Re: OA, IE and experimenting with chocolate

[Guest guest]

I've craved sugar since I've been a child. I used to sneak cookies

and candy because I couldn't have it when I wanted. I believe it is

physiological in nature. I do not feel guilty about it any more. I

eat a sweet snack every day. Sometimes when I'm out shopping, I will

buy a small amount of candy (like jelly beans, my favorite!). I would

not bring jelly beans into the house because I would eat them every

day, and I do not need to be eating that much sugar (for health and

dental reasons). I think my body craves the sugar. Binging is

psychological and/or emotional, so YES I believe you can eat sugar

without binging, if you are not eating for emotional reasons. BTW,

I've heard that if you give up sugar entirely, you will lose your

taste for it, but I have never wanted to do it because I just like it

too much.

>

>

> Thanks Janet for your perspective, I tend to agree with you and

> hearing that we have the same sticking point RE powerlessness is

> helpful to me. My sponsor thinks I should do an experiment with

sugar

> to see if I CAN actually eat it and not set myself on a binge...Im

a

> bit scared to do this but I think if I am going to truly embrace IE

> then perhaps I must. Since I am new to IE I am wondering if people

> hear agree that some people just cannot eat certain substances

without

> it leading to a binge (sugar as an example)?

>

> thanks again.

>

[Guest guest]

I've craved sugar since I've been a child. I used to sneak cookies

and candy because I couldn't have it when I wanted. I believe it is

physiological in nature. I do not feel guilty about it any more. I

eat a sweet snack every day. Sometimes when I'm out shopping, I will

buy a small amount of candy (like jelly beans, my favorite!). I would

not bring jelly beans into the house because I would eat them every

day, and I do not need to be eating that much sugar (for health and

dental reasons). I think my body craves the sugar. Binging is

psychological and/or emotional, so YES I believe you can eat sugar

without binging, if you are not eating for emotional reasons. BTW,

I've heard that if you give up sugar entirely, you will lose your

taste for it, but I have never wanted to do it because I just like it

too much.

>

>

> Thanks Janet for your perspective, I tend to agree with you and

> hearing that we have the same sticking point RE powerlessness is

> helpful to me. My sponsor thinks I should do an experiment with

sugar

> to see if I CAN actually eat it and not set myself on a binge...Im

a

> bit scared to do this but I think if I am going to truly embrace IE

> then perhaps I must. Since I am new to IE I am wondering if people

> hear agree that some people just cannot eat certain substances

without

> it leading to a binge (sugar as an example)?

>

> thanks again.

>

[Guest guest]

I've craved sugar since I've been a child. I used to sneak cookies

and candy because I couldn't have it when I wanted. I believe it is

physiological in nature. I do not feel guilty about it any more. I

eat a sweet snack every day. Sometimes when I'm out shopping, I will

buy a small amount of candy (like jelly beans, my favorite!). I would

not bring jelly beans into the house because I would eat them every

day, and I do not need to be eating that much sugar (for health and

dental reasons). I think my body craves the sugar. Binging is

psychological and/or emotional, so YES I believe you can eat sugar

without binging, if you are not eating for emotional reasons. BTW,

I've heard that if you give up sugar entirely, you will lose your

taste for it, but I have never wanted to do it because I just like it

too much.

>

>

> Thanks Janet for your perspective, I tend to agree with you and

> hearing that we have the same sticking point RE powerlessness is

> helpful to me. My sponsor thinks I should do an experiment with

sugar

> to see if I CAN actually eat it and not set myself on a binge...Im

a

> bit scared to do this but I think if I am going to truly embrace IE

> then perhaps I must. Since I am new to IE I am wondering if people

> hear agree that some people just cannot eat certain substances

without

> it leading to a binge (sugar as an example)?

>

> thanks again.

>

[Guest guest]

For two years, I didn’t eat any wheat or sweeteners

(natural or artificial).  It wasn’t impossible.  I just ate whole foods.

My cravings for sweets diminished, but did not go away.

I was surprised at how manageable my cravings for bread were. 

I used to eat pizza every week and I didn’t miss it.  I was surprised at

how much bread is used to fill us up at restaurants.  When I requested that

bread not be delivered to the table, the entrée was not filling.  I would order

extra vegetables.  Some restaurants were accommodating and other restaurants

were inflexible.  I’ve had to order two meals to get enough food.  But, I

would ask for what I needed.  After all, the menu is just someone’s idea

of what to serve, but it might not be what I need in that moment.

I know I posted about OA, but I’d like to add a

point.  Everyone’s food plan is their own business.  Nowhere in the

literature does it say you HAVE to follow any food plan.  It’s a tool. 

Nothing more, nothing less.  When I first started attending meetings, I heard

people share about their food choices, struggles, etc. and thought that was how

I was supposed to eat.  Today, I am following my Higher Power’s guidance

and doing what is right for me.  When I hear those same people today, I hear fear.

If something in your life doesn’t serve you, then don’t

keep it in your life.  I ask myself the question, “Is _____ serving me?”

frequently.  If the answer is “No”, then I jettison it.

Suzanne

Re: OA, IE and

experimenting with chocolate

Posted by:

" krnjafe " kayjay1110@...

krnjafe

Tue Jul 3, 2007 7:02 am (PST)

I've heard that if you give up sugar entirely, you will lose your

taste for it, but I have never wanted to do it because I just like it

too much.

[Guest guest]

For two years, I didn’t eat any wheat or sweeteners

(natural or artificial).  It wasn’t impossible.  I just ate whole foods.

My cravings for sweets diminished, but did not go away.

I was surprised at how manageable my cravings for bread were. 

I used to eat pizza every week and I didn’t miss it.  I was surprised at

how much bread is used to fill us up at restaurants.  When I requested that

bread not be delivered to the table, the entrée was not filling.  I would order

extra vegetables.  Some restaurants were accommodating and other restaurants

were inflexible.  I’ve had to order two meals to get enough food.  But, I

would ask for what I needed.  After all, the menu is just someone’s idea

of what to serve, but it might not be what I need in that moment.

I know I posted about OA, but I’d like to add a

point.  Everyone’s food plan is their own business.  Nowhere in the

literature does it say you HAVE to follow any food plan.  It’s a tool. 

Nothing more, nothing less.  When I first started attending meetings, I heard

people share about their food choices, struggles, etc. and thought that was how

I was supposed to eat.  Today, I am following my Higher Power’s guidance

and doing what is right for me.  When I hear those same people today, I hear fear.

If something in your life doesn’t serve you, then don’t

keep it in your life.  I ask myself the question, “Is _____ serving me?”

frequently.  If the answer is “No”, then I jettison it.

Suzanne

Re: OA, IE and

experimenting with chocolate

Posted by:

" krnjafe " kayjay1110@...

krnjafe

Tue Jul 3, 2007 7:02 am (PST)

I've heard that if you give up sugar entirely, you will lose your

taste for it, but I have never wanted to do it because I just like it

too much.

[Guest guest]

For two years, I didn’t eat any wheat or sweeteners

(natural or artificial).  It wasn’t impossible.  I just ate whole foods.

My cravings for sweets diminished, but did not go away.

I was surprised at how manageable my cravings for bread were. 

I used to eat pizza every week and I didn’t miss it.  I was surprised at

how much bread is used to fill us up at restaurants.  When I requested that

bread not be delivered to the table, the entrée was not filling.  I would order

extra vegetables.  Some restaurants were accommodating and other restaurants

were inflexible.  I’ve had to order two meals to get enough food.  But, I

would ask for what I needed.  After all, the menu is just someone’s idea

of what to serve, but it might not be what I need in that moment.

I know I posted about OA, but I’d like to add a

point.  Everyone’s food plan is their own business.  Nowhere in the

literature does it say you HAVE to follow any food plan.  It’s a tool. 

Nothing more, nothing less.  When I first started attending meetings, I heard

people share about their food choices, struggles, etc. and thought that was how

I was supposed to eat.  Today, I am following my Higher Power’s guidance

and doing what is right for me.  When I hear those same people today, I hear fear.

If something in your life doesn’t serve you, then don’t

keep it in your life.  I ask myself the question, “Is _____ serving me?”

frequently.  If the answer is “No”, then I jettison it.

Suzanne

Re: OA, IE and

experimenting with chocolate

Posted by:

" krnjafe " kayjay1110@...

krnjafe

Tue Jul 3, 2007 7:02 am (PST)

I've heard that if you give up sugar entirely, you will lose your

taste for it, but I have never wanted to do it because I just like it

too much.

[Guest guest]

Excellent posting Suzanne Thanks for sharing it. I find it good to

read about how others have and do manage their IE journey. Sounds like

you are on a good 'path'. Honored to know you and have you in this

group - Katcha

[Guest guest]

Excellent posting Suzanne Thanks for sharing it. I find it good to

read about how others have and do manage their IE journey. Sounds like

you are on a good 'path'. Honored to know you and have you in this

group - Katcha

[Guest guest]

Excellent posting Suzanne Thanks for sharing it. I find it good to

read about how others have and do manage their IE journey. Sounds like

you are on a good 'path'. Honored to know you and have you in this

group - Katcha

[Guest guest]

I was always thought I was addicted to chocolate, and when I used to

binge it was nearly always on choclate, I'd binge throw up then binge

again, the idea of having chocolate in the house scared the life out

of me but I gradully gave myself permission to eat it and then I

decided to buy 9 large bars of my favorite chocolates and put them in

a box and everytime I finished a bar I replaced it, everytime I ate

chocolate I took what I wanted out of a wrapper, put it on a plate and

sat at a table and ate it slowly, and I realised I didn't even like

some of the bars and I gave them away, I never thought I could do that

in a million years. I ate quite a lot of chocolate but I never binged

and it took the glamour away from chocolate and in fact it gave me so

many migrains that I hardly eat it any more as I don't want a headache

but I know loads of people who have given themselves permission to eat

chocolate and now have it in the house at all times but now don't feel

the need to eat it all in one go. I did the same with lots of foods

that I used to binge on and I don't feel any emotional attachment to

them anymore, I used to binge on cheese and now I'm always having to

throw it away because it goes off as it's only my OH that eats it

anymore. Same with crackers, I have a large tub of them that hasn't

been touched in months. I think the only way abstaining works is if

you actually have no desire to eat something, then I guess it's not

really abstaining. For example I have no desire to drink alcohol after

reading a book by allen carr that made me realise that there are

absolutely no advantages to drinking alcohol, I can even have an

alcoholic drink (and not enjoy it) and not want another one even

though it's addictive because my brain is perfectly happy not drinking

and doesn't want to drink. I hope I don't offend anyone by saying this

but addiction is largely in the mind (which is why it's so difficult

to get over, the mind is a very complicated thing), there are

chemicals involved but it's the brain that's the most important.

Alcoholics are still alcoholics after months of abstaining long after

the chemicals have left their body, but it's all in their mind and as

long as they still want a drink they'll still be alcoholics (my dad is

an alcoholic so I know alot about it). Now of course there are people

that shouldn't eat sugar for physiological reasons (diabetic etc) and

if people don't want to eat sugar because the way it makes them feel

then fine, everyone has the right to eat what they want to eat but if

you're avoiding because you're scared you'll binge then you will binge

eventually anyway when your will power can't cope anymore. Why not try

some sugary food and see what happens, if you binge is it the end of

the world? One more binge surely can't make that much of a difference.

Elenna

xxx

>

> >I wish all the best for my friend ( and all others in OA)

> > but I worry that their way is not something that can work in the

> > long term. I think IE can.

> >

> > Janet

>

> Thanks Janet for your perspective, I tend to agree with you and

> hearing that we have the same sticking point RE powerlessness is

> helpful to me. My sponsor thinks I should do an experiment with sugar

> to see if I CAN actually eat it and not set myself on a binge...Im a

> bit scared to do this but I think if I am going to truly embrace IE

> then perhaps I must. Since I am new to IE I am wondering if people

> hear agree that some people just cannot eat certain substances without

> it leading to a binge (sugar as an example)?

>

> thanks again.

>

[Guest guest]

Wanted to add my two cents even though there have been so many great

responses, as it is a subject I can really identify with ;-)

I think the OA perspective is that you should avoid forever those

foods you may binge on (like sugar) as you need to control

everything you eat. The IE perspective seems to be that binging is:

1) a natural reaction to dieting that goes away as one learns to eat

intuitively;

2) a type of emotional eating;

and 3) something that even so-called " normal " eaters do occasionally.

I binge occasionally for reason #2 still, and sugar is a favorite

binge object (most of my reason #1 binging is going away as I have

been practicing IE for about 7 months now - I was doing some of it

at the start). Cookies (gluten free) are my favorite. Chocolate is a

bit restricted due to migraines (someone else mentioned this too)

and I'm over ice cream entirely - leaglized it and now it isn't a

binge food at all. When I feel the need to binge I ask myself why

and without fail there are emotions at the root. Still working on

doing something else besides eating. Calling a friend and talking

works many times. I view emotional eating as the root of my " food

problem " (not really a food problem at all - it just manifests

through food) and feel good that I am making progress. I view the

urge to binge as an opportunity to look inside and see what is

bothering me. I don't blame myself for it anymore. This is 180

degrees from how I felt when I was dieting.

If you want to try the " sugar test " I say go ahead. But rather than

buying into the OA philosophy of good and bad foods, why not just

observe what happens when you eat sugar? Do you want to eat more? If

so, what emotions come up? Are you satisfied with just a little? If

not, is it because you haven't given yourself permission to have as

much as you want? Is it because of how you feel at the time? I have

learned a lot about emotional eating from this type of observation

and it has helped me change my eating habits for the better. Good

luck with whatever you chose to do.

Janet

>

> >I wish all the best for my friend ( and all others in OA)

> > but I worry that their way is not something that can work in the

> > long term. I think IE can.

> >

> > Janet

>

> Thanks Janet for your perspective, I tend to agree with you and

> hearing that we have the same sticking point RE powerlessness is

> helpful to me. My sponsor thinks I should do an experiment with

sugar

> to see if I CAN actually eat it and not set myself on a binge...Im

a

> bit scared to do this but I think if I am going to truly embrace

IE

> then perhaps I must. Since I am new to IE I am wondering if people

> hear agree that some people just cannot eat certain substances

without

> it leading to a binge (sugar as an example)?

>

> thanks again.

>