Guest guest Posted October 3, 2006 Report Share Posted October 3, 2006 I'm facing a bit of a delemma. I've been trying my best with the IE principles for about a week now. I eat what I'm craving when I'm hungry and do my best to recognize when I feel full (I'm still having some problems with that.) The problem is that I have been mainly craving high GI carbs, like bread, cereal, fruit, honey, chocolate, etc. I'm not only eating carbs, but the carbs are mainly what I crave. The problem is that the high GI carbs make my blood sugar spike and then crash, so I feel hungry sooner than I should. Eating refined carbs then makes me crave more carbs later! I don't want to go against the IE system and restrict anything, but I know that this is not an optimal diet. I am probably eating a little over my maintenance level, and I don't want to end up gaining weight. Should I start planning meals, so that I'm slightly limiting refined carbs (in favor of lower GI carbs or other foods) or should I keep on going with this " free " food period? Have any of you consulted with a nutritionist for help with meal planning, when you get to the " gentle nutrition " stage? I was thinking maybe something like a diabetic exchange program might be helpful, where I don't have to measure or track anything, but I have a certain number of servings of different foods per day. Or would that be too much like another diet and defeat the purpose of IE? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 4, 2006 Report Share Posted October 4, 2006 Why don't you try to combine some protein with these carbs that you are craving, to help keep you going longer. Like having a few nuts/seeds with your chocolate, cheese with your bread, plain yoghurt with your fruit. I've tried to do this more with my eating since doing the HUGS program, and it definitely helps. (see http://www.hugs.com/Resources/YCCD_Chapters/YouCount_Chapter4.pdf) Jo > > I'm facing a bit of a delemma. I've been trying my best with the IE > principles for about a week now. I eat what I'm craving when I'm > hungry and do my best to recognize when I feel full (I'm still having > some problems with that.) The problem is that I have been mainly > craving high GI carbs, like bread, cereal, fruit, honey, chocolate, > etc. I'm not only eating carbs, but the carbs are mainly what I crave. > > The problem is that the high GI carbs make my blood sugar spike and > then crash, so I feel hungry sooner than I should. Eating refined > carbs then makes me crave more carbs later! I don't want to go against > the IE system and restrict anything, but I know that this is not an > optimal diet. I am probably eating a little over my maintenance level, > and I don't want to end up gaining weight. > > Should I start planning meals, so that I'm slightly limiting refined > carbs (in favor of lower GI carbs or other foods) or should I keep on > going with this " free " food period? > > Have any of you consulted with a nutritionist for help with meal > planning, when you get to the " gentle nutrition " stage? I was thinking > maybe something like a diabetic exchange program might be helpful, > where I don't have to measure or track anything, but I have a certain > number of servings of different foods per day. Or would that be too > much like another diet and defeat the purpose of IE? > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 4, 2006 Report Share Posted October 4, 2006 A couple of things that you might keep in mind... In the IE book they discuss how in the first steps of the process you should release all restrictions on food as it's important to gain that belief that you truly can have what you want... so you don't rebel. Once you've mastered that then you can move on to integrating nutrition. It's about changing the psychological and then re-introducing nutrition as you begin to really listen to what your body wants.If IE is about listening to your body and knowing what the body wants to feel best and refined carbs are causing too much of a crash then maybe that's not what your body wants? Just a thought... accismus1 wrote: I'm facing a bit of a delemma. I've been trying my best with the IE principles for about a week now. I eat what I'm craving when I'm hungry and do my best to recognize when I feel full (I'm still having some problems with that.) The problem is that I have been mainly craving high GI carbs, like bread, cereal, fruit, honey, chocolate, etc. I'm not only eating carbs, but the carbs are mainly what I crave. The problem is that the high GI carbs make my blood sugar spike and then crash, so I feel hungry sooner than I should. Eating refined carbs then makes me crave more carbs later! I don't want to go against the IE system and restrict anything, but I know that this is not an optimal diet. I am probably eating a little over my maintenance level, and I don't want to end up gaining weight. Should I start planning meals, so that I'm slightly limiting refined carbs (in favor of lower GI carbs or other foods) or should I keep on going with this "free" food period? Have any of you consulted with a nutritionist for help with meal planning, when you get to the "gentle nutrition" stage? I was thinking maybe something like a diabetic exchange program might be helpful, where I don't have to measure or track anything, but I have a certain number of servings of different foods per day. Or would that be too much like another diet and defeat the purpose of IE? Stay in the know. Pulse on the new Yahoo.com. Check it out. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 4, 2006 Report Share Posted October 4, 2006 Hi all,First of all my name is and I have been up and down this road many times. I have only had success with intuitive eating through the years. However, I have regained each time due to forgetting what I learned and picking up the old habits again. I do know that in Thin Within, on the first day it is brought up that if you are truly having problems with certain foods due to allergies or other medical conditions, like hypoglycemia, then it is best to incorporate those needs in your eating. It took me a while to figure that out in order to make this way of eating work for me. I finally got it that yes I can eat whatever I want but there are just a few foods that really make matters worse in the long run. Those foods aren't beneficial for me if feeling well and losing weight are my goals. For example when I did Weigh Down I ate exactly what I was craving and ended up gaining a lot of weight and feeling really bad. I only craved those highly refined carbohydrate foods and I ate them. Once I had my lightbulb moment I made a few adjustments that fit my needs and weight came off like a brick. It did take a few years to get to that moment after going on low carb diets, Weight Watchers, etc. I hit bottom when I realized how much I weighed and kind of came up with a plan of my own incorporating all the things that worked and eliminating what did not work for me.I did use the IE principles but with the knowledge about addressing hypoglycemia and food allergies. The best thing wasn't the weight loss but the lack of that drive to eat all day long and experiencing a normal appetite. I was only truly hungry at two meal times and rarely any other time. Eliminating foods that triggered cravings or any negative reaction was the key for me. I know that for most people they don't have to let go of those foods but sometimes it is necessary if you find you are craving the junk foods more than regular foods. The reason I know it's necessary for me to not eat certain foods is because when I got a bit careless and started adding those foods back in I regained most of the weight I lost (I lost over 100 pounds and regained about 60 back) and worst of all those intense and vicious cravings came back with a vengence. So I am doing what I need to do again and the appetite is normalizing and cravings are disappearing and the weight is starting to come off again. I think I finally have figured out that the freedom is not necessarily in being able to eat whatever I want but in not even thinking about food/eating for hours at a time. Just my .02 Re: meal planning? A couple of things that you might keep in mind... In the IE book they discuss how in the first steps of the process you should release all restrictions on food as it's important to gain that belief that you truly can have what you want... so you don't rebel. Once you've mastered that then you can move on to integrating nutrition. It's about changing the psychological and then re-introducing nutrition as you begin to really listen to what your body wants.If IE is about listening to your body and knowing what the body wants to feel best and refined carbs are causing too much of a crash then maybe that's not what your body wants? Just a thought... accismus1 <accismus1yahoo (DOT) com> wrote: I'm facing a bit of a delemma. I've been trying my best with the IE principles for about a week now. I eat what I'm craving when I'm hungry and do my best to recognize when I feel full (I'm still having some problems with that.) The problem is that I have been mainly craving high GI carbs, like bread, cereal, fruit, honey, chocolate, etc. I'm not only eating carbs, but the carbs are mainly what I crave. The problem is that the high GI carbs make my blood sugar spike and then crash, so I feel hungry sooner than I should. Eating refined carbs then makes me crave more carbs later! I don't want to go against the IE system and restrict anything, but I know that this is not an optimal diet. I am probably eating a little over my maintenance level, and I don't want to end up gaining weight. Should I start planning meals, so that I'm slightly limiting refined carbs (in favor of lower GI carbs or other foods) or should I keep on going with this "free" food period? Have any of you consulted with a nutritionist for help with meal planning, when you get to the "gentle nutrition" stage? I was thinking maybe something like a diabetic exchange program might be helpful, where I don't have to measure or track anything, but I have a certain number of servings of different foods per day. Or would that be too much like another diet and defeat the purpose of IE? Stay in the know. Pulse on the new Yahoo.com. Check it out. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 4, 2006 Report Share Posted October 4, 2006 Thanks for your post , that information is very helpful. > > Hi all, > > First of all my name is and I have been up and down this road many times. I have only had success with intuitive eating through the years. However, I have regained each time due to forgetting what I learned and picking up the old habits again. > > I do know that in Thin Within, on the first day it is brought up that if you are truly having problems with certain foods due to allergies or other medical conditions, like hypoglycemia, then it is best to incorporate those needs in your eating. It took me a while to figure that out in order to make this way of eating work for me. I finally got it that yes I can eat whatever I want but there are just a few foods that really make matters worse in the long run. Those foods aren't beneficial for me if feeling well and losing weight are my goals. > > For example when I did Weigh Down I ate exactly what I was craving and ended up gaining a lot of weight and feeling really bad. I only craved those highly refined carbohydrate foods and I ate them. Once I had my lightbulb moment I made a few adjustments that fit my needs and weight came off like a brick. It did take a few years to get to that moment after going on low carb diets, Weight Watchers, etc. I hit bottom when I realized how much I weighed and kind of came up with a plan of my own incorporating all the things that worked and eliminating what did not work for me. > > I did use the IE principles but with the knowledge about addressing hypoglycemia and food allergies. The best thing wasn't the weight loss but the lack of that drive to eat all day long and experiencing a normal appetite. I was only truly hungry at two meal times and rarely any other time. Eliminating foods that triggered cravings or any negative reaction was the key for me. I know that for most people they don't have to let go of those foods but sometimes it is necessary if you find you are craving the junk foods more than regular foods. > > The reason I know it's necessary for me to not eat certain foods is because when I got a bit careless and started adding those foods back in I regained most of the weight I lost (I lost over 100 pounds and regained about 60 back) and worst of all those intense and vicious cravings came back with a vengence. So I am doing what I need to do again and the appetite is normalizing and cravings are disappearing and the weight is starting to come off again. > > I think I finally have figured out that the freedom is not necessarily in being able to eat whatever I want but in not even thinking about food/eating for hours at a time. > > Just my .02 > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 4, 2006 Report Share Posted October 4, 2006 Hi, ! Glad you've joined us here! ) I'm REALLY glad to hear you say that you've found that combining different bits from everything is what's worked for you. That's what I'm trying to do... " take what you love & leave the rest " is the motto I adapted (borrowed from Moran over at the DietSurvivors Yahoo group). ) I started with Weigh Down, felt really condemned if I slipped and didn't do it " just right " , and then found Thin Within. Followed TW 'til I'd dropped 25 of my 30 unwanted pounds. Then Christmas showed up, and I relaxed my " program " , and voila -- I find myself, now, back almost where I started in July 2005. :-( I'm just working on starting a new " plan " of attack... incorporating all I've learned from the many different IE books I've read, and making it work for me. I, too, have found that there are certain foods that just put me back into my old habits (namely Coca-Cola & chocolate), and so I'm cutting those --mainly, but not entirely-- out of my diet, and using IE all the rest of the way. I don't feel that I'm " dieting " by doing this, but merely honoring my health. The Coke & chocolate only aggravate my anxiety issues anyway, so it's not honoring me or my body by consuming them on a regular basis. I crave them daily, and if I just let myself have them, that's mainly what I'd eat. No good. Not good to keep going on those sugar highs & crashes, ya know? Anyhoo.... Sorry for the ramble. I really related to your post. Glad you've joined us! Jenn <>< http://intuitive-eater.blogspot.com (personal journal) http://intuitive-eating.blogspot.com (information) -----Original Message----- >First of all my name is and I have only had success with intuitive eating through the years. However, I have regained each time due to forgetting what I learned and picking up the old habits again. > >I do know that in Thin Within, on the first day it is brought up that if you are truly having problems with certain foods due to allergies or other medical conditions, like hypoglycemia, then it is best to incorporate those needs in your eating. It took me a while to figure that out in order to make this way of eating work for me. I finally got it that yes I can eat whatever I want but there are just a few foods that really make matters worse in the long run. Those foods aren't beneficial for me if feeling well and losing weight are my goals. I know that for most people they don't have to let go of those foods but sometimes it is necessary if you find you are craving the junk foods more than regular foods. > >The reason I know it's necessary for me to not eat certain foods is because when I got a bit careless and started adding those foods back in I regained most of the weight I lost (I lost over 100 pounds and regained about 60 back) and worst of all those intense and vicious cravings came back with a vengence. So I am doing what I need to do again and the appetite is normalizing and cravings are disappearing and the weight is starting to come off again. > >I think I finally have figured out that the freedom is not necessarily in being able to eat whatever I want but in not even thinking about food/eating for hours at a time. Books Read: http://mizbooksreads.blogspot.com Faith Group: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/unshakablefocus Healthy Eating: http://intuitive-eating.blogspot.com Wishlist: http://www.librarything.com/catalog/mizbooks94 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 4, 2006 Report Share Posted October 4, 2006 Hi, ! Glad you've joined us here! ) I'm REALLY glad to hear you say that you've found that combining different bits from everything is what's worked for you. That's what I'm trying to do... " take what you love & leave the rest " is the motto I adapted (borrowed from Moran over at the DietSurvivors Yahoo group). ) I started with Weigh Down, felt really condemned if I slipped and didn't do it " just right " , and then found Thin Within. Followed TW 'til I'd dropped 25 of my 30 unwanted pounds. Then Christmas showed up, and I relaxed my " program " , and voila -- I find myself, now, back almost where I started in July 2005. :-( I'm just working on starting a new " plan " of attack... incorporating all I've learned from the many different IE books I've read, and making it work for me. I, too, have found that there are certain foods that just put me back into my old habits (namely Coca-Cola & chocolate), and so I'm cutting those --mainly, but not entirely-- out of my diet, and using IE all the rest of the way. I don't feel that I'm " dieting " by doing this, but merely honoring my health. The Coke & chocolate only aggravate my anxiety issues anyway, so it's not honoring me or my body by consuming them on a regular basis. I crave them daily, and if I just let myself have them, that's mainly what I'd eat. No good. Not good to keep going on those sugar highs & crashes, ya know? Anyhoo.... Sorry for the ramble. I really related to your post. Glad you've joined us! Jenn <>< http://intuitive-eater.blogspot.com (personal journal) http://intuitive-eating.blogspot.com (information) -----Original Message----- >First of all my name is and I have only had success with intuitive eating through the years. However, I have regained each time due to forgetting what I learned and picking up the old habits again. > >I do know that in Thin Within, on the first day it is brought up that if you are truly having problems with certain foods due to allergies or other medical conditions, like hypoglycemia, then it is best to incorporate those needs in your eating. It took me a while to figure that out in order to make this way of eating work for me. I finally got it that yes I can eat whatever I want but there are just a few foods that really make matters worse in the long run. Those foods aren't beneficial for me if feeling well and losing weight are my goals. I know that for most people they don't have to let go of those foods but sometimes it is necessary if you find you are craving the junk foods more than regular foods. > >The reason I know it's necessary for me to not eat certain foods is because when I got a bit careless and started adding those foods back in I regained most of the weight I lost (I lost over 100 pounds and regained about 60 back) and worst of all those intense and vicious cravings came back with a vengence. So I am doing what I need to do again and the appetite is normalizing and cravings are disappearing and the weight is starting to come off again. > >I think I finally have figured out that the freedom is not necessarily in being able to eat whatever I want but in not even thinking about food/eating for hours at a time. Books Read: http://mizbooksreads.blogspot.com Faith Group: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/unshakablefocus Healthy Eating: http://intuitive-eating.blogspot.com Wishlist: http://www.librarything.com/catalog/mizbooks94 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 4, 2006 Report Share Posted October 4, 2006 Hi, ! Glad you've joined us here! ) I'm REALLY glad to hear you say that you've found that combining different bits from everything is what's worked for you. That's what I'm trying to do... " take what you love & leave the rest " is the motto I adapted (borrowed from Moran over at the DietSurvivors Yahoo group). ) I started with Weigh Down, felt really condemned if I slipped and didn't do it " just right " , and then found Thin Within. Followed TW 'til I'd dropped 25 of my 30 unwanted pounds. Then Christmas showed up, and I relaxed my " program " , and voila -- I find myself, now, back almost where I started in July 2005. :-( I'm just working on starting a new " plan " of attack... incorporating all I've learned from the many different IE books I've read, and making it work for me. I, too, have found that there are certain foods that just put me back into my old habits (namely Coca-Cola & chocolate), and so I'm cutting those --mainly, but not entirely-- out of my diet, and using IE all the rest of the way. I don't feel that I'm " dieting " by doing this, but merely honoring my health. The Coke & chocolate only aggravate my anxiety issues anyway, so it's not honoring me or my body by consuming them on a regular basis. I crave them daily, and if I just let myself have them, that's mainly what I'd eat. No good. Not good to keep going on those sugar highs & crashes, ya know? Anyhoo.... Sorry for the ramble. I really related to your post. Glad you've joined us! Jenn <>< http://intuitive-eater.blogspot.com (personal journal) http://intuitive-eating.blogspot.com (information) -----Original Message----- >First of all my name is and I have only had success with intuitive eating through the years. However, I have regained each time due to forgetting what I learned and picking up the old habits again. > >I do know that in Thin Within, on the first day it is brought up that if you are truly having problems with certain foods due to allergies or other medical conditions, like hypoglycemia, then it is best to incorporate those needs in your eating. It took me a while to figure that out in order to make this way of eating work for me. I finally got it that yes I can eat whatever I want but there are just a few foods that really make matters worse in the long run. Those foods aren't beneficial for me if feeling well and losing weight are my goals. I know that for most people they don't have to let go of those foods but sometimes it is necessary if you find you are craving the junk foods more than regular foods. > >The reason I know it's necessary for me to not eat certain foods is because when I got a bit careless and started adding those foods back in I regained most of the weight I lost (I lost over 100 pounds and regained about 60 back) and worst of all those intense and vicious cravings came back with a vengence. So I am doing what I need to do again and the appetite is normalizing and cravings are disappearing and the weight is starting to come off again. > >I think I finally have figured out that the freedom is not necessarily in being able to eat whatever I want but in not even thinking about food/eating for hours at a time. Books Read: http://mizbooksreads.blogspot.com Faith Group: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/unshakablefocus Healthy Eating: http://intuitive-eating.blogspot.com Wishlist: http://www.librarything.com/catalog/mizbooks94 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 4, 2006 Report Share Posted October 4, 2006 Hi Jenn - Is Thin Within like IE? How can you go "off the program?" I'm confused b/c I thought the whole point of IE was to not be on a program. Maybe I'm missing something - or is it that going "off the program" means eating when you're not hungry and eating to escape? Thanks Helen From: Jenn S. Sent: Wednesday, October 04, 2006 4:16 PMTo: IntuitiveEating_Support Subject: Re: meal planning? Hi, ! Glad you've joined us here! )I'm REALLY glad to hear you say that you've found that combining different bits from everything is what's worked for you. That's what I'm trying to do... "take what you love & leave the rest" is the motto I adapted (borrowed from Moran over at the DietSurvivors Yahoo group). )I started with Weigh Down, felt really condemned if I slipped and didn't do it "just right", and then found Thin Within. Followed TW 'til I'd dropped 25 of my 30 unwanted pounds. Then Christmas showed up, and I relaxed my "program", and voila -- I find myself, now, back almost where I started in July 2005. :-( I'm just working on starting a new "plan" of attack... incorporating all I've learned from the many different IE books I've read, and making it work for me.I, too, have found that there are certain foods that just put me back into my old habits (namely Coca-Cola & chocolate), and so I'm cutting those --mainly, but not entirely-- out of my diet, and using IE all the rest of the way. I don't feel that I'm "dieting" by doing this, but merely honoring my health. The Coke & chocolate only aggravate my anxiety issues anyway, so it's not honoring me or my body by consuming them on a regular basis. I crave them daily, and if I just let myself have them, that's mainly what I'd eat. No good. Not good to keep going on those sugar highs & crashes, ya know?Anyhoo.... Sorry for the ramble. I really related to your post. Glad you've joined us!Jenn<><http://intuitive-eater.blogspot.com (personal journal)http://intuitive-eating.blogspot.com (information)-----Original Message----->First of all my name is and I have only had success with intuitive eating through the years. However, I have regained each time due to forgetting what I learned and picking up the old habits again. >>I do know that in Thin Within, on the first day it is brought up that if you are truly having problems with certain foods due to allergies or other medical conditions, like hypoglycemia, then it is best to incorporate those needs in your eating. It took me a while to figure that out in order to make this way of eating work for me. I finally got it that yes I can eat whatever I want but there are just a few foods that really make matters worse in the long run. Those foods aren't beneficial for me if feeling well and losing weight are my goals. I know that for most people they don't have to let go of those foods but sometimes it is necessary if you find you are craving the junk foods more than regular foods. >>The reason I know it's necessary for me to not eat certain foods is because when I got a bit careless and started adding those foods back in I regained most of the weight I lost (I lost over 100 pounds and regained about 60 back) and worst of all those intense and vicious cravings came back with a vengence. So I am doing what I need to do again and the appetite is normalizing and cravings are disappearing and the weight is starting to come off again. >>I think I finally have figured out that the freedom is not necessarily in being able to eat whatever I want but in not even thinking about food/eating for hours at a time. Books Read: http://mizbooksreads.blogspot.comFaith Group: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/unshakablefocusHealthy Eating: http://intuitive-eating.blogspot.comWishlist: http://www.librarything.com/catalog/mizbooks94 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 4, 2006 Report Share Posted October 4, 2006 Helen, Sorry to be confusing. :-? By " off program " or " relaxing my program " , I meant that I'd eaten when not truly hungry, and stopped watching to stop when I was " satisfied " ... just eating outside of the bounds of " hunger " and " satisfied " . Thin Within is very much like IE, except that it comes with a spiritual bent... it's a Christian version of IE. Very focused on God, and His willingness to help you " rebuild the temple " that is your body (1 Cor. 6:19,20). ) http://www.thinwithin.org I didn't mean to confuse anyone. I'll try to be more clear in the future. Sorry 'bout that. :-? Jenn <>< -----Original Message----- >Is Thin Within like IE? How can you go " off the program? " I'm confused b/c >I thought the whole point of IE was to not be on a program. Maybe I'm >missing something - or is it that going " off the program " means eating when >you're not hungry and eating to escape? > >Thanks > >Helen Books Read: http://mizbooksreads.blogspot.com Faith Group: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/unshakablefocus Healthy Eating: http://intuitive-eating.blogspot.com Wishlist: http://www.librarything.com/catalog/mizbooks94 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 4, 2006 Report Share Posted October 4, 2006 Helen, Sorry to be confusing. :-? By " off program " or " relaxing my program " , I meant that I'd eaten when not truly hungry, and stopped watching to stop when I was " satisfied " ... just eating outside of the bounds of " hunger " and " satisfied " . Thin Within is very much like IE, except that it comes with a spiritual bent... it's a Christian version of IE. Very focused on God, and His willingness to help you " rebuild the temple " that is your body (1 Cor. 6:19,20). ) http://www.thinwithin.org I didn't mean to confuse anyone. I'll try to be more clear in the future. Sorry 'bout that. :-? Jenn <>< -----Original Message----- >Is Thin Within like IE? How can you go " off the program? " I'm confused b/c >I thought the whole point of IE was to not be on a program. Maybe I'm >missing something - or is it that going " off the program " means eating when >you're not hungry and eating to escape? > >Thanks > >Helen Books Read: http://mizbooksreads.blogspot.com Faith Group: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/unshakablefocus Healthy Eating: http://intuitive-eating.blogspot.com Wishlist: http://www.librarything.com/catalog/mizbooks94 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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