I Feel like I need AA for former fat people(OA??)

Elina, what a marvelous, generous idea...I have often treated myself with little rewards, but the idea of setting something aside each week for a special charity is SO great. You're right, it adds a big additional level of self-accountability. Thank you!!

L.

My pleasure Lizanne.  I got the idea from seeing how motivating it is to do a walkathon or a race for the cure for many people.  Sometimes what we are unwilling or unable to do for ourselves we CAN do for others.  My charity is St. Jude, because the cause of finding cures for childhood diseases and helping families with sick children brings me to my knees with feeling.  If you find a cause you deeply believe in, the extra motivation can serve as the wind beneath your wings.  Sometimes when I just don't think I can go without a treat or am tired and have low willpower, just the thought of a sick child and their mother gets me thinking about the big picture.  I get this picture in my mind of a little girl with leukemia and her family who need my help and that cookie just doesn't call my name at all after that.  It works for me and I hope you find a charity that moves you to tears and then you can do anything.

I'm to new to be dolling out advice to someone 3+ years out.  I just wanted to give you a big hug. ((((hugs)))) .  Also, I know how you feel.  At this moment, this very moment I am struggling with cravings.  The other night I threw away a bag of almonds and a bag of cookies because I couldn't keep my mits off of them.  Today, that decision is paying off.  I want them right now.  If they were in the house I would be blowing my meal plan for the day.  Instead, as soon as I finish this water, I am going to nuke 5 brussel sprouts.  The brussel sprouts are on my meal plan for today's snack.  It will fill my belly....but not my head hunger, which wants crunch, salt, sugar, and fat....but it will fill the space in my tummy.  I post the "whatcha eating today" threads now, because they keep me accountable.  Knowing I am putting it out there for all to see keeps me on track.  It's embarrassing to have to write "cookie"
Hope things get better for you! 

I think it takes a truly arrogant person to believe that she can not learn something from others.  We all bring something to the table, and your experiences may help me along the way, so thank you!  And actually your comment about head hunger is so on point.  That is exactly what I was battling the other night.  I had the fruit, I had the broccoli, but my mind knew the chocolate was in the pantry!  No amount of food was going to fill my head hunger.  I'm working on putting it out there to make myself behave too!

Thank you, I feel the same way, I can learn from anyone!

Yes, head hunger.  I'm tired of being head hungers *****!!!!  It's so hard to break the cycle isn't it?  I got through yesterday, and I got through today.....After I ate my brussel sprouts I was better, but it took awhile for the whole craving to go away.  I am at peace at this moment.  Tomorrow will be day 3 with no nuts.  The cookies were bad to have around, but the almonds were worse.  I am almonds *****why oh why do they call to me so???  I am glad that I have no chocolate........they would be calling my name from the pantry too.

 The only thing I will add to the terrific suggestions, support and advice already here is that you may also need to be prepared to tolerate your feelings long enough to implement some of these suggestions instead of eating.  Tolerating may mean feeling uncomfortable because you really want the food but are resisting it until you can distract yourself with something else.  Sometimes for me it also means tolerating my stress or anger or frustration or depression or relief or joy or whatever long enough to figure out what I really need in any situation that does not involve food.  When I make food choices in the grip of an emotion, positive or negative, it is much harder to make choices that don't make me feel worse in the aftermath.

I think any intervention that resonates with you is the right one as long as you can tolerate feeling uncomfortable long enough to make the choice you want to make - and we know that uncomfortable feeling gets less and less when we've cleared our system of the junk.  At least it does for me, once I get through the first 2-3 days of food detox.

I think that you've kept your weight off for 3 years, you're on top of your weight gain right now at 4 pounds instead of 10, and I think you'll continue to be successful!  

Well, you have a lot of company. If you look back through older posts you will see this story over and over. Lots of people have a rough spot in life and revert to bad eating habits for a short time. It happens. Its common. Must be a real bummer to have your knee out as it really restricts what you can do.

And while I don't blame you a bit for seeking some food comfort, you know you are only hurting yourself with this and the comfort you get is fleeting and really not satisfactory. Remind yourself of this next time you are tempted to get cookies. In fact, stop for a moment and think about what is making you want that cookie? Are you anxious, frightened, bored, in pain, frustrated by your knee injury, envious of what someone else can eat? Take a minute to identify your mental state. Then think about what sorts of other things might alleviate that mental discomfort besides eating something. Most head hunger passes in 20 minutes or so. If you are feeling anxious, finding another activity might help. They tell cigarette smokers to wear a rubber band on their wrist and snap it when they get the smoking urge. Change cir****tances by going to another room or doing something else. Journal all food and tell yourself if you have hunger, real or head, that what you get to have is a protein drink. the end. makes you reconsider.

Sublimate has set up these friday 5 pm conference calls as a support group. I have only been able to do it once but its great. this weeks topic is what to do about night eating. You might want to participate and get some hints. I find I am more likely to night eat if I didn't get protein in earlier in the day like a decent amount at breakfast and lunch. If you don't eat much all day you are more likely to binge at night.

I have no doubt this is a temporary bump in the road for you and you will get back to your regular habits and adjust this issue. Lots and lots of others have done it too.  GL   Diane

You guys are all great!  Its now past  9 p.m, eastern time.  I have been following several recommendations.  I've been journalling, staying away from trigger foods, I even planned ahead for the day and night(thank you Elina!).  And Yes, I even planned an evening snack( a protein coffee, Diane!) for later.  With the coffee, my calorie totals will be 634.  I know that's low, but oh so much better than 2077 cals from Sunday or 1833 from yesterday. 

The pantry has been purged.  I feel better, more under control, and the head hunger is at bay for now.  It really is a mental game.  Maybe I'm not feeling hungry because I know I can have that protein coffee if needed.  But I think it has more to do with the fact that I'm drinking more fluids tonight.  I'm notoriously bad with drinking once I leave work.  I also know from previous experience that the less I drink ,the "hungrier" I feel.  So I'm on round 2 of drinking 8 oz. of water, ice, and 3 oz. of Mott's lite apple juice. Light and refreshing, and it satisfies my sweet tooth.

 

*squeeze*

You know all the stuff to do darlinggirl.

Sometimes its good to know *why* we do something, but it doesnt always change our behavior.  For me, sometimes I just had to learn that its okay to feel ****ty about things, be sad, be mad, feel helpless.  I have to remind myself what I REALLY REALLY REALLY REALLY WANT, sometimes it helps, sometimes I just am mad, sad, ****ty, lonely,  helpless, feel bingey.

For me too, I cant **** myself about bringing home goodies for anybody, cuz I know its just for me, and i work really hard to just tell me the truth about that kind of stuff, no more lying to me about stuff I *know* I am lying about.

I am sorry that you have such a huge burden girlie.  I hope you and your husband both heal up well and quickly so yall can get back to your healthy, happy selves.

Also, structure saves my ass more times than not.  And in the post before this - what you have said is - you are now following a structured dealio and it is helping you feel safe.  The whole "structure trumps willpower" thing is part of what I blab about all the time.  I *knew* I needed it from the get go, and I think sometimes other folks do not think they need it until they get squeezed (it being strategy, not necessarily this paticular strategy).

Anyway - this is THE BOOK, not a link to where to buy or a blurb, but THE BOOK, with the exception of the diet part, which for me is too carby anyway.  But - cruise through here too, when you are feeling anxty an maybe there are things in here that will be helpful for you!

http://books.google.com/books?id=Nl2bfrlGW4AC&lpg=PR1&ots=Fr kuEEWBTi&dq=%22thin%20commandments%22&pg=PR4#v=onepage&q&f=f alse

Much love, girlie.

Thanks B,
You are so right about structure.  And I will definitley get the book.  it's the only book that I don't have, I think.