MFP for 2 years today! (Inspiration for newcomers)

I saw a diagram of how big our stomach really is, about the size of our fist, but when you're overweight, it stretches, so naturally, you need more food. When I first started dieting, after about 3 weeks or so, my stomach definitely shrank, and I got full a lot faster, BUT I also digested my food more frequently, and I was hungry every 3 hours or so, which is normal! Just have small portions that are frequent, for me, light snacks like an apple an hour or so before dinner, that helped tide me over until dinner, stuff like that. And give yourself time to adjust for your stomach shrink a little, and you'll be able to get full faster with a little less food. Now I can barely eat half of what I used to without getting TOO full, like the kind of full that actually hurts. I'd get sick if I ate the way I used to, because there simply isn't enough room. Cuz I used to eat HUGE portions.

Also, when I'm eating I feel hungry, WHILE I eat. (I think we all do) there's like a pulsing sensation in my tummy going "more, gimmie more, please. More?" lol

When I look at my food and it APPEARS I had enough, even if I don't feel FULL-full, I stop, and wait about 10 minutes. After that, I don't feel like I could eat another bite. Especially if I've downed a big glass of ice water after. Although, I tend to crave sugar and salt, in which case, I try to wait it out, because I know it's most likely hormones making me want that particular type of food, not necessarily hunger. Which is completely different. I'm an emotional eater, and for me, it's almost like a small panic attack, and I wait until I calm down. The craving DOES fade away, usually after 15 minutes. I take deep breaths, I tell myself "I don't need that right now, I'm cool!" takes practice. I think "You got this. You got this" I love those words.

Believe me, I do screw up and get a case of the 'F-- its" when I'm having a BAD day, but I tend to make up for with the following day. I even have bad weeks or months, but I always come back and make up for it. But anyway, another thing is to eat from smaller plates, maybe use smaller silverware, little things like this can help. Drink plenty of water too, because even though it doesn't help hunger, for me, it gets my hunger messages to quiet down and eventually go away.

I'm not sure if this is true, but I read that eating from plates that are blue tend to make you less hungry. The color blue is an appetite suppressant. hahaha. Dunno if that's true, but it's cool. I almost bought a pair of blue sunglasses so when I go out to eat, I'd eat less. But I said scew it, when I go out to eat, enjoy myself, just don't overdo it too much. I don't go out to eat that often anyway.

I just learned this: Moderation. too much of just about ANYTHING can be bad for you. Eat the same things you love, just in moderation. Never cut out things you love. I still keep chocolate in my house, just a few pieces for emergencies. lol