously not nearly as good as what I had passed up) looking at me in the

fridge. I took out a slice and nearly put it in my mouth. Then I thought --

is this worth it? is it THAT good that I would be willing to eat 2 day's

worth of carbs right now? So I cut off the front tip and ate it. It wasn't

that good. It really wasn't. I thought how close I came to mindlessly

munching it down, and realized that I was still the little kid who'd been

denied the goodies at lunch time, and thought somehow I DESERVED this --

hey, I've been good all week! I had a bun-less sandwich from Burger King, I

ate protein bars while my kids had pancakes, I " VE BEEN GOOD DAMMIT, and I

WANT THIS! But it didn't give me any pleasure to eat that bite, and it was

stupid of me to think it would. So I put the rest back in the fridge, and

someone in my family who really wants it can have it, if they don't mind

that the point's been cut off.

>

> I'm feeling better today, and so far I've eaten sensibly. And I'm going to

keep doing so to the best of my ability -- and keep asking myself if the

next bite is WORTH IT.

>

> Hanging in there and going back down the scale..... ~~ Lyn

>

> Homepage: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Graduate-OSSG

>

> Unsubscribe: mailto:Graduate-OSSG-unsubscribe

>

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Sometimes the " high " of triumphing as you did is WAYYYYYY better than the

plate of ______ woulda tasted anyway. Know what I mean?

Thanks,

Vitalady T

www.vitalady.com

Re: Re: Being Aware of What and Why You're Eating

> > However, even knowing that, each time throughout the day when I want

> > to eat something, even if I try to stop and think why I want to eat

> > this food (meaning the junk food), I can't seem to answer that

> > question.

>

> I stopped trying to ask myself why I wanted a food. I know why I want

it -- like most of us, I know it fills a void. What I ask myself now is --

is it worth it? Do you want to weight 400 pounds again? Do you want to gain

back this week the pound you lost last week? Does this really taste THAT

good? Sometimes I take a taste just to find out.

>

> Yesterday at work, we had pizza for the whole crew (30 electricians plus 4

office staff). I didn't have any, not a bite. I ate my egg salad & lo-carb

crackers, and was satisfied (as far as full), and went on. I'm thinking I'm

real proud of myself!

>

> Then I go home, and there's a couple slices of leftover frozen pizza

(obviously not nearly as good as what I had passed up) looking at me in the

fridge. I took out a slice and nearly put it in my mouth. Then I thought --

is this worth it? is it THAT good that I would be willing to eat 2 day's

worth of carbs right now? So I cut off the front tip and ate it. It wasn't

that good. It really wasn't. I thought how close I came to mindlessly

munching it down, and realized that I was still the little kid who'd been

denied the goodies at lunch time, and thought somehow I DESERVED this --

hey, I've been good all week! I had a bun-less sandwich from Burger King, I

ate protein bars while my kids had pancakes, I " VE BEEN GOOD DAMMIT, and I

WANT THIS! But it didn't give me any pleasure to eat that bite, and it was

stupid of me to think it would. So I put the rest back in the fridge, and

someone in my family who really wants it can have it, if they don't mind

that the point's been cut off.

>

> I'm feeling better today, and so far I've eaten sensibly. And I'm going to

keep doing so to the best of my ability -- and keep asking myself if the

next bite is WORTH IT.

>

> Hanging in there and going back down the scale..... ~~ Lyn

>

> Homepage: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Graduate-OSSG

>

> Unsubscribe: mailto:Graduate-OSSG-unsubscribe

>

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

For me I've found threee things are going on in the junk food insanity for

me...

first and foremost for me - carb addiction and extreme sensitivity to

them...

secondly - emotional eating and the HABIT of the brain to interpret feelings

as hunger...

thridly - the notion of conquest, the dynamic goes like this " WOW a ________

I havent had one of those since pre-op how wonderful to have that experience

again, I gotta go get one and wallow in the ecstacy of it! "

Once I got the first and second situations under control the third one

doesnt happen too often. I am planning to reserve that for special

occaisions like weddings etc.

For the first problem carbs, I use the Atkins induction plan and I stay on

it. After just a couple of days that insanity is GONE! as long as I am

vigilant and keep those carbs down below 20.

For the second, only a couple of days of " no that's NOT hunger it's

something bugging you so either deal with it, write it, cry about it, or

whatever but food is NOT the answer, get it OUT not IN " .

For the third, if the " food image " is bugging me too much I go and get ONE

and get it out of my head so I can have some peace BUT it stops my weight

loss and fowls up the whole program and I have to white nuckle it at times

to get past this. It too is happening less often.

In 3 weeks I've lost 15lbs, something I have not been able to do in nearly

TWO years!

This is what works for me.

hugzzz

flo

Re: Being Aware of What and Why You're Eating

> I've been following this thread with interest. I seem to be unable

> to get to the why's each time I want to eat the " wrong " foods. I do

> realize the big picture is that the sugar foods (cookies, candy,

> etc.) are used to fill voids in my life.

>

> However, even knowing that, each time throughout the day when I want

> to eat something, even if I try to stop and think why I want to eat

> this food (meaning the junk food), I can't seem to answer that

> question. I am thinking it is a lot habit, it having been almost a

> lifetime habit, or at least a 35 year one out of my 48 years.

>

> An example is I am sitting here at my desk at work and all of a

> sudden I decide I want to eat something, not even being hungry. And

> of course even though I have protein powders, protein bars, an apple,

> a good healthy half sandwich, etc., I go for the brownies, cookies,

> etc. I don't know why and don't seem to know how to get to the

> reasons for it. I've had years of therapy and am in therapy now twice

> a month but still can't understand why if I want/need to eat

> something, I can't reach for something that will make me feel better

> both physically and emotionally.

>

> My therapist says I am continuing to punish myself the way my mother

> did most of my life. That may be true but god almighty, at 48 years

> young, isn't it time to break the habit and do what is good for me

> and take better care of myself.

>

> I tell myself daily, why are you doing this to yourself, you came

> close to death after the WLS and still you persist in not taking care

> of yourself the way you should be.

>

> I went from 315 to 179 and am now going between 198 and 203 for the

> past couple months. I had gained 10 lbs over the past year (surgery

> June 2000) and then in June put on 10 lbs. I am trying to get out of

> the " diet mentality " but having a hard time. I go a few days eating

> very healthy and then a few days eating crap which keeps me from

> gaining any more weight back but also just has me going up and down 5

> lbs over and over never getting anywhere. Even having to buy jeans in

> the next size, hard as that was, hasn't been enough to wake me up.

>

> How do we " fix " our screwed up heads?????? I know the right things

> to do, I just can't seem to do them.

>

> ....who started a short post and continued to ramble here!

>

>

>

> > Your body has changed but not your mind. It's great that you see

> what's

> > going on. I believe, that is a major step. Being human though, bad

> habits

> > are hard to break. You have to be very aware of what and when you

> eat. When

> > it is time to eat, make sure you sit at the table with no other

> > distractions. No TV, reading, or even extensive conversation. Pay

> attention

> > to how you chew, putting down your fork in between every bite.

> Enjoy the

> > meal by taking the time. Spend the time on you and your meal so

> that you

> > don't feel cheated. I've found that if I'm busy while eating that

> in my

> > mind, it's like I never ate. I would keep eating at scheduled

> times. This

> > will be something to look forward to. If you wait until you are

> hungry, you

> > may over eat.

> >

> > Another thing about having had WLS, we cannot eat very much at

> once. This is

> > great in the weight loss process. I myself, find myself eating

> possibly 5

> > small meals a day. I don't eat anymore than normal. I only eat

> approximately

> > half meals. My surgeon told me that females need only 2 cups of

> actual food

> > a day and males 3 cups. People wonder how I can eat so much and not

> gain.

> > Even my dad, who I didn't tell about my surgery until a year ago,

> thought I

> > ate constantly. In the time it takes most people to eat a large

> meal, I've

> > only eaten a little. They don't see how much I eat but how often.

> >

> > One other suggestion is treat yourself occasionally. I don't eat

> candy much

> > but I love ice cream. I do treat myself to it once in awhile.

> Frozen yogurt

> > is a personal favorite. It's something good for me and it makes me

> feel

> > better than a piece chocolate cake.

> >

> > The last thing I want to mention is that we all go through periods

> of

> > cravings. Most of the time we think it's for goodies. Our bodies

> actually

> > crave what we need. When I crave ice cream, I believe it's actually

> the

> > calcium I need. When we figure it out the need, we can find the

> right food

> > for the craving. For women, there is a time during the month that

> we crave

> > more than others. Some years ago, I read a book about determining

> the sex of

> > your child, when trying to get pregnant with my third child. While

> I found

> > the entire book interesting, one section explained why we women

> crave and

> > the reasons for it. I will try to find references if interested.

> > Anyway....be aware of all aspects of eating and you will learn how

> to keep

> > it under control.

> >

> > I hope this helps,

> > Dawn

>

>

> Homepage: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Graduate-OSSG

>

> Unsubscribe: mailto:Graduate-OSSG-unsubscribe

>

>

>

>

>