Living The Lifestyle Thursday 12/7/17

imastar2

We meet here to explore, share, celebrate, and (sometimes) agonize over how we do (or don't) incorporate weight loss guidelines into our daily lives. "It's a lifestyle, not a diet" is easily and often said, but sometimes not so simply put into practice.

This is a thread for everyone. If you're new to GoaD, or to weight loss, your questions and comments are always welcome. If you're maintaining, or a long-term loser, your thoughts on the topic may be just what someone else needs to hear. If you're reading this, join in the discussion!

Each weekday, a new topic is offered up for discussion. Thread starters for December are:

Monday - 88olds
Tuesday - goldenfrisbee
Wednesday - minimyzeme (Kim)
Thursday - imastar2 (Derrick)
Friday - bwmalone

Topic: WHY? Any answers to what seems to be a simple question but is it.? Why do we (some of us) overeat and or eat the wrong foods when we know we shouldn't but do it anyway. Regardless of holidays or not.! even though we still gain weight.

imastar2

I've been looking back at my records just now. This topic I've thrown out today is clearly a question I'm rolling over in my head and working with a Dietitian and Phycotherapist. I have made headway working with these two professionals but also lost ground since I've put nearly 30 lbs on in the last few months. In fact my records of weight loss going back to the beginning show thatI lost from 400.8 lbs when started bassically in Dec 2010 and lost 100 lbs to 300 by the end of 2012. But since then I've been in and out of twoterville numerous times and my low has been 294.7.

I've been over and under 300 lbs since 2012 Sometimes as high as 330 but always seem to get back to 300 then for whatever reason roller coaster up and down. So the good news is I've stayed around 300 for most all of 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, & 2017.
Bad news this morning I'm at 327.5. I don't know the answer exactly except that know I'm disgusted to allow myself to eat the wrong things and too much too often.

Indeed I'm working on it and it's easy to just say no and that's probably the answer. When the temptation comes along it may be
the only answer just say no.

The battle continues on.


SW 400.8
CW 327.5
Next GW 300.0
Final GW 185.0

73.3 lbs Total lost


.

gadgetgirlIL

Why can't I reprogram my brain so that the default choice when I'm stressed out is NOT to reach for food? It has been a rough semester and the default programming from decades of obesity has been engaged more than it has been overridden.

Rachel0778

Like @gadgetgirlIL sometimes my "in the moment" feelings overtake my long term goals. It's hard when I'm feeling lonely or depressed or stressed to remind myself that the relief of food is temporary when all I want is some temporary relief from what I am feeling. It really is about building up new coping mechanisms instead of falling into old habits and patterns. It takes time and A LOT of effort.

88olds

Why? Because we can. Eye sees food, brain says eat. What do you think a cave man would do at Old Country Buffet? Mother Nature didn’t anticipate all this food. Odds are very good I will live my whole life and remain a stranger to real hunger. A rarity in human history. I’m grateful.

Out_of_Bubblegum

Topic: WHY? Any answers to what seems to be a simple question but is it.? Why do we (some of us) overeat and or eat the wrong foods when we know we shouldn't but do it anyway. Regardless of holidays or not.! even though we still gain weight.

Personally, I gave up the idea of "wrong foods", and replaced it with "HOW MUCH"... and to me, it has made a big difference.

Maybe I've traded one discipline (what to eat) with another (how much to eat) but to me, it is much easier to control how much than to control what.

It's OK for me to reach out and grab the bag of chips... and then put them into a bowl so I can gauge HOW MUCH I am about to eat... and then sit down and eat them guilt free... then go log them.

Why? Because I know that by remaining mindful of my quantity, I can still stay within my calorie goal, and I can still reach my WL goals... and I don't feel like I'm deprived, which is a really big deal for my state of mind.

I've heard of a lot of people that have had success with the opposite approach... substitute high calorie foods for low calorie foods and eat for bulk to feel satisfied. This doesn't work well for me, as I can be stuffed to the point of feeling sick, but if I didn't enjoy it, I still want to keep eating!

gadgetgirlIL

Rachel0778 wrote: »

It really is about building up new coping mechanisms instead of falling into old habits and patterns. It takes time and A LOT of effort.

THIS!

I simply have not had the time nor the mental energy this semester to focus on better coping mechanisms for the stress I'm facing. I'm absolutely mentally and physically spent by the time I get home each night from work.

I certainly have endurance as evidenced by my ability to do 3 straight days of hiking along with the bike shuttles all bookended by nearly 3 hours of driving each way. But being out in nature gives me energy whereas being at work this semester just sucks the life force out of me.

I don't see anything changing soon. The updates shared in today's department meeting indicate even more budget cuts are coming as spring enrollment targets aren't being met.

Jimb376mfp

Remember the 1960s phrase: “If it feels good, Do It “
I think of that when I look back on the way I drank and ate myself up yo 376 Lbs. I had no control and ate and drank as much as I wanted to. All my diets or short term times on WW were just a momentary pause. I always went back to my former habits.
When I found my own very personal WHY in 2012 I began to actually change my Lifestyle,
I think I overate because it felt good, while I was doing it. I blocked out what it was doing to me Health wise, never really considered how it was affecting my DW and three sons.
I was looking at food as s pleasure source, plain and simple. But that is not the answer to finding true happiness,
Better to feel proud of choices I make everyday in regards to eating healthy and enjoying exercising.

podkey

I guess I should add that our leader like others started by using similar amounts of items that she now doesn't count. I think that is a sensible approach.

minimyzeme

Why do we (some of us) overeat and or eat the wrong foods when we know we shouldn't but do it anyway. Regardless of holidays or not.! even though we still gain weight.

I still do it. Not all the time. A whole lot less than I used to but it happens. I've learned along the way that I have a long history of stress and emotional eating. I guess it goes back to when I was young and it was the vice I had or made available to me when in those situations. When my buttons get pushed, I often have that urge today but I fulfill them much less often. Or with things that won't make me (as) fat.

But there's another aspect too. I like food. I enjoy its flavor and texture. I can often enjoy the context surrounding it--where I am, whom I'm with, etc. When I started this weight loss journey, I knew and it was reinforced by many a GOADie, that I didn't want to totally cut that pleasurable aspect of food out of my life. Sometimes my choosing to indulge is just about enjoying life (or food). I try to keep in mind and follow the GOAD advice of thinking about my choices before I make them. That way, even if I'm going to color outside the lines, I'm less likely to regret it after the fact. It doesn't always work that way, but I've gotten much better at it.

I'm lucky that WW worked for me as it does for a lot of people. I was able to define and reach a goal weight and I've been able to maintain it--so far (for about two years). What scares me is knowing that I'm just a few indulgences away from backsliding--possibly as far back as to where I started. It is that fear that so far hasn't allowed me to be mind-LESS about eating for very long. I may indulge but to this point, my plan, many of the GOAD and meeting discussions and some of the Connect posts are playing in my mind. I need all the tools to stay on a steady course from here on out.

I can't give you a good answer Derrick @imastar2 . I'm still working to figure it out myself. One day, things are going great and the next, I'm out on the ledge food-wise. If I stay mindful, it's usually just a blip for me. So that's my best strategy. It works most of the time.

goldenfrisbee

For me, it's almost like an itch. I've got to scratch it. I'll be relaxing in the evening and I have this nagging feeling that I'm missing something or my day isn't complete and I need to fill it with something fun to eat.

goldenfrisbee

minimyzeme wrote: »

What scares me is knowing that I'm just a few indulgences away from backsliding--possibly as far back as to where I started. It is that fear that so far hasn't allowed me to be mind-LESS about eating for very long.

@minimyzeme Do you think that fear will ever go away?

When I was young, I visited some second cousins and we stayed over night. Their evening routine was to have a bowl of cereal before bed. I can remember vividly thinking that eating after dinner was gross. I have no idea when that changed for me, and I looked to food for entertainment and contentment.

imastar2

Thanks to all who responded. It appears that it certainly is a difficult question to answer. I guess when we get off track or fall off the bike the best answer is to get back on the bicycle and begin riding the again. Thanks again to all for participating. Great! discussion.

SW 400.8
CW 327.5 up 7.2 lbs this WI. 12/8/17
Next GW 300.0
Final GW 185.0

73.3 lbs Total lost

minimyzeme

goldenfrisbee wrote: »

minimyzeme wrote: »

What scares me is knowing that I'm just a few indulgences away from backsliding--possibly as far back as to where I started. It is that fear that so far hasn't allowed me to be mind-LESS about eating for very long.

@minimyzeme Do you think that fear will ever go away?

@goldenfrisbee , I hope not. I don't see the fear as paralyzing, just keeping me aware and more or less on the road between the ditches. I think Charlie's ( @crewahl 's) warning to me near the time I reached goal really stuck with me: "You're not cured. You're just a fat guy in remission." I'm OK with all the benefits of life in a smaller body IF and only IF I don't turn my back on the fact that I'm fully capable of slipping and sliding my way backward.

I try to treat it as a healthy dose of reality and live the lifestyle one day at a time. I really don't worry too much about next month, next year, or 10 years down the road. I focus on today and tomorrow and assume the rest will take care of itself.