Be Kind to Yourself
One thing that can help many of us as we sometimes struggle with our post-op diets is to be kind to ourselves. We all know the Golden Rule. Those of Judeo-Christian religions similarly know that God commands us to love our neighbors as we love ourselves. Both of these rules of behavior are based on a foundation that we do love ourselves. I'm not talking about excessive vanity. Rather, I'm talking about us accepting ourselves as we are and loving ourselves like we would a friend.
Along the same line, Dr Judith Beck advises us not to be too harsh with ourselves when we make eating mistakes or errors. She doesn't like the word "cheating", but unless I tell you that's what she means by eating mistakes, you'd be wondering what I'm talking about. I used to go to Overeaters Anonymous, and they used the term "slip." Regardless of the terminology, please do not condemn yourself when you slip, cheat, or have an eating error or mistake. We all have them eventually because we are human. We are not perfect and accepting our imperfections helps us to accept and love ourselves.
We should continue to try to follow our diets for life. Even 'though we know that emotional eating does not solve our problems, we should not condem ourselves if we succumb to it. It has been our coping mechanism for most of our lives and breaking that habit is difficult. Persist in your efforts. Do not be shy about posting here if you are having problems. Even with our own imperfections, we long to help each other. I can't begin to tell you how much I've gained by spilling my guts here and on other forums and in helping others with their struggles. That's part of the essence of a support group. So, let us know how you are doing--good or bad. Participation in any of the forums of OH will aid you with your feelings about yourself and with your eating. Bob
Along the same line, Dr Judith Beck advises us not to be too harsh with ourselves when we make eating mistakes or errors. She doesn't like the word "cheating", but unless I tell you that's what she means by eating mistakes, you'd be wondering what I'm talking about. I used to go to Overeaters Anonymous, and they used the term "slip." Regardless of the terminology, please do not condemn yourself when you slip, cheat, or have an eating error or mistake. We all have them eventually because we are human. We are not perfect and accepting our imperfections helps us to accept and love ourselves.
We should continue to try to follow our diets for life. Even 'though we know that emotional eating does not solve our problems, we should not condem ourselves if we succumb to it. It has been our coping mechanism for most of our lives and breaking that habit is difficult. Persist in your efforts. Do not be shy about posting here if you are having problems. Even with our own imperfections, we long to help each other. I can't begin to tell you how much I've gained by spilling my guts here and on other forums and in helping others with their struggles. That's part of the essence of a support group. So, let us know how you are doing--good or bad. Participation in any of the forums of OH will aid you with your feelings about yourself and with your eating. Bob
I'm trying to recommit to abstinence from my addictive foods. Just getting back in the mental mode of caring what I eat and trying to eat properly seems to be a first step. If I am not perfect with my eating throughout the day, I am now examining where I went wrong and I'm looking for solutions.
I'm now using Food Addiction--The Body Knows by Kay Sheppard along with the big red book from OA called Compulsive Overeater. These are in addition to the Beck's Diet Solution.
Personally, I'm also trying to incorporate readings from the Bible but I'm not a big Bible reader. From OA I know that I have to look to a higher power, so I am humbly starting to pray for God's help.
I've realized in the past that my God does not test me. Rather, he's always willing to help me. And, He's always ready to respond to my call--to my prayers. Yet, I try to go solo and prove things to God. That's so stupid! These are just my feelings and I'm not trying to preach to the masses.
So, I'm at trying for my first day of abstinance. The point at which my abstinance starts can be at any point in the day. And, if I slip, I'll just start again. I have no intention of waiting for my abstinance to start.
However, I do fear having a slip because past experience has taught me that a slip can last much longer than I can forsee. I know that I should pick myself up right away but I have an addiction. That addiction is progressive. I don't blame myself for having the disease or for my slips. I just pray that I will have longer periods of abstinence.
If you are inspired, please let us know how you are doing.
I'm now using Food Addiction--The Body Knows by Kay Sheppard along with the big red book from OA called Compulsive Overeater. These are in addition to the Beck's Diet Solution.
Personally, I'm also trying to incorporate readings from the Bible but I'm not a big Bible reader. From OA I know that I have to look to a higher power, so I am humbly starting to pray for God's help.
I've realized in the past that my God does not test me. Rather, he's always willing to help me. And, He's always ready to respond to my call--to my prayers. Yet, I try to go solo and prove things to God. That's so stupid! These are just my feelings and I'm not trying to preach to the masses.
So, I'm at trying for my first day of abstinance. The point at which my abstinance starts can be at any point in the day. And, if I slip, I'll just start again. I have no intention of waiting for my abstinance to start.
However, I do fear having a slip because past experience has taught me that a slip can last much longer than I can forsee. I know that I should pick myself up right away but I have an addiction. That addiction is progressive. I don't blame myself for having the disease or for my slips. I just pray that I will have longer periods of abstinence.
If you are inspired, please let us know how you are doing.
I like what you are saying. It is extremely hard to look at my reflection in the glass right now(my office has one wall of glass) - I have gained 24 pounds. I had gotten down to 157 - but mostly hovered around 163 and then hovered around 170 for several months and now I have creeped up another 15 pounds. It has to stop now - I've been this weight for two weeks now, and I have to lose back to 157 and then ultimately get down to 139 - I'd like to be at that weight by 3/19/10 - 3 yr anniversary - but I want to be at 157 by tomorrow and since that doesn't happen, I just keep eating. Today, so far, I've had 1 & 1/2 cinnamon rolls (little debbie ones 100 calorie snacks - at least not a Cinnabon), 3 pieces of bacon and 2 slices of wheat toast - all washed down with a diet mountain dew.
Please help!!!
Please help!!!
Ok. Part of your breakfast was fine--the 2 slices of wheat toast. I assume that you know the rest of it really isn't. I can't really judge the diet soda since I have it throughout the day myself. As far as the wheat toast goes, check the label to make sure that it's actually whole wheat and not white bread inriched with whole wheat. I've been using Peperidge Farms Light whole wheat which is about 45 cal per slice ( some packages are listed as 130 cal for 3 slices). The fact that you had bacon is not an indication of your daily food plan so I'll just let that slide. I was just as bad today since my wife and I each had McD's sausage and biscuits with egg (buy 1 get one free). But, usually I have 2 scrambled eggs, 2 slices of light whole wheat bread, a banana, 1 cup of coffee with a splash of non fat milk, and splenda along with DaVinci Gourmet sf'/ff syrup (sweetened with splenda), I know it sounds weird to have splenda along with DaVinci but I cut down on the amount of syrup that way.
I know that Beck's suggests planning the day's meals at least one day in advance but I don't do the cooking and my wife usually doesn't know what she's going to coo****il she gets up. So, I know what portions I will eat, how much protein at each meal, and calorie goals per day. Although I hate it, I've found that keeping a food log is invaluable. And, I keep a running count of my daily calories along with the journal. That way, Im aware of where my calorie count is at.
I also suggest using Walden Farms SF&FF salad dressings and sauses ( i.e., I really like their scampi saulce but find the tomato sauce too spicy).. Since tastes are so individual, try one or more at a time. I love the balsamic vinegar and the raspberry vinegary. I'm not big on most creamy dressings but I like the French and thousand Island.
Another good choice is to use "I Can't Believe It's Not Butter" spray or one of the others of that ilk. I use it on my toast as well as with my eggs.
When you start counting calories, you look for low cal alternatives. By the way, watch out for light yogurt which is usually low in fat but may have 11g of sugar in a 6 oz container.
I know that Beck's suggests planning the day's meals at least one day in advance but I don't do the cooking and my wife usually doesn't know what she's going to coo****il she gets up. So, I know what portions I will eat, how much protein at each meal, and calorie goals per day. Although I hate it, I've found that keeping a food log is invaluable. And, I keep a running count of my daily calories along with the journal. That way, Im aware of where my calorie count is at.
I also suggest using Walden Farms SF&FF salad dressings and sauses ( i.e., I really like their scampi saulce but find the tomato sauce too spicy).. Since tastes are so individual, try one or more at a time. I love the balsamic vinegar and the raspberry vinegary. I'm not big on most creamy dressings but I like the French and thousand Island.
Another good choice is to use "I Can't Believe It's Not Butter" spray or one of the others of that ilk. I use it on my toast as well as with my eggs.
When you start counting calories, you look for low cal alternatives. By the way, watch out for light yogurt which is usually low in fat but may have 11g of sugar in a 6 oz container.
Most Active
Recent Topics
