Willpower

Mgarr · 12-22-2008, 04:18 PM

Having trouble saying no to "bad" foods. I am eating everything in sight there is soo much around with the holidays upon us I have no will power. Then I go in a vicious circle I feel crummy(physicallly & emotionally) for eating poorly but I do it all over again. Anyone have any helpful hints?

Mar

BonnieR · 12-22-2008, 04:42 PM

I am trying to go for moderation. But I intend to eat and enjoy seasonal favorites. I feel we have deprived ourselves in alot of areas and I want to indulge and savor things during the holidays!
I attended Weight Watchers in the past and am using some tips I got there. For instance, I dont waste my "points" on common food. Or things that are store-bought and just not wonderful. I try to survey the offerings and just have small amount of the special treats. I also try to make up for it by eating sensibly at other meals. And if I really dont want to eat something, I better not have it in the house. But I believe life is too short to pass up dessert!
Don't be too hard on yourself.

Mary Anne in TX · 12-22-2008, 05:03 PM

Hey Mary! Why not reward yourself? Think of a reward that you really enjoy and then give yourself rewards for short times of eating right. I'd think 1/2 day at a time would be long enough to deal with this time of year. It's the only thing that really works for me when I really have to do it!!! Good luck and remember that you're just perfect just as you are!!!! Luv, ma

Mary Jo · 12-22-2008, 06:04 PM

Thanks Mar...I can tell already we are all going to learn lots from this thread....maybe even be empowered to do better with our eating while we hear what others have to say.

Great thread. I hear ya for sure. I'm the QUEEN of backsliding in the "sweet treat" department and feel the same way you do - crummy and MAD AS HECK at myself for treating my body poorly. Then in the next breath I console myself by saying...hey life is short....don't sweat the small stuff!

Oh well.......great thread and thanks for starting it. I look real forward to hearing what others have to offer us.

Much love....

Mary Jo

juanita · 12-22-2008, 07:02 PM

moderation is the key word. that's what i try to remember when i want a treat. but i try not to deprive myself or i'll go crazy and eat a lot more than i should.

Terri B · 12-23-2008, 08:22 AM

Ya'll are gonna laugh at my technique:

I drink two beers back to back.

With me, it works as an appetite suppressant (maybe because i don't care as much after!). I don't binge after that. I might have a taste, but I don't overeat.

Believe me, I'm an eater. Loooovee sweets. I've NEVER met a cookie i didn't like.

Believe51 · 12-23-2008, 09:16 AM

Looks like it is time to chime in myself. I have been a bit out of control lately myself and am so happy to see a thread like this one. Being not-so myself lately I find I am really letting go, which does not help the depression issue either. I feel like I am spinning out of total control, spiraling downward and outward (the butt anyway..LOL). Right now I am going to pamper myself and work through the depression first and I am sure that I will gain composure again. If you have not got it yet, I like to stay in control and the lack of it really makes me feel lost. I am so used to 'doing' something and taking charge that I feel a bit powerless at the moment. But I do have the power and have promised that the depression will be tended to immediately and after the holidays....I will grasp the reins once more. So for the last 4 weeks I have let myself go but know this is and has to be a temporary thing. Now I must go, I do believe there is an exotic cookie that needs my attention right now! Kidding, I have a Christmas party at work. I'll be good....but no promises.>>Believe51

Mgarr · 12-24-2008, 08:42 AM

Thanks all, for making me feel I am not alone AGAIN. You're the greatest. I am taking 1 day at a time so yesterday I did a little better (meaning only 1/2 dozen treats not a dozen-- LOL)

Enjoy the holidays & we'll get on track again next Jan 1st.

Love,

Mar

Believe51 · 12-24-2008, 09:57 AM

BURP! (lol)...............no problem, glad we are not alone!>>Believe51

dlaxague · 12-24-2008, 05:29 PM

I'm so glad, and amused, and heart-warmed, to hear from others who, like me, are not perfect. Those who admit to lack of control, and backsliding, and guilt-at-the-same-time. I think that most of us have always had the voice of self-judgment dogging us, but that being cancer-princesses and princes (for however long that lasted) has put us on this pedestal where we began to believe that we should be perfect, and should be always in control.

Next week is time-enough to regain a little control. Big thanks to all who posted with such honesty in this thread.

Love,
Debbie, opening the box of See's candy and getting the corkscrew out for the bottle of spanish red wine (organic! - laughing - still seeking that illusion of control)

MJo · 12-26-2008, 12:17 PM

I cooked Christmas Dinner from a weight watchers cook book, including two desserts. Ate and ate. Didn't gain. Great idea about the beer -- Samuel Adams light is wonderful. I lost 54 pounds on Weight Watchers Core program. Took me exactly one year. I've maintained for three months. My oncologist thinks I'm a hero. So does my primary care doctor. Boy has this holiday been difficult!! Had lunch with Joan M and Becky at Lambertville Station Inn in New Jersey and I ate like there was no tomorrow. I have to get weighed at my Weight Watchers meeting before the end of December. Wish me luck that I've maintained for month four.

Pam P · 12-29-2008, 06:34 AM

Wish I had words of wisdom on this. I have the same struggles. I want to eat healthy & try to; I love healthy fruits & veggies. I also can't shake the taste for sugary, salty, fried, creamy, chocolatey, crunchy tasty treats. Sometimes moderation works for me... other times that only triggers the desire for more. If I don't see it in the house it's better. Right now all the Christmas sugar cookies are teasing me... I could take someone's idea on this thread & throw them out -- maybe I'll just tuck them in the back of the freezer in small baggies & see if I can stretch them out until summer.... although I'm not above eating a frozen cookie along with a bowl of ice cream as long as I'm in the freezer...

Mary Jo · 12-29-2008, 06:44 AM

I love reading this thread and love the fact that we are all alike. Hehe! You do meet an occasional "nut" who will say things like "no thank you, I don't like chocolate" or "no thank you, I don't like sweets" but I find those people, few and far between. I don't believe those are human people anyway..............only aliens or non humans don't like chocolate or sweets....in my opinion.

One day at a time.....and a commitment each day to healthy living......that's what I try to do. Some days it works and some days it doesn't. I'm learning that I can't nor shouldn't beat myself up over it. Afterall, who am I but a mere human (yes, I am human - I like chocolate and sweets) I guess I don't think I can control when my life will end anyway. Maybe if I did I could control these things better....but I'm more of the philosphy....LIVE AND ENJOY.......LIFE IS SHORT! Of course I know we shouldn't be little piggy's BUT moderation and enjoying life is definitely what I will do.

What a fun thread.................and everytime I read it I want a cookie or something! LOL!

Love you guys....

Mary Jo

ElaineM · 12-29-2008, 11:42 AM

Oh. I love the idea of donating unopened boxes of sweets to the less fortunate by a certain date at the end of December !! Great idea !!
Occassionally a friend who is a total chocoholic and I also exchange after Christmas. I give her unopened boxes of milk chocolate I received and she gives me something "practical" she doesn't want and I may need.
That works too.

Believe51 · 12-29-2008, 11:59 AM

I have a taste for sugar. I am alright with things as long as I can get over the initial cravings but once I give in it takes great efforts to get back on tract. I was not going to mention anything about this since it is embarrassing, especially knowing what I know today. I am so grateful for this thread since I am not alone, I am human. It has allowed me to face things in black and white. Thanks again!!>>Believe51

harrie · 12-30-2008, 12:46 AM

I eat whatever treat I feel like eating during the holidays and then after Jan 1st, I get rid of or give away whatever treats are left and go back to my nomal dietary habits. Dark choc is my number 1 weakness.

MJo · 01-13-2009, 05:23 AM

I hate to ask, but does anyone know if Splenda is bad for you? Because that's what's helping me maintain my weight. I have a sweet tooth and it didn't go away just because I lost 54 pounds. I have the same "celebration" appetite, it's just that I'm thinner.

This has a lot of processed food in it, but it sure helps me maintain: Melt lemon or lime sugar free jello in 1/2 cup boiling water. Stir in two containers yogurt - lemon, lime, peach -- you name it. Dump in a partially thawed container of fat free cool whip. Mix it up. I beat it with a whisk. Chill. You can put ,mixture into a reduced calorie graham cracker crust, or forget the crust and eat it like a mousse/pudding.

Terri B · 01-13-2009, 07:39 AM

Mjo, what could be worse? Splenda or obesity? either one "might" cause cancer

My situation is becoming desperate. I'm having probs tying my shoes. And I don't even have those big boobs in the way anymore!!

Gotta finish these rads so i can get in the water aerobics pool! Right now, i'm just wiped out after work every day!

ugh. Fatness sucks.

Gerri · 01-13-2009, 09:15 AM

MJO,

I don't know if Splenda is bad for you, but I have switched to Stevia. I found it at Trader Joe's (if you have one) but have recently seen commercials about this sweetner under another name (can't remember it of course) being sold at the grocery store. Apparently it is derived from a plant but that is all I know about it.

I have finally dropped the extra weight I gained during treatment and will be moving on to taking off the the excess pounds I had pre-treatment. I have now lost 31 pounds through Weight Watchers (just like you MJO) and am feeling great! I joined the last Saturday in August and have been steadily losing - even through the Holidays. For me, it is not a matter of "willpower" but I am making better choices now. I know this sounds trite and it is the mantra of Weight Watchers, but it finally clicked with me. I rarely miss the junk food and actually enjoy nibbling on red bell peppers, celery and tons of fruit. I switched from coffee (with creamer) to green tea and I love it! I know what a struggle it is to lose weight - I've been battling this my entire adult life. I really can say that I am finally at a place where this all makes sense and I know I will be successful.

I wish you all the best of luck with your weight loss efforts. Find what works for you and stick with it. Don't beat yourself up when you give in to temptation. Move past it and just get back to healthy eating. It is not easy, but it is worth the effort!

All my best,

Mgarr · 01-13-2009, 03:48 PM

Stevia is a good alternative. It is a fiber and is a plant derivative (I believe from South America) and there is a brand I use called Sweet Leaf liquid stevia. It comes in flavors so you can add it to your water (carbonated if you like soda) You only use about 2 drops to 16oz. of water so the bottle lasts a long time.

By the way, I am back on track with my diet. Thanks for all the laughs.

Mar