Abstinence - Day 49

I want to make a comment about my 1600-calorie, diabetic food plan.  Sometimes it's around that many calories, and sometimes it's more.  I don't worry about it, as long as I eat mostly healthy foods.  If you have an eating disorder, then controlling it can be very difficult.  Overeaters Anonymous was the only thing I found where I could control my food addiction and stay out of my eating disorder, which is Binge Eating Disorder.  I've learned to eat slower, and chew more thoroughly, too.  If I eat too fast, I feel like I'm choking.  Working the 12 Step OA program helps me to stay out of the food.  Maybe you are someone who is turned off by attending groups, or by the spiritual nature of the program.  But I've found it really works!  As for the word "abstinence", it simply means refraining from compulsive overeating. Breakfast 1 orange 1 cup oatmeal 1 cup 1% milk 1 mug coffee 2 cups water I cut out the scrambled egg substitute to save money on my shopping bill.  I found I didn't even miss it. Lunch 2 whole wheat pita breads with spinach, tomato slices, shaved turkey lunch meat,1 slice American cheese, 1 tsp. mayo 1 large red plum 2 cups water Dinner Red kidney bean and sweet potato chili (1-1/4 cups) 2/3 cups brown rice with 1 tsp. margarine 17 grapes Crystal Light peach ice tea The dinner is my first vegetarian meal.  The recipe comes from my sister Pat, who sent me several vegetarian recipes.  My brother, sister-in-law and brother-in-law are all vegetarians.  I don't think I could completely give up meat, but it's nice to eat vegetarian meals once in a while. Denise Phares

I'm not a group kind of person.  A couple of years ago I always wondered if there was an Overeaters Anonymous.  Because I am a binge eater. I truely am. I can eat and eat then be full for 5 minutes and do it again. I have learned to control most of it in the past 3 weeks. It's extremely hard for me though.  I think what you're doing is great. And all the food you post sounds yummy. Makes me want to eat it.  Keep it up! You're doing really good. And good luck on your weigh in! ---Christa

Denise you are a great asset to this board. I'm not sure there are any others on this board that can refrain from overeating or making unhealthy choices as long as you have.  If OA is how you did it then there's definitely proof in that pudding. (pardon the pun) I think I am just afraid of going to an OA meeting. Inside, I do want to go but I'm afraid I'll quit that too.  It's partly the spiritual side and the other part the sponsor.  I don't mind the groups. I mind there being someone who will call on me in their time of need. I'm afraid I won't be sincere enough or that I will fail them.  On the spiritual side I am confused here. I claim to be a Christian but I honestly struggle tremendously with this nowadays. I've been saved and have even led a motorcycle ministry. Still though I struggle severely. With what I don't know exactly.  I cannot pinpoint where my struggle lies so I suppose I'm still searching myself. I'm not even sure what it is that I fear about OA's spirituality. Perhaps I'm afraid of yoga-like sessions, maybe it's I'm afraid I'll find God again, maybe its I'm afraid I'll find that Christianity isn't my answer, maybe perhaps perhaps maybe.... It's weird and very hard to explain. I know there has to be a supreme being, but I'm not sure he/she/it is interested in me. There are so many things to think about in the world, so many religions, so much history, so many facts, so much fiction...how does one person grasp all of this and make a logical decision?  SO yeah, because it's immensely difficult I seem to avoid it now. BUT, I want to be done with this overeating problem and I want the weight to be gone. That's the only thing, besides my family and career, that I am certain of.

Heya Denise,      My usual boring day went as follows: 6:00 am - South Beach protein bar 8:30 am - Zone Perfect protein bar 11:00 am - South Beach wraps 1:30 pm - entire box of SF/FF banana pudding 4:00 pm - Caesar salad 6:30 pm - will be Caesar salad as well      I'm working on my fourth water (80 oz.) right now, so I'll do another one when I treadmill later  and probably one at bedtime to hit 120 oz.  I treadmilled this morning (then gardened and mowed the lawn), but I'm missing my usual gym day this afternoon, so that's why I'm going to treadmill a second time this evening.      The main big cloud on the horizon for me is Sunday and getting through two different family Easter dinners.  They're out to get me!!! LOL

Hi Kitties... I sent you a pm regarding the recipe for the red bean/sweet potatoe chili...would you mind sharing it? It sounds good!  Thanks! Sandra