Abstinence
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IAmWomanHearMeRoar15
Posts: 46 Member
Hello All,
Is it possible to abstain from unhealthy food? Unlike any other addiction like drugs or alcohol, I can't abstain from eating. Is it realistic to say I will abstain from icecream or am I setting myself up for failure?
Thoughts and what works for you is appricated.
Is it possible to abstain from unhealthy food? Unlike any other addiction like drugs or alcohol, I can't abstain from eating. Is it realistic to say I will abstain from icecream or am I setting myself up for failure?
Thoughts and what works for you is appricated.
8
Replies
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Eat what you enjoy just make sure it fits your calorie goal.12
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Going with your example, is it just one ice cream occasionally? Or do you not stop until you've finished the container or the whole packet? If its the occasional ice cream go with moderation and fit it into your daily calorie allowance.
Some people can moderate well, others cannot (I don't moderate well at all). Some people are better than abstaining than they are moderating. Some people work between them both, abstaining at times and moderating at others.
It can be difficult abstaining, the temptation will likely always be there. Some feel that we need to learn to moderate better rather than abstaining. Do what works for you, that may vary on the circumstances or change in the future.
I typically abstain from the foods I easily or tend to overeat. It works for me most of the time......
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I can’t control myself with gumdrops so I tossed them on day one and haven’t had one since. Any of my other favorite foods, I fit into my daily calories.4
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I actually was diagnosed with binge eating disorder by my PCP. I am going to talk to my mental health treatment team about it on Monday.
Generally no, I cannot moderate icecream and many other foods.10 -
I am also a binge eater. Sometimes completely eliminating things is necessary (Swiss Cake Rolls is one of those for me). There are various ways to work through binge eating to be able to have some of them again. Premeasured portions is one and splitting it with someone else is another. You'll have to work through different strategies for different foods.
Overall, one of the most helpful things for me was figuring out what an appropriate calorie deficit is for me. Getting adequate protein and calories helps me control my feeling of needing to binge eat.9 -
Ice Cream is a huge trigger for me. So over time, I got off it, and replaced with Frozen lowfat yogurt. Somewhat better, but still an issue when in a 24 hour period one eats the whole half gallon.
So when I started up again here. I told myself again, no ice cream, no frozen yogurt in the house. If I am going to eat it. We will go to a shop and get a serving of it. But keep it out of the house. If in house, I will eat it. So far no trips to get it, in 11 weeks.
I have same issue with a few other sweet foods, so do not allow in house either. Been cooking with alternate flours and sugars which has helped in that area.4 -
Well first off, food isn't inherently "healthy" or "unhealthy". It all depends on what your goals are and how much of it you eat.
Some people are abstainers, some are moderators. Not everyone can eat every food in moderation, and that's okay. There may be certain foods for you that are trigger foods, and it's best to avoid them
I wouldn't paint such a broad brush though as "unhealthy foods", which as I mentioned above, isn't something that has an easy or clear definition. Restricting yourself too much and you are setting up for failure. So if you feel you need to abstain, try to identify only the foods that are truly trigger foods for you.12 -
There is no universal answer to it for all people - there's not even a universal answer for a given person across time: some people have to use abstaining techniques at certain points in weight loss, but discover as they become practiced, they can just use moderation. Some people can moderate things but just find it isn't mentally worth it. Some find they can moderate only if they do prelogging to set fixed amounts, or that they can only moderate by not having it in the house and only getting single servings outside of the home.8
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I'm trying to decide what to do about me and desserts. I struggle with binge eating in general, but it's especially difficult with desserts. I've always said, "I'll bake cookies/cake/whatever and only have a little bit," but that never works. I devour a massive amount. I'm not sure it's possible for me to do moderation with it. It's possible that the only way I can do it is if I go out to a restaurant and order a dessert and eat the portion they give me on very rare occasions (because restaurant desserts are absurd in their calories). Or maybe I'll be able to eat "desserts" that aren't very sweet? I had some "chia pudding" the other day that didn't seem to set me off. I don't know.1
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Possible?
Sure, with enough determination, I suppose.
But why? You can maintain great health and healthy weight while indulging in moderation.5 -
Some people find abstinence easier than moderation with some foods, while others find it makes it harder--turns them into forbidden fruit and results in "I messed up, might as well eat them all because after today I won't have any ever again" mindset that makes control more difficult.
There are in-between options too. I have some foods I intentionally have rarely but in circumstances in which I can eat as much as I feel like (going out for Indian food, for example).
Since you have BED, this is likely something to discuss with your therapist.6 -
jennifer_417 wrote: »Possible?
Sure, with enough determination, I suppose.
But why? You can maintain great health and healthy weight while indulging in moderation.
Not arguing at all. But this is literally easier said than done. I fall in the category I do not think that the frozen desserts are evil or bad. I just have issues controlling my intake. So I decided what was best for me.
Yet, I can and do buy the treats my husband likes, as he is neither a diabetic, or have a weight issue. So I buy the cookies he likes, and it is not that I intensely dislike them, but I can reason to myself, not yours leave alone. Just like in a week or so I will be doing some Christmas baking of fruit bread that I send to family, but I never eat.
I have overcome a few foods that I used to have issues with. But the whole frozen ice cream, and frozen yogurt. Still a big work in progress for me. And I really get where the OP is coming from.6 -
Binge eating is a whole different scenario and would have helpful to be to included in your original post. Regardless of what you read here - including my own earlier post, I hope you follow the guidelines set by your mental health care team.4
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No need to abstain from anything, if you can learn to moderate all foods you love and stay in a calorie deficit for weight loss. Practicing self control is easier than abstaining for life.2
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Changing my mind about food portions has been my biggest challenge with my wlj. I guess you could classify me as a binge eater also, since certain foods I would just keep eating till I was sick. I now tend to eat more nutritionally balanced food or so called "healthier" options, but doesn't mean I won't allow and indulge in some NOT SO HEALTHY options, as long as I stay within my allotted calories. I have to think long term now that I am closer to maintenance and to deny myself is just not practical for long term sanity.1
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i think you have to figure out what is right for you. Some foods I cant handle, a big bag of chips, can of nuts so I get small bag or small package of nuts. I have been having a time with cinn buns but still trying to get a plan, I took them to church last night so I would just have one and left the rest there. Some people can do without junk food but I admit I want some every once in a while but am cautious and get me a plan.1
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I personally agree with many of the people above that abstinence can be a two sided blade. Some people do well being fully flexible with their WOE. Some, do better avoiding many things. I THINK that a period of abstinence can be a good thing for some people. It gives them time to develop new habits and get a taste for foods they might not have liked before. It also allows them to experiment with adding foods in and seeing if they can handle them in small amounts. As long as you are not too effected by the AVE (abstinence violation effect), go for it and see which side of the blade you fall on. Best wishes!4
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Probably why over 80% of people fail at keeping the weight off, myself included. It is a long term commitment and not east to abstain for life.3
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missysippy930 wrote: »Probably why over 80% of people fail at keeping the weight off, myself included. It is a long term commitment and not east to abstain for life.
80% might be a little high... lol, but agreed, on top of the biological drive to regain and environment. It is not easy at all.1 -
psychod787 wrote: »missysippy930 wrote: »Probably why over 80% of people fail at keeping the weight off, myself included. It is a long term commitment and not east to abstain for life.
80% might be a little high... lol, but agreed, on top of the biological drive to regain and environment. It is not easy at all.
Actually, it’s probably a higher percent, according to some statistics, for people keeping the weight off five years or more. Pretty dismal thought, I realize.6
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