[froglady]

The truth is that I am constantly putting food and junk...mostly junk in my mouth! I am a compuslive overeater and seem to have no shame. I would never go outside naked yet I will go outside and let people see me eating like a pig and nothing could be any more personel than that! It is just as shameful as being stark naked!
I am so tired of eating junk food and never cooking any decent healthy food for Don and I. It started about 2 years ago, with all the pain and various surgeries, the wreck and stuff and now I NEVER prepare healthy meals at all. We eat pizza, fried chicken, slaw, potato salad from Walmart, subway sandwiches,or lots of those already prepared entres that have absolutely no real food value and much to much salt! I am begining to find myself wanting some healthy food lately, and the new direction the forum seems to be taking, is making me want to try again. Only thing, is that I will start on a plan and then get off it and back onto junk so easily!
I would like to start on a healthy plan of eating and try to go from there to cutting down. I did have a call from my doctors office about my cholestrol and it being higher again so am having to start back on Pravastin. I am also taking Lyrica, which is known for causing weight gain. It is now time to take control and do something.
It is my mental state that bothers me with the diet. I honestly KNOW that ALL weight gain or loss starts in the mind. It is not a battle of the belly but rather a battle of the thoughts and pleasures that junk food bring on. I'm too old to be sexy LOL and too old and in pain to exercise, so I have got to find a way to derive pleasure and happiness from NOT EATING the wrong things. Now how to achieve this is the question. I am thinking that wearing a smaller size should bring much pleasure and that seeing my swollen face shrink would also bring pleasure. Now I am too old to really look great in a nice little dress that could slip over my body and be cool and comfortable....but I could enjoy my age and body at this point in my life by being a smaller size and looking better. See I know all this about myself, but still have to get it into my head to start trying and enjoying the fruits of my labor.
Well Here is hoping and I need to be praying that I can do it and lose some of the 220 lbs I am carrying.
Well, now you have it, my true confession and believe me it it TRUE! Gaye

[Curious]

you are so wonderful and brave gaye.

acknowleding something you want to change is the first step.

then comes the baby steps.

what is 1 food that you eat or drink daily that you feel is bad for you? we can figure out how many calories you would save...and how much you could lose..but just changing that 1 food.

one thing that has really helped me..and heck the whole family, is no unhealthy snacks in the house. none. zip. zilch. we make them treats. after grocery shopping they can pick one. either a candy..like m&ms..regular size bag or a small bag of chips...an ice cream cone...

i do bake. alot. but i have modified recipes. we rarely eat bread.

an easy good pizza...make them on tortilla's.( the flavored tortill'as are wonderful. spaghetti sauce...load up with leftover veggies..or fresh...like tomatoes..spinich...meat if you like(cooked)sprinkle with cheese...low fat...lol..and bake. takes about 8-10 minutes. just enough time to get out plates...a drink..and there is dinner or lunch.

you can do it gaye!!!

[MSacorn]

Hi Gaye
Great job. The first step to change is to acknowledge that one needs to be made. You've done that.

I love the junk too, way more then a fruit or veggie. Even when I know the drill, good for health, ya-da ya-da. I don't deprive myself of junk. Limit my portions and do it less often. A good choice feels so good.

Small changes make for lasting changes. You can increase your water that always helps. Use a smaller plate and/or don't go for seconds. Try those for a while don't worry about what you're eating or you will feel so overwhelmed.

Start with a change a week. It takes 21 days (3 weeks) to change a habit good or bad. I've found for me that a substitution of a bad habit for a good gives me a sense of accomplishment. I always eat off a small plate or a bowl since I tend to spill. I use small utensils so I take smaller bites too.

I believe in you. You are on a good path. Remember we are all here struggling together.

[froglady]

It's cookies Curious...cookies and eating salty snacks.
You're so right about keeping unhealthy snacks out of the house. Donbringsthem in if I don't. We are nearly out of all the junk now so I need to ask him and MYSELF to not bring them home. We have talked about bringing in fruit and veggies to eat...just haven't done it.
Thanks for the Pizza recipe...sounds so good and even better still...sounds easy!

Hi MSacorn, you have some good points and I think I will sure give it a try. Your are so right about being overwhelmed...I get into diets and they run right over me and next is quit time for me.
Thanks so much for you're encouragement!

[Curious]

gaye,

on the snacks..like pretzels, try mixing a bag a regular with a bag of unsalted. then measure out the portion size it says on the bag. put those in little baggies.

you can do the same thing with cookies. if the bag says...3 cookies. put those in a baggie.

it really helps to not have the whole bag. especially with chips.

we recently moved. no..and i mean no regular grocery stores around. totally crazy. i have to go to walmart. that fattening food capital of all stores.

i found a farmers market pretty close. i can go there and get the veggies and fruits at a good price. they also carry milk. but no junk foods. boyo boy has that helped.

it takes time to get those foods out of the house.

one tip, make sure you are not hungry when shopping. i bring a water bottle or buy one when i get to the store. that helps too.



i gotta say...this is helping me to stay on track too!! keeping me accountable. and i don't mean a- counting my m&m's!

[Jomar]

do you have those family or road side fresh fruit and veggie stands?
- those are so nice for getting fresh local produce

I find I make better food choices if I shop after a meal and not when I'm hungry..or when cravings are hitting me hard LOL

I get the cravings for sweet {chocolate}or salty
sometimes really bad!!

I do much better if I remember to take my daily Multivitamin/mineral {womens formula}
some others I add at times-
extra B complex
Cal/mag blend
MSM
CoQ10
Grape seed extract
Vitamin C

some people do better with making a list and sticking to it
or even making a menu plan and make your list from that

I have trouble "planning" things like that, I like to cook meals according to how I feel at the moment - so i just keep some basic food items in the pantry.

rice, pasta, tortillas, spuds - then a protein, veggies and you got a meal with fruit for dessert.

sauté veggies and toss it with some cooked pasta sprinkle with Parmesan cheese

turkey or chicken rolled up in a tortilla is yummy and quick

good thread
it reminds me of things I need to keep working on too.

[bizi]

just wanted to offer you a hug gaye,
you were very brave telling your story here.

a good snack to have on hand when you are feeling munchy:
cut up celery, carrots, nuts, pumpkin seeds and sunflower seeds, soy nuts, almonds. some of these foods have fiber and protein and have the good kind of oils that we need in our diets.
The only juice in the house is the diet cranberry.
We have fresh fruit around to eat inbetween meals.
Sugar free jello is very comforting and Dannon has a fit yougurt that has only 60 calories and then we can't forget about those no sugar added ice cream bars from blue bunny.
(((((hugs))))
bizi

[froglady]

Thanks bizi, for more good ideas.
I just decided to confess. Maybe in confessing my problems and needs, diet wise, I will be able to think about it and sure have gotten some good help from all of you great helping forum members. Hugs Gaye

[nancy-h]

Dear Gaye;

You know that when I started Weight Watchers you were here giving me that initial push and when I started loosing, I was always so excited to share it with you. So you know all the basics and you just got some great tips. It was indeed brave of you to share your story. You are so awesome!

You've had some trouble along the way this year and that took your time and focus away. You couldn't help it and it certainly wasn't your fault. But it kinda sounds like your getting interested in loosing again and if you are ready, great. But if you need some more time, take it. But please, please, please stay with us here - don't go away, okay?? Because we need you!

Later gator (sorry, I meant "froggie"),
Nancy

[Fancylady_2006]

Your a sweetie and don't be hard on yourself. Your greatest reward will be when you get on the scales. I have lost 3 pounds since Tuesday afternoon. I'm down to 210 now. Not proud of that but hoping more will come off with it. This went easy, but I am going to have to exercise more than I have. Here's a big group from all us. lets keep pressing on gals. We can do it!
_____
BC