One Big Decision, Followed by Thousands of small ones every day

As I move into Week 6 and reflect on my experience so far, and my previous experience losing on Atkins ---  and being surrounded by holiday treats everywhere, I think my long term success will be the result of my one Big Decision (VSG) and  thousands of small ones every day.

Having a small capacity and being in ketosis (for the low carbers) provide a very powerful ability for me to not feel hunger like I did before, and additionally, not feel cravings.

But the "treats" are right outside my cube, on a table I decorated, and some of the treats I brought (left over from the two dessert galas I hosted).  I notice that I have the same lack of cravings as I did on Atkins, but still, I find myself making a very conscious decision to "Just say NO" (for those of you old enough to remember the Nancy Reagan anti-drug campaign!).

And as I read the posts from vets who are at or close to maintenance, it seems that their success boils down to analyzing situations, preparing the best they can, and then saying no to items that they have not included in their eating plan (regardless of whether it's a "treat", it was planned). 

But still, I find myself entertaining thoughts of eating things, almost on autopilot. I then find myself saying a conscious "No!  This is how the path to not losing (or gaining) starts!"

We will all face different food challenges through this journey, especially at special occasions.  For some, no sweets.  For some, no sweet potatoes, etc. 

But I can tell you, that just this week, I was surprised by what triggered a bit of a reaction -- green beans cooked with a little bacon. I had cooked them, so I knew all of the nutritional info was correct, and had a very small portion with some bison/beef meatloaf -- and at the end of the meal -- I wanted MORE GREEN BEANS! 

Hmmm. Where did that come from?  Some of you may say -- green beans?  So what?  But for me, there was just something about that craving that didn't feel right.  So I said, no!  And I started to ponder what was going on. 

Well, I had just bought the pressure cooker, and thought it would be fun to make a little bit of "southern green beans" -- which for those of you who raised elsewhere - these are green beans "cooked to death with pork fatback.".  I made a revised version with a couple of slices of very thinly sliced low sodium center cut bacon, browned and pressure cooked with the beans.  Not as good as the "real thing", but good enough to trigger some desire to get comfort by eating more of them. 

As I thought about it more, it made sense.  It's the holidays.  I love to cook.  I'm not baking.  There was clearly some "void" that I needed to fill around comfort food and the holidays.

So, I guess the lesson here boils down to "I can still be surprised by what can unexpectedly trigger a craving" and when that happens, I have to make a decision -- Yes or No.  And that I'll be making that decision thousands of times over the rest of my life.

 

 

Amen to this. Thanks for posting and here's to all of us OHers making the right decisions when the time comes.

I predict a long history of loss and maintenance in your future.  You have the perfect attitude for the long haul stated quite eloquently in your post.  It really is just one big decision and thousands of little decisions that make all the difference.  The triggers keep changing but the way you analyzed the situation is exactly what I still do when I am triggered.  It has become a habit now, and that has made all the difference in the world.

Carrots and celery trigger bad eating for me. The trick is figuring it out, whatever food it is.

Good job seeing what triggered you.

I learned through some consulting sessions that to change a behavior or response it must be "acted" out at least 90 times before it starts to feel less forced. So my motto is fake it to make it!! Eventually I think it becomes more of a natural response.

I will never profess to be an expert, this is such an ever changing learning process.

Keep soul searching, For me it is the key!! :)

Very well said!  I feel the exact same way.  You are doing so great!!!

Thanks you all for your encouraging words!  Some days, I feel like I'm getting it, and then there are others when I smack myself up the side of the head and say, "Duh!"  Like now, when I just finished having dinner, and suddenly, I had too much!  I should have been eating slower!  Ya learn something new about yourself or your sleeve every day!

You are right, we learn more about this every day. But that is the key message here. We LEARN or....we fail. We have to be wide awake to catch the lessons sometimes. Your post made me smile.

Annie