Re: Having a hard time:secrets of thin people.

[Guest guest]

Patti...I had some psychological hunger at the end of my second stage, too....before I could chew. Sugar free popsicles helped a lot, because I could bite and chew them. Also, your body is starting to crave a little bit of protein, which you don't get a whole lot of in this phase of the program (unless you are doing protein shakes, which I didn't per Richmond). Plus, you are at that phase of "is this going to be like this forever!?!?!?" The answer is "no". I am 9 months out today, in fact. I'm not saying I'm a model patient...but I'm trying to do what works. I've read a lot of books, and I'm trying to folow the rules as much as I can. that being said, there is really nothing I can't eat. And I feel very satisfied with very little. I've realized that crackers are a trigger food...because they don't make me feel all full and they are crunchy and I can chomp them down when I'm angry or

frustrated. So, as a result, I choose not to have them around. Similarly, I have the same reaction with peanut butter filled pretzels from Trader Joe's. So there are some things that I just don't buy. But, I do occasionally have dessert at restaurants. Not a whole dessert...usually just a couple of bites. Chocolate (particularly rich chocolate) frequently makes my pulse race and I feel like crap, so I rarely eat that. Particularly chocolate chip cookies. But, there have been other desserts that are fine. And I'm happy and content with two bites. I used to look at my thin friends and wonder how in the heck they could leave the rest of a dessert on their plate, without scarfing it all up...whether they were full or not. Now, I understand. After the first two bites, you can't really taste it anyway. Your tastebuds are desensitized...so it just isn't worth the

calories. I don't drink soda. but I have had champagne. It's less carbonated than soda..and being in a glass as opposed to in a can, it tends to mellow out in a way that a soda in a can doesn't. I'm a very cheap date, and 4 oz.of wine is generally all I can handle. Sometimes it's 2 oz. Depends on my body for the day. The thing is, I deviate from time to time...and I hope I don't live to regret that. After the so-called "honeymoon period" which I never really had...at least I don't think I had it...I may find myself in trouble. My body may make it harder for me to lose or maintain weight. I hope not. For now, what I am doing is I'm trying to abide by the rules that I've seen my thin friends employ over the years. I seek balance. If i eat a bit too much, or the wrong kind of foods during a meal...I make sure

that I get the nutrition I need in the next several meals. If my weight goes up a lb or two (I've been maintaining since December, I'm not sure whether I'm staying here, or if i'll go down more or not. I'm fine where I am...and I wouldn't mind losing another 10 or 15), I drink more water...I make sure I get my protein in...and I make sure I get a little bit of extra exercise. And it balances out. I'm at my high end right now, I'm on my period (second day). But my high end is only 2 lbs. heavier than my low end. And so, even though I know it is probably water weight, I'm still calling out the calvary. I'm increasing my water...I packed my workout gear for the next few days (I leave for a business trip today), and I packed enough protein bars that I will eat those for breakfast and lunch every day that I'm away. that way, I only have the damage of one restaurant meal per day.

And I've made a decision that I will not have alcohol, and I will not have dessert and I will not eat bread at those restaurant meals. I'm going to choose fish for at least one of the two dinners. These are concrete decisions I am making ahead of time. And my thin friends do the same kind of thing. Oddly enough, I just got the "Real Simple" magazine, and there is an article in it about the secrets of thin people. How to get (and stay) slim. Many of them work for us, although not all. 1. Thin people favor bulky foods. Calorie density, or the ration of calories to the weight of food. Simply put, foods with a high water content---fruits, vegetables, water based soups and stews, and cooked whole grains are low in calories but satiating. Most also contain lots of fiber, which fills you up. Many thin people start with a sizable soup or salad, which leads them

to eat less for the rest of the meal. Drinking water with a meal doesn't have the same effect. Now, for us, we need out protein, so we can't or shouldn't necessarily fill up before our meals with this stuff. However, the Rules of the Pouch does talk about drinking a lot of water about 15 minutes before a meal, to fill your tummy and get that sated feeling...so it's really the same principle. 2. Thin people watch portion sizes. It's true. My friends tend to buy one serving size, instead of big family sizes. For example, if they want cookies, they don't buy a big pack, they buy the individual servings. They focus on putting veggies and salad and lean protein on their plate...and they leave bread and potatoes and rice and pasta off of it...or they put very little on it. Many of my friends eat tiny little meals 5 times a day. They are planned meals. They know in advance when they are going

to eat them, what they are going to eat. As for us, well this is a divided camp. Some say only three meals a day...because they are worried we will snack ourselves up to our prior weight...bypass the bypass by sneaking in niblets all day. that certainly has validity. on the other hand, if it is planned, and you really figure out your caloriee consumption for the day in advance...eating the small meals can prevent you from being so ravenous that you just grab things that aren't smart to eat. For me, there are days when I stick to three meals. But, there are others, like when I'm working out, where I choose to have a little bag of beef jerky (individual size) or a protein bar as a fourth meal. When I do that, I modify my portions for the other meals, to make sure I'm not eating more. 3. Thin people don't skip meals. It's true. Most of them eat every meal, and they avoid that starvation I'll eat anything that

isn't nailed down mode. 4. Thin people limit their options. You need a variety of foods for optimal nutrition, but the more types of food that you have available, the more you tend to eat. It's like the buffet syndrome. That's why restaurants are hard...gee the appetizers sound really good and unique...I just want to try this, and maybe that. Oh, gee I'm not really hungry anymore, but wow...the dessert menu looks great. My friend tends to eat the same thing every day for breakfast and lunch. The only variety is the type of fruit or veggie she adds into the mix. 5. Thin people don't sit still. They fidget. They get up and walk around. They use their "down" time to get up and wash off the counter. Or to walk down the hall. They jiggle their knee. They talk with their hands. All of that actually burns calories. They stand

up. They did a study and found that over a year, just doing that alone could result in a weight loss of approximately 30 lbs. So, park far away. Walk down the hall instead of calling or e-mailing your co-worker. And do regular exercise. Ninety percent of people who maintain thier weight are exercising in a way that's the equivalent of walking four miles a day. Exercise makes you more aware of your body, too...so you are less likely to want to put junk in it. Get a pedometer, and if you haven't hit 10,000 steps by the end of the day...take a walk, or do what you have to do to get to that goal. 6. Thin people weigh themselves. All of my friends do one of two things. they either weigh themselves either once a day of two or three times a week...or they have a favorite pair of jeans that are really tight to begin with...so that if they go up a few lbs., they can try those pants on and realize

they've gone up. They also have a range for themselves, and if they get close to the high end of the range, they do small things to modify. They cut out starchy carbs and desserts. They hit the gym an extra time or two. They drink more water. They choose a soup or salad for their meals for a few days. 7. Thin people don't skip breakfast. Studies show that people who eat breakfast are less likely to be overweight than those who don't. 8. Thin people enjoy their food, because they eat without self-reproach. they are selective gourmets...our bodies have a budget like our checkbook. So, they spend on what they eat selectively, not compulsively. 9. Thin people practice early intervention. A large number of people who seem to be 'naturally thin" have evolved their own strategies for staying that way. Everybody gains

weight...but they take action when the numbers on the scale creep up a bit, or their pants get too hard to button. So, they hit the panic button. They limit exposure to trigger foods, or ban them altogether. They know mood-driven eating when they see it...so if they are depressed, they make sure they don't go to the store and bring home a bunch of junk food. They take a walk, or call a friend or right in their journal. 9. Thin people do what works. The biggest difference between the permanently thin and everyone else (so says the article)is that they have come up with effective, specific, and ofter personal ways to keep their weight in check. They may let themselves indulge in their favorite treat, but they make up for it with the rest of what they eat in the day or the week. Or they exercise more to compensate. They get out of the mind-set of being "good" or "bad"...instead, they do what works for

them. OK, now how is this for irony. I accidentally skipped one. And it's the most relevent to me, and the most important I bet for most of us: THIN PEOPLE CAN PUT THEMSELVES FIRST. Somebody who worked in an obesity clininc said, "So often the people I saw were people who refused to take time for themselves. Thier whole lives were spent giving, giving, giving---which women tend to do anyway, but it was really to a fault. Sometimes you need to put yourself first." Thin women prioritize eating right, exercising regularly, and reducing stress. When people take the reins, they realize that the solution to weight control is inside them, not in some magic potion or fad diet that their mother or sister is on. Taking care of yourself shouldn't evoke guilt. I've often let clients get in the way of my scheduled workouts with trainers. I pay

for training sessions that I missed because a client happened to get me on the phone as I was heading out the door. Or, a friend calls with a problem and wants to meet up...and so I don't go to the gym as planned. Or, I have these great plans to eat properly that day...and then someone wants to meet me for cocktails and appetizers...and I can't say no. Or, I don't get enough sleep because wants to stay up. Or I don't go to the gym after work, because I feel bad he's been home all day. Shoot...sometimes I haven't gone to the gym after work because I feel sorry that my CAT has been alone all day. I need to give myself permission to make myself a priority. To make my health a priority. To make taking care of myself a priority. So, as far as shopping for other people...don't buy any junk. If they want junk food (in your family) they can go out and get it for

themselves. Take time for yourself. You are recovering from major surgery, and you have a lot going on. If being in a mall is too tough for you right now, DON'T DO IT. ANd don't feel guilty about it. YOu deserve some patience right now. Give it to yourself. Good luck, RobynnDonna Jordon wrote: This will pass and it gets better with time, honest. Just do what you are suppose to and it will all be worth it. Take care. Donnapatti_errn wrote: Hi Everyone! As most of you know I am 6days out from my surgery. I haven't had any nausea or vomiting and in the way of

discomfort, it's been minimal. So, here's where I am having a hard time... I went to the mall today and saw a movie with a friend... the food scents drove me nuts! I wanted to eat!! I then proceeded to the grocery store because I still have a family to shop for. It was pure torture!! Everything looked good. I swore I was having hunger pains as well.I guess I am feeling sorry for myself because all I can eat right now is thick liquids and it's become quite unfullfilling. I know this is a whole change of life process and I am dedicated to stay on the correct path, but right now I am feeling down. I so look forward to my vitamins because I get to chew! LOL Please, just remind me that this to will pass. That I will get thru this and my relationship with food will be different and I can be free.Sorry to whine!! I'm afraid if I don't get it out attitude will spill out of

me.ThanksPattiDonna JordonDSJordon@... Yahoo! MailBring photos to life! New PhotoMail makes sharing a breeze.

[Guest guest]

Robyn- Thanks so much for the words of wisdom. I'm glad to hear that

this too shall pass. It's getting better each day and I think I will

take you up on the recommendation of the pops. They sound perfect!

Patti

Hi Everyone! As most of you

know I am 6days out from my surgery. I

> haven't had any nausea or vomiting and in the way of discomfort,

it's

> been minimal. So, here's where I am having a hard time... I went

to

> the mall today and saw a movie with a friend... the food scents

drove

> me nuts! I wanted to eat!! I then proceeded to the grocery store

> because I still have a family to shop for. It was pure torture!!

> Everything looked good. I swore I was having hunger pains as

well.I

> guess I am feeling sorry for myself because all I can eat right

now is

> thick liquids and it's become quite unfullfilling. I know this is

a

> whole change of life process and I am dedicated to stay on the

correct

> path, but right now I am feeling down. I so look forward to my

> vitamins because I get to chew! LOL Please, just remind me that

this

> to will pass. That I will get thru this and my relationship with

food

> will be different and I can be free.

>

> Sorry to whine!! I'm afraid if I don't get it out attitude will

spill

> out of me.

> Thanks

> Patti

>

>

>

>

>

>

> Donna Jordon

>

> DSJordon@...

> ---------------------------------

> Yahoo! Mail

> Bring photos to life! New PhotoMail makes sharing a breeze.

>

>

[Guest guest]

Robyn - thanks for the words also. I still have the thoughts " is

this forever " sometimes. You always know just what to say.

PEGGY

Hi Everyone! As most of you

> know I am 6days out from my surgery. I

> > haven't had any nausea or vomiting and in the way of discomfort,

> it's

> > been minimal. So, here's where I am having a hard time... I went

> to

> > the mall today and saw a movie with a friend... the food scents

> drove

> > me nuts! I wanted to eat!! I then proceeded to the grocery store

> > because I still have a family to shop for. It was pure torture!!

> > Everything looked good. I swore I was having hunger pains as

> well.I

> > guess I am feeling sorry for myself because all I can eat right

> now is

> > thick liquids and it's become quite unfullfilling. I know this is

> a

> > whole change of life process and I am dedicated to stay on the

> correct

> > path, but right now I am feeling down. I so look forward to my

> > vitamins because I get to chew! LOL Please, just remind me that

> this

> > to will pass. That I will get thru this and my relationship with

> food

> > will be different and I can be free.

> >

> > Sorry to whine!! I'm afraid if I don't get it out attitude will

> spill

> > out of me.

> > Thanks

> > Patti

> >

> >

> >

> >

> >

> >

> > Donna Jordon

> >

> > DSJordon@

> > ---------------------------------

> > Yahoo! Mail

> > Bring photos to life! New PhotoMail makes sharing a breeze.

> >

> >