Abstinence - Days 179 & 180 (Six months of abstinence!)

Monday, August 13, 2007 Breakfast 1 cup oatmeal 1/2 orange 1 cup 1% milk 1 mug coffee 2 cups water Lunch 2 large whole wheat pita breads Veal Fritter Peas Peach slices Pasta with tomato sauce 2 cups water Dinner Tilapia & salmon filets on griddle 1 cup brown rice with 1 tsp. margarine 1 can no salt mixed vegetables 1/2 cup unsweetened applesauce 1-1/2 cups 1% milk Tuesday, August 14, 2007 - Sixth month of abstinence Breakfast 1 cup Rolling Oats cereal 1 banana 1 cup 1% milk 1 mug coffee 2 cups water Lunch 1 elongated pita bread with spinach, tomato slices, 6 slices smoked ham, 1 slice American cheese, 1 tsp. mayo 9 prunes 2 cups water Dinner 1 thigh Special Chicken Cacciatore 1 cup whole wheat macaroni with sauce 1 can vegetable soup 1/4 cantaloupe 1-1/2 cups 1% milk Denise Phares Since my occasional indulges seem to disturb everybody on this board so much, I won't be listing what I eat daily anymore.  I'll participate in the 6 months weight losing contest, but that's it.  I will say this only once - I'm NOT ON A DIET!  I do occasionally have sweets, and I do not apologize for it.  I don't do it all the time!  I'm not on a strict diet, as the rest of you are.  I can't diet anymore.  I got burned out on that in 2001, after having been on over twenty diets in my adult life.  Most of the time, I eat healthy.  Occasionally, on the weekends, I indulge.  I am slowly losing weight, and that is fine with me. Thanks for your input. DP

Thank you for the clarification.  I know that I didnt mean to make you feel you had to somehow justify yourself.  I for one was really just wondering what YOUR goals were so that I could encourage you when you were meeting them or bring you up when you werent. Congratulations on 6 months!

I know I don't feel that way.  I hope you continue to do whatever you want to.  We're not here to judge anyone, but to hopefully help anyone in anyway that we can.  You are accountable only to yourself for whatever you do.  At least your honest.  We are not always going to like everyones opinion, but they are just opinions and sometimes they honestly mean no harm.  Take want you want and leave the rest.  So far I have been grateful for all the replies I have received.  I want my replies to be honest opinions, not always necessarily what I want to hear.  Lord knows I'm not perfect.   Take care. Brenda

When asked (multiple times) what your goals for yourself were, the only thing close to an answer we had before was "a 1600 calorie diet." Those were your words, and what I think people have in mind when they read your posts. You don't interact. You don't offer support. You drop menus on the doorstep, and in exchange you expect some kind of ...I don't know what...but when *you* figure out what your goals are and what you need from people (besides "to be defensive") please, let us know. You can't get what you want until you know what it is. Give it some thought.

My goal, Shari, is to lose all of my excess weight, and get down to around 115 or 113 pounds.  I've dieted many times in the past, and even reached goal weight a few times.  But I could never figure out on my own how to eat to maintain a weight.  This is because I'm a (recovering) compulsive overeater, which is a disease using food as an addiction.  Some people in OA are allergic to wheat, white flour products (highly processed), and sugar.  I'm not, but I have a tendency to want to eat too much at meals, or sometimes, even binge (eating a large amount of food in a short period of time for non-hunger reasons).  Bingeing is my eating disorder, when I allow myself to indulge in it.  Lately, I've had the strength to avoid it when that thought comes into my head.  I attribute this to the help of my Higher Power (God), the 12-step program, and my sponsor.  Sometimes I disagree with my sponsor, but I always listen to her first, before disagreeing.  She's had 16 years in OA, and knows alot more than me.

OA isn't the only way to lose weight.  I know this.  It's the right way for ME.  I sometimes suggest going to a meeting to other people on this board; people who have trouble controlling their eating.  I know some people are turned off by the spiritual aspect of OA.  If they have enough will-power and self control to do without turning to their Higher Power, then more power to them.  I used to be that way when I was younger, but I am not that way anymore.  I was failing at Weigh****chers the last time I was on a diet, because I couldn't stop cheating.  When you can't stop, this is often the sign that you may be a compulsive overeater, and into food addiction. Sorry I rambled on so. Denise Phares

 

So if I understand correctly, your goal is simply to eat like a 'normal person' in normal quantities and at normal times.

Is that right?

 

When it comes to eating, I will never be able to eat like a normal eater.  I will remain in OA for life, to keep my addiction at bay.  A normal person simply eats when they like, what they like, and eats as much as they feel like.  I can't do this, because I'm a (recovering) food addict.  My sponsor and I have had disagreements over my eating "goodies" after my church service.  I have been able to limit myself to three cookies, or three "goodies", and feel that this is OK.  In the past, I took as much as I "felt" like, which was way too much!  I wanted to try every cookie or goodie they offered!  Obviously, I cannot do this.  So I started out not eating any at all, then my Higher Power allowed me to limit myself to three only.  A normal eater would only eat a small number of cookies, I'm sure.  I've tried to suggest to my husband that he eat only three, but he doesn't listen to me.  Oh well, I really can't control another person's eating, anyway.

Denise Phares

Ok. When you post what you've eaten here is there something that you want from us?  Do you want us to give you kudos when you do well?  Do you want us to encourage you when you dont do well (if you eat 5 cookies for instance?)  Are you just posting it to have a record for yourself to look back on?  Is the posting for you and you alone to ponder?

Hi Violamom, Of course I can't speak FOR Denise, but to me, I have the feeling that by posting what she eats, its an accountability thing thats all.

yes, your guess is as good as anyones... and since Denise cant or wont tell us what she wants from us I can only assume that she wants nothing and the postings are for her and her alone...  If I'm wrong so be it, nothing I can do about it if she doesnt tell us what she wants.