Thank you for the kind words and your wisdom!

I am definitely working on staying positive but I am afraid that I am becoming permissive with myself in the process.

I am not going to obsess (because Nita told me not to ) but I think the "confession" here is a good idea so that if it continues to happen I can see a pattern or try to see if there is some other issue going on.

Plus - have to remember I can eat as much as I want of the permitted foods. I don't need to do portion control, nor should I try to until I am on track!!

Sometimes I wonder if I spent as much brain power as I do on food and eating on something else if I could effect peace in the Middle East or do something really serious. Argh!

__________________

Some people get paid the big bucks for spending a lot of brain power on food and eating. Look at how successful the Food Network is! Now if they'd spend more time & effort on low carb (why did they ever let George Stella go?), then a lot of us would be a lot happier!

It's good to look for patterns, just don't let it dominate your life. Which you obviously aren't.

__________________
Nita

i feel it with you, mab. i know we've all been there, one time or another. sometimes you just want something, and it feels like "a little won't hurt." it's what it sometimes leads to that makes it tougher.

good! that's the way to do it...

a lot of times, significantly more carbs than you're used to will bring back the cravings. it's like the carb monster is awakened for feeding or something...it will also leave you feeling sick the next day, at least in my experience.
not specifically, but it is easier to stay "carb sober" during the evening when you've been on track during the day. it also helps ensure that you're not going to be eating too much of the wrong stuff because of being over-hungry.

that, my friend, is VERY wise. that's what gets you much quicker and worse than the carbs, man. it's the thinking process.

first of all, know that a few pounds of bloating is totally normal after a carb binge, so don't consider it undoing all the work you did before, ok? drink extra water, and keep your eating clean for a while and you'll start to feel better in short order, physically and mentally. maybe up your supps a bit for a couple of days as well.

when this happens to me, i put the scale away for a few days, and focus on eating stuff i feel good about. if there are any particular food items in the house that are more problemmatic for me, i get rid of 'em. for carb-eating kids, i also try to get stuff that i don't like very well myself, as it's easier to pass up. if packing lunches becomes an issue for you, see if you can get your family to pitch in, for example. remove yourself from challenging situations as much as possible.

also, don't overcompensate by eating stuff you like less just because it's lower carb (and therefore "better"). make sure you continue to eat stuff you like and enjoy just like always, and have some carb-friendly treats on hand whenever you're getting the urge to go off course.

you're not that off-track, mab. you had a moment. we've all had 'em if we've been doing this more than ten minutes. fact is, if we expect perfection from ourselves, we absolutely guarentee failure. but if we expect progress and improvement, those are goals we can achieve.

maybe you can check out our "cheating" articles as well to see if any of 'em help encourage you a bit - Cheating | LowCarbEating

the night eating is tough, because it seems like it's almost always NOT for hunger, so it's harder to address. rob's suggestion of having activities is a good one. basically, it's comfort eating, so i guess we need to find other ways to give ourselves comfort, rewards and spoil ourselves. (and i WAY include myself in this category, because most of my overeating is in the evening, too).

i think this kind of stuff goes to emotional needs as much or more than physical. when i worked in detox, they used to tell the folks not to let themselves get too "Hungry/Angry/Lonely/Tired" - i.e. H.A.L.T. I see some truth in that because we use food lots of ways to confort and console, and in the long run, it's not helpful. But you know...those habits take time.

The biggest boon you can take from this, though, is how you felt physically and emotionally afterwards. Next time you're in the position, that would be a good thing to remember.

Congrats to you for deciding to move on and not let it bog you down. The ONLY real secret to success I know of that always works is not giving up.

Hang in there, Mab. You ain't blown diddley. You're getting yourself an education in success, ma'am.

__________________


Fat Baggage- Is Yours Packed?

Yes I think you're right and it gives you a place to be accountable. I managed not to eat last night after dinner. It's been a long while since i last managed that. TGIF!! Have a good weekend!

__________________

my blog

I can't thank everyone enough for the support and the wisdom and the kind words. It helps me stay positive, not feel alone and stay on track. I am with Dixie, I think a large part of the game of life is in the thought process. So that is where I need to do my work.

Well, yesterday, I stayed on track ALL day! Woo woo! It was not induction eating, which is what I am striving for. However, it was good! After dinner I took Rob's advice and headed out to the local Walmart to walk around. By the time we all got home it was time to get ready for bed. I felt like "something" and had a tablespoon of peanut butter. Perfect! So I am through day one.

I had heard the HALT approach before and really thought it was a good thing for me to remember. And then in my angst - forgot. Thanks for the reminder and the reinforcement.

Today, large peice of chicken for lunch and some left over homemade cole slaw. Should tide me through the afternoon and food shopping. I have my meals planned for next week, just not my snacks. I am thinking of getting some of those little cottage cheese packs to have on hand. And some hard boiled eggs.

I am keeping up the positive thoughts! Through day 1.5! LOL!

Thanks again for the support and help. It is wonderful and it is why this site feels v. much like home!

TGIF!

__________________

congrats on your progress through day 1.5!
glad to hear you're feeling better, mab. i do believe it's all about how we think in terms of changing our lifestyle.

here's to another good day for you, on every front!

__________________


Fat Baggage- Is Yours Packed?

Congratulations, Mab! dance2

I'm looking forward to having a few of those days myself starting Monday. This week has been a washout with the boys being home for spring break. Send me some of your willpower.

Have a good weekend.

__________________
Ozzie's Place

Mab, that first day back after falling down can be rough, but when you get through it successfully, how good you feel!dance2

Hope your weekend is just fabulous!

__________________
Nita

Mab - Congratualtions! One day in a row! LOL But seriously, Walmart was a good idea. I know how much exercise I get when I shop there. So good eating and exercise all for one trip!

__________________

my blog

So, I am not sure if I am afraid to step on the scale or if I am boycotting it!
Little afraid after my bad behavior. Thinking of boycotting because if I eat well each and every day then I know I will have the results I want. So far I haven't weighed today. So again, one day down! Seems to be my theme!

I visited my sisters this weekend. They talked a lot about fasting for Easter. Made me think that would be good motivation. If I could stay on plan until Easter as a goal.I am going to try it!

I saw an interesting show on TLC last night called I can make you thin. It had some good tips! Apparently it is going to be a weekly series. It is mostly about having good thought processes around eating. So I think it will be good for me!

Today, cottage cheese for breakfast. Handful of salad and two hard boiled eggs for lunch. Dinner? Going to have to give it some thought. Not in the mood to cook. That is the danger zone for me, so I will figure it out before I leave work!

Cheers!

__________________

I'll be looking for that episode on TLC. Thanks!
-
I often stay off the scale for a day or two after a cheat because the # scares me with carb bloat and water retention.
-
Have some fun pictures in my journal if you want to stop by.

__________________

Mab, hope you had a good weekend, and that your Monday isn't the typical Monday!

__________________
Nita

Mab - My favorite saying is " you haven't failed until you give up". staying power is what it's all about. Have a good tuesday!

__________________

my blog

Tuesday, Tuesday. It is a busy day at work. I am enjoying my lunch break.

Had handful of salad, cottage cheese and two and a half hard boiled eggs for lunch.

It is chilly here again so I am looking forward to another cup of tea!

We had a nice night last night. We went to the Lowe's and shopped for a clock for our deck. Found a really cute one that looks like a bird house. What fun!

This is my favorite time of year because we get to do our gardening! A little bitter-sweet this year. It was my Dad's favorite time of year. I remember him starting his garden from seeds when we were growing up. I have fond memories, but I sure do miss him!

So, I am off to dream about my garden this year. I think that for the side garden I am going to do all purple flowers. DH is doing the front garden. He is going to try to do all real blue flowers which he says is a challenge. It is going to be lots of fun! Can't wait to experiment!

Have a wonderful day!
Cheers!

__________________

Today has been crazy! I have been running since I got up this morning. I was so looking forward to my lunch break and hanging with all of my friends here!
Ahh!
Today is dreary and it is drizzling. A definite bad hair day!
Have been thinking again about how I get off plan. And ways to combat it.
I think when I was most successful that I cooked on Sat. or Sun. for the week so I could just reheat items for dinner. Have to get back to that. I am at a loss of what to cook and what to eat at night, so it would be wonderful to have things already prepared and just have to heat them up. My own version of fast food!
Cheers!

__________________