Discussion Board

I have been reading posts in the lounge and in journals and some things have come to mind. One is that food addiction is real. Why else would we all spend time and energy here trying to garner support for a new way of eating? If we could all just say no we would do so and spend our precious time with our friends and family. We would not need the support or the reality checks we get here. Also, when I think about how bad eating has impacted my life negatively and the things I have done to hide it and deny it, it definitely seems similar to other forms of addiction. I have realized that just the amount of money I have spent on uncontrolled eating out would help fund my son's education. I do have some of my lost self confidence back now that I've lost much of the weight but I am still struggling and still not where I want to be. I do however not have the fear that I'll gain it back because I'm pretty good at maintaining. I just am not progressing as I would like.

One reason I have come here over and over in the last few years and done so as well with another McDougall support group is the reality check it gives me. It is so easy to be in denial when it comes to food. At least with heroin addiction it isn't supported by billboards, tv, our families, our coworkers, etc. We don't have to go to crack houses to meet our dealers as they are all around us. The only places I can go and count on encouragement to live longer and better with food is these support groups. I continue to need the support, the mirror of myself I see in others, the wisdom. So I'll keep coming back. I do know that I have already made big change and am grateful and hopeful that I can continue to get healthier.

Soups on and I'd better go make sure it doesn't burn.

Interesting observation with heroin. It's ironic we can relate to the pull a drug can have on us either physiological or psychological but we rarely think about this with food. It's only been recently that folks like Dr. Bernard and others are speaking about the addictive effects of things like cheese other mainstays of the diet. I think your observations reinforce what he says about many of these foods. They hook us and keep us hooked. It's not by accident most of us are addicted to these things.
f1jim

Thanks Jim.

I listened to Star McDougallers today as I did my paperwork. Inspiring. It meant I went home to a healthy meal instead of french fries. Nice.

Halloween candy galore at work but I wasn't seriously tempted. Nice too.

Enjoyed my run/ walk in the beautiful weather. People smiled as I plodded on by so I must have looked happy or just entertaining. Either way it was fun. Can't ask for more.

I had a guilt feeling this morn as I was enjoying my food and tried to think of where I'd gone wrong. I hadn't. It was all legal. Just so good.

Dang, my twisted personality would like to get healthier and think I'm cheating at the same time.








u

LOL, sounds like a some good old fashioned Catholic guilt!

So I'm reading my journal from the start to help me understand where I've been and what I need to do now. Not that I don't understand the plan but I'm just looking for insight into my own behavior. That's all I've got today.

That's the beauty of journaling. You have the ability to look at eating over a long period and spot trends and tendencies. Of course, the journal is only as effective as it is thorough. You have to be accurate to have maximum value.
f1jim

Jim, you are so right and so I am thankful for my "tell all" attitude for a couple of years. It is helpful.

Had a good day. Ate well, exercised. Looking forward to the weekend. Plan to make some veg burgers, corn and potato chowder, br rice, and mashed cauliflower and potatoes.

I threw together a soup tonight. Frozen brussel sprouts, broc, gr beans, spinach, seasoning mix w/ onions, etc, mushrooms, corn, peas, pasta sauce, basil, red pepper flakes, and garlic powder. No chopping. Fast food. It's good.

Friday. Gotta love that day. Not that it's always an easy weekend but even when it's not it's still usually more laid back.

Plan to hang w/ the boy and perhaps go to the swamp this weekend to see if the fall flowers are blooming. Nice walk for a few miles too. Might hang w/ some LSU fans watching the bama game. Not a football fan but I like to watch the fans. Wacked they are and much entertainment for me.

I am pleasantly full of veg soup I made last night and is even better today. Enjoyed my oats this morn and a few whole grain pretzels. Back to drinking some coffee but I'm not yet ready to let that go. Maybe next week?

Perhaps I ought to go wind up the work day....

Feeling hopeful today. I can do this and I want to. Had a good run/walk for an hour. Felt nervous before as if I couldn't do it but then I got out there, kept talking to myself and I did. Ran about 1.75 miles and walked another 1.75 I think. I keep thinking I should be further along but it is what it is. Want to run a 10k in the spring. Would like to be at my goal weight when I do.






u

Nice job on the run. Thanks for the comments on my journal as well. Glad my post made an impact on a few folks. Sometimes the universe zaps me, and I'm glad to share.

Nomikins, thanks.

I am up at 2am unable to sleep and reading my journal. Strikes me how good the support has been. I have so enjoyed the friendship here over the last couple of years. Some who have this way of eating down pat are still here giving support and that is very generous. I am grateful.

Today I am doing well. A little buzzed from a martini so doing pretty dang good.

Morn: oats, nut yeast, and braggs

Afternoon: big bowl of veg soup over a little br rice and a little quinoa pasta

Evening: Mashed caulif and potatoes, McDougall cookbook corn chowder.

No exercise today but a lot of activity.

I actually went to my Unitarian Universalist Church today because I wanted time to really think about how it is I am choosing to live in a space that calls me to do so. Saw a John Robbins video earlier about living consciously and with compassion. That is who I want to be. John Robbins is the reason I chose in the first place to not eat animal. He always reaches me and i think I need to regularly revisit his writing. Now I know one can be vegan and kind but not healthy. Been there. But usually if I can get past the desire for animal products I can go the distance to healthy vegan.

Anyway, this is where I'm at today. Cooked up some good grub- corn chowder, mashed pot and caul, br rice and broc.

Sounds like a great place to be!
f1jim