Contradictions EVERYWHERE

For those that posted to this thread with the best of intentions, this update is for you. I hope I'm not betraying any confidence with this post, but it's so exciting... I'll risk it if I am.

I do understand where the naysayers were coming from when they responded to the OP. I can rationalize (not condone) the meaner comments. I know some people make it a game to create screen accounts and post inflammatory, stupid, and derogatory comments for their own amusement. Some folks, reasonably, questioned if this was the case with on this thread.

I want to announce - THAT WAS NOT THE CASE. This man was at a low spot in his life and had reached out. Whatever you thought of his original question or sentiments, they were very real.

I am so excited to share that he has reached out to others in personal messages. AND from his correspondences, he has reflected on at least some of the feedback. AND - he has made some amazing, exciting, fabulous, great strides!!!!!

I won't say more, it's not my place to do so and I truly hope I haven't violated his confidence already, but I thought it incredibly important to let people know that while this IS the internet... and we all have screen names... and a semblance of anonymity... there are real people behind the text. What you say CAN impact other people, their lives, and their choices. It's a power we don't all deserve and often abuse.

With respect to the amazing community that exists here, I ask us all to keep this in mind as we read the stories in the forums.... and to remember our words can change the world for better or worse.

Thanks for listening.

Thanks for posting. I actually went into my history and searched this, because I was wondering about this person and how he was doing. I read this thread a few days ago and it touched me even tho I didn't respond. Good luck to you OP and everyone who is on this awesome journey to be all we can be!

OP, I don't know if you're still reading this, or still continuing your journey but I'm glad to see you responded.

I was a compulsive eater - A LOT OF US - were/are compulsive eaters. I remember at the beginning of the year crying on a few occasions because I desperately wanted to be able to resist buying the foods, but I couldn't. Even know I make mistakes. I don't even want to tell everyone about the PINT of ice cream I put away today. Which makes me feel awful.
I usually buy sorbet for that very reason. 1) I find it easier to stop with sorbet. 2) Even if I don't stop it does a hell of a lot less damage. Though, admittedly, the ice cream I ate today wasn't the worst I could have eaten.

But, I'm going to get back on to eating like I'm supposed to tomorrow. I know I probably wont gain anything from that pint, because I eat at a slightly bigger deficit anyways, and combined with all the other days of good eating that pint of ice cream won't kill me. No matter how gross I now feel about it. (Ladies, can we blame it on shark week?)

If i buy that food, I eat it. Period. Not chips so much, but ice cream is my biggest trigger food. I am getting better slower, but it's easier if I don't cave and buy it to begin with. So I understand 100%. I do understand your struggle. To be honest, I'd probably be 50 pounds heavier than my highest weight today if external circumstances hadn't FORCED me to lose weight to begin with (You'd be surprised what living in the third world will do to you: limited diet, and constant stomach illness helped me lose 30 pounds in 5 months with no real effort on my part).

But, you can eat healthy calories too. There are healthy calorie dense foods. Almonds, avocados, lentils, etc. Some are more expensive than others, but lentils are pretty cheap. Rice is pretty cheap (though go with the brown rice). If you don't want to eat the trigger foods, there are other options. And if you really, really are going for clean living that won't trigger you, then I will recommend Eat to Live Again. It's OK if you're not ready to eat a cheeseburger yet. I get it. Many of us get it.

That's the thing about being overweight - most of us didn't make a conscious decision to become over weight. And there are many of us that really suffer from our relationship with food. Maybe we use it to fill a void, and we've had a hard life. Maybe we associate it with being happy. Maybe we're compulsive eaters. This group will know what you're going through. At times this group can be snarky and "mean," but sometimes that's what people need. If that's not your style look to the kind hearted posters. But, no matter what, I guarantee that you will find a support structure here if you choose to accept it. This entire forum is filled with strangers who understand your pain, and who want you to succeed at your goals just like they did.

For the record OP, I'm a student that's been known to live on less than 50 dollars a week food wise in BOSTON (I.E where food prices are twice as high, eggs in Boston are at least $1 more than here). You can do this, if you need help, message me and I'll try to put a list of cheaper foods that are likely to be untriggering.

Good luck OP, we hope that you make a decision that is good for you, but ultimately change comes from you.