Fast Food Be Gone Challenge! - NOVEMBER
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As of November 1, 2012 - No more than 5 days with fast food
krunchykat - 6
FF Monster - 1
Still going strong but dang I really wanted to bury my face in a bucket of legs and wings from KFC tonight! :laugh:0 -
As of November 1, 2012: -- Goal: 0 fast food days this month.
Hearts
- 8
FF Monster - 0
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As of November 1, 2012 - No more than 5 days with fast food.
Mollie - 4
FF Monster - 40 -
JenniferinFl: 7
Fast food monster: 1
Booyah fast food monster! I brought a banana with me when I was running errands today and when I got crazy hungry like I usually do in the car I ate that instead.0 -
As of November 1, 2012 - No more than 5 days with fast food.
krunchykat - 7
FF Monster - 2
My dear mother thought she was being nice when she brought me a dinner from Cheddar's and my daughter a bunch of breadsticks from Fazoli's. I ended up eating 2 breadsticks and two bites out of the caramel apple cheesecake she also picked up for me from Fazoli's. So this is twice this month I've had fast food and haven't even bought it!0 -
How Mindful Eating Becomes Mindful Living
November 2012 Newsletter by Michelle May, M.D.
There's a saying: How you do anything is how you do everything. It is not always obvious, but it is often true. I’ve been thinking about that a lot because today is my big 5-0. (We’re having a Virtual Birthday Party later this month! Read on for more information…)
Milestones like graduations, anniversaries, New Year’s, and birthdays that end in a zero give us an opportunity to reflect on our journey so far and anticipate the journey ahead. It may sound strange, but I am truly grateful for my struggle with food and yoyo dieting. Although it was a significant challenge for many years of my life, in return, I received the precious gifts of insight, authenticity, and compassion that I'm now able to use to inspire and help others.
I also realize that my journey to freed om with food has really been a journey to freedom in my life - and I’ve heard that from many of you too. Since "how I do anything might be how I do everything," learning to eat mindfully has taught me (and continues to teach me) how to live mindfully. Below is an example of how to apply mindful eating lessons to your life from each chapter/workshop:
It’s not about being in control, it’s about being in charge. What else, besides food, are you trying to control instead of giving yourself the flexibility to make decisions that are right in that circumstance?
Whenever you feel like eating, pause to ask “Am I hungry?” Rather than reacting on autopilot, pausing between the stimulus and the response gives you response-ability. What other triggers in your life need a pause button to give you time to think about your next action?
Guilt fuels the eat-repent-repeat cycle. Regret leaves the door open for learning. Are you allowing guilt or shame about the past paralyze you and prevent you from moving forward in some area of your life?
Remember TFAR: Your Thoughts lead to your Feelings which lead to your Actions which lead to your Results. Diets don’t work because they are focused on actions, not the root causes (your thoughts and feelings); in fact they even create new thoughts and feelings that drive more overeating! Where else in your life do you try to fix the outside without addressing the inside first? How is that backfiring?
Allow Balance, Variety, and Moderation to guide your food choices. These principles work well for nutrition so how can you apply them to your work, exercise, and other aspects of your life?
Mindful Eating is eating with intention and attention. What else in your life, in addition to eating, would benefit from more intention and attention?
Eating the right amount of food isn’t about being good; it’s about feeling good. How can increased awareness of the effects of your choices (without judgment) help you choose more wisely?
Practicing excellent self-care builds a buffer zone that helps you cope with the inevitable challenges that life brings. Are you investing in yourself consistently?
I hope these lessons have helped you as much as they have helped me. But if you haven’t started this journey yet, it’s never too late!
Six years ago, I had the opportunity to facilitate an Am I Hungry? Mindful Eating Workshop in a retirement community. On the first day, one of the participants, 70 year old Velma, said, “Honey, I’ve been on every diet invented. I don’t see how this one’s going to be any different, but why quit now?” On the last day of our workshop, with tears in her eyes, Velma said, “Why didn’t anyone teach me this stuff forty years ago? It makes me sad to think of all of the time, energy, and money I’ve wasted—but I’m not going to waste one more minute of my life dieting!”
And that is why I always sign my books, articles, and emails with…
Eat Mindfully, Live Vibrantly!
Michelle May, M.D.0 -
As of November 1, 2012 - No more than 5 days with fast food.
Mollie - 5
FF Monster - 40 -
As of November 1, 2012: -- Goal: 0 fast food days this month.
Hearts - 11
FF Monster - 00 -
As of November 1, 2012: -- Only healthy choices
Skatha89 - 6
FF Monster - 4
I did have Subway last night, but I had a chopped salad and their broccoli and cheese soup, way better than I expected!0 -
As of November 1, 2012 - No more than 5 days with fast food.
Mollie - 6
FF Monster - 40 -
As of November 1, 2012: -- Only healthy choices
Skatha89 - 7
FF Monster - 40 -
As of November 1, 2012 - No more than 5 days with fast food
krunchykat - 9
FF Monster - 2
Great article Mollie! So much truth. I've been struggling with eating mindfully for a little while lately and need to find my motivation. :frown: Great job keeping up with the challenge everyone! Whether or not you meet your goal you've still done well by keeping track and not quitting.0 -
As of November 1, 2012 - No more than 5 days with fast food.
Mollie - 7
FF Monster - 40 -
How is that new chopped salad? I am going to try it soon?I did have Subway last night, but I had a chopped salad and their broccoli and cheese soup, way better than I expected!0 -
How is that new chopped salad? I am going to try it soon?I did have Subway last night, but I had a chopped salad and their broccoli and cheese soup, way better than I expected!
It was really good! A lot more satisfying than I thought it would be! Didn't even miss the bread!0 -
As of November 1, 2012: -- Only healthy choices
Skatha89 - 7
FF Monster - 50 -
As of November 1, 2012 - No more than 5 days with fast food.
meeaham - 6
FF Monster - 6
I'm finally checking in! Sorry, I've been busy celebrating birthdays, especially mine.
Why are there so many people born in November??!!! lol, so I had FF for 6 days now and I'm planning to have no more! Off to a great start today!
Keep it up everyone!!!0 -
As of November 1, 2012: -- Goal: 0 fast food days this month.
Hearts - 12
FF Monster - 00 -
JenniferinFL: 12
Fast food monster: 1
I can finally pass McDonalds without feeling like I have to stop. I got my hair done today for the first time in 3 years and on the way home I was tempted to stop because that's what I always used to do to celebrate a new haircut.. lol.. But, it only took a couple seconds to decide that was a terrible idea..
Thank goodness! That took less time to break than usual for me. Usually it's three weeks without fast food before I finally quit getting hungry whenever I pass. I started taking fat free muffins with me that I baked at home so that if I get hungry I have something to eat. Made them with protein powder and whole wheat flour too, so they actually have fiber and protein. Talk about a lifesaver!0 -
As of November 1, 2012 - No more than 5 days with fast food.
Mollie - 9
FF Monster - 40 -
Awesome job Jennifer!! I used to be a Micky D fanatic too. My favorite was 2 or 3 items off the dollar menu. Now I can go there and order salad's and not junk food. Keep up the good work!!!JenniferinFL: 12
Fast food monster: 1
I can finally pass McDonalds without feeling like I have to stop. I got my hair done today for the first time in 3 years and on the way home I was tempted to stop because that's what I always used to do to celebrate a new haircut.. lol.. But, it only took a couple seconds to decide that was a terrible idea..
Thank goodness! That took less time to break than usual for me. Usually it's three weeks without fast food before I finally quit getting hungry whenever I pass. I started taking fat free muffins with me that I baked at home so that if I get hungry I have something to eat. Made them with protein powder and whole wheat flour too, so they actually have fiber and protein. Talk about a lifesaver!0 -
As of November 1, 2012: -- Goal: 0 fast food days this month.
Hearts - 15
FF Monster - 00 -
As of November 1, 2012 - No more than 5 days with fast food.
Mollie - 10
FF Monster - 40 -
As of November 1, 2012: -- Only healthy choices
Skatha89 - 9
FF Monster - 60 -
As of November 1, 2012 - No more than 5 days with fast food.
Mollie - 11
FF Monster - 40 -
JenniferinFL: 13
Fastfood monster: 2
Ugh, went on a walk with my mom today which should have been a positive thing, but, then she wanted me to come along shopping after. Where do we stop to eat? McDonalds. So, that completely negated any exercise we did.
Yes, they probably would have made an extra stop for me elsewhere so that I could have gotten something different, but it would have been an inconvenience and I hate inconveniencing people. So, I had a stinkin McDouble I didn't even want, but I was crazy hungry as I only snack before walking and eat my main meal right after.
Note to self: Take your own car. If you can't take your own car, pack your own lunch even if you do feel silly as your the only person bringing a cooler with you.
I had finally quit craving McDonalds.. Now I keep thinking about a dang Big Mac. So, here starts the 2 weeks it takes me to get over fast food all over again. Back to taking backroads so that I don't even see the sign for McDonalds. I hate backsliding.0 -
Jenn, Being assertive is something I really had to work on and not feel guilty about and now I am very assertive when it comes to food choices and places to eat. Most of my close friends know under NO circumstances will I do buffets and anything that smacks of all you can eat. Like Red Lobster. If we go there when they are having one of their all you can eats I choose an entree that probably cost more.
So if you think your Mom would not have minded going to a better place for you be assertive and ask. Do not assume you are inconviencing others. Do you rather inconvience you vs. them? anyhoos, just something to think about.
Regarding McDonalds, I take it you don't care for their salads which are great, I usually go ahead and get the regular dressing and use it sparingly. That whole packet is way too much dressing.
Any way you are doing wonderful because you are way ahead of the FF monster. Today I had thier side salads with tuna and I had forgot my low cal dressing at home and I am not crazy about their light versions so I had half of the ranch packet and half of vingerette balsamic. Actually I only ate a third of the ranch dressing to give me some a better taste.
This morning my struggle at MickyD's was not buying the buy one get one free and eating both. I have not did that in ions so I refuse to start it today. I had just ate breakfast so I was not even hungry but because it was BOGO I wanted the breakfast sandwiches. I resisted and had my salads and left.0 -
As of November 1, 2012 - No more than 5 days with fast food.
Mollie - 13
FF Monster - 40 -
Mollie, their salads seem to vary a bit by location. I've gotten side salads here that were mushy and rotten. My problem more is that once I smell Mcdonalds it feels like I have to have their burger or fries.
Once I haven't been there in a few weeks I'm fine again. For me it's easier to avoid McDonalds completely, because for awhile I'll eat the salads, but then I'll get a bad one and in no time I'm back to the fries and burgers.
Taco Bell all kind of tastes the same to me, so I don't care whether I get the Fresco chicken soft taco or anything else on the menu. So, I get the fresco chicken soft taco and don't crave the worse stuff. I can't go to Wendy's, Burger King or really any other fast food establishment that has burgers and fries, I simply won't make a healthy choice no matter how resolved I feel when planning to go.. lol
Dunkin Donuts I can go into and just get a small coffee. Don't know why, but I can manage not to justify the donuts and end up not ordering anything but the coffee.
My problem is that I start rationalizing that a burger is a good choice because it has protein and under 400 calories, but, pretty soon I'm getting fries too and another sandwich. Just never ends well.. lol0 -
As of November 1, 2012: -- Goal: 0 fast food days this month.
Hearts - 18
FF Monster - 00
This discussion has been closed.