Lead me not into temptation
Here in NJ it's already 11-01-10. I'm starting to go sugar and white flour free and to not have my other addictive foods whi*****lude all kinds of chips and ice cream. I've tried this before and failed many times. But, in 2009 I went from early Jan to late May without having them. I enjoyed freedom from temptaion. More importantly, I was happy. Eventually, I didn't even consider having these addictive substances. For me, they are not really food. I can live perferctly fine without them. However, since late May of last year, I haven't been able to go even 2 days without my addictive substances.
I know that I use my mental illness as an excuse. It probably does present problems. I know of several men who have the same mental illness who are also having difficulties with their post-op eating. That doesn't mean that I should just give up. Actually, I can't give up. My problem has always come with between meal eating: I call it snacking but my wife says it's more like a continuous meal. I have my normal nutritious meals and begin snacking within 1/2 hour after having the meal and continue until I go to bed. Even then, if I get up during the night, I have more junk. I know I can have healthy foods even at that time and I have low fat string cheese, lite rye bread (whole grain), and fruit available.
I'm just starting again. I know I've tried several times before but it's important to me to let my fellow men know that I am trying again. I know that I will need to pray for success. I also ask for your prayers. And, I know that I must take positive actions such as writing down everything that I eat, weighing and measuring, and eating properly.
Oh, yes, I have to do this one day at a time. There will be many times when I have to take things by the hour or even by the minute. I have trouble living in the here and now. I have to give up dreaming about the past and the future. I can make reasonable plans for the future. I can set goals. I've found myself drifting without having any goals. I heard a popular young artist this weekend say that she has found success because her parents taught her to totally live in the present. I've heard other people say this also.
I have cleaned out the cupboards so to speak. I'm ready to practice what I'm preaching. I feel happy just saying this. Hopefully, I'll thank God before I go to sleep that He is helping me now. And, I must always be willing to ask for help with this problem from Him, from you, and from my family and friends. See ya later. Thanks.
I know that I use my mental illness as an excuse. It probably does present problems. I know of several men who have the same mental illness who are also having difficulties with their post-op eating. That doesn't mean that I should just give up. Actually, I can't give up. My problem has always come with between meal eating: I call it snacking but my wife says it's more like a continuous meal. I have my normal nutritious meals and begin snacking within 1/2 hour after having the meal and continue until I go to bed. Even then, if I get up during the night, I have more junk. I know I can have healthy foods even at that time and I have low fat string cheese, lite rye bread (whole grain), and fruit available.
I'm just starting again. I know I've tried several times before but it's important to me to let my fellow men know that I am trying again. I know that I will need to pray for success. I also ask for your prayers. And, I know that I must take positive actions such as writing down everything that I eat, weighing and measuring, and eating properly.
Oh, yes, I have to do this one day at a time. There will be many times when I have to take things by the hour or even by the minute. I have trouble living in the here and now. I have to give up dreaming about the past and the future. I can make reasonable plans for the future. I can set goals. I've found myself drifting without having any goals. I heard a popular young artist this weekend say that she has found success because her parents taught her to totally live in the present. I've heard other people say this also.
I have cleaned out the cupboards so to speak. I'm ready to practice what I'm preaching. I feel happy just saying this. Hopefully, I'll thank God before I go to sleep that He is helping me now. And, I must always be willing to ask for help with this problem from Him, from you, and from my family and friends. See ya later. Thanks.
Good luck this time buddy. I've always had the "grazing" problem with having to snack on something continuously while watching television, especially a football game. I'm only 3 1/2 weeks out and I'm already grazing with a little jello or popsicle or pudding between meals. As for the bad stuff, I learned way back that it was easier NOT TO GIVE IT UP, but treat myself to a reward by having a one time bad boy treat every month IF I've been following my plan. That seemed to work for the most part except for holidays.
I'm in no way qualified to tell you how to change your life to a "more healthy, less junk" lifestyle. But I'd think the fact that you already know your pitfalls, and have the desire to overcome them, puts you ahead of the game.
I'm in no way qualified to tell you how to change your life to a "more healthy, less junk" lifestyle. But I'd think the fact that you already know your pitfalls, and have the desire to overcome them, puts you ahead of the game.
I've learned to forgive myself if I slip and eat addictive foods, but I cannot plan on eating them. They trigger a physical as well as a mental response. If I "cheat", I never know how long it will take me to get clean again. It's been almost 18 mos since I purposely rewarded myself with addictive food. It's just not worth the problem. As I've said, I realize that I have a food addiction to certain "foods" or substances. Just knowing that isn't the solution. Avoiding them seems to be the only method that works for me. I've known about the problem for about 30 years--even when I wasn't even fat . But it didn't matter back then.
In my family, food was always a "reward". My parents were wonderful in every way, and I'm sure they meant well, but didn't realize the pattern they were setting. I'm just starting off on this journey myself, but all the reading I've done in prep for my RNY surgery (tomorrow!) has me firmly convinced that I absolutely MUST break the cycle of "food rewards" and channel it somewhere else. I haven't quite got "somewhere else" figured out yet, but maybe it will be new clothes, a bike ride, a new book, or something like that. Just not food.
Like you, I have a problem snacking while watching football on TV. This year, the Cowboys are making it easier for me, by playing so poorly that I can barely stand to watch. So, I've been picking up the iPad, and browsing OH instead of mindlessly munching. Now sure how long that will last, but there's a LOT of Internet out there... LOL
I think you've got the right attitude: Plan for success, take it one step at a time, and if you falter along the way, forgive yourself, try to learn from it (why did I feel like I just had to have XXX?), put it behind you, and take the next step toward your goal.
Like you, I have a problem snacking while watching football on TV. This year, the Cowboys are making it easier for me, by playing so poorly that I can barely stand to watch. So, I've been picking up the iPad, and browsing OH instead of mindlessly munching. Now sure how long that will last, but there's a LOT of Internet out there... LOL
I think you've got the right attitude: Plan for success, take it one step at a time, and if you falter along the way, forgive yourself, try to learn from it (why did I feel like I just had to have XXX?), put it behind you, and take the next step toward your goal.
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