The Weight Loss Support Thread - 2015

[sivyaleah]

 
Congratulations to Pat and to Parsleysage! And congrats to all of us who are returning to the thread!

I have a rather silly question, but there's always a method to my madness. What's your best trick to not eating at night? Or to avoid the BINGE? Remember me saying that we still had the peanut M & Ms, chips, etc in the house? Well, I hit the binge fan pretty much as soon as I got home from work. As I was making dinner, I hit the peanut M & Ms, followed by the potato chips, followed by dinner. It's what I do and I'm so tired of it. I even asked myself yesterday, "Do you REALLY want to do this?" And basically said, "Aw, the heck with it!" and down the hatch it all went. Of course, I felt bad last night, not only because I binged, but well, I ate a lot of food last night. It's almost like somebody else is in my mind and I'm not even thinking about it. It just happens and then when it's over, I feel terrible. I can stay on tracks for days on end, but then BOOM!

Most of the time, I'll have a big glass of iced water on the counter next to me while making dinner, or I'll slice some baby carrots and munch on those, not a lot, maybe two or three, and I include them in my calorie count for the day. Fresh veggies are always good for us, and I think it helps. But last night, I hit those peanut M & Ms so fast it wasn't even funny.

They're still in the pantry, too. I wanted to throw them out last night, but Rick said he would eat them. The problem is that I swear they call me. And it wouldn't matter, even if they weren't there. It would be something, even if it's cereal and milk, peanut butter bread. It's a binge and it doesn't matter what I eat....as long as I'm eating something.

Does that make sense to all of you? And what can I do about it? I'm not trying to evade responsibility for my actions; I want to take responsibility and stop it.

First, I have to admit I don't usually snack at night.  Almost never.  I think it's because I make sure I have a satisfying dinner and most important, is I plan ahead.  I always know what we'll be having and I even write it down in advance so that I'm able to see how the day went overall.  Sometimes, if I've eaten lightly, I might indulge in something small but most of the time, if still hungry I grab a piece of fruit or, make sure we have snacks which aren't so high fat and calorie dense such as pretzels.  If I want something sweet, sometimes I'll have a glass of skim milk and put 1 teaspoon of Nestle Quik in it.  Yes, one teaspoon - it's barely anything but gives it just enough sweetness to satisfy my craving.

Snacks a lot of times comes from boredom, at least for me.  I think it's important to try and identify what emotion is it that is compelling you to eat.  Then, slowly work on that.  Acknowledging it, for me, usually takes me out of the craving.  Not to say I can control this all the time, but most of the time it works.

Do you track your food intake daily?  Have you tried using some of the online programs to do so?  I know that as I increased my understanding of nutrition, better choices became more intuitive.  Learning portion sizes is really helpful.  It becomes automatic after a while.  For me, I just tend to overeat in general if I don't know the nutrition of things.  Like, left to my own devices I'd eat 20 Tator Tots, but I now know 9 pieces is a serving so that's it (not that we even eat that much, but it's one of those less-than-better choices we indulge in periodically).

Last, throw it out if all else fails.  Who cares that your husband says he's going to eat it?  If it's a trigger for you, try and communicate how important it is for you to discard the items.  Talking it through is SO helpful.  Tom and I do this on a daily basis.  In fact, we had left over Halloween candy still in the house, which we had finally been ignoring and I just up and tossed it without even asking him lol.  He didn't even notice until days later.  

 

[Winchester]

Yes, I track everything daily. Weight, exercise, food intake (calories, serving sizes, etc.). I weigh it out, too, on my scales at meals. I know all about portion sizes and all that. That is not the problem. I'm sorry, I'm not trying to be a snot. Honest. But I get all that.

My problem is binging. Nothing really brings it on and everything brings it on. Yesterday, I got home and started on dinner. Remembered about the peanut M & Ms, grabbed a bowl and several handsful of candy and started munching, I wasn't bored, I wasn't anxious, I wasn't even really hungry. I just remembered, "Oh, peanut M & Ms" and the bowl came out.

I can have the best dinner on earth. Something so satisfying and so delicious. And minutes later? I'm looking in the fridge. For something. Anything. Yes, the candy and chips are in the pantry right now. But even if they were not there, it wouldn't matter. There's always slices of peanut butter bread. Or whatever. I will eat pretty much anything when I'm in that mood. I don't even want it, but I'll eat it anyway. And since, I cook, I can always make something, too. And have done so. There's no reason for it. 

It's an issue. 

 

[sivyaleah]

 
Yes, I track everything daily. Weight, exercise, food intake (calories, serving sizes, etc.). I weigh it out, too, on my scales at meals. I know all about portion sizes and all that. That is not the problem. I'm sorry, I'm not trying to be a snot. Honest. But I get all that.

My problem is binging. Nothing really brings it on and everything brings it on. Yesterday, I got home and started on dinner. Remembered about the peanut M & Ms, grabbed a bowl and several handsful of candy and started munching, I wasn't bored, I wasn't anxious, I wasn't even really hungry. I just remembered, "Oh, peanut M & Ms" and the bowl came out.

I can have the best dinner on earth. Something so satisfying and so delicious. And minutes later? I'm looking in the fridge. For something. Anything. Yes, the candy and chips are in the pantry right now. But even if they were not there, it wouldn't matter. There's always slices of peanut butter bread. Or whatever. I will eat pretty much anything when I'm in that mood. I don't even want it, but I'll eat it anyway. And since, I cook, I can always make something, too. And have done so. There's no reason for it. 

It's an issue. 

And, I didn't think you were being a snot lol.

It does sound like something which is driving you emotionally, as you're doing everything else right.

Unfortunately, it's a process - a long one for some of us.  Me included.  55 years and I think I'm just now starting to understand myself better when it comes to food.  Trying to get my mothers well meaning, but very wrong voice out of my not-a-teenager anymore head.  I look back and I was perfectly acceptable weight when younger, and she'd always be asking me and my sister to join her in some crazy diet.  Our parents are really good at instilling shame about our bodies on us - for many of a certain generation, it was inherent.  Add in a couple of men (or women, YMMV LOL) telling you that you didn't fit some "ideal" and well, it just carries in your psyche for a VERY long time.

Hope you can find a way to be gentle with yourself.  You'll get there.  

 

[tammat]

Yes, I track everything daily. Weight, exercise, food intake (calories, serving sizes, etc.). I weigh it out, too, on my scales at meals. I know all about portion sizes and all that. That is not the problem. I'm sorry, I'm not trying to be a snot. Honest. But I get all that.

My problem is binging. Nothing really brings it on and everything brings it on. Yesterday, I got home and started on dinner. Remembered about the peanut M & Ms, grabbed a bowl and several handsful of candy and started munching, I wasn't bored, I wasn't anxious, I wasn't even really hungry. I just remembered, "Oh, peanut M & Ms" and the bowl came out.

I can have the best dinner on earth. Something so satisfying and so delicious. And minutes later? I'm looking in the fridge. For something. Anything. Yes, the candy and chips are in the pantry right now. But even if they were not there, it wouldn't matter. There's always slices of peanut butter bread. Or whatever. I will eat pretty much anything when I'm in that mood. I don't even want it, but I'll eat it anyway. And since, I cook, I can always make something, too. And have done so. There's no reason for it. 

It's an issue. 

Oh my dear friend. You and I must be twins. I am the same. I track everything I eat. I cook up chicken in big batches and then I weigh it into 100gm portions and freeze it. I always have washed veggies , washed salad mix, fresh fruit ect.. On hand. I record all my exercise and nutrition. I go along for a couple of weeks fine and then I crave until it gets the better of me. My last binge was about a week ago and I ate a whole cheese cake. One little serve of sugar sets me off and I turn into a sugar monster. I could stop at one serve but I never want to and I too say " oh what the heck". For the most part I do really well and I am improving and getting stronger all the time. I find summer easier than winter. My triggers are being tired, getting too hungry and sugar. My best coping tactics are to get plenty of sleep, drink plenty of water and black tea. If I really struggle I have a coffee. I always have a boiled egg about 4pm. This helps me a lot to cope with the afternoon and so do carrot sticks. They are sweet and the fibre seems to help and if I'm still not satisfied I have more carrot and snow peas. I always have cut up carrot sticks in the fridge and snow peas. If I go over my calories with veggies then I figure that's better than a binge. Almost every night I crave dessert. I just want something sweet so I eat a spoonful of peanutbutter. Yes it's high in calories but natural peanutbutter is very healthy. I love the stuff. It's my treat. You do so well most of the time. Try not to beat yourself up about it. You can do this. You've done so well before you will absolutely do it again. Do not listen to that pantry. It's evil

 

[Winchester]

Thanks so much! It helps to know I'm not the only one who does this stuff. It's just so depressing. I'll do well for days and days and then BOOM! Looking through the pantry for anything and everything. Followed by guilt. I have carrot sticks on hand all the time. And Granny Smith apples; I swear most of the time I could live on Grannies. But sometimes it's like something takes over my brain and I simply don't care. Frustrating.

I do fairly well with iced water while I'm making dinner. A big glass with lots of crushed ice and just water, sometimes with a bit of lemon juice. I've been bringing crushed ice and bottled water with me into work and trying to stay away from soda....even diet soda. Don't know how long that will last, but it's been four days now without any soda at all (which, trust me, is virtually unheard of for me). 

Habits die hard. A bad habit of mine is grabbing a book and grabbing something to eat while I'm reading. It's pretty much mindless eating, I think. You don't realize how much you ate because you don't even think about it. I don't eat much when I'm watching tv or when I'm on the computer. But throw a book or a magazine in my face and I immediately grab food. I've done it for years and it's a difficult one to stop.

I think my quest for the next week will be not to eat anything, other than meals. I'll have my sliced carrots and iced water while making dinner, but I'll include that in my calorie counts. And if all else fails, I can go to bed and pout! 

And you're right. I did it before. I keep telling myself that. I did it before. As for the pantry, yep, it's one evil pantry. But then last night, Dear Richard was going to the freezer downstairs for some cookies. He came back to me and asked me if I wanted some. I stuck my fingers in my ears and sang, "La la la! I can't hear you! La la la!" He just shook his head and said "Whatever!". He knows he could stand to lose some weight, too, but he says he's not ready yet.

Good luck, Tammat. This is difficult. 

 

[AbbysMom]

I had a few binging episodes like that on Monday and Tuesday. :nod: I binge more during the day. I *think* I may have gotten past it. I really did pretty well yesterday. I've been trying to have a cup of decaf tea or coffee instead.

I still haven't gotten on the scale and really don't want to, but I have definitely eaten less this week and a bit healthier. Next week I will cut it back a bit more. I'm back into the swing of making meals again. I think this was the first week since before Christmas that I actually made meals more than two nights in a row.

 

[tammat]

I've had a good week. I'm going by my waist measurement these days. This week I've been very successful and my waist is 2cm smaller.
I'm very happy with that

Good luck to you all. I hope you have a good week too.

 

[pat]

 
Congratulations to Pat and to Parsleysage! And congrats to all of us who are returning to the thread!

I have a rather silly question, but there's always a method to my madness. What's your best trick to not eating at night? Or to avoid the BINGE? Remember me saying that we still had the peanut M & Ms, chips, etc in the house? Well, I hit the binge fan pretty much as soon as I got home from work. As I was making dinner, I hit the peanut M & Ms, followed by the potato chips, followed by dinner. It's what I do and I'm so tired of it. I even asked myself yesterday, "Do you REALLY want to do this?" And basically said, "Aw, the heck with it!" and down the hatch it all went. Of course, I felt bad last night, not only because I binged, but well, I ate a lot of food last night. It's almost like somebody else is in my mind and I'm not even thinking about it. It just happens and then when it's over, I feel terrible. I can stay on tracks for days on end, but then BOOM!

Most of the time, I'll have a big glass of iced water on the counter next to me while making dinner, or I'll slice some baby carrots and munch on those, not a lot, maybe two or three, and I include them in my calorie count for the day. Fresh veggies are always good for us, and I think it helps. But last night, I hit those peanut M & Ms so fast it wasn't even funny.

They're still in the pantry, too. I wanted to throw them out last night, but Rick said he would eat them. The problem is that I swear they call me. And it wouldn't matter, even if they weren't there. It would be something, even if it's cereal and milk, peanut butter bread. It's a binge and it doesn't matter what I eat....as long as I'm eating something.

Does that make sense to all of you? And what can I do about it? I'm not trying to evade responsibility for my actions; I want to take responsibility and stop it.

I am so sorry.  I only sporadically receive notices that there has been a new post in this thread.  And if I'm busy with life, I don't think to check in. (husband has been very ill).
I have found that having my largest meal of the day as my Reward Meal (where I have complex carbs) early - 430 - 5 pm seems to work.  I just don't get hungry in the evening.  IF I do, I have some zesty garlic pickle stacker slices - 3.  That does it (and it has 0 calories).
As for the binge or just the picking at something you normally can avoid, that's what I call being triggered and having cravings.  It doesn't happen when I'm firmly on my lower carb plan.  It's one reason I like eating this way so much!  I can have goodies in the house and not touch them, except when I plan to.  Because I know that nothing is off limits, I just have to make choices as to when I have that goodie.

 

[pat]

I had another good week, for which I am extremely grateful.  I lost 2.32 pounds, for a total now lost of 207.16, with 20.84 pounds to goal.  My weight this morning was 160.6, and my new weight by average is 160.84.
I consider any loss good when I've eaten out twice in the past week!

Here is what I had for my Reward Meal last night:
2 cups romaine, 2 stalks celery, 1 scallion, 1 serving Litehouse brand Jalapeno Ranch dressing.
1 very small baby zucchini, sliced up and boiled (had plain, no butter)
7.5 oz. cooked weight braised chuck steak with Italian seasoning.
2 very small corn tortillas (110 cal. total for the 2)
1 slice Kraft Smoky Chipotle Cheddar.
1 Gevalia Kcup Cappuccino (not worth the 90 calories, won't bother with again, hubby can have the rest of these).

 

[pat]

I've had a good week. I'm going by my waist measurement these days. This week I've been very successful and my waist is 2cm smaller.
I'm very happy with that

Good luck to you all. I hope you have a good week too.

Congratulations..I doubt I will ever get back to the 24 inch waist I wish I still had.  Too much of a loose skin issue, but I can say that has improved, for which I am grateful

 

[sivyaleah]

Didn't lose but, also didn't gain.  It was my first week back really paying attention since the holidays, so I'm ok with this!

Have a great week everyone!

 

[tammat]

Well done Pat. 160s- woo hoo!!!

Good work sivyaleah. You are back in the game!! Keep it up. You can do it.

 

[Winchester]

Outstanding job, ladies! 

I lost five pounds last since last Monday as of today, Tuesday (forgot about weighing in yesterday). That's definitely OK, considering I had a bad night last week and we went out to dinner on Friday night; other than the margarita on Friday, I tried to be careful with my choices (and I wasn't giving up that margarita.

). Everything else was OK. 

 

[pat]

 
Outstanding job, ladies! 

I lost five pounds last since last Monday as of today, Tuesday (forgot about weighing in yesterday). That's definitely OK, considering I had a bad night last week and we went out to dinner on Friday night; other than the margarita on Friday, I tried to be careful with my choices (and I wasn't giving up that margarita.

). Everything else was OK. 

Congratulations! 

 

[tammat]

Outstanding job, ladies! 

I lost five pounds last since last Monday as of today, Tuesday (forgot about weighing in yesterday). That's definitely OK, considering I had a bad night last week and we went out to dinner on Friday night; other than the margarita on Friday, I tried to be careful with my choices (and I wasn't giving up that margarita. ). Everything else was OK. 

Outstanding job yourself. Well done

 

[Winchester]

Thanks, guys. I needed to see that.

 

[AbbysMom]

Congrats to all of you that lost or maintained.

I come to this thread only with excuses. Many are quite legitimate, but are still excuses nonetheless. I have been eating less in quantity, but quality of some things has suffered. After I get past tomorrow and a funeral, I will be working on the quality thing.

 

[parsleysage]

I ate out a ton last week (early vacation plus was a bridesmaid in a wedding) and between that and the sodium/water weight, I was up FOUR POUNDS at my weigh-in Monday.

Obviously I'm a little ticked at myself, but at the same time I know I didn't eat enough to actually  gain four pounds... 4 pounds is 14,000 calories so an extra 2,000 each day. To maintain my current weight I need to eat about 2,900 calories. Meaning I would needed to have eaten 4,900 calories every single day last week! I ate a lot, but not THAT much. So there's that... But still. I should have controlled myself better - there were several times I could have made better choices, even though we ate out, and I didn't because I was "treating" myself. After my 10-day Christmastime food bender, I didn't need any more treats!

On the upside, the last time I gained, I had a HUGE loss the next week. So here's hoping for a big loss this week!

 

[Winchester]

 

 Karen and Parsleysage. Next Monday, we will all have losses! 

 

[tammat]

   Karen and Parsleysage. Next Monday, we will all have losses! :nod:

Ditto. I agree. Hugs from me.