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Hello all, this is my first day on the diet and I feel I have already stuffed up with the portion size. I've read a few of the entries before registering on the site, and well, so far today I have had:
Breakfast: an extremely large bowl (summo wrestler size) of porridge made with water and 1x bannana.
Lunch - which I have just had: 1/2 very large sweet potato and vegetables (again a large bowl - summo size). So me, well I guess I've tried a number of diets recently after putting on more than 15 kilos and none of them really suited me. I'm not a protein sort of gal in the sense of eating meat etc as I just don't like meat, chicken etc.

I use to be a really fat kid. My mum died when I was a kid and well the fat just grew and grew (in Australia I was a size 24 and busting out of that. I remember the kids use to call me Jumbo and I use to go home and cry. I hated school because of that). Then one day in my mid 30's I just got fed up and started walking (which for me was like a miracle occuring as I tended to avoid exercise, well lets be honest - I avoided it like it was a plague. And, I lost all this weight - well I started to eat sensibly etc. And I went down to a size 8/10 and began to love exercise and the comments people were making about me - which were positive. I even inspired people to get off their butts. Well that was all and good, however, when I lost the weight, men started to pay me attention. This had never happened before to me. And, well I fell in love, however I've realised early this year that he didn't love me. Around the time I figured this all out my cousin (who was like my sister) got cancer and because of being unhappy in the relationship and dealing with her cancer I put on the weight and well I'm fat and depressed. I have though ended the relationship and although it has been hard, it was the best decision for me. Oh I forgot to say I inherited my cousin's dog (Nicki) and well he also has put on weight (I figured we were both grieving - yep dogs can grieve too and we used food as comfort) so the fat dog and the fat gal both need to lose weight. However, diets such as those that a high protein and are in favour at the moment didn't really do it for me. And, whatever occured in my 30's that resulted in weight loss is no longer occuring. Instead I'm putting on weight and I am continuing to put it on. So I stumbled over Dr McDougall's book and went to the website and here I am. I loved the fact that it is basically a vegan diet and that he isn't trying to tell me to have diary for calcium etc. However, today I'm a tad depressed already as I think I have stuffed up the portion size. And, I guess I'm fearful that I just won't lose the weight. I know psychologically I'm probably using the food as comfort but it is like I can't stop shoving the food in. The dog and I both inhale food. So I decided to write this down and maybe kept a diary of this journey, because for me - the reason why this diet seems to make sense is that It focuses on vegetables, fruit and starches. The diet doesn't make me feel guilty for not liking diary. And, I believe I will feel heathier as an added bonus. So this is what I need - I need to lose at least 15 kilos - at least to get back into some of my clothes because at present I only have a couple of outfits. I have taken some control after ending the relationship - I have commenced doing Pilates - well I'm 50 in November and I figured maybe it was the exercise that would assist in flexibility as I head towards this new stage in my life. I have also arranged to walk 3 times a week with friends. So the exercise bit is on the way. Its the portion control that I need help on.
So it is Tuesday 24/5/2011 and I am aiming to lose 15 kilos.
To anyone who actually reads this, thank you. I needed to write this down to cement the commencement of this journey. So I will (not try but will) have 1/2 cup of dried oats as the portion size tommorrow for breakfast. And I will have the other half of the large sweet potato for the starch for lunch. At least now that I've written it down I can't go back on my word -so I will just have to do it. I am having hot water with fresh lemon (which I am hoping is o.k.
Cheers - Jan

Jan, it's so great that you found Dr McDougall's site. And you had a great first day. Congratulations on your decisions to make the changes for your life. Good luck!

Many thanks for your support Destewart. I really appreciate it.

Best to look forward and not look back. Don't be hard on yourself. You'll probably love McDougalling soon. Keep walking and take the dog; it will make him/her happy too!! Keep writing in or do a "journal". Best wishes!!

Thanks Simoncat. Nicki (male) walks with me in the mornings. We do short walks as he is an older dog. But thanks for that. You are right when you say don't look back look forward. I'll take that advice on.

[quote="Jan R"]Hello all, this is my first day on the diet and I feel I have already stuffed up with the portion size. I've read a few of the entries before registering on the site, and well, so far today I have had:
Breakfast: an extremely large bowl (summo wrestler size) of porridge made with water and 1x bannana.
Lunch - which I have just had: 1/2 very large sweet potato and vegetables (again a large bowl - summo size).

Welcome, Jan! Just want to encourage you to put aside your worries about portion size. You can eat until you are nicely satisfied, and the low calorie density of this food will still allow you to lose weight. I have been eating this way since February, and have averaged about 2 lbs. a week loss with unlimited portions.

Are you only eating 2 meals a day, or is it just not dinnertime yet down under? (I am in Missouri -- USA)

Hey Blondie,
I love food, and yep I have 3 meals per day plus in the arvo a snack. Its just not dinner time yet. Thanks for that info as I was really worried about the portion size and I would dearly love to see the scales go anti clockwise rather than the current clockwise motion. Although this is my first day on the McDougall diet, I just love the food - as I'm really not into meat, diary etc; and I love the fact that no-one is going to lecture me on needing to get my calcium from diary. I look forward to hopefully losing about 2lbs a week from what you are saying. Cuz Nicki (the dog) loves his vegetables and also has apple and pear at times. Although he has organic chicken, he is known as that weird woman's dog as he enjoys eating capscium (which are also called peppers). I hand him a piece of capscium and he eats it up. I'm going to try him on a little of sweet potatoe and see if he enjoys that as well. I figure we are both on a roll - and hopefully we will become known as that 'slim gorgeous woman - resembling Angelina Joli (of course) and the dog with a six pack. Well - nice thoughts. But Blondie thanks heaps for your support along with theothers. Its really nice to have joined today and found so much support and encouragement. Cheers - Jan.

Welcome aboard, dear Jan!!! It is good to have someone else from the "far west" over here. Ha ha!

Enjoy the great educational resources, the food and the COMFORT!!!

Please keep us posted on your progress.

What is so great about this WOE is it is comforting:) Lately I have been putting a frozen banana, splash of soymilk and vanilla in the blender to make a sorbet. It tastes like ice cream. There is something about being starch centered where love resonates from the body:) so stay true to yourself. How great it is to be so connected to your environment where all life in form and out of form resides. We grieve for what isn't really there. Let this WOE transform your heart to Know you have always, in all ways have been and will be greatly Loved!!!

Aloha patty practicing, Ho'oponopono (I am sorry, Please for give me, Thank you, I love you) I am you and you are me:)

Hello Patty and Pinkrose, many thanks for your encouraging responses. I just sent a message, however I seem to have lost it I will keep a track of how I am going, however the only time I get to a computer is when I'm at work which is Monday to Wednesdays. So I will write my weight loss (think positively ) on Monday. I'm already feeling very supported since joining and commencing today. This is a great environment. However, my kitchen skills are less desirable in relation to looking at recipes I have scared many a person including Cuz Nicki when I have ventured into the kitchen and walked over to the stove. In fact Nighmare of Elm Street may be less frightening to watch Only joking, however, I'm not really a cook but I will look at the receipes. Its just nice to be in an environment where people are basically thinking along the same lines in relation to what food they put in their mouths. But what I am really looking forward to and hopefully this will begin very soon is anticlockwise motions on the scales when I climb on and improved health. Although it has been a difficult time with death and relationship ending it has also been a brilliant time where I have started to get to know myself a bit better. Weird huh given that I'm 50 soon, but I'm just starting to realise that it is only now that I am taking control and looking at what makes me tick. But to all of you many many thanks for making my first day become so positive.
Oh got to tell you it has been raining here in Sydney this afternoon, but I'm about to leave and it has stopped so Cuz Nicki and I will do a short evening walk. Cheers - Jan.

Jan, in regard to cooking. Some have found that minimal cooking skills are adequate. Steaming veggies is easy. Boiling potatoes and sweet potatoes is easy. Cooking a pot of rice is easy with or without a rice cooker. Recipes are not necessary if you can be satisfied with simple foods. Monotony in regard to eating can actually help us manage weight.

I think you have the skills you need or will quickly acquire them!

In regard to your age...maybe you are still in the first half of your life! Ha ha!

This is a lifetime journey, so just keep it simple like pinkrose suggests, and let the weight fall off... the members will teach you how to cook when you are ready. Looking forward to your posts:) It is a We Can process:) in Heaven we are married to everyone:) from where you are everything looks up:)

Aloha patty

I read it all! You will soon learn it's okay to feel full and not feel guilty. Feeling full on McDougall just means you will be losing weight w/o going hungry. Enjoy the journey to a healthier you! Be patient and kind with yourself and stop to look at God's beauties on your sojourn!

--Atom

Jan, you have sure come to the right place!! And it sounds like you are already well on your way to improved health...the fact that you prefer plant foods over animal foods. I love that you include your buddy, Cuz Nicki, in your journey! He sounds like such a good companion.

Looking forward to hearing more.

Thanks all for your words of encouragement. And, I agree it is a 'we journey'. I involve Cuz Nicki because he is a gorgeous creature who loves unconditionally and could do with the anti-clockwise motions of the scales like me. I do have the minimal cooking skills so yep, can boil potatoes and cook rice, lentils and beans and I tend to have my vegetables raw - I prefer the crunch of the veggies. I think it is an easier transition for me due to loving veggies and starch and not being a fan of meat/poultry/eggs/fish. The only thing I miss (while trying to lose weight) is the nuts - however, I have never been a person who could h ave 5-10 nuts - no not me, so eliminating them from the diet at this stage is a good idea. Apart from the organic chicken, Cuz Nicki tends to eat what I eat, and since coming to live with me when Chris died, he has become very much a veggie loving dog. Unfortuantely when I got home last night, it was raining and windy in Sydney so we didn't go for a walk. However this morning although still rainy and very windy, Cuz Nicki and I ventured out and about the streets. A positive start to the day.
Cheers Jan