Give something(s) up forever?

steve0mania

On the old WW boards, when folks would talk about how they are changing their diet, others (myself, sometimes, included) would often say "don't give up anything that you are not willing to give up for your entire life."

I've been thinking about this lately.

Coming at it from the other side of the equation, are there things that you love that you would be willing to give up for your entire life if it meant you would be able to lose/maintain your weight at your desired goal?

Discuss...

steve0mania

I've written a great deal over the years about how alcohol is my greatest challenge to maintaining my weight at my personal goal. I love a nice glass of wine, a couple of shots of burbon, a beer or two (or three) along the way. However, each glass, shot, or beer adds 100-250 extra calories into my diet. I probably maintain on ~1500 cal/day, so those are really significant additions to my intake.

Right now I'm in a rigid mode of strict limitation (with alcohol). As an observant Jew, wine is a big deal. We bless over wine on Friday night and Saturday lunch, and exit Shabbat with a glass of wine on Saturday night. Yes, I could use grape juice, but I'm not sure that's actually helpful. I'm currently limiting myself to alcohol from Friday night (or maybe, Friday afternoon) through Saturday night.

Sometimes I wonder, though, whether there would be certain items I would simply give up completely. I'm interested in hearing everyone's own thoughts on their own situations.

Jerdtrmndone

I would and am making cut backs on Ice cream and beer. At 1500 calories, its tough to stay at with those empty calories

Philtex

steve0mania wrote: »

are there things that you love that you would be willing to give up for your entire life if it meant you would be able to lose/maintain your weight at your desired goal?

I don't believe so or I would have given them up already. Although it doesn't work 100% of the time, I much prefer to cut back on, limit or otherwise control my intake of such things to manage my weight. Taking your question to an extreme, if there was one thing that magically kept me at a perfect weight (whatever that is) no matter what else I ate or did, I would have to consider it.

88olds

Well, might sound funny but years ago I gave up red meat. Several years ago I went to a cook out and the only thing to be had was a hamburger, I ate one. It was ok. Last time I tried steak I didn’t like it.

Can’t imagine any circumstances where I’d order enchiladas again. If my wife orders ribs I might have one if she offers. A Ruben sandwich, ah can’t see it. Anything cheesy and greasy, that’s over for me.

I gave up drinking for 3+ years. When I got back to it, it wasn’t the same. Maybe a test period Steve. I’m the only person I know who starts the week intending to drink more but doesn’t get around to it.

I suppose at one time I thought I was “giving up” all the stuff I mentioned. Now I’m kind put off by the thought of a lot of it. Enchiladas? Those things don’t come on my radar.

cakeman21k

I don't think there is anything I would totally give up just to achieve a number on a scale, unless that number came with no diabetes, no arthritis, no aches and pains and by the way more hair!

gadgetgirlIL

If someone could prove without doubt that giving up a particular food would make me stronger on the bike, make the inflammation in my thumb joints vanish, and restore my bone density to normal, then I'd be willing to give it up.

Otherwise, I just have to keep working on moderation. I have found that with age that there are some foods that I used to eat when younger that have lost their appeal for me. I don't like things as sweet as I used to (e.g. I don't eat jelly beans any more) and I don't care for fried foods. Pizza only happens a few times a year as getting a GF/DF pizza is a pain.

88olds

Here’s something I did give up- telling myself I love food or drink or eating or drinking.

I’ve mentioned before that weight loss was where I learned to argue with myself and win. This is an argument I won. One day it occurred to me that going around saying, or even thinking, “I love pizza.” was not helpful in pursuit of my goals.

So I started thinking about it. If I love pizza, what about my family? Not in the same category. Eating pizza (this was then) could be a terrific experience, very enjoyable and satisfying, but calling it love was an exaggeration. So I stopped. If I loved pizza the reasonable thing to do would be get more of it.

Pizza was just a trip to Pleasue Island. OK in proper doses.

podkey

I did temporarily stop all craft brew on WW. Added it back slowly later on. I do need more moderation in that regard. I can't think of anything in the "give up forever" category. 99+% of the time I avoid chips and the like. I have some pizza about twice a year or so. I don't think about it that much.
Yes being more moderate w craft brew is a better idea. At some point I may need to give it up altogether.

myallforjcbill

Much of the things on my list are already in low consumption now. My beer consumption is quite low now and I suppose I could let it go. Of course now I am thinking I should swing by a local brewery and get a fill on my favorite DIPA. So thanks for that. I think I could go without pizza. It is still a trigger food, a good one is a joy and a delight which makes it into the house a couple times a month.

mr_sandyman

Since to loss of DW I've really receded from most cooking and eating out except for a narrow list. I gave up alcohol in the '80 after I saw what a train wreck some friends made of their lives. I tend to avoid events where food major part like church pot-lucks and lunch out with the guys from work, I struggle enough with food without those temptations.

All that said I sometimes feel like I'm fading away and becoming a hermit. OK this is becoming a therapy session...

steve0mania

Interesting responses, for sure! Thanks for engaging.

I've been thinking more about this over the weekend. Yes, there are things I would absolutely give up. A few years ago I started keeping kosher. That meant giving up things forever. Bacon, shellfish, cheeseburgers (because one doesn't mix meat and dairy), non-kosher meats, etc. Before we made the plunge, I thought it was going to be really hard. However, once we started, I realized it wasn't hard at all. Yes, there are challenges, but when there is a hard-limit, in many ways it easier. That hard-limit keeps one off the slippery slope.

I like @88olds comment and that is very in-line with my latest thought process. I don't "love" food, I am not in a relationship with food, food and I don't go out for long-walks on a moonlit beach...you get what I mean.

I am not in the "food is fuel" camp, which suggests that enjoyment is not a consideration at all. The reality, to me, is that most food is pretty tasty. I don't need a goumet chef to prepare my food to enjoy it. As such, I can fully enjoy something lower in calories that is not soaked in butter, cheese, sauce, etc. The kosher thing helps because it keeps a lot of those richer toppings away from my meat meals (again, to avoid mixing meat and milk).

So, yes moderation is critical, and my diet is so different than it was before I started WW. But, I am becoming more of a believer to set strict criteria for myself. I'm not sure there are additional items I would completely give up, but if I decide that "alcohol will only be consumed from Friday afternoon through Saturday night," or "no desserts during the week," that wouldn't be the end of the world.

minimyzeme

Well the funny thing is that even though I've followed the advice of not giving anything up for the rest of my life, there's a few things I haven't had in years. I didn't set out to intentionally limit these foods; it's just happened out of preference.

Donuts and Chinese food are the two I'm thinking of, though there are probably others. Both used to be eaten in vast quantities back in the day. Neither has been set off-limits. I think it's been 2 or 3 years since a donut. I have had the occasional meal of Chinese food, but it used to be a staple in my "diet".

I think I'm much better able to cut back on these foods specifically because I made no mental commitment to stop eating them. I think if I had, it would constantly nag at me and I might crave them. Putting them on hold and mentally giving myself permission to have them when I want seems to have helped with the mindfulness that helps me make informed choices. Rarely has the desire for these foods won over my desire to keep living my life on my plan--in a smaller body.