Filling the void without food - July -

steady · 07-01-2007, 07:15 PM

This month we will make an a real effort to stop overeating and bingeing as a means of filling the void and comforting ourselves.

It is tough, real tough, but we can do it together. Let's begin right now!

momof3heathens · 07-01-2007, 11:34 PM

Sounds good to me. It is a major cycle for me all the time. I get frustrated that the house is always a mess and I don't have time for myself to do things I want or need to do, then I eat because I am mad, then I am mad because I am too fat to have the energy to clean and then I eat again. Over and over again for me.

momov2boys · 07-02-2007, 02:44 AM

What a great new place for us!
Thanks for starting this July thread, Steady!

I'm doing awesome, so far, this month. All of one day, I know, but...

I plan to continue to make healthy LC eating my #1 priority over any momentary desires. My commitment is so strong. I will try my very best to stay positive and far, far, away from my overeating tendencies.

I'm reading The Beck Diet Solution book (by Judith S. Beck), and it is really helping me in so many ways by learning to "think thin." I believe that cognitive therapy is invaluable for all of us who struggle with food issues as we work to lose and/or maintain.

Anyway,

to everyone!
I will be reading all of this thread.
It's great to learn from shared experiences.
Having others along who understand is most comforting and helpful.

I'll be here to motivate others as well as myself.
Together, we can be binge-free.

Here's to a positive, healthy and happy July!!!

hawkwife · 07-02-2007, 05:07 AM

Good morning everyone!

Today is a new day...and a new month. I feel really good today, and plan to stay on track!

I will be busy this week, and I'm hoping that will help keep me out of the *junk* food.

Going with dh and kids to his conference Sunday, and we are all soooooo excited...can't wait.

It will be a struggle I know, but I am trying no to think that far ahead or I may get overwhelmed and give up right now.

Here's to a great day!!!!!

Jen

Butternut · 07-02-2007, 05:27 AM

To making it a habit to turn to exercise, gardening and/or reading instead of allowing the draw of food to overcome.
To choosing lowcarb fruit or a protein instead of something that increases my blood sugar.
To moving more often.

steady · 07-02-2007, 06:23 AM

I made it! Six days without a binge. I am gaining confidence that I can do this, but also I feel like the binge monster is catching up to me. In any event, the challenge has helped me thus far, so I am extending my challenge another 4 days to 10 days without a binge. I am learning to fill my void with activities no matter how trivial…every moment counts. My laundry list of “to-dos” is getting smaller and that in itself is lessening the overwhelming feelings that lead to some of my binges.

I am attempting to change my ways one binge trigger at a time. If I feel a little hungry, before would I stand in front of the fridge and pick aimlessly (a binge trigger) until I “found” it…at that point I would have cleaned out the fridge, but now I am taking a moment to think about what food (lo-carb, of course) would satisfy the hunger. If nothing comes to mind or if the food or portion I envision is unreasonable, I know it is psychological hunger. To be honest, I am finding it very, very tough to wait through a craving, but I’ve been doing it successfully, and it is building my confidence that I can beat this!

I know this approach isn’t anything new or unheard of, but as skeptical as I am, to my surprise it does work. I am learning that I am more alike than different from others, so if something works for one person may work for me too. I’ve just got to give it a try and believe I can conquer the binge monster.

momov2boys · 07-02-2007, 06:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hawkwife

Today is a new day...and a new month. I feel really good today, and plan to stay on track!

Quote:

Originally Posted by Butternut

To making it a habit to turn to exercise, gardening and/or reading instead of allowing the draw of food to overcome.

Quote:

Originally Posted by steady

I made it! Six days without a binge. I am gaining confidence that I can do this...

To be honest, I am finding it very, very tough to wait through a craving, but I’ve been doing it successfully, and it is building my confidence that I can beat this!

Yippee!!!
Yeah and Yahoo!!!

Great attitudes!
Great motivation and inspiration!

We all can do it.
Read here and post often.
Anything to avoid overeating!!!

brilliant100 · 07-02-2007, 07:10 AM

Good Morning Friends!!! So glad to see the July thread.

I had a wonderful weekend with my hubby. We went on a 'date' to Cidar Point and had a blast!!

I had one slip up. I decided to eat some nuts after dinner at the amusement park. It was a nut binge. As a result I am up 4 pounds today. Im thinking it is alot of water from the carbs. Yesterday was a good eating day with no nuts. I am disappointed that the scale went up so much from just the nuts. I expected it but it still made me sad this morning. Funny thing is, I felt lighter this morning verses all bloaty.

I am happy to report that the slip did not become a weekend long binge. what really helped was thinking about some of the things posted here and the fact that I can fit into clothes not worn for all most a year. I dont want to mess that up.

I dont think I will ever be totally free of binging but it would be nice to overeat something one time then get back on the wagon.

momov2boys · 07-02-2007, 09:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by brilliant100

I dont think I will ever be totally free of binging but it would be nice to overeat something one time then get back on the wagon.

Sometimes I think that maybe this is all I can hope for, too.
I had PB after my lunch. I cannot differentiate overeating from bingeing.
I do know I continued eating, beyond fullness.

However, I can say that I am happy I ate no sugar afterwards and plan to go right on eating in a healthy, LC fashion.

(Also, nuts are nutritious!)

So, we might as well give ourselves some credit, Brilliant! Here's to you and me, getting right back on-track!!!

Bobbin · 07-02-2007, 10:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by momov2boys

Sometimes I think that maybe this is all I can hope for, too.
I had PB after my lunch. I cannot differentiate overeating from bingeing.
I do know I continued eating, beyond fullness.

However, I can say that I am happy I ate no sugar afterwards and plan to go right on eating in a healthy, LC fashion.

(Also, nuts are nutritious!)

So, we might as well give ourselves some credit, Brilliant! Here's to you and me, getting right back on-track!!!

I would say the difference between over eating and bingeing for me is:

Overate: Ate what I planned, but ate too much. Should have stopped when I felt satisfied, but ate untill I was overfull. ie: one peanut butter sandwich turns into 2.

Bingeing: Ate something I didn't plan, AND kept eating more and more until I was sickly stuffed. ie: decided to have 3 pieces of candy, but then had ice cream, cake and cookies too. Felt disgusted.

Both are a loss of control, but only one is disordered eating, to me anyway.

brilliant100 · 07-02-2007, 10:09 AM

Momov -

We can do it!!!

Im feeling down today from being kicked out of ketosis. This made me feel better.

I will see goal this month. I will fight to stay there

It is soo worth it.

kviolette · 07-02-2007, 11:02 AM

Hi, my name is Kathy and I would love to join your thread. I just finished reading the June thread and see many many kindred souls here.

I have early (mild) diabetes (like being a little pregnant) and MUST eat low carb to prevent the disease from progressing. The binge monster had been held off for about 2 years but in the last 6mo or so, it has woken up and I struggle. My blood sugars, while not through the roof, are VERY borderline these days and I know I am damaging my body. Yet I still am choosing to eat.

My highest weight was 235 about 5 yrs ago; last summer down to 168 - felt and looked great; now back to 190 and can't seem to choose to NOT eat. Based on the June thread, I bought 'The Beck Diet Solution' and hope to find some means of coping with that monster.

I find it interesting that you call it a monster. I have talked about not waking the binge monster for years.

Anyway, I feel a connection to many of the issues discussed here and am happy to have found you all.

Bobbin · 07-02-2007, 12:09 PM

Welcome Kathy!!
Brilliant, I know you can meet your goal this month!!! You are one strong person.
Steady, Rebecca and momof3, hawkwife, butternut, moonbeam:

Well, I've gone almost 5 days now Intuitive Eating. It's been great and strange, all at the same time. I feel free! I feel like an apple never made me fat, so why should I take them away? What made me fat is eating to assuage my fears, lonliness, boredom, etc. Thus comes the strange/scary part. I can eat what ever I want, in fact, I'm getting ready to start eating chocolate. I will eat it when I'm hungry and stop when I'm full/satisfied and hopefully that will be after 4 or 5 small pieces, lol! It's the biggest thing on my list of "horrible" foods, and I'm going to tackle it. Supposedly this process is supposed to "demystify" chocolate for me, and put it in the same realm as chicken or a peach.

But, I can't eat it out of depression or boredom. I have to recognize those feelings and deal with them in some non food related way. This is going to be hard for me. I use food to NOT think about the things I don't like to face, a nice little sugar coma will put me right to sleep! Then the messy house, or my cranky mom, or whatever it is that's bugging me doesn't matter.

If these 5 days are an example, I think this will work for me. Strangely enough, in giving myself permission to eat whatever I want, I don't want a lot of things. I did eat past the point of satiety a couple of times this weekend, but I didn't binge out of control. So far I'd say I've picked "healthy" foods about 85 % of the time.

I hope everyone has a triumphant week, I know we can kill that binge monster!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

momov2boys · 07-02-2007, 12:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bobbin

I would say the difference between over eating and bingeing for me is:

Overate: Ate what I planned, but ate too much. Should have stopped when I felt satisfied, but ate untill I was overfull. ie: one peanut butter sandwich turns into 2.

Bingeing: Ate something I didn't plan, AND kept eating more and more until I was sickly stuffed. ie: decided to have 3 pieces of candy, but then had ice cream, cake and cookies too. Felt disgusted.

Both are a loss of control, but only one is disordered eating, to me anyway.

It all becomes such a gray area.
I try not to plan every ounce of my eating (as I used to).
My approach to LCing incorporates concepts of IE, these days.

I'll say I overate PB(?)

It did not lead me to have cookies and chocolates, like it has in the past.

Hardly matters, anyway...restricting/overeating/bingeing...AAAHHH!!!
(It all comes down to good choices of healthy calories and carbs in the end).

PS: Bobbin, I'm so happy you're finding peace with IE.
I think it's a grand plan, but PB kept me from freedom and peace.

I wish you all the luck in the world with your healthy WOE!!!

momov2boys · 07-02-2007, 12:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by brilliant100

I will see goal this month. I will fight to stay there

It is soo worth it.

Same, here!!!

momov2boys · 07-02-2007, 12:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kviolette

...I feel a connection to many of the issues discussed here and am happy to have found you all.

Kathy!!!
We're glad you're here!

Read and post often.

steady · 07-02-2007, 02:31 PM

Kathy & Momof3heathens- Welcome. We are here for you.

Rebecca- Again I do admire your head on tackle with PB. I struggle with that fine line between overeating/bingeing too, but for me overeating I remain in the present, but bingeing I don't...I just zone out. You may be overeating PB right now, but more importantly you are not bingeing! I believe if you keep allowing yourself to eat PB, eventually you will stop overeating it, because you can have it whenever you want.

Brilliant- You did really good this weekend Kiddo!!! Don't feel bad. You made a ground breaking move. Never mind the short-term weight gain, getting right back on that wagon is good habit to make for long-term weight loss. BTW, you will hit your goals this month!!!

Bobbin- Thank you for emphasizing our problem is more often why and how we eat rather than what we eat. You hit it dead on, it isn't the apple that makes us fat it is eating to numb feelings. You are on the right track to a permanent diet free lifestyle that I think most of us desire

Hawkwife: I like the upbeat attitude. You are stronger than you think. Baby steps girl, baby steps!!!

Butternut- you and I are on the same page. Finding activities to fill those moments we feel that void. Here's to new habits!!!!

momof3heathens · 07-02-2007, 08:51 PM

Sort have just been picking at food today. Hungry but not motivated enough to make a meal. Been cleaning and organizing all day long and still feeling a lack of peacefulness in my surroundings. I jokingly said to a friend who came over to help that I really appreciated the help that he gave me but he in reality just gave me more room in my day to day life to stress out about things that I didn't have room to stress out about before. I often think this way. I keep thinking if I just get a head of the game I will finally relax and do things that make me happy but then when I get the opporunity I just starting worrying or thinking about all the things I could be doing like teaching the kids a new language(I don't know any other except for English), replanting the forest, painting the kitchen, etc. I don't know how to mentally relax.

brilliant100 · 07-03-2007, 04:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by momof3heathens

Sounds good to me. It is a major cycle for me all the time. I get frustrated that the house is always a mess and I don't have time for myself to do things I want or need to do, then I eat because I am mad, then I am mad because I am too fat to have the energy to clean and then I eat again. Over and over again for me.

A messy house is a major binge trigger for me too. Ever heard of flylady.org? She has great suggestions and it works if you work it. Let me know what you think. The best part is..........its FREE!

brilliant100 · 07-03-2007, 04:56 AM

Hi Kathy!

brilliant100 · 07-03-2007, 05:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by momof3heathens

Sort have just been picking at food today. Hungry but not motivated enough to make a meal. Been cleaning and organizing all day long and still feeling a lack of peacefulness in my surroundings. I jokingly said to a friend who came over to help that I really appreciated the help that he gave me but he in reality just gave me more room in my day to day life to stress out about things that I didn't have room to stress out about before. I often think this way. I keep thinking if I just get a head of the game I will finally relax and do things that make me happy but then when I get the opporunity I just starting worrying or thinking about all the things I could be doing like teaching the kids a new language(I don't know any other except for English), replanting the forest, painting the kitchen, etc. I don't know how to mentally relax.

I find that mentally relaxing has a lot to do with releasing guilt. Last week I posted the top items on my Guilt List that I carry around in my head. After I wrote them down it just looked dumb. Some of the things I feel guilty over are so not important in the big picture of my life. Not to say, they were removed from the guilt list however there were moved way down which gave me a bit of peace.

Im a list maker.............I rarely get to everything on my list however just writing it down can help clear your mind. Teaching a new language when you dont even know it is horribly stressful to plan for. How about checking a easy book out from the library and reviewing it. Then teach the kids one or two easy words like greetings. This could be done this week or even today!!! O just look up easy greetings on line.

Replanting the forest - allow yourself to plant one thing this summer. Boom, this guilt time is pushed down on the list.

Painting the kitchen - Pick out a color or range of colors to consider. Boom, this is pushed down on the list cuz you are workng towards the end goal.

Now you can mentally relax. Everything is not done but you at least started it.

You could even decide to change your mind and totally remove an item!!! What power you have

.

brilliant100 · 07-03-2007, 05:45 AM

This morning I felt light, the scale said I gained another 1.5 pounds. Impossible! I ate less than 1000 cals yesterday and it was all low fat. I did eat 14 pcs of sf gum so Im guessing the sugar alcohols are doing something weird. Overall the scale says I have gained 5.5 pounds since Saturday. I dont feel like Ive gained weight physically nor did I even eat enough food for that to be mathmatically correct.

Im hoping this is some weird water weight that will disappear sometime this week.

Last night out of frustration I almost started the grazing that leads to a binge. The only thing that kept me from doing it was knowing that I would absolutly regain weight I have been fighting to lose. I dont want to go backwards again so I went to bed. This was a small victory.

Right now I am overeating some sf sour apple gum. I knew I would eat the entire package as soon as I started chewing. I just chew until the taste changes then pop another in my mouth. This will lead to guilt for the rest of the day. Was it woth it................?

Am I filling the void? Maybe. I am procrastinating as I dont want to work on this project at work. Id rather chew gum and read here.

kviolette · 07-03-2007, 06:10 AM

Brilliant - that advice was...er...brilliant!

I have been working on deep cleaning my house, room by room, thorough cleaning. Moving furniture to vacuum, wiping baseboards, dusting...hello...DUSTING! Haven't dusted in a long time, not systematically anyway.

To put that into context, I am a gardener/landscaper/plant grower type and as such, was not in the house at all from Feb until June. I also suffer from depression and so can get into a rut that prohibits me from doing anything - that was Nov until early Feb. (I go dormant when the plants go dormant.) So, the house, while liveable, wasn't really clean which is what I love more than anything.

Like some of you, esp Momof3heathens, I feel I cannot relax unless x, y, z are done. I can manage it most of the time but it is a quick step into overwhelmed-ness.

I have two boys, 10 and 8, who are active, physical, smart, bright and shiny. I have never been a stay at home type - I feel like a caged tiger - but I have been home with them for the last 4 weeks for summer break. I have been spending a lot of time feeling extremely anxious (am I a good mother? how am I going to get anything done?) and eating as a result to stuff frustration, anxiety, and fatigue.

They start a year-round school calendar next week and I will be back to on my own which helps all the feelings calm down. (I have been making them clean an hour a day - they don't like it but know that I don't like it either so we get through it.)

My challenge remains to find ways to manage the feelings with something besides food. Most of the time, I can usually figure out why I am eating (been studying that for years); I just don't find anything else as quick and easy to manage those feelings.

I have been a member of the board for about 18mo and have found that posting helps. I did drop out in the spring because I was simply too busy. You are the first thread that deals specifically with filling that void.

07-02-2007, 02:44 AM	#3
momov2boys Very Gabby LCF Member!!! Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: MD Posts: 3,227 Gallery: momov2boys Stats: 122/107 WOE: LC/IE Start Date: Mar 2006	What a great new place for us! Thanks for starting this July thread, Steady! I'm doing awesome, so far, this month. All of one day, I know, but... I plan to continue to make healthy LC eating my #1 priority over any momentary desires. My commitment is so strong. I will try my very best to stay positive and far, far, away from my overeating tendencies. I'm reading The Beck Diet Solution book (by Judith S. Beck), and it is really helping me in so many ways by learning to "think thin." I believe that cognitive therapy is invaluable for all of us who struggle with food issues as we work to lose and/or maintain. Anyway, to everyone! I will be reading all of this thread. It's great to learn from shared experiences. Having others along who understand is most comforting and helpful. I'll be here to motivate others as well as myself. Together, we can be binge-free. Here's to a positive, healthy and happy July!!! __________________ *REBECCA* *"If you keep your body well-nourished with the right* foods, you won't feel such intense cravings for the wrong ones." ~Stephen P. Gullo "It's what you eat consistently over time that matters. Progress, not perfection, is what counts." ~IE My Maintenance Journal:** http://www.lowcarbfriends.com/bbs/we...intenance.html Last edited by momov2boys : 07-02-2007 at 03:12 AM.

07-02-2007, 07:10 AM	#8
brilliant100 MAJOR LCF POSTER! Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: Western, USA Posts: 2,444 Gallery: brilliant100 Stats: 266/194/169 WOE: Atkins/M&E Feast, Lower fat & Lower calorie Start Date: restarted 6/1/05 M/E, back on the wagon 8-21-07	Good Morning Friends!!! So glad to see the July thread. I had a wonderful weekend with my hubby. We went on a 'date' to Cidar Point and had a blast!! I had one slip up. I decided to eat some nuts after dinner at the amusement park. It was a nut binge. As a result I am up 4 pounds today. Im thinking it is alot of water from the carbs. Yesterday was a good eating day with no nuts. I am disappointed that the scale went up so much from just the nuts. I expected it but it still made me sad this morning. Funny thing is, I felt lighter this morning verses all bloaty. I am happy to report that the slip did not become a weekend long binge. what really helped was thinking about some of the things posted here and the fact that I can fit into clothes not worn for all most a year. I dont want to mess that up. I dont think I will ever be totally free of binging but it would be nice to overeat something one time then get back on the wagon. __________________ 8-21-07 'Jumpin back on the wagon' 194 169 goal by 9-22 Anniversay

07-02-2007, 11:02 AM	#12
kviolette MAJOR LCF POSTER! Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Raleigh, NC Posts: 1,363 Gallery: kviolette WOE: Atkins	Hi, my name is Kathy and I would love to join your thread. I just finished reading the June thread and see many many kindred souls here. I have early (mild) diabetes (like being a little pregnant) and MUST eat low carb to prevent the disease from progressing. The binge monster had been held off for about 2 years but in the last 6mo or so, it has woken up and I struggle. My blood sugars, while not through the roof, are VERY borderline these days and I know I am damaging my body. Yet I still am choosing to eat. My highest weight was 235 about 5 yrs ago; last summer down to 168 - felt and looked great; now back to 190 and can't seem to choose to NOT eat. Based on the June thread, I bought 'The Beck Diet Solution' and hope to find some means of coping with that monster. I find it interesting that you call it a monster. I have talked about not waking the binge monster for years. Anyway, I feel a connection to many of the issues discussed here and am happy to have found you all. __________________ Kathy

07-02-2007, 12:09 PM	#13
Bobbin Senior LCF Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Colorado Posts: 345 Gallery: Bobbin WOE: ~ IE ~	Welcome Kathy!! Brilliant, I know you can meet your goal this month!!! You are one strong person. Steady, Rebecca and momof3, hawkwife, butternut, moonbeam: Well, I've gone almost 5 days now Intuitive Eating. It's been great and strange, all at the same time. I feel free! I feel like an apple never made me fat, so why should I take them away? What made me fat is eating to assuage my fears, lonliness, boredom, etc. Thus comes the strange/scary part. I can eat what ever I want, in fact, I'm getting ready to start eating chocolate. I will eat it when I'm hungry and stop when I'm full/satisfied and hopefully that will be after 4 or 5 small pieces, lol! It's the biggest thing on my list of "horrible" foods, and I'm going to tackle it. Supposedly this process is supposed to "demystify" chocolate for me, and put it in the same realm as chicken or a peach. But, I can't eat it out of depression or boredom. I have to recognize those feelings and deal with them in some non food related way. This is going to be hard for me. I use food to NOT think about the things I don't like to face, a nice little sugar coma will put me right to sleep! Then the messy house, or my cranky mom, or whatever it is that's bugging me doesn't matter. If these 5 days are an example, I think this will work for me. Strangely enough, in giving myself permission to eat whatever I want, I don't want a lot of things. I did eat past the point of satiety a couple of times this weekend, but I didn't binge out of control. So far I'd say I've picked "healthy" foods about 85 % of the time. I hope everyone has a triumphant week, I know we can kill that binge monster!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! __________________ Bobbin ~ Triathlete in training! ~

07-02-2007, 08:51 PM	#18
momof3heathens Senior LCF Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Vancouver Is, BC Canada Posts: 604 Gallery: momof3heathens Stats: 388/260/150 WOE: Atkins Start Date: Always a startdate	Sort have just been picking at food today. Hungry but not motivated enough to make a meal. Been cleaning and organizing all day long and still feeling a lack of peacefulness in my surroundings. I jokingly said to a friend who came over to help that I really appreciated the help that he gave me but he in reality just gave me more room in my day to day life to stress out about things that I didn't have room to stress out about before. I often think this way. I keep thinking if I just get a head of the game I will finally relax and do things that make me happy but then when I get the opporunity I just starting worrying or thinking about all the things I could be doing like teaching the kids a new language(I don't know any other except for English), replanting the forest, painting the kitchen, etc. I don't know how to mentally relax. __________________ A positive attitude may not solve all your problems, but it will annoy enough people to make it worth the effort. Herm Albright (1876 - 1944

07-01-2007, 07:15 PM	#1
steady Senior LCF Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: NYC Posts: 846 Gallery: steady Stats: 110/85-90/100 5'2 WOE: ATKINS Start Date: Feb 2007	Filling the void without food - July - This month we will make an a real effort to stop overeating and bingeing as a means of filling the void and comforting ourselves. It is tough, real tough, but we can do it together. Let's begin right now!

07-01-2007, 11:34 PM	#2
momof3heathens Senior LCF Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Vancouver Is, BC Canada Posts: 604 Gallery: momof3heathens Stats: 388/260/150 WOE: Atkins Start Date: Always a startdate	Sounds good to me. It is a major cycle for me all the time. I get frustrated that the house is always a mess and I don't have time for myself to do things I want or need to do, then I eat because I am mad, then I am mad because I am too fat to have the energy to clean and then I eat again. Over and over again for me.

07-02-2007, 05:07 AM	#4
hawkwife Senior LCF Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: CT Posts: 597 Gallery: hawkwife WOE: whatever works for me Start Date: 1/23/08	Good morning everyone! Today is a new day...and a new month. I feel really good today, and plan to stay on track! I will be busy this week, and I'm hoping that will help keep me out of the junk food. Going with dh and kids to his conference Sunday, and we are all soooooo excited...can't wait. It will be a struggle I know, but I am trying no to think that far ahead or I may get overwhelmed and give up right now. Here's to a great day!!!!! Jen

07-02-2007, 05:27 AM	#5
Butternut Very Gabby LCF Member!!! Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Indiana Posts: 4,664 Gallery: Butternut Stats: 3x/2x/Med. WOE: Low Carb Start Date: December 2001	To making it a habit to turn to exercise, gardening and/or reading instead of allowing the draw of food to overcome. To choosing lowcarb fruit or a protein instead of something that increases my blood sugar. To moving more often.

07-02-2007, 06:23 AM	#6
steady Senior LCF Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: NYC Posts: 846 Gallery: steady Stats: 110/85-90/100 5'2 WOE: ATKINS Start Date: Feb 2007	I made it! Six days without a binge. I am gaining confidence that I can do this, but also I feel like the binge monster is catching up to me. In any event, the challenge has helped me thus far, so I am extending my challenge another 4 days to 10 days without a binge. I am learning to fill my void with activities no matter how trivial…every moment counts. My laundry list of “to-dos” is getting smaller and that in itself is lessening the overwhelming feelings that lead to some of my binges. I am attempting to change my ways one binge trigger at a time. If I feel a little hungry, before would I stand in front of the fridge and pick aimlessly (a binge trigger) until I “found” it…at that point I would have cleaned out the fridge, but now I am taking a moment to think about what food (lo-carb, of course) would satisfy the hunger. If nothing comes to mind or if the food or portion I envision is unreasonable, I know it is psychological hunger. To be honest, I am finding it very, very tough to wait through a craving, but I’ve been doing it successfully, and it is building my confidence that I can beat this! I know this approach isn’t anything new or unheard of, but as skeptical as I am, to my surprise it does work. I am learning that I am more alike than different from others, so if something works for one person may work for me too. I’ve just got to give it a try and believe I can conquer the binge monster.

07-02-2007, 10:09 AM	#11
brilliant100 MAJOR LCF POSTER! Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: Western, USA Posts: 2,444 Gallery: brilliant100 Stats: 266/194/169 WOE: Atkins/M&E Feast, Lower fat & Lower calorie Start Date: restarted 6/1/05 M/E, back on the wagon 8-21-07	Momov - We can do it!!! Im feeling down today from being kicked out of ketosis. This made me feel better. I will see goal this month. I will fight to stay there It is soo worth it.

07-02-2007, 02:31 PM	#17
steady Senior LCF Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: NYC Posts: 846 Gallery: steady Stats: 110/85-90/100 5'2 WOE: ATKINS Start Date: Feb 2007	Kathy & Momof3heathens- Welcome. We are here for you. Rebecca- Again I do admire your head on tackle with PB. I struggle with that fine line between overeating/bingeing too, but for me overeating I remain in the present, but bingeing I don't...I just zone out. You may be overeating PB right now, but more importantly you are not bingeing! I believe if you keep allowing yourself to eat PB, eventually you will stop overeating it, because you can have it whenever you want. Brilliant- You did really good this weekend Kiddo!!! Don't feel bad. You made a ground breaking move. Never mind the short-term weight gain, getting right back on that wagon is good habit to make for long-term weight loss. BTW, you will hit your goals this month!!! Bobbin- Thank you for emphasizing our problem is more often why and how we eat rather than what we eat. You hit it dead on, it isn't the apple that makes us fat it is eating to numb feelings. You are on the right track to a permanent diet free lifestyle that I think most of us desire Hawkwife: I like the upbeat attitude. You are stronger than you think. Baby steps girl, baby steps!!! Butternut- you and I are on the same page. Finding activities to fill those moments we feel that void. Here's to new habits!!!!

07-03-2007, 04:56 AM	#20
brilliant100 MAJOR LCF POSTER! Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: Western, USA Posts: 2,444 Gallery: brilliant100 Stats: 266/194/169 WOE: Atkins/M&E Feast, Lower fat & Lower calorie Start Date: restarted 6/1/05 M/E, back on the wagon 8-21-07	Hi Kathy!

07-03-2007, 05:45 AM	#22
brilliant100 MAJOR LCF POSTER! Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: Western, USA Posts: 2,444 Gallery: brilliant100 Stats: 266/194/169 WOE: Atkins/M&E Feast, Lower fat & Lower calorie Start Date: restarted 6/1/05 M/E, back on the wagon 8-21-07	This morning I felt light, the scale said I gained another 1.5 pounds. Impossible! I ate less than 1000 cals yesterday and it was all low fat. I did eat 14 pcs of sf gum so Im guessing the sugar alcohols are doing something weird. Overall the scale says I have gained 5.5 pounds since Saturday. I dont feel like Ive gained weight physically nor did I even eat enough food for that to be mathmatically correct. Im hoping this is some weird water weight that will disappear sometime this week. Last night out of frustration I almost started the grazing that leads to a binge. The only thing that kept me from doing it was knowing that I would absolutly regain weight I have been fighting to lose. I dont want to go backwards again so I went to bed. This was a small victory. Right now I am overeating some sf sour apple gum. I knew I would eat the entire package as soon as I started chewing. I just chew until the taste changes then pop another in my mouth. This will lead to guilt for the rest of the day. Was it woth it................? Am I filling the void? Maybe. I am procrastinating as I dont want to work on this project at work. Id rather chew gum and read here. Last edited by brilliant100 : 07-03-2007 at 05:47 AM.

07-03-2007, 06:10 AM	#23
kviolette MAJOR LCF POSTER! Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Raleigh, NC Posts: 1,363 Gallery: kviolette WOE: Atkins	Brilliant - that advice was...er...brilliant! I have been working on deep cleaning my house, room by room, thorough cleaning. Moving furniture to vacuum, wiping baseboards, dusting...hello...DUSTING! Haven't dusted in a long time, not systematically anyway. To put that into context, I am a gardener/landscaper/plant grower type and as such, was not in the house at all from Feb until June. I also suffer from depression and so can get into a rut that prohibits me from doing anything - that was Nov until early Feb. (I go dormant when the plants go dormant.) So, the house, while liveable, wasn't really clean which is what I love more than anything. Like some of you, esp Momof3heathens, I feel I cannot relax unless x, y, z are done. I can manage it most of the time but it is a quick step into overwhelmed-ness. I have two boys, 10 and 8, who are active, physical, smart, bright and shiny. I have never been a stay at home type - I feel like a caged tiger - but I have been home with them for the last 4 weeks for summer break. I have been spending a lot of time feeling extremely anxious (am I a good mother? how am I going to get anything done?) and eating as a result to stuff frustration, anxiety, and fatigue. They start a year-round school calendar next week and I will be back to on my own which helps all the feelings calm down. (I have been making them clean an hour a day - they don't like it but know that I don't like it either so we get through it.) My challenge remains to find ways to manage the feelings with something besides food. Most of the time, I can usually figure out why I am eating (been studying that for years); I just don't find anything else as quick and easy to manage those feelings. I have been a member of the board for about 18mo and have found that posting helps. I did drop out in the spring because I was simply too busy. You are the first thread that deals specifically with filling that void.