This has been a fascinating thread to read. Marie, you are doing so well! Congratulations!

Time for me to get serious about carb counting again...I haven't been very consistant with it since before Christmas *shame on me*

Congrats on your A1C! I am currently at 7.8 and my doctor wants me below 7 by mid-March. This seems like a daunting task to me but I am trying.

My fasting today was 111. I just finished logging my food and had around 100 carbs, but only has 12 sugars out of 25. I find that an accomplishment. I use to weigh myself daily but am aiming for once a week now so it is not so discouraging.

I won't lie, I am finding it really hard to not step on the scale But I have been yo-yoing with good food/bad food lately and have slacked on working out, so I'd probably just be discouraged if I stepped on!

Hello all - I do not have Type 2 Diabetes but one of my best pals--Marie--asked me to post something on Mindful Eating. I hope you find something helpful in this post. Managing everything associated with food and eating habits is challenge no matter what you weight or medical issues..........so here goes.


I was asked to share a bit of information on eating mindfully. None of this is original---I am reading a book “eating mindfully” by Susan Albers (second edition) and I’ll share a bit of what she has to say. I really like the book because you can just read a few pages at a time and takeaway something helpful. She also realizes you aren’t going to just read and zap---you’ll be 100% changed. For me, I’m working on it but realize I’m definitely not there yet.

And let me emphasis this---I DO NOT BELIEVE OR FOLLOW EVERYTHING THIS EXPERT HAS TO SAY. THERE ARE FOODS THAT I KNOW I ABSOLUTELY CANNOT EAT OR HAVE IN MY HOUSE, I KNOW THAT FOR MYSELF MAKING VERY NUTRITIOUS(NUTRIENT DENSE) CHOICES IS WHAT WILL WORK FOR ME *NOT* EATING LITTLE BITS OF EVERYTHING.

So if you do read the book, please be very discriminating and personalize this to you and only you!!

The point for me is to shed my old habits for new healthier ones. I hope this is helpful and not too much.

So here goes (directly from the book)………….

The main message to keep I mind while you read on in that the key to changing the way you eat is not to develop discipline over your fork but to master control of your mind. You can do this by studying and understanding your thinking patterns, emotional moods, and various appetites, instead of allowing your old, habitual thought to be in control.

MINDFUL EATING IS……..
Being aware of how you eat.
Knowing your hunger and fullness cues.
Sensing and savoring food---truly tasting it.
Paying attention to the process of eating—for instance, noticing your hand picking up your fork.
Understanding your emotional triggers—the feelings that urge you to eat or not eat.
Eating to nourish your body and meet your hunger accurately.
Adopting a mindful mind-set, one in which you don’t judge yourself.
Being present and aware of your appetite as it changes.
Having a conscious awareness of your food choices.
Being alert and observant of how you think about food.
Letting go of critical thoughts.
Diligently heeding pre- and post-eating feelings.
Acknowledging food what it is rather than categorizing it as good or bad.
Demonstrating compassion toward self and others.
Accepting self and body as they are.

MINDLESS EATING IS………..
Eating triggered by emotional rather than physical hunger.
Eating routinely—done in habitual ways.
Multitasking while eating (watching TV, driving, or talking while consuming food).
Grazing on food.
Skipping breakfast or other meals.
Ignoring hunger and body cures (for example, a rumbling stomach or low energy).
Continuing to eat despite feeling full.
Eating everything on your plate regardless of the portion size, a.k.a. being a member of the Clean Plate Club.
Following the motto “Live to Eat” rather than “Eat to Live.”
Eating for comfort.
Eating as if in a trance.
Believing that you have little or no control.
Allowing the shoulds and shouldn’ts to dominate food consumption.


End of book excerpt............I wish everyone all the best and healthiest life possible. I love MFP and the great friends I've made here. It's made a difference in my life. Marie----let me know if there's anything else I can do.

Hugs to all.

Lin in Central Iowa (AKA the ice box)

What a positive group this is! I'm not hearing any whining or complaining but rather a whole bunch of positive messages. Of course changing eating habits and food choices isn't easy, but you're all doing it and that's great to hear. Lin, I'm glad you brought up the Albers' book on mindful eating and described mindful eating so well. I encourage everyone, even if they don't have diabetes or other health issues, to eat more mindfully. One of my favorite resources is http://amihungry.com/ and the author, Michele May, also has a section and book specifically for people with diabetes. I'd love to hear other people's thoughts and experiences with mindful eating as well. ~Lynn /Glucerna

Good morning everyone

Had a really rough self esteem day yesterday. Turns out that one should not go clothes shopping with their fitness instructor friend and runner friend. Holy bruised ego! Today, I am still feeling a little sensitive.

BUT! On a positive note, my fasting sugars this morning were 6.6 or 99!! I am incredibly pleased with that reading!!

Breakfast is 3 eggs, scrambled
1/2 ounce of cheddar cheese
Coffee

Lunch is Homemade Tomato Vegetable Soup, more cheese and some carrots

Not sure yet what dinner will be...

I'll check back in with you later today

Jewel

I say try it out, see how you feel and how you blood glucose levels do. That is still higher than some low carb diets floating around out there, I have mine set at 180.

Hi GWAPS, my carb count is set to 186g per day by MFP. I believe my diary is open, and I rarely go that high. I try to keep it in the 100 120 range. My problem is that I don't get enough protein, so you will see LOTS of cheese in my diary. I believe it is set to public or public for friends only.

I had more wine yesterday than I did water...it was just one of those nights

My fasting sugar this morning was 7.4 or 111

We are having pancakes and sausage this morning for breakfast, and then I am making a birthday cake for my best friend for her birthday party tonight. There will be lots of yummy snacks and yes, there will be more wine.

Hope everyone has a great day...see y'all later!

Jewel