starting from the lowest point. re: weight issues

[wambam]

www.amazon.com/The-21-Day-Sugar-Detox-Naturally/dp/1936608111

Diane lays out multiple "levels" to help you start from where you're at. I'm not going to lie, the first week or so may be uncomfortable for you. But I think you could benefit from it. For sure talk about it in therapy though.

Good luck

[bcv513]

I wish I had an answer for you, but I have the same problem. I just love food. I definitely think moving helps. I feel like I've been so trapped in the house this winter that I've become really lazy. I told H that once the snow melts and it gets above freezing, I want to go for a walk every night after dinner.

[So_Fetch]

First, you might find MFP more helpful if you use it to plan your meals not to track what you eat. At the beginning of te week, I put in my meals and snacks. Then, each night, I check it to get my breakfast/lunch ready to take to work with me. If I just logged what i ate, I'd eat whatever. But planning ahead means I have the stuff in the fridge so it's easy.

and this might not be a popular answer here, but at the beginning of the year, I did a juice cleanse. It was just one day, but it really did feel like a clean out/kickstart. I did that for one day and then I committed to following a low sodium/low sugar super clean diet. (proteins and veggies, unsalted pb, unsalted rice cakes, low sodium ham with reduced fat cheese - so not gross, but definitely a far cry from the fast food/cookies/cake/chocolate). I found that after a few days 1) I didn't want the sugar (yay!) and 2) I didn't want to undo the restart I had gotten (especially since the juice was not particularly good.lol)

Sugar addiction is hard. I love soda and all things chocolate and cookies. I had to completely kick it and now I'll have like a snack size bag of m&ms or a tall mocha or something. Not enough to backslide but something so I am still getting the treat I enjoy.

I think the therapy appt is good - I hope you guys can explore the food issue and figure out a good track that will work for you.

[marshmallowmars]

I have this problem too. This is kind of a simple suggestion but one thing that helps me when I first start trying to cut back is just to remove all chocolate, candy, cookies, etc. from the house and at work. I have no willpower and can't take the temptation. I force myself to just stop buying any of that stuff for at least a couple of weeks. Once I get out of the habit it's easier to just ease back into one small treat a day or week or whatever. Otherwise it's too hard to cut back at first. I have to just stop completely to get it out of my system. After that I just continue to not buy any treats and try to only let myself have them on special occasions.

[Bernadine]

I've been seriously considering checking to see if there's an overeater's anonymous chapter in my area. I have the same struggles as you, and I love eating out. Fast food, pizza, burgers, subs. YUM. I can't get it under control myself.

[ginger]

I tend to sabotage myself when I start watching what I eat. I've gained 4 lbs instead of losing this first month because food is comfort to me. I think I've got this now and can turn it around. I'm ready.

It is hard.

Want to do it together?

[Deleted]

It took me many "starts" to get into low carb eating. I still have bad days and sometimes bad weeks, but I get back to eating right instead of giving up. Planning works really well for me. So find recipes and make a meal plan. If you have to eat out, check out the menu ahead of time and see what substitutions you can make, for example, you can order your entree but get a side of salad or grilled vegetables instead of potatoes or bread.

Make sure you get enough protein and fat. I tend to cheat more if I cut back on fats because I don't feel satiated. If you are eating something lean like grilled chicken breast, add an avocado or chimichurri sauce made with evoo to go with it so that you get the extra fat.

[wambam]

Mar 23, 2015 9:25:28 GMT -5 jenny1980 said:

Maybe we can do another one as a board?

We can relocate to the W30 for this if you'd like. 

Some people *ahem* get very annoyed with W30 posts.

[noodleskooze]

jenny1980 I'd be in for a May whole30...not sure if you want to wait that long to start one.

[wambam]

Mar 23, 2015 9:34:17 GMT -5 loonylunalovegood said:

Mar 23, 2015 9:29:49 GMT -5 wambam said:

We can relocate to the W30 for this if you'd like. 

Some people *ahem* get very annoyed with W30 posts.

I dont really get Whole30. I just checked out the website. Do I need to buy the book?

No, you definitely don't need to buy the book to do it. whole30.com/downloads/official-whole30-program-rules.pdf

Feel free to come over to the W30 if you have questions. Tag me any time

[rachelgreen]

I'm sorry you are struggling right now. I've been there. I'd love to write more but I have a little booger bf-ing right now on me. In my siggy I have my weight loss blog chronicling my journey so far. Besides the 28lbs gained/lost from pregnancy, I've lost 50 lbs so far with many more to go (I'd be happy with another 40 gone).

For those on mobile: link

[happyholiday]

Someone on here mentioned the memoir "It Was Me All Along" by Andie Mitchell. Something about reading her story, even if it wasnt totally the same as mine, really kick-started my motiviation. I think the biggest similarity for me was that she just loves food. It was so relatable. I highly recommend it. I made some changes since reading it and I'm finally seeing good results. She also has a blog.

[wambam]

@littlemoxie - The first time, you learn a lot about how food affects you and your relationship to food. You can use that knowledge when you're not doing a W30 to make choices about food. People do it again for a multitude of reasons - new things come up that they want to "test", a wine and dessert vacation gets them off track and they want to "reset" their habits, etc. You don't ever have to do it again, but many people choose to.

[firelight1210]

I'm tagging in on this because I'm pretty sure I'm exactly like you loonylunalovegood. I have started and stopped SO many times, usually only able to stick to something for a max of two weeks. Normally that will get me back to where I was before, but this time, for some reason I feel HUGE. I bought the next size up in work pants hoping they'd be loose, but they're already starting to feel tight. I feel bloated and my stomach is just getting out of control. I definitely need to kick start something, but I don't have the motivation and don't know where to start. And when I get like that - I eat. Vicious cycle.

[firelight1210]

How do you people force yourself to start slowly? I try, but it usually ends up spinning into trying to do ALL OF THE THINGS at once and then blows up in my face. I don't know that I have the patience to do just one different thing for a while and then up it incrementally. I've always been all or nothing, and I don't know how to change that.

Also, for the people not buying the bad stuff - I'd be all on board, but my H is not. How do you deal with living with someone that wants to eat the bad stuff?

[dexteroni]

Check out the Blood Sugar Solution 10-day Detox. I was the exact same way, addicted to sugar, and this was the only thing that has ever really worked for me. It's not woo-woo or an unhealthy cleanse; you just stop eating sugar, grains, and dairy for 10 days. The theory is that those foods make your blood sugar fluctuate, and blood sugar fluctuations are what cause cravings, so once you stabilize your blood sugar, the cravings will decrease. And it definitely worked for me. The author of the book is a doctor who was selected by the Cleveland Clinic to head up a new functional medicine department, so I think the medical theory behind it is pretty solid.

I won't lie, it kind of sucked at first. I was tired, grumpy, I had headaches, and felt kind of weirdly unsettled. It got better as it went on, but the first few days were brutal. I recommend starting on a Friday so you can have the weekend at home to nap and not be around coworkers, lol. But I was able to get through it by reminding myself that it was only for 10 days, and that helped me not cave. And while I've reintroduced everything back into my diet, I eat them in much less quantity than I used to, which I was never able to accomplish before. So I would say it was worth it.

ETA: I feel like I should add that I'm not affiliated with this in any way. It was just the first thing that ever worked for me, and I espouse it whenever I get a chance. It helped me revamp how I ate, which I was never able to do before.

[mrsbutters]

I think you have to find what motivates you. For me, being thin is simply not motivation enough to stop enjoying wonderful food for most of my life. I love food and eating and sorry, there are some things that taste better than thin feels

I've found 85% of my motivation comes from feeling good and having great health. Once I got into "real food" my overall health greatly improved and losing excess weight was sort of a nice side-effect. 

Watching stuff like Food, Inc (and similar documentaries) and reading Michael Pollan's books all really helped me rethink eating things out of boxes, cans and bottles or anything with more than 4 ingredients in it. 

I started with Paleo / low-carb 4 years ago but now my focus is simply organic, whole foods that I make at home. I refuse to count calories or go hungry again as I used to do to lose weight. Sticking to good protein, fat, vegetables and some fruit 80% of the time seems to make it effortless.

I still make treats on occasion for parties or birthdays but I will make everything from scratch with real butter and non-gmo sugar and not crap chemicals and realize these are treats, not even everyday food.

For me, I have shifted my thinking from "treating myself" with some junk from a fast-food window to something amazing from a great restaurant or a high-quality dessert I make at home. I think of that stuff as poison now not something joyful and wonderful. Changing my way of thinking has been the most important thing.

Also, I did a W30 years ago and found it restrictive and haunting of my eating disorder days. I feel it might be good for some but you have to know yourself and baby steps work better for some people.

Good luck!

[dexteroni]

Mar 23, 2015 9:25:28 GMT -5 jenny1980 said:

Sugar is a bitch. The easiest way to control the sugar demon is to starve it. When I did a whole 30, it took a good 2-3 weeks before I stopped craving sugar but eventually I stopped wanting it.

I need to get back on the wagon re: healthy eating and plan to do another whole 30.

Maybe we can do another one as a board?

Sugar is definitely the biggest problem for me; bigger than I realized.

Now that I'm reading the guidelines of Whole 30, it's very similar to the detox I described above. That would probably also work well, although a big part of my success was knowing I only had to do it for 10 days.  So it was like the baby steps version of a Whole 30. I honestly don't know if I could have done it for 30 days my first time out. I should try though.

[wambam]

Mar 23, 2015 11:04:13 GMT -5 mrsbutters said:

Also, I did a W30 years ago and found it restrictive and haunting of my eating disorder days. I feel it might be good for some but you have to know yourself and baby steps work better for some people.

This is very true. Some people describe W30 as freeing because they don't have to make choices about their food - they find comfort in rules. Other people, it feel restrictive. You definitely have to know yourself and what you're prone to be successful at. 

[firelight1210]

@licia - that's a good point. My h is actually in the same boat, weight-wise, with me. He's extremely frustrated, but not really willing to cut out food. But I guess that's where we can start with the baby steps, but I DON"T KNOW HOW. I'm very much a direction follower, and not so much an out-of-the-box thinker. Is there an actual plan out there, that spells it out week by week? Like, this week you will drink one less soda, next week no dessert, etc. I'm not really good self-enforcing, so if there was something that I can point to to say that I'm following, that would be best.

[sunnysally]

Are you on any ADs or anti-anxiety meds? Getting on the correct dosage really helped me get my cravings and portion size under control. Just throwing another idea out there.

[Saint Monica]

Mar 23, 2015 9:07:19 GMT -5 loonylunalovegood said:

Y

What do I do? If you had to start at the bottom, how did you climb up out of this hole? I can't tonight because I have a super dentist appt, but tomorrow I'm going to start walking. I want to get a bike. But FOOD!!!

Go to your doctor make sure you dont have any vitamin deficiencies/thyroid/gallbladder/bloodsugar issues.  Get bloodwork done.  It sounds like the intense cravings are related to endocrine/bloodsugar/vitamin deficiency issues.*



















*I have rubber gloves but I am not a dr.

[trafficgirl]

I can relate to a lot of what's in this thread.

I have lost and gained I don't even know how many times, and am at my heaviest now. I've been on WW at least 3 times - the last time was actually quite successful, but then I got pregnant and things went to shit.

If there's anything I've learned through all my efforts (and backslides), it's that for changes to stick you have to be okay with them long term. This is partly what is difficult for me, because I also LOVE sugar.

I don't even know what to tell you regarding motivation, because for me it's one of two things - something really big on the horizon (my first wedding, my divorce, my second wedding) or I just one day decide I've had enough. Neither of these options is helping me motivate myself right now.

I will say even though WW has been successful for me in the past, I fucking hate food tracking. I know now that for me whatever I do to make a personal change is going to have to be something other than that because I just don't stick with it.

[egeiger]

I hit my rock bottom, just a week ago. I am in week two of my transformation. So, still a baby.

Things I have learned: it's not about the food, but more about my relationship with food. Do something good? Food reward! Have a bad day? Food will fix it! Etc. that gave food a need in my life for way more than just replenishing my body.

Breaking that cycle is hard. It sucks. If it were easy, everyone would be skinny. I have a soda addiction, and cutting it cold turkey (I drank 5 cans a day easily) sucked. Headaches and sluggishness, terrible. But when it was gone it was gone.

I am using john cenas 10 week body change plan. It was the one that spoke to me. But, that man is so pretty... I'll do whatever he tells me. Lol

It's realy such a personal thing, finding your motivator.

I use every single person in my life to keep me accountable. Friends, family, and coworkers all know the dos and donts that I am following and they are so supportive.

Google the plan name and take a look at his explanation. Basically - no carbs, sugar, potatoes, dairy or fruit - just meat, veg and beans - 6 days a week. Then one day you eat what you want. He provides the weekly workouts too. (20 minutes two times a week).

He developed it for real people to lose some weight, not to look like him. I am down 4% in the first week and still motivated to continue. I won't live it 100% forever, but it's become clear to me how to make good decisions along the way so that I am more mindful of what I am eating even when the plan is done. Good luck!!

[sarahswim]

firelight1210
Check out 100 Days of Real Food. www.100daysofrealfood.com

I am on their email list and right now I get one email every Thursday with a challenge for the upcoming week. The challenges are things like eat a fruit & veg with every meal, or no refined sugars, or no fast food. The challenges are doable and I just tell myself that they are only for a week. I have the first 11 weeks in my inbox still-I'd be happy to forward them on to you if you can only get the upcoming weeks if/when you sign up (if that makes sense).

[firelight1210]

sarahswim - awesome! Thank you! I will definitely check them out.

[Deleted]

I'm not sure I have any advice except that this may just be a sheer willpower thing.

For some reason, I am capable of abstaining from sugar and starches.

But I am totally unable to stop scratching my skin.

We should both dig deep and just try hard to avoid doing things that are bad for us -- you and sugar, me and my skin.

It sounds stupid, but it's as simple as this. AND SO HARD.

[cleo29]

For me, personally, when I really started to work at losing my baby weight (20 pounds combined) and then some, I knew that whatever I did it had to be something I could live with. Cutting out all sorts of foods that I love is not realistic for the long run. I would meet with a nutritionist and see if you can work up a good eating plan that allows you to have some sweets but with balance. I also think looking into a diabetic diet is a good thing too. It is a good balance of food.

Then I would also find some form of exercise that you like. For me, it is walking and now also cycle classes. I used to HATE working out and going to the gym, but now I love it. Even when I don't want to go but do, I feel better afterwards.

Take things in small steps and be easy on yourself. You did not put on the weight over night and so it will not come off that quickly either. Slow and steady, one day at a time.

Hang in there!

[trafficgirl]

Even though I'm not the OP

sarahswim - interesting website, thanks for linking.

happyholiday - thanks for the book suggestion. I just bought the audiobook and am looking forward to reading it.

[dexteroni]

Mar 23, 2015 12:03:48 GMT -5 jenny1980 said:

Mar 23, 2015 11:06:06 GMT -5 dexteroni said:

Sugar is definitely the biggest problem for me; bigger than I realized.

Now that I'm reading the guidelines of Whole 30, it's very similar to the detox I described above. That would probably also work well, although a big part of my success was knowing I only had to do it for 10 days.  So it was like the baby steps version of a Whole 30. I honestly don't know if I could have done it for 30 days my first time out. I should try though.

It definitely felt that way in the beginning for me, but after a week (when you're past feeling really shitty physically), it wasn't a big deal.

That's good to know. I did wonder how long it would take for the shitty feeling to go away completely if I had gone longer than the 10 days. I just didn't think I could do go much longer than that without cheating, even on day 10 I was like I kind of need to be done with this. Now that I've done it once, though, I think I could. I think I'll mosey over to the W30 board.