What is your "diet" mindset?

Here's another question for everyone. I know everyone won't fit exactly into one category or another but in general, do you have the mindset that you can eat anything in moderation or are you of the mindset that you must stay completely away from sugar, carbs, etc? I'm wondering because it's been a pretty hot topic on the RNY boards. I think to each their own and whatever works for someone is great but might not work for others. I myself try to have the "anything in moderation" attitude. I don't want to feel like I'm on a "diet" for the rest of my life and if I can control my portions then hopefully it will work for me. So far it has but I know soon I'll be leaving the "honeymoon stage" of this weightloss journey and maybe it won't work forever. What about you?

Here's my view...for what it's worth. Any time people "diet" it's a set up for failure. Making good choices is mandatory in SOOO many areas of life, so I try to make the best choices in my diet taking into consideration that first and foremost I need protein. I certainly do not want to gain any weight back, but I do personally believe that everything is ok "in moderation." If you don't allow yourselves a treat from time to time there will be a day when you will lose sanity and jump over that cliff. I certainly don't like heights, nor do I like falling & having to get up again & start over...

well until I get to goal I'm restricting the bad carbs. That's pretty much eat. I do eat some carbs, fruits and nuts and wheat tortillas. But I try to stay away from pasta, rice and bread. I think once I get to goal (10 -20 or more lbs) I might try a little of the bad carbs. I'm so scared of regaining the weight though! Good question.

I try to make good choices and watch my portion sizes so I don't make myself feel gross. Otherwise I eat whatever I want. I don't deprive myself, but I am conscientious about it. We went to the county fair tonight and I had a sugar free lemon shake up, the meat off of a rib eye sandwich, and an ear of roasted sweet corn. I was in heaven and with all the walking, by the time we left, I was hungry, so I joined my the rest of my family at the ice cream shop. I just asked that they not put more ice cream than what would fit in the actual cone (nothing over the top). It was perfect and yummy! I guess my point is that I don't feel like I diet at all. I can live like this. I really think I can!

Some stuff I just don't want to temp. It's the "scared to dump" mindset. Like usually cookies, candy, icecream, or anything that I know is loaded with sugar, I think ...hmmm... do I really want to have my first dumping experience then usually change my mind and opt for something on my "I can eat anything in moderation that isn't made of sugar" mindset.

Hey Carrie: I agree with you..I feel like everything in moderation is the key. I dont want to feel like I am on a "diet" forever either! And if you have a "I am staying away from everything, we set overselves up crash and burn. Right now I am a little strict on my eating habits, due to the honeymoon period. But I will eventually incorporate them back in, using the moderation rule. If I try to go my entire life saying..I will never eat this or that..I would go completely crazy. And then probably one day..spaz out and go over board eating those things out of control again.

Like Pamela, I'm terrified of 'dumping' so I basically stay away from all high sugar and high fat products. I have had a bite of birthday cake or a small piece of chocolate on occasion, and I was okay. I also pretty much stay away from bread, pasta, pizza and rice but will eat it once in a while usually at a party/function or business trip. Right now I feel that I'm 'on a diet' but after I reach and start to maintain my goal I will definitely try and introduce more variety of foods. I've always been a person that needs 'snacks' and so I've found 'diet' or low calorie alternatives like mini whole wheat pretzels, sucking candies and soy chips. The good thing about this surgery is that I cannot eat much of this so therefore It doesn't really affect my weight loss. That's my two cents. Hope it helps.