Share Your Day
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Sorry I have been MIA….grandson had his heart surgery Wed…..he is home and feeling great!4
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Happy birthday Laurie!!!0
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I am still waiting for the liver birthday cake!!!!
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If I get out and push will the internet go faster?!?!?!!?!?!?
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Yay Connie, that's great news! You must be feeling soooooo relieved!2
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Wow! This is awesome news Connie!!!! I would have been a basket case!
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lauriekallis wrote: »
I just had a zoom meeting with Karin, my Disordered Eating counsellor (who spent most of her life as a GP and trained in disordered eating over the past few decades).
It is very strange to talk to someone who is trying very hard to help me be happy with my body as is and give up the idea of losing weight. But, she is making progress on helping me to adopt a healthier body image/lifestyle approach.
I've negotiated a bit of a compromise with her
though from the expression on her face I can tell that she doesn't really like it.
I'm not willing to give up my goal to reach 75 kg.
Laurie, I read this again because I am soooo in the same situation.
I have lost over 100 lbs.from my highest weight. But like you, I am about 25 lbs. from my personal goal which at my height still leaves me in the overweight category. I’ve been stuck here about a year. In that time my doctor, cardiologist, ortho guy have all told me I’m fine where I am. I should celebrate my success, accept myself as is, and work on being healthy and active. And at 74 years of age that does seem reasonable.
However, that magical 🧙♂️ goal number is pushing me to keep losing!2 -
So interesting to sense some parallelisms and hear of different avenues of hamster management!
I hear from so many that the calories, the counting, has become a restraint, a burden.
Apart from a few small breaks, I've been calorie counting, weighing my food and keeping an accurate and complete food diary for just over a decade now (123 months if I'm being pedantic). Even during the endless months/years of 'the big regain' I kept accurate food and exercise logs and continued to weigh and measure all my intake. I knew that - one day - I'd find the data interesting and informative, even if at the time I wasn't prepared to act on what it was telling me.
After 123 months, you'd think I'd be bored and chafing under the tyranny of the constant monitoring, right? Wrong. I still get a total kick out of it.
I must be a scientist in a parallel universe, because I love the process of maintaining an accurate record.
I enjoy reviewing the data and seeing patterns emerge - strengthen - embed or fade away to be replaced with something else.
I like seeing how my tastes and habits have changed and evolved.
I like being able to look back and see exactly what I ate on 23rd August 2009...or on a Rome trip in October 2018....or on my birthday in 2016....or Christmas Day 2019.
I like the endless tetris puzzle of seeing just how much tasty, pleasurable food I can shoehorn into my daily calorie allowance.
I like the portion-wrangling and savvy-swapping that enables me to eat a hearty portion of jam-roly-poly-and-custard and come in comfortably under 1500 calories, while still hitting all my macros.
And I like the way the whole process makes me feel as if I'm finally taking care of myself and making my wellbeing a priority. Once that would've made me feel selfish and self-absorbed; now I feel proud that I'm taking better care of this precious vessel and no longer treating it like a worthless piece of garbage.
Surely I can't be the only person who think that weight management is fun, and endlessly entertaining!? Not to mention that its rewards far, far outweigh its minor inconveniences. It's the gift that keeps on giving....4 -
Maybe you and I Bella are late life converts?
My general attitude is closer to your viewpoint than any other!
And the reason why I no longer log on MFP after they deleted my data without offering correct and free export options.
(Quickly scurries away to check on jam-roly-poly-and-custard🤷🏻♂️🙀😹)2 -
Frustrated with myself. I binged hard last night and today. I do so well during the week and then fall apart on weekends. Officially down 10lbs in just over a month (which at over 260 when I started isn't that crazy, especially with the "woosh" you often see early on due to less bloating). I am not binging because I am hungry. I can promise you I am not hungry right now yet I want to eat. I had a breakfast sandwich this morning... then I had chicken wings, fried cheese, fries, and texas toast. Yesterday it was McDonald's.
Deep breaths... while this might set me back a bit, it's not a total failure. I need to figure out what is causing me to do this on weekends. It may be a lack of a plan and the fact my weekends are no where near as structured as my weekdays. Use it as a lesson.5 -
Wish I could give you an answer as it is not something I've ever figured out to complete satisfaction!
How are you feeling stressed wise compared to where you were a little while ago? I know that if I'm pissed off I tend to graze continuously, but in a panic or very big stress I eat not at all or very little without being hungry but when the stress reduces things don't necessarily get controlled right away. Being tired and being cold too
This is for me.
And I mention this because the associations had never really crystallized in my brain till well after I started losing weight.
What to do with the associations? Not 100% sure.
At times let them run their course at times try to short circuit them. At times use them as a refeed. In other words more mitigation in my case as opposed to attempt at complete cure.
Obviously optimal would be to get a complete handle on everything but you know!
I need a bigger 🐈, almost a 🐅 to manage all the 🐹. But all I have is a bunch of 🐹s barely keeping themselves in line!
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My stress has actually been a lot better since I stopped looking at buying a house, so the past few weeks. Though I do have a couple stressful weeks coming up at work that have had me very frustrated this weekend. Plus now I have a design job where I am remodeling 2 bathrooms.
Okay, so maybe I have more stress then I thought haha.3 -
Maybe anxiety rather than stress per se? Being anxious and not fully in control of anticipated or perceived events sets me off to overeating. Fear of all the unknown future problems. 😱 Guess I’m a control freak!
I think most of us have experience with eating to soothe jangled emotions or anxiety. I think for many it’s the root of life long disordered eating.
I can’t say that I have conquered this problem. Sometimes I can stop myself, other times I just let it run it’s course. Over time, just recognizing what is happening helps me calm down and eat smarter.3 -
I had a good day and ate right ( one day in a row! )….things are calming down with grandsons surgery over and he is recuperating quickly….his appetite has bordered on ravenous!….he is thin so a few pounds wouldn’t hurt!…..incisions were made on each side of his groin and this is how they reached his heart….amazing!….a small hole had to be made in his heart to reach the faulty valve and he had to stay overnight laying flat for six hours in ICU…he told us today it is the first time that he can’t feel his heart constantly beating…he thought it was normal to feel your heart all the time!….this is why this is very hard to find in small children because they think their hearts racing or pounding is normal…and now he can lead a normal life with no restrictions….he is on a temporary blood thinner and has to be monitored in June for his final trip to the cardiologist!…4
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So so glad about your grandson!1
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So happy to read about your grandson, Connie.
Such a great discussion happening here - but I'm going to have to digest this all a bit and think to give a decent response.
Thank you everyone for the birthday wishes!!!!2 -
Connie, so good to hear that your grandson is healing well!Maybe anxiety rather than stress per se? Being anxious and not fully in control of anticipated or perceived events sets me off to overeating. Fear of all the unknown future problems. 😱 Guess I’m a control freak!
I think most of us have experience with eating to soothe jangled emotions or anxiety. I think for many it’s the root of life long disordered eating.
I can’t say that I have conquered this problem. Sometimes I can stop myself, other times I just let it run it’s course. Over time, just recognizing what is happening helps me calm down and eat smarter.
I suffer from anxiety. Medicated and I see a therapist for it and my depression. It is the anxiety that actually has made calorie counting not doable anymore. Which is why I decided to try WW and their point system. Do I think the point system is better the calorie counting? Heck no. There are some flaws in the concept for sure. Does the idea and practice of counting points instead of calories work better for my anxiety? Yes. Thus why I have gone this route.
I was most likely eating to sooth emotions and anxiety, but it also does not help that I have no plan or structure on the weekends. During the week it is easy. I know what I am going to eat for every meal. Weekends things are constantly changing. I don't do well with change. That is a weakness of mine.2 -
does not help that I have no plan or structure on the weekends. During the week it is easy. I know what I am going to eat for every meal. Weekends things are constantly changing. I don't do well with change. That is a weakness of mine.
Oh the hamsters! And I get upset when people ask what I am planning to have for dinner! I mean today is the exception because yesterday I made 3KG of veggies in tomato sauce (and had one of them), so the likelihood of NOT having veggies in tomato sauce (think of it as the veggie oil stew with much less oil) are miniscule. But I normally only plan for coffee!3 -
I wish my food plan was more structured and I could pre plan meals but I can’t seem to do it….I usually don’t eat breakfast….I don’t like many traditional morning foods and I don’t get hungry until around noon….lunch is almost always a roast beef or turkey or tuna sandwich….fruit or yogurt mid day….dinner is our main meal and uses the majority of my calories….then coffee and a sweet and at 8:30 a snack….usually popcorn or fruit or crackers and a string cheese…sometimes turkey sausage bites or laughing cow wedges….depends if I have any calories left lol….I stay up way too late and I might have low calorie hot chocolate or tea….I plan what is for dinner early in the day to know where my calories are but I rarely plan ahead to the next days dinner….
I also have depression, pain, and anxiety but I am on a medication that has really helped….and of course losing weight has helped me with all of these problems….I saw a psychiatrist once but I thought he was nuts and I am sure he thought I was, too….having a supportive spouse helps a lot….all any of us can do is take one day at a time….I have a chart on my refrigerator with blank squares…when I have a good day, I get a shiny star whether I have lost weight or not….I have another chart with blank squares of how many pounds I want to lose….whenever I lose a pound I get a shiny sticky jewel in the box….I like to see my progress!4 -
Still pondering why I'm (or some part of me) is so resistant to tracking at the moment - when I enjoyed the science fair aspect of it for so long
Came across this video - and it is worth watching - I think it might be related - but I'm not there on the understanding level yet.
https://www.bbc.com/reel/video/p0brtrb1/why-pleasure-is-key-to-losing-weight?utm_source=taboola&utm_medium=exchange&tblci=GiBDM_GdDZ26KgrOO2N3OtRv7O7cHuf8Dki9Tui84DouiiCMjFQo2cTp8PHsq54x#tblciGiBDM_GdDZ26KgrOO2N3OtRv7O7cHuf8Dki9Tui84DouiiCMjFQo2cTp8PHsq54x3 -
So interesting Laurie! When I eat something I look forward to and savor, I feel much more in control and not searching for snacks. However a mindless “healthy” meal 🥬🥒🥕often leads to snacking. Like I’m looking for something to satisfy the hungry head space.
But how to reconcile satisfaction with lower calories when I find I ENJOY calorific much more. Who wouldn’t want a bowl of ice cream over an apple 🍎 for dessert?
For me personally, it’s eat what I want but exercise some portion control and tracking.
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Who wouldn’t want a bowl of ice cream over an apple 🍎 for dessert?
When the joy, satiety, and satisfaction (total economic utility) brought in by 750g of yogurt, 300g of apples and 5g of cinnamon multiplied by 1.64 to equalise for the Calories exceed the joy, satiety, and satisfaction brought in by a 430g pint tub of Cherry Garcia ice cream!
Which, I will let you know, DOES happen quite often! But not always!
Tonight? tonight in honor of Yoolie was 3 * 80ml = 0.51 pint of skyr yogurt bars for 240Cal! Which means a pint comes just under the tub of yogurt in calories!!! Hmmmmm..... I sense more skyr bars in our future!!!3 -
But how to reconcile satisfaction with lower calories when I find I ENJOY calorific much more. Who wouldn’t want a bowl of ice cream over an apple 🍎 for dessert?
Most of the time I'd choose the apple over the ice-cream...even if they were nutritionally identical. I think you can trick your mind into wanting the stuff that's nutritionally healthier. It's all in the way you sell it to yourself...
You could say to yourself 'Shall I have a bowl of rich, creamy, ice cream or a boring apple?'
Or you could say 'Shall I have a bowl of fatty ice cream or a crisp, juicy, refreshing apple?'
It's all in the adjectives....
Plus it helps if you make a mental association between the crisp, juicy, refreshing apple and beautiful fit healthy people looking like they're enjoying themselves:
And a negative mental association about ice cream and fat unhealthy people:
Trick those hamsters into wanting the healthy stuff! I mean, who wouldn't choose picture two over picture one?
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Nope the fatty stuff still looks better to me! I don’t know that I can change 74 years of what tastes good to me. BUT I can control how much and how often I eat the goodies. No need for obscene amounts or daily indulgence.
Had a fast food hamburger yesterday modified - no buttered bun, no cheese, no mayo sauce. Still very satisfying.
This might not be the path others can follow. When I lost the majority of my weight two years ago, I tried not to drastically change too much. Mostly I eat well and carefully but won’t give up the things I enjoy.
Changing my diet completely in the past resulted in regaining. This time there was no cutting out entire categories of foods, no fasting, no “I’m not allowed to eat that”, no avoiding eating out or socializing. Just doing better by controlling some ingredients, eating less and exercising more.
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See, to me there is no negative association with Ice Cream because I don't think of food as good or bad. Or, at least I am trying not to. That sort of thinking is the #1 way for me to trigger my food anxiety. As for the bottom 2 pictures I wouldn't choose one over the other. Give me that burger with the corn on the cob and maybe some air fryer fries or even a salad. Or that slice of pizza but load it up with some of the veggies and have a salad on the side.
So I guess I am closer to Yoolypr. I know that cutting everything out or telling myself I can never have something again is going to lead to failure.
The best way for ME to control my choices though is with a plan. When I don't have a plan, everything goes out the window. No idea why. It's kinda how my brain works and breaking that has been very difficult.3 -
I seem to gravitate toward desiring the healthier food - unless I'm TRYING to cut calories (or have been).
Watching my grandson has been good for me too. An example - I've opened a pomegranate while he had a bowl of ice cream in front of him. He pushed the ice cream aside.
No thought of nutrition or calories or anything. Just what seemed more exciting, and tastier.
I'm hoping to get some of that back? Lately I've felt as if I could happily eat a slice of cold butter.
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Err, guys? It's incorrect reading of what Garfield and myself are saying if you think that you're closer to Yulie if you're believing what she says: "Mostly I eat well and carefully but won’t give up the things I enjoy"
Because both Garfield and myself are saying that.
I am saying that at times the burgers and pizza win. But that they cannot and do not win all the time in quantity because all considerations are in play including whether they're worth the calories.
Garfield I believe is saying that you can trick your brain into wanting more of the things you want to make it want.
I don't agree with the negative association bit myself. But I see nothing wrong with a positive association to eat more of the things you desire to eat if for whatever reason you want to make it
Personally I tend not to think too much I just open the fridge and the cupboard and come up with something. Unless something else has caught my attention for whatever reason.
I might be getting fast food Burger or onion rings today by the sounds of the hamsters.
Assuming that I still want to after coffee and my veggies in tomato sauce.
1.3kg veggies in tomato sauce consumed yesterday. And mashed potatoes 😊1 -
And absolutely the biggest Revelation and only thing that made this possible for me was not only to not consciously cut out anything permanently but even to reintroduce things I had denied myself before starting MFP
Whether they are objectively good for me or not, harm mitigation in terms of weight control is allowing within budget constraints as opposed to permanently denying and then having meltdown2 -
So then we all pretty much agree!2
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me too!2
