Living the Lifestyle - Weds 3/21/18

Calvin2008Brian

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 March are:

Monday - whathapnd (Emmie)
Tuesday - 88olds (George)
Wednesday - Calvin2008Brian
Thursday - misterhub (Greg)
Friday - Al_Howard

Today's Topic: mindful eating.

WW - and any WL program, really - necessarily dictates that we eat in a more thoughtful manner. What do you do in your daily eating that can be classified as mindfulness? Are these formal or informal measures? Are you consistent in your practices?

For purposes of discussion, let's set a scale. On one end of the spectrum, let's classify simple meal planning as an example of a low-end, informal, but still thoughtful measure. On the other end of the spectrum The Raisin Meditation serves as an example of high-end mindfulness.

Jimb376mfp

“ On one end of the spectrum, let's classify simple meal planning as an example of a low-end, informal, but still thoughtful measure. On the other end of the spectrum The Raisin Meditation serves as an example of high-end mindfulness.”


My normal K.I.S.S approach has been losing weight over a long long period of time (Joined WW 1/13). I “track” and learned Mindful Eating don’t stress me out as long as I have a loss over a month of time.

Now that I am closing in on my “Official WW Goal Weight” I am noticing the “raisin effect” (New Term to me!)

I have been getting close to GW but not closing the Deal. I have been close for the past three months now!
I may need to break a “Plateau” to measure the “Raisins”?

Lately I know eating and not precisely measuring PB, granola and SF Cool Whip as a night time snack. I have changed recently to see how I make the final Magic Number!
Also noticed the other day that sweet gherkins pickles equal 2 SPs for two tiny pickles!!!

I know the Devil is in the Details!

podkey

K.I.S.S. for sure. Weigh/measure portions at home enough to develop your eyes.

Calvin2008Brian

This is possibly the broadest LTL topic ever. ;-)

Confession: I multi-task at every meal. Bar none. I don't think that's a horrible thing, but I do recognize benefit in being more contemplative and gracious.

I've been working on slowing down and reflecting. Choices and portion sizes are obviously at the front of my mind, but I've also been consciously thinking about my food and appreciating where it comes from and how it came to be in front of me.

gadgetgirlIL

I also am a multi-tasker at meals. At least I always measure out my portions so when the plate is empty, I'm done.

Every once in a while I can succeed at eating at least my breakfast at home more slowly and mindfully. But that hasn't happened recently.

Al_Howard

Yup.me too. All 3 in front of PC or TV.

88olds

My mindfulness is all front loaded. And it’s mostly about 2 things- volume and calories.

I maintain by planning and prep. Because once the food is on the plate- outta my way. I eat most of my meals watching TV.

minimyzeme

What do you do in your daily eating that can be classified as mindfulness? Are these formal or informal measures? Are you consistent in your practices?

There are two aspects of mindfulness for me: first is the accountability of what I eat. Tracking has been great for that! About a year ago, my meeting leader recommended tracking what we eat, no matter what. No judgement--just the opportunity to document it (and move on). It wasn't too long ago that I had negative weekly points. I didn't self-destruct, but I could see the numbers for what they were. It was helpful in my course correction from there on out.

The second aspect of mindfulness is slowing down long enough to be aware of when I reach for food, and why. This has taken a few years to practice. Strange as it sounds, I now realize I did a lot of mindless eating back in the day. But it wasn't so much that behavior as it was my choices when in that mode. I've learned I'm a stress and emotional eater. When those feelings arose (and I could just as easily miss the cues for them too), I would reach for foods (or drinks) as a crutch to deal with something totally non-food-related. Now, part of being mindful is just 'checking in' with myself before I put something in my mouth. Is it being driven by "hunger" or is it in response to some stressor? If it's the latter, I try to take a little time to figure out if there's anything I can do to more directly address it (fixing the problem instead of the symptom). I still sometimes eat as a crutch in these situations, but nine times out of ten, make healthier choices compared to what I used to eat. That way the stress eating isn't just adding to my problems down the road.

I'm probably about halfway on that scale, which is probably just about where I need to be...

podkey

I think multi-tasking is great and can slow down my eating at the same time. Really the mindfulness is more about taking the right portions of food and NOT sitting down with a whole bag of chips or a box of girl scout cookies. I thought about and planned ahead of time to eat a "Little Big Burger" and fires yesterday and thoroughly enjoyed it. I rode 34 miles r.t. to my dentist climbing over a 1100 foot hill. I stopped at Little Big Burger about 3 miles before my dentist. They serve thick honest 1/4lb burgers on small brioche buns that are similar in feel to eating something like a 1/2 LB burger and very juicy. I chose chevre cheese on mine.

35 hilly miles and well over 3 hours of cycling and it all worked out. I as getting my teeth cleaned after that delectable lunch and it all worked out.