TGIF 08/12/16

We have strawberries early on in the year. Then blue berries, tomatoes then water mellon and now figs.  I tend to graze anyway but i will wake up to eat a grea****er mellon.  Most of these are not awful with calories.  It is the fact that I will eat it til full then think about it for an hour then eat til full again.  I use to work in wood working for a living and now, even though I am good at it, I stress more now than when I was depending on it for income.  I will work a while.  Stress builds up.  Water mellon in the house.  Eat til full. Stress gone.  Go back out to do something in the shop.  And the cycle repeats.

Safe fruits would be less sweet and less intense flavor.  Blue berries last longer than strawberries.  I have discovered raspberries this years. Very intense flavor.  Odd that I never ate them before this year. 

I listened to the Kessler book recently too and it is excellent. I completely see the relevance of 'layered' foods, particularly carbs (sugar) and fat.  Yes, salt matters too but for me it's the sweet taste I'm looking for. I find the salt and fat combo easier to control now. Yes, they are a highly 'palatable', so I always eat them last if at all. Fortunately my restriction is still top notch so there's not much call after I fini**** plus some low carb veggies.  And, if nacho chips were offered as a snack, I wouldn't eat them unless I was also offered a dense protein to eat first. (Yes, that's one of my day to day longstanding rules, which are non negotiable)

Might have heard an abbreviated version of the book so may not have heard all the strategies, but I was pleased to see that I've already consistently incorporated virtually all of the ones I heard. They've been very helpful, especially when combined with the basic VSG rules, which I continue to follow. I hadn't considered how being served or preparing bite size pieces of food influence my behaviour though, so will keep that in mind.

The only thing that I find can really set me off (can't quit eating until all gone) is candy of any kind, but especially chewy candy like Twizzlers, etc. I never buy candy or park myself next to a bowl or open bag. I may allow myself one or two if I go into a bank or one is included with a restaurant bill (check) because they are limited. Chocolate has virtually no pull.

So while I avoid the one particular thing that openly sets me off, the way I get triggered is by eating excessive amounts of carbs - any kind - over a period of time. Usually more than 150 daily consistently for a few weeks. Starts with daily doses of baked goods, ice cream, etc. (fat and sugar, with a little salt thrown in for good measure, right? but if I start adding additions fruit, etc. I start craving everything carby and experience excessive head hunger. The siren is loud.  Easy to reverse the trend if I'm purposeful about it though (That's one of the ways I use rules) But with that said, most of my meals are quite low carb and if I include extras they are sweets (rarely with a meal though, usually eaten seperately).

Hope this makes sense. 

Great to know about the twizzlers (as example of what draws you in)! It makes total sense because a Twizzler is one of those hyper palatable, manufactured to be over eaten foods. Check out the ingredients:

Corn syrup, wheat flour, sugar, cornstarch, contains 2% or less of: palm oil, salt, artificial flavor, glycerin, citric acid, potassium sorbate (preservative), artificial color (red 40), and soy lecithin.

So you see, you've got sugar on sugar on sugar then layered with a bit of fat and salt. 

It is interesting to me how we all have slightly different "pulls". Clearly, you have done a lot of behavior modification (or CBT stuff) which I believe is the magic key. You have rules that you follow and when things get a little bit loose (before they get unmanageable), you use your rules to get you back on the path that works for you. This is what I strive to do. This behavior change and rule setting is my ultimate goal. To me, it is the key to getting off the yoyo cycle. 

I also notice in your description that you sort of dial up gradually, whereas my issues are almost instantaneous: e.g. once I start it is VERY HARD for me to stop eating - at least right now where I am in my cycle. 

Thanks so much for the detailed answer. 

So Devon for what it's worth, to apply my rule to your situation of quick loss of control, have you tried only eating those food after eating 2-3 oz of dense protein?  I'd be curious to see if that slows you down.  

Yes, I have! I have never made that a rule, but it would be a good one to try on, later in the process. (This next phase will have to be abstinence for at least a month or more.) To be honest, most times, if I eat protein and veggie meal prior to one of those treat like items **** cream, fro yo, cookie, etc...) I really can't eat much at all. I can't remember off hand if eating a treat food in that situation alleviates the pull to eat more later in the day. Might try that later today to see how I react. Can't do it now as I've just eaten a one egg omelet and some raspberries. No room! 

Oh, going on the hunger thing from yesterday, I didn't eat until I got hungry today (and then it was only very mild hunger). I'd been up over 4 hours before I felt the slightest need to eat. I may be on to something...

Most lethal carbs for me: homebaked goods woven into my Dna like apple crisp with oatmeal crumble on top  

Ah ha! Yet another hyper palatable food! Sugar layered with fat, layered with sugar, and just a tisch of salt to bring out the flavor! Seems to combo carbs are winning! 

Sounds like the appointment couldn't have gone better!!  So exciting.  As a medical provider I've seen time and time again that people with a positive attitude and lots of determination do awesome.  You go girl!!

Diane O.  Such wonderful news at your appointment.  It is good when you can reduce the daily pill consumption.  Great progress.  

Carbon Hope your knee is better today.

Diane S. I think they do make a slow growing grass.  My problem is half of my yard is weeds so it grows faster.

Kairk I have been working for 2 years to reduce stuff.  There is something very emotional in the stuff we keep.  And very empowering about donating it.  I think useable square footage is the most valuable footage. 

Hoping all stay cool today.  It has been in the high nineties here.  Humidity is bad here most of the time.  Usually not in August but this year it is.

Wt 219.4 Boo.  Scales trending up.  I have not done enough to stop it. Cal 1332.  Need to try to get under 1000. I tried on a bunch of clothes for my DD wedding.  Lots of clothes just too tight.  Sad. Hang in there David.  It will get better.

Greetings Healthy Tribe

Diane O  I am so glad you are coming out of this terrible episode with good things happening. Love the description of your surgeon's reaction. I got that from my hand surgeon whom I see only occasionally.  I love looking up old acquaintances who have not seen my skinny.

Joey congrats on the thrift store finds. I need to take a few loads over for someone else to "find" but it sure won't be designer stuff. 

Yeah Dave our yard is pretty much weeds too. But years ago we planted about half the front yard in heathers and they are great. they fill in and need little water or care. 

Forgot about the meteors. Maybe will look tonight. 

Tesla is busy chewing up a plastic bucket. Looks like her teeth are coming in nicely - a scissor bite which is required in this breed. She just had a mile walk and is still full of energy. Her dad also had a walk and is sacked out. 

Yay the new natural foods store is now open! Gotta check it out. 

Diane S