FOOD GUIDELINES NO. 3 (Geneen Roth)

STOP WHEN YOU'VE HAD ENOUGH. Boy, this one is tough for me. I don't think I've ever in my life been able to be so mindful of my eating that I realize when I am satiated - comfortably full so that I can push myself away from the food. Food has always represented the ultimate comfort, healer, savior for me - of course, that's utter bull but it's the relationship I've cultivated from a very young age. I've buried myself in mounds and mounds of food - literally and figuratively - to save me from all the monsters in my life, real and perceived. STOP WHEN YOU'VE HAD ENOUGH. In order to be successful, this guideline must embrace the principle of food being simply that - food. Sustenance. Energy. Nutrition. Nothing more, nothing less. It is not a shield of armour, a fortress, a winged dragon that wil whisk me away from danger, it is not an alive thing with POWER. I AM THE POWER. And I have the POWER of CHOICE. Always. I can chose to stop eating when my body tells me it doesn't need anything more to eat. How lovely that would be. And how is your day going??? Love, Maureen

Stop when Ive had enough..hmmmm nice thought....I wish Ide never start lol....actually I was on a mission after eating junk yesterday that today I was having nothing but good stuff. Soooo today I started well...my usual cup of coffee 6 nutra sweets and non dairy creamer....about 11:00 I decided to make me and my daughter a nice breakfast...I had an omlet 2 eggs ,cheese, and tomatoe, and 4 slices of bacon and toast with butter, and V8 fruit medley drink...I know ALOT of food and I ate it all no problem. It must be my eating day...tomorrow I will probably only be able to eat a bite or two and be full. I seem to run funny that way, some days a ton and some days nothing. Back to my good food...welp 2 oclock I blow it lol as usual...I have just devioured about 10 small packs of sweettarts and a pack of nerds....Im addicted that candy!!!!! I used to never eat candy I dont know why I like it all a sudden. Oh man I really need to get that stuff out of my stash drawer so I wont be tempted if I could only dump lol which to this day I havent ever.Anyway about 25 more packs and it will be gone...I will have eaten it all by then. THEN my fresh start begins! Sooooo my days going well lol... oh PS forgot to mention the chex mix too arggggggg, I know Im bad

Kim, you are not alone. You must do some introspective thinking about why you're eating this way - Connie's all important question: what hole are you trying to fill up? What's missing in your life that you're trying to "fix" with food, lots of food? Is it working? Of course not. It just makes us feel worse about ourselves. Look at your last statement. "I know I'm bad." NO YOU'RE NOT BAD!!!! Your eating choices are not good, not healthy, but you're not BAD! Love yourself enough to take care of yourself, be good to yourself. Just for today, every time you go to eat something, ask yourself this question: is this good for my body and my mind? Will this food nurture me or will it hurt me? Based on the answer to that question with everything you go to eat, then decide whether or not you will eat it. In this way, you are holding yourself accountable for your own personal health and well being. See how you do with this - just today. Love, Maureen

Hi Maureen...thanks for the input......I appreciate it. I think though the "I know I bad" was interepted wrong I was more being sarcastic sorry. I know Im a good person, dont have any self esteme issues with that. I do think though I am eating out of bordem cause it seems the candy comes out when Im watching TV doing nothing, so maybe I should cut that back. Also I dont seriously think Im trying to fill a void more or less I think I just enjoy food. My marriage is good, homelfe is good, kids are doing well, getting ready for vacation nothing personal is really wrong. So guess its just plain old bordem at the time and I like the stuff. I think Im going to try something new...instead of watching a dumb TV show Ill take the dog for a walk, maybe swim, basically be more alert and get off my butt lol, so I wont be tempted. On another note today Ive been good, no junk at all. Im going to limit myself and try to have only one bad thing a day Im gonna see how that approach works and eventually ween myself to perhaps one spluge a week. Hey its worth a shot. You know it would be alot easier if the scale would go up and I could see the damage that would really get me motivated....that hasnt happened yet I actually lost 2 pounds, but I know its just a matter of time so I better get myself back in check before it does. Anyway I do appreciate your comments and they do make me think about whats going on. Thank you more then you know!