Discussion Board

I am posting this for anyone new reading the website/forum and thinking "I could never stick to a diet like that"or "I could never give up my _____ (favourite food) completely" etc.

I have gone strictly vegan now (after 30 years of lacto-ovo). I do follow McDougall MWL (max weight loss) about 90% of the time.

But I still allow myself a few luxuries like a cup of Earl Grey everyday with a teaspoon of sugar (maybe 2 on Sundays!), a glass of wine about 3 times a week, a portion of chips at the Pub on the weekends.

I know this means that I am losing at a slower rate, but that's okay. I'm still losing. And I've found a way to ensure that I can stick to this long term--for the rest of my life, really.

The biggest thing I missed at first was a glass of wine everyday. But after the first week, I found that I didn't really care most of the time whether I had it or not. I guess the craving for a glass of wine was largely a blood sugar thing. Now that my insulin levels are (I imagine) more stable, sometimes I don't even think about that glass of wine.

Fast weight loss doesn't work for me. I know that now. Because it always means that I will be missing something that will tempt me back into the wrong eating pattern.

So, what I am saying is this. Follow the McDougall program (regular or MWL) but find a way to make it liveable for YOU. Allow yourself the few treats that will keep you happy and on track. For me, that has been the key.

I believe that your advice is good if you have the type of personality for it. For some of us the semi-regular treats turn into full blown assaults on our diet. Some can open a bag of chips and limit themselves to one or two. I couldn't do that. I would promptly eat my entire bag and be looking for the next one! It actually requires too much willpower for me to limit my exposure to unhealthy foods. I have none. So for me I am much further ahead not being tempted by them. The other issue I have with that method is it sends conflicting messages to my brain about what is and isn't good food. This item is ok on Saturday nights but off limits otherwise? Too complicated for me. It's either good food or it's not.
But if you have the temperment, the will power, and the inner fortitude to pull that off I congratulate you. I encourage you to visit the journal pages here and go back through them several months, even years, and see how the occasional treats were the undoing for many, many of those following the plan. They told themselves that having the go-to treat would actually keep them on plan. It rarely works that way. Many of them find they reach a "point of decision" where they have to either attempt full adherence or give it up. Several Star McDougallers also went through this metamorphosis.
But if it does work for you that's wonderful. Whatever gets you there.
f1jim

These are my sentiments exactly. I have toyed with both sides and compliance is what works for me. Allowing myself the occasional treat sends a message that what I am doing is a "treatment" that deserves reward, but the reward is in direct conflict with the goals I am trying to reach. I finally realized that it didn't make much sense and my progress (or lack of) was proof of that. That is not the message I want to send anymore after years of treating myself and being unhealthy. I agree, if it works for you long-term, that is great. I thought it worked for me but as I honestly looked back over my years of slow progress and yo-yo weights, realized that it didn't really work as I thought it had. Many times I felt like I would rather have the slow weight loss and maintain my ability to have some treats now and then. I have wasted so many years with that thinking. What is working for me now is true change to a healthy lifestyle with no compromise and no excuses. I wish I could "not be perfect" in my eating and still maintain results, but after 40+ years... in my case - it is time for some perfect. Or at least as close as I can get.

Debi - Very well said and I could not agree more. I have seen so many fall of this program by continuing to feed the habits that caused their poor health in the first place. I parted ways with unhealthy foods by recognizing that at some point in my life they gave me pleasure, acknowledged that, and moved on to find pleasure in my new diet and lifestyle. Making a commitment to a new diet and lifestyle of healthy habits is a little like getting married to it.

Suzanne,

I am a big supporter of compliance. However, I think the Earl Gray with a lump of sugar is not a major violation. If you are off of the eggs and milk, and are plant based, you are doing very well. If you are not adding oil at all, you are really doing great. I noticed you are in London, if you can have tea without milk, congratulations. I think you are doing fine.
By the way when I drink tea, I do not add sweeter. Maybe that is the next step to try.

Steve

Suzanne,

I agree and thanks for posting this. I don't know if I could be happy following this plan 100%. It's wonderful to see others who have great results even when we are not 100% compliant. I agree with other comments that you have to be aware of the kind of eater that you are. Some people can't eat certain foods without falling off the wagon completely while others have to be able to have their occassional treats in order to maintain their happiness.

Some of us evolve slower than others.

I am amazed at the changes I've made over the past five or six years when I was not following Mcd at all to almost compliant. You do have to be aware of trigger foods and stuff you can not control. McD's saying that you get what you put into, if you follow the program 80% you get about 80% worth of results. I always keep that in mind as I improve upon how I follow the plan.

You are right they are. Deep fat fried (probably in lard) is one thing I do not touch.

I have the same issues. As long as no "bad" stuff is in my house, I'm fine. But if something bad were to be there I would eat ALL of it. It is much easier for me to say NONE of X, Y, or Z than to say, "some is o.k." B/c it will never be just "some"--it will be "lots"!

So as Jim says, it depends on your personality and your proclivities.

I too, have trouble dividing treat foods into any sort of allowable portions. Reason I didn't bring unsalted brown ricecakes home from the store today. Not too bad for a crispy treat, but I would eat more than a few and probably with toppings. Better to keep it out of the house, no matter how good my resolve may be at the time of purchase. I admire others who can delay the gratification, but I'm not one of them with tempting trigger foods.

I have found it to be a blessing to realize what foods I can and can not control. I'm not sure why it took to almost 50 to figure these facts out.

I was a strict McDougaller in the 80's and lost 12 pounds each month for two months and stayed on the diet for one year. I strayed away and it took a long time and some health problems to come back. I have been unprepared 3 times and "cheated" since July 2010. But finally I have made up my mind that starch-centered lifestyle is my lifetime focus and I just felt the affects of those few cheats but I immediately got back on track. I'm not perfect because I've tended toward the more rich food (I've experimented in cakes, muffins, and the desserts this time). However I can still report I feel so much better and have lost 28 pounds. I'm trying to work with my food monsters and habits but never stray too far again.

I don't believe anyone fries chips in lard any more it would be too expensive. Probably the odd loony traditionalist who runs a lone chipshop in a remote part of Scotland or Yorkshire where they do things "proper". I have never eaten chips fried in lard (except possibly as a child at home) and I'm 52.


On the subject of "perfection" I think my treats will mostly be in the form of meals out in Vegetarian or Vegan restaurants where I have Vegan dishes that are not particularly low fat. I had one at the weekend with my partner (Wholemeal in Streatham).

I don't have a massively active social whirl so I think my treats will relate to social events.

The one thing I am strict about and have not eaten for some time (about six months now) is chocolate. I know how utterly addicted I've been at times in my life and it will be quite a while before any treats of this kind pass my lips.

Christmas will be interesting. I love turkey and lots of the foods we eat. I must say that I've usually felt ridiculously full after eating Christmas dinner so I'm planning a combo of some rich foods along with lighter stuff. Can't wait to see what bread sauce with oatmilk will be like (probably a disaster )

I think the main thing is to be nice to yourself and still love yourself even if you break the rules.

I find having lots to do so that food isn't the major event in my day quite helpful too. I started learning a new language at night school and am really really keen on this. Good to keep your mind busy.

As the weeks have progress I find that I've lost that urge to sit down and absolutely gorge myself to the ears on healthy food and that my appetite is satisfied with a bit less.


Happy holidays everyone

Katherine

I got turned on to Dr. McDougal's site after reading the book by Dr. Esselstyn. He advocates VERY strict adhearance to the letter of the law.

McDonalds did or does. I'm not sure since I never go there. There was a large lawsuit on the animal products in the fries/chips.