In The Absence of Food

[losit]

Hi all,

I'm not sure that this thread is allowed here, so please move if necessary. I will not refer to food items, but it's the feelings related to food. Or, 'IT' as i may proceed.

So as you'll see from my signature, I am not new to this diet, but each time I have done it, I have learned a little more and gained a little less before reigning myself in. To some it may seem like I don't have much to lose, but whether it's a stone or 20 stone the ending is the same, we have to eat at some point.

I guess my question is, How do you break the habit of a lifetime? Consuming to Console yourself(Good title for a book) as such.

One of my biggest fears from ending TFR the last time was facing 'IT' again, i'm sure my old posts are lurking here somewhere.

It struck me today that I was really wanting something to satisfy me, but I wasn't hungry, and it's the cast iron will of TFR that keeps me in line. If I was refeeding or not TFR, I know I'd have binged. I know I have a problem with food, but how do I break the cycle.

If it's only a feeling, then why can't I make it go away. I always feel like 'IT' has a hold of me and when someone mentions going out to dinner or parties etc, I just want to stay at home sa I know I won't get want I actually want. I always feel like I'm creating a fuss if I want to order something cleaner off the menu.

I want to prepare myself for success this time, not set myself up for failure, so over the next 6-8 weeks of TFR, I want to get my head straight enough to keep my weight down after TFR.

Any suggestions, help or advice appreciated.

 

[shrinkingannie]

Hiya, I don't think I can help you, I've never lost this weight before. I was slim before I had kids but I had a terrible relationship with food then too, i just flicked from restricting to binging so I didn't gain weight, but it wasn't a good way either. I'll be very interested to see if anyone can help.
Personally I'm going to try mindful eating, Im hoping feeling slimmer will give me some motivation, also by not restricting myself too much I'm hoping I won't binge. It's going to be a steep learning curve. But I am giving away all my bigger clothes as I lose weight so once I'm in a smaller size I will have nothing bigger to fit me so I'll know pretty quick if my clothes are getting tight. My sister has given me 'eat what you love, love what you eat' to read, it's about mindful eating, I'll let you know what it's like.

 

[losit]

Hi,

Thanks for that. I would love to be relaxed around food and I know in order to keep the weight off we need to have a better food relationship. I read some of 'Run Fat ***** Run' and it seemed very direct. A couple of the lines that stuck were...'sweets are for children' and 'fizzy drinks are like cocaine' It focuses on how running is so good for everything from stress to being able to eat some of what you want. I'ii let you know what I think, I can't really run, so I'ii have to walk first. I think that applies to everything I need to approach for a while.
Gail

 

[shrinkingannie]

I can't run either, I'm not sue I'd ever enjoy running but you never know we could be joggers yet. Let me know how you get on with that book, I'm guessing changing our relationship with food is very tough and takes perseverance but then I imagine having a healthy relationship with food, eating when I'm hungry and not overeating, and I'm sure once we get there the results are life changing, I for one would be a lot less anxious!

 

[Finleyfox]

Paul Mckenna states that there are 4 rules to staying slim and the theory behind them seems simple enough. The first is only eat when you are hungry, the second is stop when you are full. Many people no longer listen to their own bodies signals of hunger. The third is taste every mouthful. No more just shovelling food into your mouth. Take your time and chew everything. It takes 20 mins to register that you are full so take your time eating and don't do it while watching tv etc. The fourth is eat what you like not what you think, this I suppose stops you eating something you don't really want and then eating what you fancied anyway. Sounds easy enough, but for me I needed to break the relationship I had with food and start again. That's why I am on lipotrim! I feel that when I return to eating I will know I have will power and that cravings last 20 mins helping me to have more control. I will also probably follow a SW style of eating as seems the most balanced. Fingers crossed it works for both of us this time xx

 

[Tom Red]

Hi loseit That paul mckenna advice from finlyfox makes sence to me as regaurds the running v walking its my understanding walking is the better form of exercise, briskley of course and take a lot of positives out of the fact that you have not let your weight go back to your original starting point, Tom Red:wavey:

 

[losit]

Hi,
I've week ONE under my belt, and less fat and fluid I hope, so I feel good. I have decided not to look at weight loss every week to take the focus of weight loss being the prize.

This time around it's mental weight I want to shed and so far I'm doing just that.

I got Paul McKennas book and it has a cd which is good too.

So far, I notice how much there are times when I feel empty, not hungry. It's been a bit of a revelation and hopefully something I can work on recognising in the future. Post TFR, there were days when I'd say to myself, I'd lose more weight if I just went to bed. As I get so tired sometimes, I'd eat a heap of rubbish to stay going or make myself feel better. Of course, all that served to do was make me pile on the weight. So, I guess I have to become more aware of my actions and noticing when I need a sleep or sit down rather than stuff myself senselessly.

 

[shrinkingannie]

I read beyond chocolate, it's a very nice gentle method of addressing your relationship with food. It's a bit jolly hockey sticks but some great ideas.

 

[Daniellebaby15]

Well my pharmacist is wanting to start me on refeed next week to get me ready for xmas. He has said that the key is to drink water when feeling hungry first to see if its down to thirst and if not then have food but to also it is very important to take it slow eating food as stated above it can take 20 minutes for the message from your stomach to reach your brain that your getting full so by eating slowly you wont over do it. Eating while socialising or watching t.v is good as this will slow your eating and will give your body time to register that you are getting full. Also having smaller portions even getting smaller plates to make it look like your having a full plate but your not as the portion is smaller due to plates being smaller.