Early results of my self-imposed eating experiment

Those of you that know me, know that I have followed a very strict diet from the pre-surgery stage through the losing weight stage and even to some extent through the first 1.5 years of maintenance.  About a month ego I decided to try something a little different, I decided that I had learned enough through this process and had build up enough trust in my abilities to handle anything that comes my way to give eating less restrictively and more intuitively a try.  I promised myself that I would continue to weigh myself everyday and to stick with this program for a full month and then re-evaluate where I was at that time.  This is the end of that first month.  Here is a report of my experiences in this scary but exciting new adventure.  It is scary because I have never been able to trust my body and mind to work together where diet was concerned, so this little experiment required a great deal of trust and loss of a sense of control on my part.  I waited this long after reaching goal because I wanted to make sure I could dial it back if I needed to do so. Also, I wanted to build up two years of good habits behind this attempt.The following is my new approach to eating.

1) Eating intuitively does not mean eating mindlessly, quite the opposite, I pay a great deal of attention to what I eat, when I eat, and how much I eat, but I am not restricting the eating but rather watching and staying in tune with what I am doing and why I am doing it.  The perspective is what changed.

2) I check in with myself before I eat to make sure I am really physiologically hungry and am not just "eating my feelings".

3) I only eat food I like.  It has to look, smell and taste great or I will not eat it. This requires planning and preparation. I even bought beautiful, size appropriate china to serve it in.  I have become a huge food snob.  If it doesn't appeal to all my senses, I will not eat it. 

4) Before each meal or snack, I take the time to stop and get really quiet.  Some would say I am offering up a prayer of sincere gratitude for this healthy delicious and beautiful meal.  I stay in that moment for a while thinking about everything that had to happen and all the people involved in making this meal for me.  I allow the gratitude to wash over me and I eat each bite as if it is a ritual offering.

5) I eat slowly and I keep my mind on the food.  Eating has become a form of meditation.  When I am having a family meal or eating with friends, I still create this space for myself between bites.  I put my fork or spoon down and take a deep breath between bites and reconnect. I allow myself to really smell and see the food before it goes in my mouth and then I take the time to taste each bite fully.

6) I still follow many of the VSG rules, for example, I wait 30 min. or so before drinking again, I eat protein first, followed by delicious organic veggies and most of the time I skip carbs or dessert.  But if I really, really want the carbs or dessert because it is a special occasion or the carb or dessert is somehow truly outstanding, I have a few bites and do not feel any guilt at all.  This is just part of my program and is not cheating.

7) Results so far:  I originally gained up to 107 from 103-105 that I was before the experiment, then the weight naturally dropped back down to 105 and I am at 104.4 today.  Back to where I was before I started.  In other words, I am maintaining just fine for now.  I will continue to check the scale and make adjustments as needed.  I am really enjoying this experiment at this point.  I feel more relaxed about my food choices and more connected to my body.  This connection has even inspired me to start exercising.  I have started to do some weight lifting to tone my upper body and develop more strength.  So far, so good.  I will see where I am next month.

Thanks for the update.

I like what you're saying and the way you're implementing your plan.

I completely relate when you said " I have become a huge food snob.  If it doesn't appeal to all my senses, I will not eat it. ". This is the way I now view food and eating. If it's not delicious and appealing I will not bother eating it. The VSG has changed the way I view food and eating. 

Continued success,
George

Thank you George, I have been an avid fan of the way you have handled this whole process.  I think you are a great resource to many new sleevers and I have great respect for your advice on this forum.  I have no doubt that you will continue to Rock your sleeve and act as a great example of what works after VSG.

Elina,

The reality is that my success is a result of strictly following the program my doctor gave me. Protein first, limiting carbs, water and regular physical activity have allowed me to lose all my excess weight and keep it off without a lot of effort. Now that I've been doing this for almost 2 years it's second nature.

I try to be positive on this forum and impart information that will help people get the most out of their sleeve. 

I'm a big fan of your posting on this forum. I've learned a lot from reading your posts and responses. You always make sense, eloquently state what should be obvious and impart information without offending.

Continued success,
George

Great experiment!  I can relate to #3.  If I'm going to eat something, it has to be good.  I don't just settle for anything.

I shudder when I think of my former eating habits, I used to stuff myself silly with any carby thing I could find.  It is wonderful to have the ability to make choices before eating.  I used to watch my skinny friends pick at their meals and leave the things they didn't want, I could never understand how they could do that, now I do.  Thank you sleeve.

This is very interesting.  Have you read the book called Women, Food and God?  It sounds like the same sort of idea.  Those of us who have been stuffing our feelings into a large pizza for years really  do have to slow down and learn how to enjoy the joy of eating.

I have not read it but it sounds interesting.  Thank you for bringing it to my attention, I am going to download it and read it.  I can use all the inspiration I can get.  The whole point of my little experiment was to see if I could use love rather than deprivation and fear to help me deal with food.  So far it is working but it is a bit scary at first and I found that I had to have frequent "conversations" with the type A control freak in me for this to have a chance to work.  I am still and always will be a work in progress.

Sounds like a really healthy and mindful way to eat - what i strive for, although I am still a work in progress in this regard! Good on you!!

I learn so much from you each and every time you post.  Thank you =)