What Did You Do Right?

I'm continuously looking at things from a strength based perspective. I know we all tend to beat ourselves up for the things we do wrong... eating a cookie, eating too much, too many carbs, not enough exercise and on and on and on. I do know that we've all done some things right too. For me, I think the best thing I've done on this journey is to continue to eat small portions. I don't think I've ever really stretched my pouch. I was so afraid of stretching my pouch that I've never eaten more than 3 or 4 ounces of meat at a time and couldn't even if I wanted to. There's some solace in knowing that even if I'm eating the wrong thing, I'm not going to eat too much of it. What are you guys doing right? Connie

Portion control is key! I still also eat very small portions...protein first then some carbs. I still eat on a small plate with a little fork too. I try to leave a bite or two on the plate and NEVER have seconds. Remember way back when...a lot of us came up with nicknames for our pouches...well mine stuck. We still refer to "him" as TAZ! he's a very grumpy fella and continues to rule my world. Va

Va, I do remember when we named our pouches. Mine was Bundy because I was sure it was trying to kill me. Connie

You are right about the portion control. I, too, could not eat more than 4 or so ounces of protein (meat, chicken or fish) at one time. There are certain things I have not given up...HOWEVER....I eat them in smaller portions. Like....oh god this is bad...but....instead of eating 5 hershey kisses at one time. then 5 more...so on and so on....I eat 3...total, and let them melt in my mouth. I know it's not good, but at least I've cut back. Now, I believe I am starting menepause. So NOW what happens???? Joanie

Winning my daily battle has more to do with my head than anything physical. I try very hard to lead a life that is meaningful and purposeful, by knowing who I am, what I'm made of, and giving myself away. This redirects my energy away from food (more so than not) and toward making a difference in this crazy world - which I am finally able to do having lost the weight. I struggle, though. My demons will never leave me. I will always gravitate toward feeling and believing that I am worthless - so that's my real fight, every day. Great question, Connie. M.

Hmm... portions. Definitely portions. Not being able to eat a ton of food at once is so comforting. I try hard not to overdo it and usually never do. I'm also proud when I don't graze through the day and do housework or something else to keep my mind off food. So just being more active and snacking less is something I'm proud of and know as long as I'm doing that I'll loose weight (not at the moment of course ) Elizabeth M

Connie, I'm on limited time to type. computer is workign right now! AT first when I read your post I htought what have I done right? god not a dam thing! then i said hey wait a minute...i'm over 3 years out and i've maintained my weight for the past 2 years. its not at the lowest I'd been but its been the same for 2 years. That in itself is a miracle! So what have I done right? I don't know. What I do is working so does that make it right? Guess it makes it right for me. I still weigh and measure foods. I pack my lunch and snacks for the day when I go to work. I excersize as much as time allows. I weigh myself weekly. I keep healthy foods in my house. When I buy my snack well sugarfee shortbread cookies I take out six of them and throw the rest away. If I kept the whole box I'd eat the whole box. But I need cookies in my life. Cookies I can depend on. I love cookies. So I don't get rid of them totally I limit them. Now what do I do wrong... I don't drink as much water as I should. I drink coffee its decaf but its coffee. I chew gym. OH NO I CHEW GUM!!!!! Reenie Mike & I have a doctor who told us never to chew gum again. If you swallowed it it would plug your pouch and they'd have to go in with a hook to drag it out. It did scare me for the first 2 years then all of a sudden I caved. I chew every day. one small piece of sugarfree chiclet type gum. And...heres the bad one......once a month i drink a sugar free soda. OH GOD I'M SO SORRY!!!!! i dont' fini****! i swear I dont'! the carbonation isn't comfy and its only once a month never more than that and sometimes i dont' even touch it i'll have water! its when i go out with my daughter an her friends. They are having all these alcolholic drinks that I can't do casue a 1/4 of a cup and i'm plowed so i have a diet soda either ginger ale or coke. if its ginger ale i make themput in a cherry so I feel like i'm having a real drink!