See gang, sometimes when we think we "pig out" we really aren't. Stressing over having something that makes us feel guilty or we feel we fell off the wagon. Well, we really haven't and for us that are maintaining our weight really check this one out. We gotta think like "thin people" and how they eat. Yep, we gotta get our Protein in but to think we aren't going to have some treat now and then...well....drop the guilt!

Yes, some that can't control their behavior if they have a treat and it sets them off to binge eat. Be careful! But learning how to eat different without guilt is what I have to learn.

The Latest from the Eating Coach

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Healthy versus unhealthy Posted: 09 Mar 2010 04:00 AM PST Take a look at these two lists: List A Salad (3/4 cup with one tbs. ranch dressing -- lettuce, carrot, and tomato) Apple (2) Black beans ( 1 cup canned) Banana (two small) Lowfat yogurt ( 1 cup vanilla) Fish (8.5 oz grilled ocean cod) Orange juice (Tropican 16 oz.) Baked chicken ( 7 oz. breast) List B Hershey's kisses (4 pieces) Ice cream (2/3 cup Breyer's vanilla) Soda (16 oz. cola; non-diet) French fries (McDonald's small fry) Cookies (4 Oreo) Potato chips (1/2 oz Ruffles BBQ) Pizza (Pizza Hut - one slice medium cheese with thing crust) Hamburger (McDonald's regular hamburger) Okay -- what opinions have you already formed about these lists? Have you already rated them in the "Healthy" and "Unhealthy" categories? So...which one is which? Which one looks more like the food you eat in a day? Which one would make you gain weight quicker? Okay -- you have answered all these questions right? Seriously. Take a look at the list -- when I did, I divided it up into the likelihood I could get a full days worth of meals out of each of them. Which one would be more satisfying to eat? Which one (if you weren't so conscientious about setting aside judgment) would make you feel the most guilty for eating? These were some of the questions researchers asked study participants when showing them these food lists. The answers I would expect to hear from you are pretty straight forward -- just reflexively, most of us have been trained to see list A as a better choice. A healthier choice. But here is the kicker: List A's calorie content 1600 cal. List B's calorie content 1669 cal. List A and B are separated by 69 cal!!! I have given it a decent amount of thought since I came across this study and I think I would be hard pressed to eat all of the food in List B. There is enough fat in that list to provide some satiety for a while. It doesn't appear that List A would do that for me for a whole day -- there just doesn't look like that much satisfying food. What are you using your food for? If it is weight loss, each of these lists are (nearly -- separated by 69 calories) as "Healthy" of a choice. And one definitely NOT make you feel like you are on a diet!

You are so right.....my Mother who was thin....used to say all the time....."All things in moderation"
....and I know that for me it is too many times....."All or nothing"...perfection OR bad stuff. I have found that it is exercise that makes a difference for me. I have a super slow metabolism and I have to do all I can to speed it up......My Mother had such a fast metabolism that she just couldn't maintain weight...Thanks for the info and thoughts.  Love, Marti

Yep, I'm an "all or nothing gal" too.
We have to stop and think, small amounts and it's not going to put weight on us and that we are not "bad". Stopping the guilt and looking at the whole picture and really how many calories is taken in...yes stop the guilt. This is our life. Letting the guilt go and loving ourselves, that lifts us up!

I know  my biggest downfall is my wine....before you know it I have had three glasses which is about a bottle of wine....and that is 750 calories right there......I havd been trying to drink grape juice "healthy balanced" which has 35 calories a glass after the first glass....and when I am out make my self drink a whole glass of water between glasses....but I understand only I can control it.....and I am working on it.

Unfortunately, I am like Scarlet when I am in the midst of doing bad things....and say to myself "I'll think about that tomorrow"........that's when the guilt sets in.......and I deserve it.....I need to change
M

Oh, you have a handle on it Marti. Wine is fattening after 4 oz!!!

Good plan with the grape juice and water. I'm not much of a drinker but once in awhile I do like wine. I didn't before surgery but now I like the taste...go figure!!

We can change. We are always a work in progress. Have a great day!

Are we related???????? LOL!!!!!!!!!
My mom always says "all things in moderation".

PS - didn't realize it was your Bday, hope it was a great day!

During all the time I was losing my weight and since I've been "on maintenance" and learning to live day-to-day in my new lifestyle I always tell myself I can choose from just about any food but always try to make the healthiest selection.  I look at as having a calorie budget.....If I can eat 2 slices of bread for 80 cals instead of 1 slice for 70 cals I'd rather have the two (as long as the fat and fiber are similar).  But other times I'd rather have 3 small Pumpkin Balls (my cookie things) rather than eating 2 bananas.

Anyhow, it was interesting to read.....thanks for sharing!

You have done so well...you are the bomb!!
I so admire you. Have a great day moosie!

Hey, that was some great food for thought,,very eye opening. I was  just sitting here before I read that, beating myself up for eating 2 Tablespoons of potatoes with my supper last night, when I realized I hadnt had a snack yesterday,,so I was ok calorie wise after all! Funny how our minds play with us like that. I too am an "All or nothing" type,,and its been my downfall so many times.

Im gonna print this out and hang it on the fridge as a reminder that there is nothing I cannot have in moderation,,and that this truly is not a diet, its a lifestyle.

Thanks again!
Betsy

There you go Betsy!! You've got it my friend.

We are the hardest on ourselves. Having something then feeling guilty, then beating ourselves up for it. All that crappy stuff we feel has got to go...and go far away!

I also believe most of us are "All or Nothing people". We think we have ruined the whole day and we haven't!!

Yes, this is not a diet but a lifestyle change. NO more dieting!
Moderation...and we have a tool to help us now with moderation.
Reshaping our thinking is a must.