I’ve been really thinking a lot lately about how to finally become successful at weight loss. I joined here a couple of years ago, but I think I joined and then never came back. I wasn’t sure what I wanted to do at the time. I’ve researched so much lately and have tried getting to know myself instead of being in constant denial. I want to not be hungry. I want to be able to know that while I’m satisfying my hunger, I’m okay and not falling off the wagon so to speak. I also need to set myself up and figure out what I’m going to do when all of the situations arise which can lead me off of the program. For instance…crappy day at work. What am I going to eat for salty crunch, sweet, etc. Also, I keep thinking about how even one bite of anything “bad” sends me off my plan. I know it comes down to just keeping strong, but how do I tell myself that I never can have a piece of pizza again? How do I say no to Snickers bar for the rest of my life. To birthday cake? To cheesesteaks? To Mcdonalds? You get it? I would rather never touch any of that again, then say to myself I can have it once in awhile. Because once in awhile leads me astray. How do I tell myself that it’s not about the food, when I like food. For so long I kept thinking and telling myself that I didn’t like food. But I do. I’ve grown up with a weight problem all my life and was never allowed to like food. There were so many bad feelings created around food. I know that you should just eat to live but isn’t it okay to really savor and enjoy food? I eat for all emotions and that’s it. I have never eaten anything and not felt guilty or sad. I eat when I’m happy too and at those times I’m not in the moment either. If it’s a happy time, it’s tainted by me feeling guilty for eating. I just want to be successful once and for all. I apologize for rambling and I’m not even going to bother to re-read this because if I do I probably won’t send it. It’s just my thoughts I decided to put down to see if anyone can relate and help make this a once and for all successful journey for me. Thanks for reading.
Cyndi

back Cyndi. I also love food. One of the things I did before I started was to gather up a lot of l/c recipes for various dishes that appealed to me. I also found substitutes for high carb dishes that I liked, many of which had the same taste I was used to. I will not have a regular pizza, though I may just eat the toppings if I have to, but I have,and will continue to make a l/c Deep Dish Pizza that satisfies my craving for pizza. I am not much of a dessert eater, but I know I can make a tasty l/c chocolate cake or brownie anytime I want. Since I found a good l/c pastry crust recipe, I can now make any number of l/c pies. I may not be able to have mashed potatoes and gravy again, but I can have fauxtatoes and gravy whenever I want. I make cauli-rice and use it for dishes that otherwise have regular rice in them. The bottom line is that I am eating better and healthier foods since I started thhis WOE than I was before and I no longer miss or crave the old trigger foods I used to devour. If you want suggestions for dishes, just ask. Good Luck on your journey.

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Henry

Thank you, Henry!! I was thinking so much more after I posted this and you're right. It's just rearranging my thoughts and coming up with substitutes. That's what I'm going to have to do. I will be creative and also just learn to prepare for my moods and any situations that arise. I can do this. I know I can. I'm the only one standing in my way for sure. Thanks again!

Hi, Cyndi, and Welcome Back.

My approach is very much like Henry's, since I've always been a "foodie" myself. I love cooking and I love eating. Now I just love eating different stuff. That doesn't happen overnight, I admit, but getting a little introspective (as you have done in your post) is a good way to start to identify priorities.

Hope you'll make yourself at home here.

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and I thought I was the only one,,,, I love planning and making special meals all the time,,, so guess that wouldn't be special??? lol Anyways I love my food,,, and I take it very serious,,,, who said you can never ever have that special thing again? Just not right now,,, it gets me through,,, then when I do I take just enough to satisfy my tastebuds and stay under my carb count,,, everyday? nope,,, once a month maybe,,, but it kills the cravings and I stick right to my L/C eating the rest of the month and I am now down 50 pounds in two months,,,, for me it's no longer the weight loss though that is a big bonus but it's the excitement of smaller sizes, more energy, and new discoveries of who I am and how great I feel,,, am I thin,? not by any means,,, but I am thinner and can wear things that don't make me look like I am about to drop sextuplets any second,,, as I see that belly disappear and the bra sizes go down,,, and who knew there were knee's and ankles under there???? How can I help but feel great???? Life is now all about me and my happiness,,, good lord put the earth here for me to discover all new feelings,, imagine that,,,,

thank you Maggie and Happy! I will continue to identify my priorities Maggie for sure! And happy....how absolutely wonderful that you've lost 50 pounds so far!!! I love it! I promise I will start to say to myself...."just not right now" I think that will work!

Welcome, Cyndi.

I think by the time we get here, many of us have had similar questions or issues come up. I will say that many of the folks here do continue to enjoy and savor their food - if you don't enjoy what you're eating, you're not doing LC the right way for you! And others have certainly touched on this.

The emotional vs. hunger eating can also be an issue, and something you'll want to work with as you move forward, since it can be counter productive.

And as far as the "never again" thing...well, the little here and little there does add up pretty quick. For me, the trick is generally finding a LC substitute that I enjoy as much as the full-carb version. That you can gain skill at, and it is, in my opinion, how you go from dieting to having a permanent, healthy lifestyle.

Look around the site and make yourself at home. I think you'll find some really useful help here.

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