Re: Cutting Out/Down Foods

[Guest guest]

On Sun, Mar 27, 2011 at 9:45 AM, sarahsimone_soliman

<sarahsimone_soliman@...> wrote:

> Have any of you completely cut a type of food out of your diet because you

felt you couldn't control yourself? Have people had success eating " trigger "

foods rarely or in very small portions?

>

I no longer buy Entemann's chocolate chip cookies because I would eat

the whole. At points in my life I had also stopped buying Pop-Tarts

and Girl Scout cookies for the same reason. I have BOTH in the house

right now - not good.

Eldred

--

I'm raising money for Make-A-Wish!  Please check my donation website

at www.wam300.org

Even a donation of $5 would help.  Thanks!

[Guest guest]

It's going to depend on you whether cutting out a food altogether will help

or be beneficial. For me, I'm the type of person who rebels, so as soon as I

say I can't have something, I crave it like a madwoman. Others do better not

even considering certain foods.

I try not to have potato chips in the house, because I can't eat just one,

but I'm not saying I can't eat them ever again.

As for pushing exercise limits, if you feel dizzy, you should stop, or at

least ease off until you're feeling ok. One thing that can help with this is

to make sure you have eaten reasonably and are properly hydrated. You should

drink water before, during, and after your workout! It seems so cliche, but

it really does make a difference.

That said, if you're out of shape, 30 Day Shred is *tough*. It's supposed to

be tough. Just do what you can, then tomorrow, you'll be able to do a little

bit more. Don't make yourself sick, but keep working. That's how you make

progress.

Elisha

[Guest guest]

I really wouldn't recommend cutting out an entire food group unless you really

have to for health or moral reasons.

You are going to come up against that food sometime in your life, particularly

in you like it and so it is much better to learn how to eat it in moderation -

otherwise it is problematic when you do eat it again. If you are craving

something or can't control how you eat something, then there is an issue there

that needs dealing with, not avoiding.

It is about maximising your pleasure, not deprivation.

Dairy products are full of good stuff - why would you not want to eat them? If

you don't you'll have to find substitutes and work hard to ensure you get the

good stuff from elsewhere. I'm a vegetarian through choice, but it does mean I

have to make sure I get my iron and b vitamins and that all my protein doesn't

come from cheese and block up my arteries.

Best wishes

Viv

>

> It's going to depend on you whether cutting out a food altogether will help

> or be beneficial. For me, I'm the type of person who rebels, so as soon as I

> say I can't have something, I crave it like a madwoman. Others do better not

> even considering certain foods.

>

> I try not to have potato chips in the house, because I can't eat just one,

> but I'm not saying I can't eat them ever again.

>

> As for pushing exercise limits, if you feel dizzy, you should stop, or at

> least ease off until you're feeling ok. One thing that can help with this is

> to make sure you have eaten reasonably and are properly hydrated. You should

> drink water before, during, and after your workout! It seems so cliche, but

> it really does make a difference.

>

> That said, if you're out of shape, 30 Day Shred is *tough*. It's supposed to

> be tough. Just do what you can, then tomorrow, you'll be able to do a little

> bit more. Don't make yourself sick, but keep working. That's how you make

> progress.

>

> Elisha

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

I really wouldn't recommend cutting out an entire food group unless you really

have to for health or moral reasons.

You are going to come up against that food sometime in your life, particularly

in you like it and so it is much better to learn how to eat it in moderation -

otherwise it is problematic when you do eat it again. If you are craving

something or can't control how you eat something, then there is an issue there

that needs dealing with, not avoiding.

It is about maximising your pleasure, not deprivation.

Dairy products are full of good stuff - why would you not want to eat them? If

you don't you'll have to find substitutes and work hard to ensure you get the

good stuff from elsewhere. I'm a vegetarian through choice, but it does mean I

have to make sure I get my iron and b vitamins and that all my protein doesn't

come from cheese and block up my arteries.

Best wishes

Viv

>

> It's going to depend on you whether cutting out a food altogether will help

> or be beneficial. For me, I'm the type of person who rebels, so as soon as I

> say I can't have something, I crave it like a madwoman. Others do better not

> even considering certain foods.

>

> I try not to have potato chips in the house, because I can't eat just one,

> but I'm not saying I can't eat them ever again.

>

> As for pushing exercise limits, if you feel dizzy, you should stop, or at

> least ease off until you're feeling ok. One thing that can help with this is

> to make sure you have eaten reasonably and are properly hydrated. You should

> drink water before, during, and after your workout! It seems so cliche, but

> it really does make a difference.

>

> That said, if you're out of shape, 30 Day Shred is *tough*. It's supposed to

> be tough. Just do what you can, then tomorrow, you'll be able to do a little

> bit more. Don't make yourself sick, but keep working. That's how you make

> progress.

>

> Elisha

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

>

> I really wouldn't recommend cutting out an entire food group unless you really

have to for health or moral reasons.

>

> You are going to come up against that food sometime in your life, particularly

in you like it and so it is much better to learn how to eat it in moderation -

otherwise it is problematic when you do eat it again. If you are craving

something or can't control how you eat something, then there is an issue there

that needs dealing with, not avoiding.

>

> It is about maximising your pleasure, not deprivation.

>

But if there's only ONE(or two) foods that triggers that reaction, how would you

figure out the issue?

Eldred

[Guest guest]

" You are going to come up against that food sometime in your life,

particularly in you like it and so it is much better to learn how to eat it in

moderation - otherwise it is problematic when you do eat it

again. If you are craving something or can't control how you eat

something, then there is an issue there that needs dealing with, not

avoiding. "

I'd echo Eldred on this one -- I am not good with the major SUGAR groups (make

it a cookie, cupcake, candy bar, etc.) - so I have two strategies - 1) do not

keep them in the house  2) if there is some reason to have it in the house

(guests/family) purchase on the day it's needed, purchase just the amount needed

(I'll buy individual pie slices, 7 cupcakes, etc.).

I have never been able to control having them around so my way to control is to

not have them in the house ... not the best mechanism, but it's the one that

works ...

 

________________________________

From: EldredP <epickett@...>

weightloss

Sent: Monday, March 28, 2011 8:43 AM

Subject: Re: Re: Cutting Out/Down Foods

 

>

> I really wouldn't recommend cutting out an entire food group unless you really

have to for health or moral reasons.

>

> You are going to come up against that food sometime in your life, particularly

in you like it and so it is much better to learn how to eat it in moderation -

otherwise it is problematic when you do eat it again. If you are craving

something or can't control how you eat something, then there is an issue there

that needs dealing with, not avoiding.

>

> It is about maximising your pleasure, not deprivation.

>

But if there's only ONE(or two) foods that triggers that reaction, how would you

figure out the issue?

Eldred

[Guest guest]

At one point, the book " Thin Tastes Better " was sort of my food bible. (Until I

decided that thin did not, in fact, taste better--at least, not as I was then!)

Anyway, it has the notion of trigger foods--with some that you can box in, and

some that you can box out. I forget exactly which is which--but in practice, it

worked out like this--things like tortilla chips I could eat at home. I'd

measure out exactly one ounce each time I wanted some. And in the end, I'd throw

away the bag because they went stale. But in a Mexican restaurant?? Forget it.

One = All. And then they bring another basket. On the other hand, there are some

foods (sweets in particular) that if I have them at a restaurant, I can have a

little, enjoy it, probably not finish the whole portion. But at home??? No way.

It might be a good way to figure out how to manage " sometime foods " --so you

don't have the rebellion thing going too bad.

At some point, I ended up going completely off sugar. It made a lot of things

easier. I think it was probably about three years... and then suddenly, around

the holiday of Purim, I snapped. We had tons of baked goods around--every time I

turned around, someone was bringing more. And I just started eating. And eating.

Kept going all the way through Passover, which means about a 5 week sugar high.

So much for repression....

This year, I had a ton of stuff going on before, during, and after Purim. So I

decided that --just through the holiday--I would go off sugar. Nothing

permanent. Just something to make my life easier. This coincided with podcast

161, which had a sort of guided journey to feel relaxed around food. And that's

exactly what happened. I felt very relaxed with all the stuff piling up. Relaxed

enough that I still haven't felt the need for more sugar. But part of the reason

I feel relaxed about it is that it's *not* permanent. I'm relaxed enough to

evaluate whether I want it for the culinary experience, or for the numbing

experience.

About the dairy--Viv has a good point. Are you considering getting rid of it

because you feel like you will really be healthier without it--or because

someone else made you feel like you should? Looking at your list of foods, I'd

say they're also high in carbs. Maybe it's carbs, or wheat, not cheese? No, I'm

not actually saying you should dump both (thought I've tried allergy elimination

diets once or twice--ugh!). Maybe you should look into what's going on when you

eat a particular food. Are you home alone (lonely) with macaroni and cheese? Are

you out with friends with pizza? Are there ways you can box them in/out?

I don't know if there's a right or wrong answer. I know that the answer that was

right for me a few years ago is not right for me now.

Good luck figuring out your right answer.

________________________________

From: sarahsimone_soliman <sarahsimone_soliman@...>

weightloss

Sent: Sun, March 27, 2011 3:45:59 PM

Subject: Cutting Out/Down Foods

Hey everyone!

I've been wanting to cut dairy out of my diet and been somewhat successful in

cutting down on it. There are a few things I'm reluctant to give up (to be exact

- mac and cheese, bagels with cream cheese, pizza) and I'll eat baked goods that

I know have been made with milk. At the moment I'm not eating these types of

foods as much as I once did, but they are some of my worst overeating triggers.

Does my reluctance to give them up mean I should avoid them, or am I more likely

to fail in my health goals if I deprive myself?

Have any of you completely cut a type of food out of your diet because you felt

you couldn't control yourself? Have people had success eating " trigger " foods

rarely or in very small portions?

On a semi-related note, I've been wanting to start the 30 Day Shred. I did a bit

of it this morning but got quite lightheaded. What are your experiences pushing

exercise limits? I'm never sure what signs mean I'm getting the most out of a

workout vs. signs that say stop. I did turn off the shred when I started feeling

dizzy, but switched to arm weights so I still felt I was doing something.

[Guest guest]

LIsa

part of your post jumped out at me--the right thing for you a few yrs ago was

not the right thing now. Our bodies are always changing, and nothing lasts

forever, and we're never out of the woods!

Thank you

Foggy in SF

>

> At one point, the book " Thin Tastes Better " was sort of my food bible. (Until

I

> decided that thin did not, in fact, taste better--at least, not as I was

then!)

> Anyway, it has the notion of trigger foods--with some that you can box in, and

> some that you can box out. I forget exactly which is which--but in practice,

it

> worked out like this--things like tortilla chips I could eat at home. I'd

> measure out exactly one ounce each time I wanted some. And in the end, I'd

throw

> away the bag because they went stale. But in a Mexican restaurant?? Forget it.

> One = All. And then they bring another basket. On the other hand, there are

some

> foods (sweets in particular) that if I have them at a restaurant, I can have a

> little, enjoy it, probably not finish the whole portion. But at home??? No

way.

>

>

> It might be a good way to figure out how to manage " sometime foods " --so you

> don't have the rebellion thing going too bad.

>

> At some point, I ended up going completely off sugar. It made a lot of things

> easier. I think it was probably about three years... and then suddenly, around

> the holiday of Purim, I snapped. We had tons of baked goods around--every time

I

> turned around, someone was bringing more. And I just started eating. And

eating.

> Kept going all the way through Passover, which means about a 5 week sugar

high.

> So much for repression....

>

>

> This year, I had a ton of stuff going on before, during, and after Purim. So I

> decided that --just through the holiday--I would go off sugar. Nothing

> permanent. Just something to make my life easier. This coincided with podcast

> 161, which had a sort of guided journey to feel relaxed around food. And

that's

> exactly what happened. I felt very relaxed with all the stuff piling up.

Relaxed

> enough that I still haven't felt the need for more sugar. But part of the

reason

> I feel relaxed about it is that it's *not* permanent. I'm relaxed enough to

> evaluate whether I want it for the culinary experience, or for the numbing

> experience.

>

> About the dairy--Viv has a good point. Are you considering getting rid of it

> because you feel like you will really be healthier without it--or because

> someone else made you feel like you should? Looking at your list of foods, I'd

> say they're also high in carbs. Maybe it's carbs, or wheat, not cheese? No,

I'm

> not actually saying you should dump both (thought I've tried allergy

elimination

> diets once or twice--ugh!). Maybe you should look into what's going on when

you

> eat a particular food. Are you home alone (lonely) with macaroni and cheese?

Are

> you out with friends with pizza? Are there ways you can box them in/out?

>

>

> I don't know if there's a right or wrong answer. I know that the answer that

was

> right for me a few years ago is not right for me now.

>

>

> Good luck figuring out your right answer.

>

>

>

>

>

>

> ________________________________

> From: sarahsimone_soliman <sarahsimone_soliman@...>

> weightloss

> Sent: Sun, March 27, 2011 3:45:59 PM

> Subject: Cutting Out/Down Foods

>

>

> Hey everyone!

>

> I've been wanting to cut dairy out of my diet and been somewhat successful in

> cutting down on it. There are a few things I'm reluctant to give up (to be

exact

> - mac and cheese, bagels with cream cheese, pizza) and I'll eat baked goods

that

> I know have been made with milk. At the moment I'm not eating these types of

> foods as much as I once did, but they are some of my worst overeating

triggers.

> Does my reluctance to give them up mean I should avoid them, or am I more

likely

> to fail in my health goals if I deprive myself?

>

>

> Have any of you completely cut a type of food out of your diet because you

felt

> you couldn't control yourself? Have people had success eating " trigger " foods

> rarely or in very small portions?

>

> On a semi-related note, I've been wanting to start the 30 Day Shred. I did a

bit

> of it this morning but got quite lightheaded. What are your experiences

pushing

> exercise limits? I'm never sure what signs mean I'm getting the most out of a

> workout vs. signs that say stop. I did turn off the shred when I started

feeling

> dizzy, but switched to arm weights so I still felt I was doing something.

>

>

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Hi

Sorry, I think I could have been more helpful in my reply.

When I was thinking of cutting things out - I was thinking of nutrious food

groups (like diary) and why this wasn't wise. When it comes to sugar that is a

different matter and I avoid do try to cut these out and just use the thoughts

of what is best over time and remembering how crappy I feel when I eat things

that hold little nutrition.

One of the foodstuffs I have managed to deal with is peanut butter. I used to

ban this, as once a jar was in the house I couldn't rest until I had eaten it.

But by " unbanning " it I managed over time to make my peace with it and now I

have an open and an unopen jar all the time, just waiting for the time I want

some on toast - rather than on a spoon. Peanuts, for me, are protein and good

food - as long as I don't go mad. But cake or biscuits (again for me) should

always be a very occasional food, so I rarely have them in the house and then if

I decide I want some, really want some to enjoy, I'll get enough for what I need

then (and if there is any left, encourage my husband to eat it, because he does

a physical job and has much more calorie capacity than my desk based body)

Best wishes

Viv

> >

> > I really wouldn't recommend cutting out an entire food group unless you

really have to for health or moral reasons.

> >

> > You are going to come up against that food sometime in your life,

particularly in you like it and so it is much better to learn how to eat it in

moderation - otherwise it is problematic when you do eat it again. If you are

craving something or can't control how you eat something, then there is an issue

there that needs dealing with, not avoiding.

> >

> > It is about maximising your pleasure, not deprivation.

> >

>

> But if there's only ONE(or two) foods that triggers that reaction, how would

you figure out the issue?

>

> Eldred

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Hi

Sorry, I think I could have been more helpful in my reply.

When I was thinking of cutting things out - I was thinking of nutrious food

groups (like diary) and why this wasn't wise. When it comes to sugar that is a

different matter and I avoid do try to cut these out and just use the thoughts

of what is best over time and remembering how crappy I feel when I eat things

that hold little nutrition.

One of the foodstuffs I have managed to deal with is peanut butter. I used to

ban this, as once a jar was in the house I couldn't rest until I had eaten it.

But by " unbanning " it I managed over time to make my peace with it and now I

have an open and an unopen jar all the time, just waiting for the time I want

some on toast - rather than on a spoon. Peanuts, for me, are protein and good

food - as long as I don't go mad. But cake or biscuits (again for me) should

always be a very occasional food, so I rarely have them in the house and then if

I decide I want some, really want some to enjoy, I'll get enough for what I need

then (and if there is any left, encourage my husband to eat it, because he does

a physical job and has much more calorie capacity than my desk based body)

Best wishes

Viv

> >

> > I really wouldn't recommend cutting out an entire food group unless you

really have to for health or moral reasons.

> >

> > You are going to come up against that food sometime in your life,

particularly in you like it and so it is much better to learn how to eat it in

moderation - otherwise it is problematic when you do eat it again. If you are

craving something or can't control how you eat something, then there is an issue

there that needs dealing with, not avoiding.

> >

> > It is about maximising your pleasure, not deprivation.

> >

>

> But if there's only ONE(or two) foods that triggers that reaction, how would

you figure out the issue?

>

> Eldred

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Eldred,

I don't know why the thought of Entenmann's Chocolate Chip Cookies has so much

higher a trigger factor than, say, 's chocolate chip cookies (which aren't

half bad...). Really, when you wrote it in your other email, I had an immediate

(but short) reaction. So, since you asked, here's how I'd figure out the extra

trigger factor.

The first thing I noticed when I read your post was that I could practically

feel the cookie in my mouth. (I haven't had one for years, so this is totally

from memory. But *very* strong memory.) I felt the whole cookie. It's

practically a perfect binge food, since if speed is of the essence (like, hands

have to put food in mouth before brain can catch up), you can pop in the whole

thing.

I could practically feel the texture. Just the right softness. Just the right

chewiness. This tactile awareness came before the memory of the taste.

Then the taste. At first I was aware of being really happy with the sweetness,

the chocolate-y-ness. But the more I sat with the feeling, the more I was aware

of shortcomings. Mine taste more buttery, actually. I was aware of a remembered

flavor--almost a scent--which was a mixture of vanilla and... preservatives?

Hmmm. And really, the more I thought about it, the more I realized it was

sweeter than mine. Sweeter than I like them.

This sort of memory/visualization continued to another cookie, and another. And

then I became aware of an unpleasant feeling in my belly... as if I had actually

eaten them. Weird.

Then I went back " to the top. " What is it about the texture that was so perfect?

What was so attractive about it? I wonder if the uniformity is part of it? I

always know *exactly* how it'll taste. Yes, this is true for other store-bought

cookies, too, so this can't be the only thing.... Hmm.

Ah. But they're store-bought. These days, I'm a bit of a " home baked is better "

snob. But growing up, it often seemed like the home-baked, home-made, home-grown

was not as good. It was what we had to have because it was cheaper. Because we

didn't have the money for " extras. " Hmmmm. Interesting. This " not having enough "

issue seems to be rolling around in my brain lately. Could it apply to these

cookies? Probably. Seems like it might apply to Girl Scout cookies, too.... I

mean, we had the perfect excuse to buy them. It was for a good cause, right?

(Hmmm. As I type this, I'm getting a similar memory of the taste of these

cookies. But I'm not getting the same urge to imagine myself bingeing.)

OK. Now on to the taste. And the sweetness. Even though I said I don't like them

that sweet, and don't make them that sweet.... I'm aware of part of me saying

" yeah, but I always cut the sugar because I *should*. " A little inner rebellion,

perhaps? Part of me saying " those are made the way they're *supposed* to be! " ?

Possibly....

Anyway, that's how I'd look into why a particular food--a particular brand of a

particular type of cookie--has a stronger pull for me than any other. A

combination of sitting with the feeling (or the awareness, if you don't actually

*feel* it), and free association writing.

Good luck!

________________________________

From: EldredP <epickett@...>

weightloss

Sent: Mon, March 28, 2011 5:43:54 PM

Subject: Re: Cutting Out/Down Foods

>

> I really wouldn't recommend cutting out an entire food group unless you really

>have to for health or moral reasons.

>

> You are going to come up against that food sometime in your life, particularly

>in you like it and so it is much better to learn how to eat it in moderation -

>otherwise it is problematic when you do eat it again. If you are craving

>something or can't control how you eat something, then there is an issue there

>that needs dealing with, not avoiding.

>

> It is about maximising your pleasure, not deprivation.

>

But if there's only ONE(or two) foods that triggers that reaction, how would you

figure out the issue?

Eldred

[Guest guest]

Try looking up PETA or any other vegan group online. They usually have cooking

ideas for substituting milk and cheese in regular dishes.

Kris

>

> Hey everyone!

>

> I've been wanting to cut dairy out of my diet and been somewhat successful in

cutting down on it. There are a few things I'm reluctant to give up (to be exact

- mac and cheese, bagels with cream cheese, pizza) and I'll eat baked goods that

I know have been made with milk. At the moment I'm not eating these types of

foods as much as I once did, but they are some of my worst overeating triggers.

Does my reluctance to give them up mean I should avoid them, or am I more likely

to fail in my health goals if I deprive myself?

>

> Have any of you completely cut a type of food out of your diet because you

felt you couldn't control yourself? Have people had success eating " trigger "

foods rarely or in very small portions?

>

> On a semi-related note, I've been wanting to start the 30 Day Shred. I did a

bit of it this morning but got quite lightheaded. What are your experiences

pushing exercise limits? I'm never sure what signs mean I'm getting the most out

of a workout vs. signs that say stop. I did turn off the shred when I started

feeling dizzy, but switched to arm weights so I still felt I was doing

something.

>

[Guest guest]

On Mon, Mar 28, 2011 at 3:21 PM, <lsageev@...> wrote:

> At one point, the book " Thin Tastes Better " was sort of my food bible. (Until

I

> decided that thin did not, in fact, taste better--at least, not as I was

then!)

> Anyway, it has the notion of trigger foods--with some that you can box in, and

> some that you can box out. I forget exactly which is which--but in practice,

it

> worked out like this--things like tortilla chips I could eat at home. I'd

> measure out exactly one ounce each time I wanted some. And in the end, I'd

throw

> away the bag because they went stale. But in a Mexican restaurant?? Forget it.

> One = All. And then they bring another basket. On the other hand, there are

some

> foods (sweets in particular) that if I have them at a restaurant, I can have a

> little, enjoy it, probably not finish the whole portion. But at home??? No

way.

>

>

Interesting thought about certain items causing problems at home, but

not in a restaurant(and vice-versa). I wonder why that would be?

Eldred

--

I'm raising money for Make-A-Wish!  Please check my donation website

at www.wam300.org

Even a donation of $5 would help.  Thanks!

[Guest guest]

All your thoughtful responses have now given me a lot to think about!

, what you said about the problem maybe being carbs instead of cheese got me

thinking about my eating habits. I'm still very unaware of what I'm eating on a

day to day basis. If you asked me what foods I enjoy because of their taste,

rather than the emotional satisfaction I get from them, I wouldn't know the

answer. I DO know that there's something about the combination of carbs and

cheese that makes those foods a weakness for me, but I'm not sure I would have

put 2 and 2 together had you not made the simple observation that all the foods

I mentioned were quite carb-heavy. Perhaps the answer is not cutting out either

type of food, but avoiding them in combination.

I suppose I'm very tempted by keeping myself to a strict diet. The " discipline "

of that makes me feel good about myself and I'm often confused about what to

eat, when to eat, how often to eat, how much to eat etc. It feels like if I was

strict with myself, it would be easier.

>

> At one point, the book " Thin Tastes Better " was sort of my food bible. (Until

I

> decided that thin did not, in fact, taste better--at least, not as I was

then!)

> Anyway, it has the notion of trigger foods--with some that you can box in, and

> some that you can box out. I forget exactly which is which--but in practice,

it

> worked out like this--things like tortilla chips I could eat at home. I'd

> measure out exactly one ounce each time I wanted some. And in the end, I'd

throw

> away the bag because they went stale. But in a Mexican restaurant?? Forget it.

> One = All. And then they bring another basket. On the other hand, there are

some

> foods (sweets in particular) that if I have them at a restaurant, I can have a

> little, enjoy it, probably not finish the whole portion. But at home??? No

way.

>

>

> It might be a good way to figure out how to manage " sometime foods " --so you

> don't have the rebellion thing going too bad.

>

> At some point, I ended up going completely off sugar. It made a lot of things

> easier. I think it was probably about three years... and then suddenly, around

> the holiday of Purim, I snapped. We had tons of baked goods around--every time

I

> turned around, someone was bringing more. And I just started eating. And

eating.

> Kept going all the way through Passover, which means about a 5 week sugar

high.

> So much for repression....

>

>

> This year, I had a ton of stuff going on before, during, and after Purim. So I

> decided that --just through the holiday--I would go off sugar. Nothing

> permanent. Just something to make my life easier. This coincided with podcast

> 161, which had a sort of guided journey to feel relaxed around food. And

that's

> exactly what happened. I felt very relaxed with all the stuff piling up.

Relaxed

> enough that I still haven't felt the need for more sugar. But part of the

reason

> I feel relaxed about it is that it's *not* permanent. I'm relaxed enough to

> evaluate whether I want it for the culinary experience, or for the numbing

> experience.

>

> About the dairy--Viv has a good point. Are you considering getting rid of it

> because you feel like you will really be healthier without it--or because

> someone else made you feel like you should? Looking at your list of foods, I'd

> say they're also high in carbs. Maybe it's carbs, or wheat, not cheese? No,

I'm

> not actually saying you should dump both (thought I've tried allergy

elimination

> diets once or twice--ugh!). Maybe you should look into what's going on when

you

> eat a particular food. Are you home alone (lonely) with macaroni and cheese?

Are

> you out with friends with pizza? Are there ways you can box them in/out?

>

>

> I don't know if there's a right or wrong answer. I know that the answer that

was

> right for me a few years ago is not right for me now.

>

>

> Good luck figuring out your right answer.

>

>

>

>

>

>

> ________________________________

> From: sarahsimone_soliman <sarahsimone_soliman@...>

> weightloss

> Sent: Sun, March 27, 2011 3:45:59 PM

> Subject: Cutting Out/Down Foods

>

>

> Hey everyone!

>

> I've been wanting to cut dairy out of my diet and been somewhat successful in

> cutting down on it. There are a few things I'm reluctant to give up (to be

exact

> - mac and cheese, bagels with cream cheese, pizza) and I'll eat baked goods

that

> I know have been made with milk. At the moment I'm not eating these types of

> foods as much as I once did, but they are some of my worst overeating

triggers.

> Does my reluctance to give them up mean I should avoid them, or am I more

likely

> to fail in my health goals if I deprive myself?

>

>

> Have any of you completely cut a type of food out of your diet because you

felt

> you couldn't control yourself? Have people had success eating " trigger " foods

> rarely or in very small portions?

>

> On a semi-related note, I've been wanting to start the 30 Day Shred. I did a

bit

> of it this morning but got quite lightheaded. What are your experiences

pushing

> exercise limits? I'm never sure what signs mean I'm getting the most out of a

> workout vs. signs that say stop. I did turn off the shred when I started

feeling

> dizzy, but switched to arm weights so I still felt I was doing something.

>

>

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

when I see the word 'strict' - it brings out my inner rebellious self (funny the

effect that certain word have on me!!)

There was a podcast that I listened to a couple of years ago that has really

stuck with me from -  it was called " Reducing Your Food Universe " -

the idea was that the reason you diet is to break and/or change bad habits (part

of the goal of the whole process so you don't have to keep repeating!) - so by

reducing your food universe, you are finding a few types of foods or meals that

you

really like and eat them again and again (keeping an eye on the

calories and portion size) - add or subtract meals when

you want to change it up a bit. It’s hard enough to be on a diet, and if

it’s hard work too… the emotional, physical and the time commitment may be

too much to handle. Simplify, simplify, simplify was his point.

so I have three breakfasts that I rotate (and this means I can make them in

advance so I'm not caught short) and variations on Lunch (salad, soup, sandwich)

and I usually make a dinner that can be re-invented over the next two night

(roasted chicken breast one night, becomes chicken enchilada the next night and

the remainder goes in soup the following night).

while I do appreciate all the choices there are (from the grocery shelves to the

restaurant menus) - sometimes it's the sheer volume or variety of choices (and

their traps in terms of calories or in what eating them leads me to eat next)

that lead me to not making such good choices. 

________________________________

From: sarahsimone_soliman <sarahsimone_soliman@...>

weightloss

Sent: Wednesday, March 30, 2011 4:26 AM

Subject: Re: Re: Cutting Out/Down Foods

 

All your thoughtful responses have now given me a lot to think about!

, what you said about the problem maybe being carbs instead of cheese got me

thinking about my eating habits. I'm still very unaware of what I'm eating on a

day to day basis. If you asked me what foods I enjoy because of their taste,

rather than the emotional satisfaction I get from them, I wouldn't know the

answer. I DO know that there's something about the combination of carbs and

cheese that makes those foods a weakness for me, but I'm not sure I would have

put 2 and 2 together had you not made the simple observation that all the foods

I mentioned were quite carb-heavy. Perhaps the answer is not cutting out either

type of food, but avoiding them in combination.

I suppose I'm very tempted by keeping myself to a strict diet. The " discipline "

of that makes me feel good about myself and I'm often confused about what to

eat, when to eat, how often to eat, how much to eat etc. It feels like if I was

strict with myself, it would be easier.

>

> At one point, the book " Thin Tastes Better " was sort of my food bible. (Until

I

> decided that thin did not, in fact, taste better--at least, not as I was

then!)

> Anyway, it has the notion of trigger foods--with some that you can box in, and

> some that you can box out. I forget exactly which is which--but in practice,

it

> worked out like this--things like tortilla chips I could eat at home. I'd

> measure out exactly one ounce each time I wanted some. And in the end, I'd

throw

> away the bag because they went stale. But in a Mexican restaurant?? Forget it.

> One = All. And then they bring another basket. On the other hand, there are

some

> foods (sweets in particular) that if I have them at a restaurant, I can have a

> little, enjoy it, probably not finish the whole portion. But at home??? No

way.

>

>

> It might be a good way to figure out how to manage " sometime foods " --so you

> don't have the rebellion thing going too bad.

>

> At some point, I ended up going completely off sugar. It made a lot of things

> easier. I think it was probably about three years... and then suddenly, around

> the holiday of Purim, I snapped. We had tons of baked goods around--every time

I

> turned around, someone was bringing more. And I just started eating. And

eating.

> Kept going all the way through Passover, which means about a 5 week sugar

high.

> So much for repression....

>

>

> This year, I had a ton of stuff going on before, during, and after Purim. So I

> decided that --just through the holiday--I would go off sugar. Nothing

> permanent. Just something to make my life easier. This coincided with podcast

> 161, which had a sort of guided journey to feel relaxed around food. And

that's

> exactly what happened. I felt very relaxed with all the stuff piling up.

Relaxed

> enough that I still haven't felt the need for more sugar. But part of the

reason

> I feel relaxed about it is that it's *not* permanent. I'm relaxed enough to

> evaluate whether I want it for the culinary experience, or for the numbing

> experience.

>

> About the dairy--Viv has a good point. Are you considering getting rid of it

> because you feel like you will really be healthier without it--or because

> someone else made you feel like you should? Looking at your list of foods, I'd

> say they're also high in carbs. Maybe it's carbs, or wheat, not cheese? No,

I'm

> not actually saying you should dump both (thought I've tried allergy

elimination

> diets once or twice--ugh!). Maybe you should look into what's going on when

you

> eat a particular food. Are you home alone (lonely) with macaroni and cheese?

Are

> you out with friends with pizza? Are there ways you can box them in/out?

>

>

> I don't know if there's a right or wrong answer. I know that the answer that

was

> right for me a few years ago is not right for me now.

>

>

> Good luck figuring out your right answer.

>

>

>

>

>

>

> ________________________________

> From: sarahsimone_soliman <sarahsimone_soliman@...>

> weightloss

> Sent: Sun, March 27, 2011 3:45:59 PM

> Subject: Cutting Out/Down Foods

>

>

> Hey everyone!

>

> I've been wanting to cut dairy out of my diet and been somewhat successful in

> cutting down on it. There are a few things I'm reluctant to give up (to be

exact

> - mac and cheese, bagels with cream cheese, pizza) and I'll eat baked goods

that

> I know have been made with milk. At the moment I'm not eating these types of

> foods as much as I once did, but they are some of my worst overeating

triggers.

> Does my reluctance to give them up mean I should avoid them, or am I more

likely

> to fail in my health goals if I deprive myself?

>

>

> Have any of you completely cut a type of food out of your diet because you

felt

> you couldn't control yourself? Have people had success eating " trigger " foods

> rarely or in very small portions?

>

> On a semi-related note, I've been wanting to start the 30 Day Shred. I did a

bit

> of it this morning but got quite lightheaded. What are your experiences

pushing

> exercise limits? I'm never sure what signs mean I'm getting the most out of a

> workout vs. signs that say stop. I did turn off the shred when I started

feeling

> dizzy, but switched to arm weights so I still felt I was doing something.

>

>

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Colleen I so agree with you. A whole week can go by and I will have eaten almost

the same thing for breakfast lunch snack dinner. It makes my life so much

easier. However, I do find things that I really enjoy eating. A salad with a

delicious homemade dressing, or yogurt for breakfast has to be thick Greek

yogurt and the honey I use is some of the best I have found. My sandwich bread

was bought and sliced at a bakery and I put it in the freezer and take out

pieces as needed. My strawberries are bright red juicy organic....etc etc.

I'm eating less food nowadays so I feel like the bit extra I pay is

justifiable.  And hey, at least I'm not spending the money on junk food or

chocolates and chips!!!

 

Hugs to everyone...

From: Colleen <collrobinson@...>

" weightloss " <weightloss >

Sent: Wednesday, March 30, 2011 4:44 PM

Subject: Re: Re: Cutting Out/Down Foods

 

when I see the word 'strict' - it brings out my inner rebellious self (funny the

effect that certain word have on me!!)

There was a podcast that I listened to a couple of years ago that has really

stuck with me from -  it was called " Reducing Your Food Universe " -

the idea was that the reason you diet is to break and/or change bad habits (part

of the goal of the whole process so you don't have to keep repeating!) - so by

reducing your food universe, you are finding a few types of foods or meals that

you

really like and eat them again and again (keeping an eye on the

calories and portion size) - add or subtract meals when

you want to change it up a bit. It’s hard enough to be on a diet, and if

it’s hard work too… the emotional, physical and the time commitment may be

too much to handle. Simplify, simplify, simplify was his point.

so I have three breakfasts that I rotate (and this means I can make them in

advance so I'm not caught short) and variations on Lunch (salad, soup, sandwich)

and I usually make a dinner that can be re-invented over the next two night

(roasted chicken breast one night, becomes chicken enchilada the next night and

the remainder goes in soup the following night).

while I do appreciate all the choices there are (from the grocery shelves to the

restaurant menus) - sometimes it's the sheer volume or variety of choices (and

their traps in terms of calories or in what eating them leads me to eat next)

that lead me to not making such good choices. 

________________________________

From: sarahsimone_soliman <sarahsimone_soliman@...>

weightloss

Sent: Wednesday, March 30, 2011 4:26 AM

Subject: Re: Re: Cutting Out/Down Foods

 

All your thoughtful responses have now given me a lot to think about!

, what you said about the problem maybe being carbs instead of cheese got me

thinking about my eating habits. I'm still very unaware of what I'm eating on a

day to day basis. If you asked me what foods I enjoy because of their taste,

rather than the emotional satisfaction I get from them, I wouldn't know the

answer. I DO know that there's something about the combination of carbs and

cheese that makes those foods a weakness for me, but I'm not sure I would have

put 2 and 2 together had you not made the simple observation that all the foods

I mentioned were quite carb-heavy. Perhaps the answer is not cutting out either

type of food, but avoiding them in combination.

I suppose I'm very tempted by keeping myself to a strict diet. The " discipline "

of that makes me feel good about myself and I'm often confused about what to

eat, when to eat, how often to eat, how much to eat etc. It feels like if I was

strict with myself, it would be easier.

>

> At one point, the book " Thin Tastes Better " was sort of my food bible. (Until

I

> decided that thin did not, in fact, taste better--at least, not as I was

then!)

> Anyway, it has the notion of trigger foods--with some that you can box in, and

> some that you can box out. I forget exactly which is which--but in practice,

it

> worked out like this--things like tortilla chips I could eat at home. I'd

> measure out exactly one ounce each time I wanted some. And in the end, I'd

throw

> away the bag because they went stale. But in a Mexican restaurant?? Forget it.

> One = All. And then they bring another basket. On the other hand, there are

some

> foods (sweets in particular) that if I have them at a restaurant, I can have a

> little, enjoy it, probably not finish the whole portion. But at home??? No

way.

>

>

> It might be a good way to figure out how to manage " sometime foods " --so you

> don't have the rebellion thing going too bad.

>

> At some point, I ended up going completely off sugar. It made a lot of things

> easier. I think it was probably about three years... and then suddenly, around

> the holiday of Purim, I snapped. We had tons of baked goods around--every time

I

> turned around, someone was bringing more. And I just started eating. And

eating.

> Kept going all the way through Passover, which means about a 5 week sugar

high.

> So much for repression....

>

>

> This year, I had a ton of stuff going on before, during, and after Purim. So I

> decided that --just through the holiday--I would go off sugar. Nothing

> permanent. Just something to make my life easier. This coincided with podcast

> 161, which had a sort of guided journey to feel relaxed around food. And

that's

> exactly what happened. I felt very relaxed with all the stuff piling up.

Relaxed

> enough that I still haven't felt the need for more sugar. But part of the

reason

> I feel relaxed about it is that it's *not* permanent. I'm relaxed enough to

> evaluate whether I want it for the culinary experience, or for the numbing

> experience.

>

> About the dairy--Viv has a good point. Are you considering getting rid of it

> because you feel like you will really be healthier without it--or because

> someone else made you feel like you should? Looking at your list of foods, I'd

> say they're also high in carbs. Maybe it's carbs, or wheat, not cheese? No,

I'm

> not actually saying you should dump both (thought I've tried allergy

elimination

> diets once or twice--ugh!). Maybe you should look into what's going on when

you

> eat a particular food. Are you home alone (lonely) with macaroni and cheese?

Are

> you out with friends with pizza? Are there ways you can box them in/out?

>

>

> I don't know if there's a right or wrong answer. I know that the answer that

was

> right for me a few years ago is not right for me now.

>

>

> Good luck figuring out your right answer.

>

>

>

>

>

>

> ________________________________

> From: sarahsimone_soliman <sarahsimone_soliman@...>

> weightloss

> Sent: Sun, March 27, 2011 3:45:59 PM

> Subject: Cutting Out/Down Foods

>

>

> Hey everyone!

>

> I've been wanting to cut dairy out of my diet and been somewhat successful in

> cutting down on it. There are a few things I'm reluctant to give up (to be

exact

> - mac and cheese, bagels with cream cheese, pizza) and I'll eat baked goods

that

> I know have been made with milk. At the moment I'm not eating these types of

> foods as much as I once did, but they are some of my worst overeating

triggers.

> Does my reluctance to give them up mean I should avoid them, or am I more

likely

> to fail in my health goals if I deprive myself?

>

>

> Have any of you completely cut a type of food out of your diet because you

felt

> you couldn't control yourself? Have people had success eating " trigger " foods

> rarely or in very small portions?

>

> On a semi-related note, I've been wanting to start the 30 Day Shred. I did a

bit

> of it this morning but got quite lightheaded. What are your experiences

pushing

> exercise limits? I'm never sure what signs mean I'm getting the most out of a

> workout vs. signs that say stop. I did turn off the shred when I started

feeling

> dizzy, but switched to arm weights so I still felt I was doing something.

>

>

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

I didn't mean for the thought of reducing your food universe to be boring or

bland (sorry if anyone read that into the message!) -- , like you - I have

things I love (steel cut oats with organic raspberries on top and YES to that

wonderful thick yogurt, too!) and I do spend the money & time to seek them out

so I really do look forward to the thick soups and the salads that are full of

all types of veggies - not just lettuce ... I throw away very little food (it

doesn't have the chance to go bad) too, which has been a benefit that I hadn't

thought of before doing this ... and a lot of the junkier things don't have as

much appeal because of having food planned  (but please, don't throw one of

those Cadbury cream filled Easter eggs in my path!)

 

________________________________

From: e v <evergos@...>

" weightloss " <weightloss >

Sent: Wednesday, March 30, 2011 8:24 AM

Subject: Re: Re: Cutting Out/Down Foods

 

Colleen I so agree with you. A whole week can go by and I will have eaten almost

the same thing for breakfast lunch snack dinner. It makes my life so much

easier. However, I do find things that I really enjoy eating. A salad with a

delicious homemade dressing, or yogurt for breakfast has to be thick Greek

yogurt and the honey I use is some of the best I have found. My sandwich bread

was bought and sliced at a bakery and I put it in the freezer and take out

pieces as needed. My strawberries are bright red juicy organic....etc etc.

I'm eating less food nowadays so I feel like the bit extra I pay is

justifiable.  And hey, at least I'm not spending the money on junk food or

chocolates and chips!!!

 

Hugs to everyone...

From: Colleen <collrobinson@...>

" weightloss " <weightloss >

Sent: Wednesday, March 30, 2011 4:44 PM

Subject: Re: Re: Cutting Out/Down Foods

 

when I see the word 'strict' - it brings out my inner rebellious self (funny the

effect that certain word have on me!!)

There was a podcast that I listened to a couple of years ago that has really

stuck with me from -  it was called " Reducing Your Food Universe " -

the idea was that the reason you diet is to break and/or change bad habits (part

of the goal of the whole process so you don't have to keep repeating!) - so by

reducing your food universe, you are finding a few types of foods or meals that

you

really like and eat them again and again (keeping an eye on the

calories and portion size) - add or subtract meals when

you want to change it up a bit. It’s hard enough to be on a diet, and if

it’s hard work too… the emotional, physical and the time commitment may be

too much to handle. Simplify, simplify, simplify was his point.

so I have three breakfasts that I rotate (and this means I can make them in

advance so I'm not caught short) and variations on Lunch (salad, soup, sandwich)

and I usually make a dinner that can be re-invented over the next two night

(roasted chicken breast one night, becomes chicken enchilada the next night and

the remainder goes in soup the following night).

while I do appreciate all the choices there are (from the grocery shelves to the

restaurant menus) - sometimes it's the sheer volume or variety of choices (and

their traps in terms of calories or in what eating them leads me to eat next)

that lead me to not making such good choices. 

________________________________

From: sarahsimone_soliman <sarahsimone_soliman@...>

weightloss

Sent: Wednesday, March 30, 2011 4:26 AM

Subject: Re: Re: Cutting Out/Down Foods

 

All your thoughtful responses have now given me a lot to think about!

, what you said about the problem maybe being carbs instead of cheese got me

thinking about my eating habits. I'm still very unaware of what I'm eating on a

day to day basis. If you asked me what foods I enjoy because of their taste,

rather than the emotional satisfaction I get from them, I wouldn't know the

answer. I DO know that there's something about the combination of carbs and

cheese that makes those foods a weakness for me, but I'm not sure I would have

put 2 and 2 together had you not made the simple observation that all the foods

I mentioned were quite carb-heavy. Perhaps the answer is not cutting out either

type of food, but avoiding them in combination.

I suppose I'm very tempted by keeping myself to a strict diet. The " discipline "

of that makes me feel good about myself and I'm often confused about what to

eat, when to eat, how often to eat, how much to eat etc. It feels like if I was

strict with myself, it would be easier.

>

> At one point, the book " Thin Tastes Better " was sort of my food bible. (Until

I

> decided that thin did not, in fact, taste better--at least, not as I was

then!)

> Anyway, it has the notion of trigger foods--with some that you can box in, and

> some that you can box out. I forget exactly which is which--but in practice,

it

> worked out like this--things like tortilla chips I could eat at home. I'd

> measure out exactly one ounce each time I wanted some. And in the end, I'd

throw

> away the bag because they went stale. But in a Mexican restaurant?? Forget it.

> One = All. And then they bring another basket. On the other hand, there are

some

> foods (sweets in particular) that if I have them at a restaurant, I can have a

> little, enjoy it, probably not finish the whole portion. But at home??? No

way.

>

>

> It might be a good way to figure out how to manage " sometime foods " --so you

> don't have the rebellion thing going too bad.

>

> At some point, I ended up going completely off sugar. It made a lot of things

> easier. I think it was probably about three years... and then suddenly, around

> the holiday of Purim, I snapped. We had tons of baked goods around--every time

I

> turned around, someone was bringing more. And I just started eating. And

eating.

> Kept going all the way through Passover, which means about a 5 week sugar

high.

> So much for repression....

>

>

> This year, I had a ton of stuff going on before, during, and after Purim. So I

> decided that --just through the holiday--I would go off sugar. Nothing

> permanent. Just something to make my life easier. This coincided with podcast

> 161, which had a sort of guided journey to feel relaxed around food. And

that's

> exactly what happened. I felt very relaxed with all the stuff piling up.

Relaxed

> enough that I still haven't felt the need for more sugar. But part of the

reason

> I feel relaxed about it is that it's *not* permanent. I'm relaxed enough to

> evaluate whether I want it for the culinary experience, or for the numbing

> experience.

>

> About the dairy--Viv has a good point. Are you considering getting rid of it

> because you feel like you will really be healthier without it--or because

> someone else made you feel like you should? Looking at your list of foods, I'd

> say they're also high in carbs. Maybe it's carbs, or wheat, not cheese? No,

I'm

> not actually saying you should dump both (thought I've tried allergy

elimination

> diets once or twice--ugh!). Maybe you should look into what's going on when

you

> eat a particular food. Are you home alone (lonely) with macaroni and cheese?

Are

> you out with friends with pizza? Are there ways you can box them in/out?

>

>

> I don't know if there's a right or wrong answer. I know that the answer that

was

> right for me a few years ago is not right for me now.

>

>

> Good luck figuring out your right answer.

>

>

>

>

>

>

> ________________________________

> From: sarahsimone_soliman <sarahsimone_soliman@...>

> weightloss

> Sent: Sun, March 27, 2011 3:45:59 PM

> Subject: Cutting Out/Down Foods

>

>

> Hey everyone!

>

> I've been wanting to cut dairy out of my diet and been somewhat successful in

> cutting down on it. There are a few things I'm reluctant to give up (to be

exact

> - mac and cheese, bagels with cream cheese, pizza) and I'll eat baked goods

that

> I know have been made with milk. At the moment I'm not eating these types of

> foods as much as I once did, but they are some of my worst overeating

triggers.

> Does my reluctance to give them up mean I should avoid them, or am I more

likely

> to fail in my health goals if I deprive myself?

>

>

> Have any of you completely cut a type of food out of your diet because you

felt

> you couldn't control yourself? Have people had success eating " trigger " foods

> rarely or in very small portions?

>

> On a semi-related note, I've been wanting to start the 30 Day Shred. I did a

bit

> of it this morning but got quite lightheaded. What are your experiences

pushing

> exercise limits? I'm never sure what signs mean I'm getting the most out of a

> workout vs. signs that say stop. I did turn off the shred when I started

feeling

> dizzy, but switched to arm weights so I still felt I was doing something.

>

>

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Hi ...

I've cut out a lot of carbs from my diet like bread, bagels, and almost all

sugars except honey. I now eat A LOT of greens... salads, vegetable based main

meals, and fruits and yogurt, nuts. If I do have bread I have it in the morning

or at least by lunch. I am feeling TONS better!! I have lost little weight but I

have lost quite a bit of fat... my clothes fit better and I feel great! And you

know what? My cravings have gone way way down. The strangest aspect has been

with comfort food. I use and have used food in the past for

comfort/entertainment and so my first thought is often to " indulge " myself with

certain foods only to know that at least during this period they are off limits

and then I usually realise that I'm not really hungry and then go find sth else

to do. Or I'll wash a big bowl of strawberries or get a yogurt and some honey

only to realise again that I don't really want them.

 

I have always been addicted to sweets so avoiding sweets completely  has been a

slow process which was completed now that Lent has started and I'm avoiding all

animal foods with the exception of eating a yogurt a day. I do add honey to my

yogurt or sometimes on my whole wheat bread in the morning. The hardest thing

for me to give up was bread and cheese. I LOVE cheese but wanted to do this for

Lent. As said, maybe because I know it is temporary it hasn't been that

hard.

 

I recently read the book " The China Study " It is probably one of the best books

I've EVER read concerning food and what is and isn't good for my body. This book

also helped me to take a bigger step towards becoming even healthier just

because EVERYTHING I read made perfect sense. I HIGHLY recommend reading it.

 

I think that in the end it just takes time to get rid of old habits and turn

them into healthy ones. I have become a very strong believer of one step at a

time. What also helped me was not so much thinking about what I shouldn't eat

but just making sure that I included 5 veggies of different color to my meals

one week and eating a raw salad a day the next...etc etc.

 

Hope I've helped in some way on your weight loss journey.

 

Hugs...

evelyn.

From: sarahsimone_soliman <sarahsimone_soliman@...>

weightloss

Sent: Wednesday, March 30, 2011 2:26 PM

Subject: Re: Cutting Out/Down Foods

 

All your thoughtful responses have now given me a lot to think about!

, what you said about the problem maybe being carbs instead of cheese got me

thinking about my eating habits. I'm still very unaware of what I'm eating on a

day to day basis. If you asked me what foods I enjoy because of their taste,

rather than the emotional satisfaction I get from them, I wouldn't know the

answer. I DO know that there's something about the combination of carbs and

cheese that makes those foods a weakness for me, but I'm not sure I would have

put 2 and 2 together had you not made the simple observation that all the foods

I mentioned were quite carb-heavy. Perhaps the answer is not cutting out either

type of food, but avoiding them in combination.

I suppose I'm very tempted by keeping myself to a strict diet. The " discipline "

of that makes me feel good about myself and I'm often confused about what to

eat, when to eat, how often to eat, how much to eat etc. It feels like if I was

strict with myself, it would be easier.

>

> At one point, the book " Thin Tastes Better " was sort of my food bible. (Until

I

> decided that thin did not, in fact, taste better--at least, not as I was

then!)

> Anyway, it has the notion of trigger foods--with some that you can box in, and

> some that you can box out. I forget exactly which is which--but in practice,

it

> worked out like this--things like tortilla chips I could eat at home. I'd

> measure out exactly one ounce each time I wanted some. And in the end, I'd

throw

> away the bag because they went stale. But in a Mexican restaurant?? Forget it.

> One = All. And then they bring another basket. On the other hand, there are

some

> foods (sweets in particular) that if I have them at a restaurant, I can have a

> little, enjoy it, probably not finish the whole portion. But at home??? No

way.

>

>

> It might be a good way to figure out how to manage " sometime foods " --so you

> don't have the rebellion thing going too bad.

>

> At some point, I ended up going completely off sugar. It made a lot of things

> easier. I think it was probably about three years... and then suddenly, around

> the holiday of Purim, I snapped. We had tons of baked goods around--every time

I

> turned around, someone was bringing more. And I just started eating. And

eating.

> Kept going all the way through Passover, which means about a 5 week sugar

high.

> So much for repression....

>

>

> This year, I had a ton of stuff going on before, during, and after Purim. So I

> decided that --just through the holiday--I would go off sugar. Nothing

> permanent. Just something to make my life easier. This coincided with podcast

> 161, which had a sort of guided journey to feel relaxed around food. And

that's

> exactly what happened. I felt very relaxed with all the stuff piling up.

Relaxed

> enough that I still haven't felt the need for more sugar. But part of the

reason

> I feel relaxed about it is that it's *not* permanent. I'm relaxed enough to

> evaluate whether I want it for the culinary experience, or for the numbing

> experience.

>

> About the dairy--Viv has a good point. Are you considering getting rid of it

> because you feel like you will really be healthier without it--or because

> someone else made you feel like you should? Looking at your list of foods, I'd

> say they're also high in carbs. Maybe it's carbs, or wheat, not cheese? No,

I'm

> not actually saying you should dump both (thought I've tried allergy

elimination

> diets once or twice--ugh!). Maybe you should look into what's going on when

you

> eat a particular food. Are you home alone (lonely) with macaroni and cheese?

Are

> you out with friends with pizza? Are there ways you can box them in/out?

>

>

> I don't know if there's a right or wrong answer. I know that the answer that

was

> right for me a few years ago is not right for me now.

>

>

> Good luck figuring out your right answer.

>

>

>

>

>

>

> ________________________________

> From: sarahsimone_soliman <sarahsimone_soliman@...>

> weightloss

> Sent: Sun, March 27, 2011 3:45:59 PM

> Subject: Cutting Out/Down Foods

>

>

> Hey everyone!

>

> I've been wanting to cut dairy out of my diet and been somewhat successful in

> cutting down on it. There are a few things I'm reluctant to give up (to be

exact

> - mac and cheese, bagels with cream cheese, pizza) and I'll eat baked goods

that

> I know have been made with milk. At the moment I'm not eating these types of

> foods as much as I once did, but they are some of my worst overeating

triggers.

> Does my reluctance to give them up mean I should avoid them, or am I more

likely

> to fail in my health goals if I deprive myself?

>

>

> Have any of you completely cut a type of food out of your diet because you

felt

> you couldn't control yourself? Have people had success eating " trigger " foods

> rarely or in very small portions?

>

> On a semi-related note, I've been wanting to start the 30 Day Shred. I did a

bit

> of it this morning but got quite lightheaded. What are your experiences

pushing

> exercise limits? I'm never sure what signs mean I'm getting the most out of a

> workout vs. signs that say stop. I did turn off the shred when I started

feeling

> dizzy, but switched to arm weights so I still felt I was doing something.

>

>

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Exactly Colleen..

My meals are anything but boring. I have been experimenting for a while now and

my whole family is hooked!!! I too throw away very little food nowadays and it

is a thrill to open the fridge and see my salad with all the different colors

shining in the big bowl with a fruit salad waiting patiently beside it. :-) 

I am not Miss Goody Twoshoes guys... just been working on this for almost a year

and the transition has been slow. But like Colleen I find it extremely hard to

pass up sweets if they are actually in my home. A month ago I had company over

and they brought this lovely cheesecake. I was able to dish it out and not eat

it the night of the dinner party and I had already planned it in my head to give

the remaining half to the last guests who left. But the last guests were the

couple who had brought it to me and I thought it would be rude to send it home

with them so then I thought about just throwing it in the garbage disposal but I

didn't. Well, you can guess what happened. The next day I ended up eating almost

the whole other half!!!!! I hadn't eaten sweets in awhile and it made me sick

enough that I won't be doing sth like that any time soon (I would love to say

never but can sweets addicts ever say that????)

So Colleen I know what you're talking when you say keep the chocolate Easter

eggs away from me!!!  :-)

From: Colleen <collrobinson@...>

" weightloss " <weightloss >

Sent: Wednesday, March 30, 2011 6:33 PM

Subject: Re: Re: Cutting Out/Down Foods

 

I didn't mean for the thought of reducing your food universe to be boring or

bland (sorry if anyone read that into the message!) -- , like you - I have

things I love (steel cut oats with organic raspberries on top and YES to that

wonderful thick yogurt, too!) and I do spend the money & time to seek them out

so I really do look forward to the thick soups and the salads that are full of

all types of veggies - not just lettuce ... I throw away very little food (it

doesn't have the chance to go bad) too, which has been a benefit that I hadn't

thought of before doing this ... and a lot of the junkier things don't have as

much appeal because of having food planned  (but please, don't throw one of

those Cadbury cream filled Easter eggs in my path!)

 

________________________________

From: e v <evergos@...>

" weightloss " <weightloss >

Sent: Wednesday, March 30, 2011 8:24 AM

Subject: Re: Re: Cutting Out/Down Foods

 

Colleen I so agree with you. A whole week can go by and I will have eaten almost

the same thing for breakfast lunch snack dinner. It makes my life so much

easier. However, I do find things that I really enjoy eating. A salad with a

delicious homemade dressing, or yogurt for breakfast has to be thick Greek

yogurt and the honey I use is some of the best I have found. My sandwich bread

was bought and sliced at a bakery and I put it in the freezer and take out

pieces as needed. My strawberries are bright red juicy organic....etc etc.

I'm eating less food nowadays so I feel like the bit extra I pay is

justifiable.  And hey, at least I'm not spending the money on junk food or

chocolates and chips!!!

 

Hugs to everyone...

From: Colleen <collrobinson@...>

" weightloss " <weightloss >

Sent: Wednesday, March 30, 2011 4:44 PM

Subject: Re: Re: Cutting Out/Down Foods

 

when I see the word 'strict' - it brings out my inner rebellious self (funny the

effect that certain word have on me!!)

There was a podcast that I listened to a couple of years ago that has really

stuck with me from -  it was called " Reducing Your Food Universe " -

the idea was that the reason you diet is to break and/or change bad habits (part

of the goal of the whole process so you don't have to keep repeating!) - so by

reducing your food universe, you are finding a few types of foods or meals that

you

really like and eat them again and again (keeping an eye on the

calories and portion size) - add or subtract meals when

you want to change it up a bit. It’s hard enough to be on a diet, and if

it’s hard work too… the emotional, physical and the time commitment may be

too much to handle. Simplify, simplify, simplify was his point.

so I have three breakfasts that I rotate (and this means I can make them in

advance so I'm not caught short) and variations on Lunch (salad, soup, sandwich)

and I usually make a dinner that can be re-invented over the next two night

(roasted chicken breast one night, becomes chicken enchilada the next night and

the remainder goes in soup the following night).

while I do appreciate all the choices there are (from the grocery shelves to the

restaurant menus) - sometimes it's the sheer volume or variety of choices (and

their traps in terms of calories or in what eating them leads me to eat next)

that lead me to not making such good choices. 

________________________________

From: sarahsimone_soliman <sarahsimone_soliman@...>

weightloss

Sent: Wednesday, March 30, 2011 4:26 AM

Subject: Re: Re: Cutting Out/Down Foods

 

All your thoughtful responses have now given me a lot to think about!

, what you said about the problem maybe being carbs instead of cheese got me

thinking about my eating habits. I'm still very unaware of what I'm eating on a

day to day basis. If you asked me what foods I enjoy because of their taste,

rather than the emotional satisfaction I get from them, I wouldn't know the

answer. I DO know that there's something about the combination of carbs and

cheese that makes those foods a weakness for me, but I'm not sure I would have

put 2 and 2 together had you not made the simple observation that all the foods

I mentioned were quite carb-heavy. Perhaps the answer is not cutting out either

type of food, but avoiding them in combination.

I suppose I'm very tempted by keeping myself to a strict diet. The " discipline "

of that makes me feel good about myself and I'm often confused about what to

eat, when to eat, how often to eat, how much to eat etc. It feels like if I was

strict with myself, it would be easier.

>

> At one point, the book " Thin Tastes Better " was sort of my food bible. (Until

I

> decided that thin did not, in fact, taste better--at least, not as I was

then!)

> Anyway, it has the notion of trigger foods--with some that you can box in, and

> some that you can box out. I forget exactly which is which--but in practice,

it

> worked out like this--things like tortilla chips I could eat at home. I'd

> measure out exactly one ounce each time I wanted some. And in the end, I'd

throw

> away the bag because they went stale. But in a Mexican restaurant?? Forget it.

> One = All. And then they bring another basket. On the other hand, there are

some

> foods (sweets in particular) that if I have them at a restaurant, I can have a

> little, enjoy it, probably not finish the whole portion. But at home??? No

way.

>

>

> It might be a good way to figure out how to manage " sometime foods " --so you

> don't have the rebellion thing going too bad.

>

> At some point, I ended up going completely off sugar. It made a lot of things

> easier. I think it was probably about three years... and then suddenly, around

> the holiday of Purim, I snapped. We had tons of baked goods around--every time

I

> turned around, someone was bringing more. And I just started eating. And

eating.

> Kept going all the way through Passover, which means about a 5 week sugar

high.

> So much for repression....

>

>

> This year, I had a ton of stuff going on before, during, and after Purim. So I

> decided that --just through the holiday--I would go off sugar. Nothing

> permanent. Just something to make my life easier. This coincided with podcast

> 161, which had a sort of guided journey to feel relaxed around food. And

that's

> exactly what happened. I felt very relaxed with all the stuff piling up.

Relaxed

> enough that I still haven't felt the need for more sugar. But part of the

reason

> I feel relaxed about it is that it's *not* permanent. I'm relaxed enough to

> evaluate whether I want it for the culinary experience, or for the numbing

> experience.

>

> About the dairy--Viv has a good point. Are you considering getting rid of it

> because you feel like you will really be healthier without it--or because

> someone else made you feel like you should? Looking at your list of foods, I'd

> say they're also high in carbs. Maybe it's carbs, or wheat, not cheese? No,

I'm

> not actually saying you should dump both (thought I've tried allergy

elimination

> diets once or twice--ugh!). Maybe you should look into what's going on when

you

> eat a particular food. Are you home alone (lonely) with macaroni and cheese?

Are

> you out with friends with pizza? Are there ways you can box them in/out?

>

>

> I don't know if there's a right or wrong answer. I know that the answer that

was

> right for me a few years ago is not right for me now.

>

>

> Good luck figuring out your right answer.

>

>

>

>

>

>

> ________________________________

> From: sarahsimone_soliman <sarahsimone_soliman@...>

> weightloss

> Sent: Sun, March 27, 2011 3:45:59 PM

> Subject: Cutting Out/Down Foods

>

>

> Hey everyone!

>

> I've been wanting to cut dairy out of my diet and been somewhat successful in

> cutting down on it. There are a few things I'm reluctant to give up (to be

exact

> - mac and cheese, bagels with cream cheese, pizza) and I'll eat baked goods

that

> I know have been made with milk. At the moment I'm not eating these types of

> foods as much as I once did, but they are some of my worst overeating

triggers.

> Does my reluctance to give them up mean I should avoid them, or am I more

likely

> to fail in my health goals if I deprive myself?

>

>

> Have any of you completely cut a type of food out of your diet because you

felt

> you couldn't control yourself? Have people had success eating " trigger " foods

> rarely or in very small portions?

>

> On a semi-related note, I've been wanting to start the 30 Day Shred. I did a

bit

> of it this morning but got quite lightheaded. What are your experiences

pushing

> exercise limits? I'm never sure what signs mean I'm getting the most out of a

> workout vs. signs that say stop. I did turn off the shred when I started

feeling

> dizzy, but switched to arm weights so I still felt I was doing something.

>

>

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

6 years ago or so, when I decided to lose weight, I started with Atkins. It did

make life easier, since I knew exactly what was allowed and what wasn't.

After a few months, I started dreaming of brown rice and craving oatmeal. (OK,

it might have been the other way around, but I really and truly was dreaming of

whole grain foods....) So... I changed the way I was eating. I went to a much

more balanced, carb-centered plan. And I was able to stick to it.

I don't really recommend going on anything as severely restrictive as

Atkins--especially with a view to continuing long term. (Do as I say, not as I

do!) But what it did for me was to clear away the sugar haze, and allow me to

really " hear " what my body really needed. It can be so difficult, especially

after years of " food abuse " , to really tune in to that.

If you do try a more restrictive eating plan, I wonder if you could combine it

with some IOWL principles? Like, picturing how you want to feel while you're on

this plan. Maybe it will help you feel relaxed around food. Maybe it will help

you become more aware of your body's signals. This could help move the " feeling

good " away from the discipline (which I read as a way of knowing whether you're

being " good " or " bad " ) and towards how you actually feel in your body (removing

the confusion).

Keep us posted....

________________________________

From: sarahsimone_soliman <sarahsimone_soliman@...>

weightloss

Sent: Wed, March 30, 2011 1:26:28 PM

Subject: Re: Cutting Out/Down Foods

I suppose I'm very tempted by keeping myself to a strict diet. The " discipline "

of that makes me feel good about myself and I'm often confused about what to

eat, when to eat, how often to eat, how much to eat etc. It feels like if I was

strict with myself, it would be easier.