6stlost
Full Member
More thought provoking posts AJ, thank you.
I understand about the 'trying not to get too uptight about weight gain' issue. It has been quite stressful for me putting on weight, even within my acceptable range for myself. I am gradually learning that I have about a 5lb swing either way, which is actually quite a substantial amount of weight and very noticable to me. But it's going to take a good long while for me to become truly comfortable with this fluctuating.
I guess we just have to remember that we are in the process of undoing a lifetime's thoughts around weight. It's going to take a while for us to learn that it's ok, and indeed normal, for weight to go up and down. We need to remember to train ourselves to accept that this is normal, to trust that we are being true to our bodies, and to trust that we will manage it. That's why we are in "management". All sounds good, but it's still difficult to live it!
I also understand completely your fears about being on holiday. I had a week's all-inclusive in my last week of management. To tell you the truth, I was so happy to be going around choosing the healthy stuff because I felt I looked fantastic and there was no way I was jeopardising that. I kept visualising that the muesli/yogurt/fruit/nuts combination at breakfast = gorgeous, fit, healthy, toned body, and it really set me up for the day.
What really helped the most though was looking at the amount of utter crap that was on offer. I was truly disgusted that such slop was served at every meal. Things dripping with fat and really cheap, really nasty, fake, not-at-all-appetising, radioactive-type desserts. Then I'd look at all the people around me and, I kid you not, I would have classed about 80% of them being obese. I got really angry that we have allowed the world to get into such a state. It's not the people's fault that such crap is so cheap and readily available. It just seems so unjust that to serve that nastiness is cheaper than serving much healthier alternatives.
Your chocolate point is poignant for me too. I have accepted that I will never, ever eat Cadbury's Dairy Milk chocolate again, or indeed any other chocolate bar that I can readily buy at any supermarket, newsagent, or off-licence stand. I know where cheap, addictive, sugary chocolate leads me and I refuse to be pulled into it again. Now I am having a really good time sourcing very good quality dark chocolate. I am learning about chocolate, and how it's made, and high-class ingredients and have even found some very posh chocolates that are made daily with fresh ingredients that have a shelf-life of only 2 weeks! Somehow, gathering knowledge has made me want mass-produced junk chocolates even less. And I am even really enjoying 85% cocoa chocolate. 1-2 squares and the cocoa punch almost knocks me out. I certainly don't need anymore than that!
Betty Boo - Food is always on my mind! But now it's not about bingeing, it's about sourcing very good quality ingredients, trying lots of wholesome things and really trying to put more effort, appreciation and mastery into what I cook. It's a wonderful journey re-training myself to really get into the whole process of food before it hits the table, rather than just focussing on getting it in once it's on the table. It's very interesting how hunger seems not to be an issue when I'm so engrossed in perfecting the art of good food. A complete change of focus.
My 'nights off' aren't what you may imagine them to be. I will allow myself perhaps a bit of good chocolate, or a few organic, high quality biscuits and one or two more glasses of wine than necessary. The point is not so much what I'm eating, but more that it's ok for me to do it - up to a point. I have lost control a few times and have suffered, physically and psychologically, as a result and it's just not worth it. Last week I lost it for 3 nights in succession and it took me 4 days to sort through the physical and psychological issues as a result.
So "balance" is still a work-in progress for me. I haven't quite yet mastered the balance between enough vs too much of a good thing. When I don't need 4 days of mop-up sessions anymore, then I will say I've worked it out! But still, I'm enjoying the journey and enjoying the opportunities for learning - good and bad.
Virgo girl - how are you finding management? I've been thinking of you. The first few weeks are a scary time, but if you follow the book, you can't go wrong.
Mrs Lard - Your line "If hunger is not the problem, food is not the answer" cannot be more true. I will store it in my mind, like I would store a business card in my purse, so I can whip it out quickly and easily, whenever needed. Very powerful sentence. Thank you.
AJ - sorry if it seems I've hijacked your post. It's such a good thread, with so many thought-provoking things said in it, that I'm slightly obsessed by it
It's exactly what I need to help me where I am right now.
I understand about the 'trying not to get too uptight about weight gain' issue. It has been quite stressful for me putting on weight, even within my acceptable range for myself. I am gradually learning that I have about a 5lb swing either way, which is actually quite a substantial amount of weight and very noticable to me. But it's going to take a good long while for me to become truly comfortable with this fluctuating.
I guess we just have to remember that we are in the process of undoing a lifetime's thoughts around weight. It's going to take a while for us to learn that it's ok, and indeed normal, for weight to go up and down. We need to remember to train ourselves to accept that this is normal, to trust that we are being true to our bodies, and to trust that we will manage it. That's why we are in "management". All sounds good, but it's still difficult to live it!
I also understand completely your fears about being on holiday. I had a week's all-inclusive in my last week of management. To tell you the truth, I was so happy to be going around choosing the healthy stuff because I felt I looked fantastic and there was no way I was jeopardising that. I kept visualising that the muesli/yogurt/fruit/nuts combination at breakfast = gorgeous, fit, healthy, toned body, and it really set me up for the day.
What really helped the most though was looking at the amount of utter crap that was on offer. I was truly disgusted that such slop was served at every meal. Things dripping with fat and really cheap, really nasty, fake, not-at-all-appetising, radioactive-type desserts. Then I'd look at all the people around me and, I kid you not, I would have classed about 80% of them being obese. I got really angry that we have allowed the world to get into such a state. It's not the people's fault that such crap is so cheap and readily available. It just seems so unjust that to serve that nastiness is cheaper than serving much healthier alternatives.
Your chocolate point is poignant for me too. I have accepted that I will never, ever eat Cadbury's Dairy Milk chocolate again, or indeed any other chocolate bar that I can readily buy at any supermarket, newsagent, or off-licence stand. I know where cheap, addictive, sugary chocolate leads me and I refuse to be pulled into it again. Now I am having a really good time sourcing very good quality dark chocolate. I am learning about chocolate, and how it's made, and high-class ingredients and have even found some very posh chocolates that are made daily with fresh ingredients that have a shelf-life of only 2 weeks! Somehow, gathering knowledge has made me want mass-produced junk chocolates even less. And I am even really enjoying 85% cocoa chocolate. 1-2 squares and the cocoa punch almost knocks me out. I certainly don't need anymore than that!
Betty Boo - Food is always on my mind! But now it's not about bingeing, it's about sourcing very good quality ingredients, trying lots of wholesome things and really trying to put more effort, appreciation and mastery into what I cook. It's a wonderful journey re-training myself to really get into the whole process of food before it hits the table, rather than just focussing on getting it in once it's on the table. It's very interesting how hunger seems not to be an issue when I'm so engrossed in perfecting the art of good food. A complete change of focus.
My 'nights off' aren't what you may imagine them to be. I will allow myself perhaps a bit of good chocolate, or a few organic, high quality biscuits and one or two more glasses of wine than necessary. The point is not so much what I'm eating, but more that it's ok for me to do it - up to a point. I have lost control a few times and have suffered, physically and psychologically, as a result and it's just not worth it. Last week I lost it for 3 nights in succession and it took me 4 days to sort through the physical and psychological issues as a result.
So "balance" is still a work-in progress for me. I haven't quite yet mastered the balance between enough vs too much of a good thing. When I don't need 4 days of mop-up sessions anymore, then I will say I've worked it out! But still, I'm enjoying the journey and enjoying the opportunities for learning - good and bad.
Virgo girl - how are you finding management? I've been thinking of you. The first few weeks are a scary time, but if you follow the book, you can't go wrong.
Mrs Lard - Your line "If hunger is not the problem, food is not the answer" cannot be more true. I will store it in my mind, like I would store a business card in my purse, so I can whip it out quickly and easily, whenever needed. Very powerful sentence. Thank you.
AJ - sorry if it seems I've hijacked your post. It's such a good thread, with so many thought-provoking things said in it, that I'm slightly obsessed by it
It's exactly what I need to help me where I am right now.
