Triggers, do you have one that sets off your day?

I am feeling pretty frustrated with myself today, I totally blew it.......and I'm sitting here trying to figure out how to control days like this. I know very well that if my day starts off with carbs that the rest of the day I'll struggle with grazing and just overdoing it, not feeling satiated.  I often time can say no to bad choices then other times I just cannot resist even knowing if I do it, then my day is a struggle. So my question today for you is do you have a trigger that really causes you much distress and to go off course when you do it?  How do you avoid the situation or deal with it?

Hi Dana I know exactly what you are talking about and I *struggle* with it most days - I find If I get frustrated or I am borde - It is challenging! As far as avoiding it - I am working  it - I have to talk my self through the situation (positive) and refocus my energy elsewhere!!! Somedays - I do great and others - like today - not so good. StillI each day I strive to do the *best* I can. If I veer off course - I have trouble reeling it back in - I know that if I do make a bad choice- I *SHOULD* JUST MOVE FORWARD AND GET BACK ON TRACK (easier said than done for me) - Sorry I'm probably not much help... but want you to know - I understand! hugs, Britt

Fudge: the gateway drug

Soooooooooo, will I be seeing you on my way back home this summer? Seems like I've known you forever. OK, well, *I* am forever old enough, but you know, the part of forever you've been in my life.

Michelle, how do you get a handle on the situation, I'd like to get others view on dealing with this crazy feeling I have tonight.

I have a starting over program I send out for ppl who ask, but while it always worked for me before, this last time, the Fudge Pudge, didn't work.

I had to go to totally only protein. I did my usual 6 drinks/day, water + protein, never milk or juice or fruit, of course.

And the rule was if it doesn't walk, swim or fly I couldn't eat it. So, nuts, veggies, nothing like that. NO CARBS AT ALL. It took me about 2 weeks to let go of even healthy carbs (goes against my thinking), but then I lived strictly on meat or fish (i hate fish, so tuna) and bars. The bars I was using were 2g carb per bar and I was eating half a bar, so 1g per meal. Anyway, it did work, got the carb monster off my back and I've not had a single illegal thing since 4/1/07 now.

It's drastic, but I had 8 weeks to dump 13 pounds and always before, I just stopped eating anys sugars and poof, it fell off. This was much, much harder and I don't want to EVER have to work that hard again.

Good Morning!!! Like you, if I have carbs in the am I will struggle, so I don't eat any until later in the day. Also, if I get upset or emotional for whatever reason I will struggle. Once I get on a bad roll for the day I usually can not/do not stop myself, so that pretty much means I will continue to eat crap for the rest of the day instead of just saying "ok, I had a little debbie, let it go and be good for the rest of the day". My mind just doesn't work that way~it goes into " ok, I had a little debbie so I might as well have some chips, candy, whatever b/c the day's already ruined anyway". This is something I am REALLY trying to work on b/c I know its my downfall. The one good thing I can say for myself is I will keep it at a day~so yesterday I ate poorly, but today is a new day and I generally pull it back together and really buckle down the next day after blowing it. I usually add in some extra exercise too~maybe that the punishment for myself, LOL!  When I'm stuggling, but I haven't blown it yet, I try to divert my attention away from food on to something else~Kind of like what they say to do with children when they are misbehaving. I will go run up/down the stairs, do some push ups and crunches, grab a magazine, play a game with the boys, etc. Anything to get my mind off of food!!!!!!!

Tracy, I tend to do the same thing.....one day of inappropriate choices and the day is totally ruined/  After analyzing the day (that night) I am thankful I've been able to regroup, plan and make the next day successful.  I guess doing this is fine as long I the reins can be pulled in.  Those that have never had weight problems I believe think this way also.....it frightens me anyway but I know that I will never be perfect in my choices and will slip up.

Bad Carbs.  I just cannot start my day with any type of simple carbohydrate.  If I do, I just am hungry and have cravings from hell the rest of the day.  And I seem powerless to stop them.  I also have some emotional triggers such as boredom, anxiety, or being really overwhelmed at work.   The way I deal with the carb issue is I just simply do not eat my breakfast.  I drink it instead.  I have a protein shake every morning without fail for breakfast and that seems to work.  If I do allow myself to have simple carbohydrates, I try and do it in the evenings when I will be going to bed shortly afterward.  LOL. The emotional triggers are harder to deal with.  As far as boredom goes, I just try and stay busy.  If work is overwhelming or stressful I just take a time out and go talk to my friend upstairs who understands my eating issues as she has the very same ones.  And that helps alot to have someone right close by to help when I want to eat everything in my path.  The hardest one to deal with and my therapist is still trying to help me with this one and that is avoidance eating.  I eat to avoid things I don't want to deal with whether it is actual work or something emotionally trying.   I guess we will all have our struggles forever and just have to come up with new and creative ways to handle them.  Good luck. Melissa

I've been trying to post to this thread since last night...Computer glitches and then OH has also been having problems with the boards.  I wish I didn't lose the post I tried to post last night...It was probably too damn long anyway...As usual. What can I say?   Even the strongest willed people have to accept they are just human... You are such an incredible inspiration to so many people.  You come in here and support people and give them hugs and kudos everyday. You make the place interesting with your neat questions...and well, you just have to allow yourself those bad days.  I swear one day I will come in here and finally have a whole month together without boucing around on my derned scale like I am lately!   I literally gave up everything at my moms...I knew I was gonna pay for it too. But you guys really helped me to not freak out too much...I sink into such deep depression when I don't talk to someone about these things.   Spring is almost around the corner...Everything always gets better in the spring. Then we get to freeze in air conditioned buildings. (colder than winter sometimes) What does one say to a mentor that could be encouraging??  I dunno sweetie...You have to give yourself a break!  Because you really got it under control...I know you do. Now you have to know you do!  But I can give a hug... Anita

Anita, thanks sweetie you reply means allot to me.......I know what to do and I will do it....that's the only way......I tend to really get down on myself when I lose control. A hug back to you too!