The Oz Effect

[Guest guest]

I had an interesting realization that basically grew out of a ho-hum

experience I had with a pan of brownies I'd recently baked.

It was some mix I bought because it was on sale and had chocolate

chunks in it and a syrup packet you dribble through it and I am all

about giving myself permission to try whatever strikes my fancy.

Normally, I adore brownies.

So I made these, had a couple, and wasn't

particularly..... " transported " by the experience; I can remember when

I'd diet, and when I was finally able to " splurge " on something

otherwise " forbidden " and what an ecstatic experience it seemed to be!

Better than.....well, I could use a lot of metaphors here; use your

imagination! ;-)

In this case, not NEARLY. Just very ho-hum.

Then today, I'd gone to a work-sponsored function over lunch and

they'd passed out candy. I had a Reese's (again, just....ho-hum) and

ONE malted milk ball from a mini pack of three. It was DISGUSTING!!! I

used to ADORE those. I'd buy the cartons, or the egg version at

Easter. I ate one and thought, holy cow, this is seriously noxious!!

This has NO place in my mouth right now! Gag me!

And then it occurred to me--THIS is what I consider to be " The 'Oz'

Effect. " In other words, the concept or illusion of these foods was

far more exciting and impressive than, ultimately, the

reality of the taste. I'd formerly cherished a LOT of " play foods " and

held them up to a sort of pseudo-mythical gustatory " star status " in

my Diet Days only because they'd been off-limits...but now that I can

have them, man! I am SO underwhelmed!! I do believe tastes can change

as one gets older, but I'm also just so much more discerning about

food. I appreciate good quality, I love HOME-MADE, and my body prefers

less overall fat (which is totally fine, cause I still eat plenty of

it--but good quality).

So, like in " The Wizard of Oz, " I've peeped behind the curtain of some

of these formerly highly-esteemed " obsession " foods, and often,

there's nothin' there but bells and whistles.

I don't feel particularly disappointed in this fact. I still like

certain kinds of sweets, and I like being discerning. I'm just

constantly discovering that things that used to ring my chimes...just

don't do it for me anymore. And I totally do not even care.

Just wanted to share. :-)

~Caitlin

[Guest guest]

caitlin,

i really like that... its a great analogy, looking behind the screen and seeing the wizard for the haggard old malt ball, I mean man, he is. and yes, I hear you...

many months ago I made a half hearted try at intuitive eating...i was far less successul because I was really only doing part of it... but I found when I gave myself permission to have anything I wanted, I 'wanted' very little... not in quantity so much as in I had assumed I had wanted this long list of things that when given a real chance to want, I didnt.

tracy

I had an interesting realization that basically grew out of a ho-humexperience I had with a pan of brownies I'd recently baked.

It was some mix I bought because it was on sale and had chocolatechunks in it and a syrup packet you dribble through it and I am allabout giving myself permission to try whatever strikes my fancy.Normally, I adore brownies.

So I made these, had a couple, and wasn'tparticularly..... " transported " by the experience; I can remember whenI'd diet, and when I was finally able to " splurge " on somethingotherwise " forbidden " and what an ecstatic experience it seemed to be!

Better than.....well, I could use a lot of metaphors here; use yourimagination! ;-)In this case, not NEARLY. Just very ho-hum.Then today, I'd gone to a work-sponsored function over lunch andthey'd passed out candy. I had a Reese's (again, just....ho-hum) and

ONE malted milk ball from a mini pack of three. It was DISGUSTING!!! Iused to ADORE those. I'd buy the cartons, or the egg version atEaster. I ate one and thought, holy cow, this is seriously noxious!!

This has NO place in my mouth right now! Gag me!And then it occurred to me--THIS is what I consider to be " The 'Oz'Effect. " In other words, the concept or illusion of these foods wasfar more exciting and impressive than, ultimately, the

reality of the taste. I'd formerly cherished a LOT of " play foods " andheld them up to a sort of pseudo-mythical gustatory " star status " inmy Diet Days only because they'd been off-limits...but now that I can

have them, man! I am SO underwhelmed!! I do believe tastes can changeas one gets older, but I'm also just so much more discerning aboutfood. I appreciate good quality, I love HOME-MADE, and my body prefers

less overall fat (which is totally fine, cause I still eat plenty ofit--but good quality).So, like in " The Wizard of Oz, " I've peeped behind the curtain of someof these formerly highly-esteemed " obsession " foods, and often,

there's nothin' there but bells and whistles.I don't feel particularly disappointed in this fact. I still likecertain kinds of sweets, and I like being discerning. I'm justconstantly discovering that things that used to ring my chimes...just

don't do it for me anymore. And I totally do not even care.Just wanted to share. :-)~Caitlin

[Guest guest]

caitlin,

i really like that... its a great analogy, looking behind the screen and seeing the wizard for the haggard old malt ball, I mean man, he is. and yes, I hear you...

many months ago I made a half hearted try at intuitive eating...i was far less successul because I was really only doing part of it... but I found when I gave myself permission to have anything I wanted, I 'wanted' very little... not in quantity so much as in I had assumed I had wanted this long list of things that when given a real chance to want, I didnt.

tracy

I had an interesting realization that basically grew out of a ho-humexperience I had with a pan of brownies I'd recently baked.

It was some mix I bought because it was on sale and had chocolatechunks in it and a syrup packet you dribble through it and I am allabout giving myself permission to try whatever strikes my fancy.Normally, I adore brownies.

So I made these, had a couple, and wasn'tparticularly..... " transported " by the experience; I can remember whenI'd diet, and when I was finally able to " splurge " on somethingotherwise " forbidden " and what an ecstatic experience it seemed to be!

Better than.....well, I could use a lot of metaphors here; use yourimagination! ;-)In this case, not NEARLY. Just very ho-hum.Then today, I'd gone to a work-sponsored function over lunch andthey'd passed out candy. I had a Reese's (again, just....ho-hum) and

ONE malted milk ball from a mini pack of three. It was DISGUSTING!!! Iused to ADORE those. I'd buy the cartons, or the egg version atEaster. I ate one and thought, holy cow, this is seriously noxious!!

This has NO place in my mouth right now! Gag me!And then it occurred to me--THIS is what I consider to be " The 'Oz'Effect. " In other words, the concept or illusion of these foods wasfar more exciting and impressive than, ultimately, the

reality of the taste. I'd formerly cherished a LOT of " play foods " andheld them up to a sort of pseudo-mythical gustatory " star status " inmy Diet Days only because they'd been off-limits...but now that I can

have them, man! I am SO underwhelmed!! I do believe tastes can changeas one gets older, but I'm also just so much more discerning aboutfood. I appreciate good quality, I love HOME-MADE, and my body prefers

less overall fat (which is totally fine, cause I still eat plenty ofit--but good quality).So, like in " The Wizard of Oz, " I've peeped behind the curtain of someof these formerly highly-esteemed " obsession " foods, and often,

there's nothin' there but bells and whistles.I don't feel particularly disappointed in this fact. I still likecertain kinds of sweets, and I like being discerning. I'm justconstantly discovering that things that used to ring my chimes...just

don't do it for me anymore. And I totally do not even care.Just wanted to share. :-)~Caitlin

[Guest guest]

maureen,

Im not sure I understand the post...

lee

Hi,I have had the same OZ moments myself lately, but find myself really let down. I mean, this was all supposed to mean something to me, I was supposed to feel fulfilled while pigging out, but I don't. I am getting used to it, but it is a bit of a come down to have gotten so much hollow pleasure in the past, and not be able to get anything from it anymore. As a child I learned that the surest bets where the pleasures I found for myself when I went off away from other people. I have a great family now, and love my husband, but am aware of how much I still pull away from people. Maureen

On 8/8/07, caitlin97209 <caprice65@...

> wrote: I had an interesting realization that basically grew out of a ho-humexperience I had with a pan of brownies I'd recently baked.

It was some mix I bought because it was on sale and had chocolatechunks in it and a syrup packet you dribble through it and I am allabout giving myself permission to try whatever strikes my fancy.Normally, I adore brownies. So I made these, had a couple, and wasn'tparticularly..... " transported " by the experience; I can remember whenI'd diet, and when I was finally able to " splurge " on somethingotherwise " forbidden " and what an ecstatic experience it seemed to be! Better than.....well, I could use a lot of metaphors here; use yourimagination! ;-)In this case, not NEARLY. Just very ho-hum.Then today, I'd gone to a work-sponsored function over lunch andthey'd passed out candy. I had a Reese's (again, just....ho-hum) and ONE malted milk ball from a mini pack of three. It was DISGUSTING!!! Iused to ADORE those. I'd buy the cartons, or the egg version atEaster. I ate one and thought, holy cow, this is seriously noxious!!

This has NO place in my mouth right now! Gag me!And then it occurred to me--THIS is what I consider to be " The 'Oz'Effect. " In other words, the concept or illusion of these foods wasfar more exciting and impressive than, ultimately, the reality of the taste. I'd formerly cherished a LOT of " play foods " andheld them up to a sort of pseudo-mythical gustatory " star status " inmy Diet Days only because they'd been off-limits...but now that I can have them, man! I am SO underwhelmed!! I do believe tastes can changeas one gets older, but I'm also just so much more discerning aboutfood. I appreciate good quality, I love HOME-MADE, and my body prefers less overall fat (which is totally fine, cause I still eat plenty ofit--but good quality).So, like in " The Wizard of Oz, " I've peeped behind the curtain of someof these formerly highly-esteemed " obsession " foods, and often, there's nothin' there but bells and whistles.I don't feel particularly disappointed in this fact. I still likecertain kinds of sweets, and I like being discerning. I'm justconstantly discovering that things that used to ring my chimes...just don't do it for me anymore. And I totally do not even care.Just wanted to share. :-)~Caitlin

[Guest guest]

Maureen, its connections like these (I call them 'light bulb' moments

as in cartoons to show 'ah ha!) that help you sort out body hunger

from emotional hunger. Good job and keep up the good work. Awareness

is the starting point for change.

ehugs, Katcha

>

> Hi,

>

> I have had the same OZ moments myself lately, but find myself really

let down. I mean, this was all supposed to mean something to me, I

was supposed to feel fulfilled while pigging out, but I don't. I am

getting used to it, but it is a bit of a come down to have gotten so

much hollow pleasure in the past, and not be able to get anything from

it anymore. As a child I learned that the surest bets where the

pleasures I found for myself when I went off away from other people.

I have a great family now, and love my husband, but am aware of how

much I still pull away from people.

>

> Maureen

> So, like in " The Wizard of Oz, " I've peeped behind the curtain of some

> of these formerly highly-esteemed " obsession " foods, and often,

> there's nothin' there but bells and whistles.

> I don't feel particularly disappointed in this fact. I still like

> certain kinds of sweets, and I like being discerning. I'm just

> constantly discovering that things that used to ring my chimes...just

> don't do it for me anymore. And I totally do not even care.

>

> Just wanted to share. :-)

>

> ~Caitlin

>

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Hi Lee,

The let down feeling comes from disengaging food from emotions, I

think. I tend to keep very busy, and use food for comfort and stress

relief. The busier I get, the more chocolate I eat. So now I am

working to develop better ways to deal with life but am in between. I

have used dieting for years to give me that in control sense. I can

MAKE that scale go down, it will listen to me, or so I thought, until

that stopped happening while dieting. Also, my weight is creeping up,

so I am not getting instant gratification in that department. I have

made progress, though, in that I haven't binged on chocolate in two

weeks! I believe that my body is getting healthier, if not lighter.

As someone else pointed out, It is like grieving for an old life

style, even when you know that this new stuff is better.

Thanks everyone, for your great responses,

Maureen

> > >

> > > I had an interesting realization that basically grew out of a ho-hum

> > > experience I had with a pan of brownies I'd recently baked.

> > > It was some mix I bought because it was on sale and had chocolate

> > > chunks in it and a syrup packet you dribble through it and I am all

> > > about giving myself permission to try whatever strikes my fancy.

> > > Normally, I adore brownies.

> > > So I made these, had a couple, and wasn't

> > > particularly..... " transported " by the experience; I can remember

when

> > > I'd diet, and when I was finally able to " splurge " on something

> > > otherwise " forbidden " and what an ecstatic experience it seemed

to be!

> > > Better than.....well, I could use a lot of metaphors here; use your

> > > imagination! ;-)

> > > In this case, not NEARLY. Just very ho-hum.

> > > Then today, I'd gone to a work-sponsored function over lunch and

> > > they'd passed out candy. I had a Reese's (again, just....ho-hum) and

> > > ONE malted milk ball from a mini pack of three. It was

DISGUSTING!!! I

> > > used to ADORE those. I'd buy the cartons, or the egg version at

> > > Easter. I ate one and thought, holy cow, this is seriously noxious!!

> > > This has NO place in my mouth right now! Gag me!

> > > And then it occurred to me--THIS is what I consider to be " The 'Oz'

> > > Effect. " In other words, the concept or illusion of these foods was

> > > far more exciting and impressive than, ultimately, the

> > > reality of the taste. I'd formerly cherished a LOT of " play

foods " and

> > > held them up to a sort of pseudo-mythical gustatory " star

status " in

> > > my Diet Days only because they'd been off-limits...but now that

I can

> > > have them, man! I am SO underwhelmed!! I do believe tastes can

change

> > > as one gets older, but I'm also just so much more discerning about

> > > food. I appreciate good quality, I love HOME-MADE, and my body

prefers

> > > less overall fat (which is totally fine, cause I still eat plenty of

> > > it--but good quality).

> > > So, like in " The Wizard of Oz, " I've peeped behind the curtain

of some

> > > of these formerly highly-esteemed " obsession " foods, and often,

> > > there's nothin' there but bells and whistles.

> > > I don't feel particularly disappointed in this fact. I still like

> > > certain kinds of sweets, and I like being discerning. I'm just

> > > constantly discovering that things that used to ring my

chimes...just

> > > don't do it for me anymore. And I totally do not even care.

> > >

> > > Just wanted to share. :-)

> > >

> > > ~Caitlin

> > >

> > >

> > >

> > >

> > >

[Guest guest]

maureen, Ive been trying to stick to one name - I use my first name and middle...Ive been trying to stick with tracy than slipped and typed lee lol... sorry about that

I see what you mean... and it is like grieving. sometimes it does feel like losing an old friend... well, maybe not a friend as much as a comfy old sofa i used to sit on every night. A place I used to rest on... and relax and recharge on after a hard day.

Taking away that way of eating IS taking a way of coping for me and finding new ways has been difficult but not impossible so far.

(lee)

Hi Lee,The let down feeling comes from disengaging food from emotions, Ithink. I tend to keep very busy, and use food for comfort and stress

relief. The busier I get, the more chocolate I eat. So now I amworking to develop better ways to deal with life but am in between. Ihave used dieting for years to give me that in control sense. I canMAKE that scale go down, it will listen to me, or so I thought, until

that stopped happening while dieting. Also, my weight is creeping up,so I am not getting instant gratification in that department. I havemade progress, though, in that I haven't binged on chocolate in two

weeks! I believe that my body is getting healthier, if not lighter.As someone else pointed out, It is like grieving for an old lifestyle, even when you know that this new stuff is better.Thanks everyone, for your great responses,

Maureen > > >

> > > I had an interesting realization that basically grew out of a ho-hum> > > experience I had with a pan of brownies I'd recently baked.> > > It was some mix I bought because it was on sale and had chocolate

> > > chunks in it and a syrup packet you dribble through it and I am all> > > about giving myself permission to try whatever strikes my fancy.> > > Normally, I adore brownies.> > > So I made these, had a couple, and wasn't

> > > particularly..... " transported " by the experience; I can rememberwhen> > > I'd diet, and when I was finally able to " splurge " on something> > > otherwise " forbidden " and what an ecstatic experience it seemed

to be!> > > Better than.....well, I could use a lot of metaphors here; use your> > > imagination! ;-)> > > In this case, not NEARLY. Just very ho-hum.> > > Then today, I'd gone to a work-sponsored function over lunch and

> > > they'd passed out candy. I had a Reese's (again, just....ho-hum) and> > > ONE malted milk ball from a mini pack of three. It wasDISGUSTING!!! I> > > used to ADORE those. I'd buy the cartons, or the egg version at

> > > Easter. I ate one and thought, holy cow, this is seriously noxious!!> > > This has NO place in my mouth right now! Gag me!> > > And then it occurred to me--THIS is what I consider to be " The 'Oz'

> > > Effect. " In other words, the concept or illusion of these foods was> > > far more exciting and impressive than, ultimately, the> > > reality of the taste. I'd formerly cherished a LOT of " play

foods " and> > > held them up to a sort of pseudo-mythical gustatory " starstatus " in> > > my Diet Days only because they'd been off-limits...but now thatI can> > > have them, man! I am SO underwhelmed!! I do believe tastes can

change> > > as one gets older, but I'm also just so much more discerning about> > > food. I appreciate good quality, I love HOME-MADE, and my bodyprefers> > > less overall fat (which is totally fine, cause I still eat plenty of

> > > it--but good quality).> > > So, like in " The Wizard of Oz, " I've peeped behind the curtainof some> > > of these formerly highly-esteemed " obsession " foods, and often,

> > > there's nothin' there but bells and whistles.> > > I don't feel particularly disappointed in this fact. I still like> > > certain kinds of sweets, and I like being discerning. I'm just

> > > constantly discovering that things that used to ring mychimes...just> > > don't do it for me anymore. And I totally do not even care.> > >> > > Just wanted to share. :-)

> > >> > > ~Caitlin> > >> > >> > >> > >> > >

[Guest guest]

maureen, Ive been trying to stick to one name - I use my first name and middle...Ive been trying to stick with tracy than slipped and typed lee lol... sorry about that

I see what you mean... and it is like grieving. sometimes it does feel like losing an old friend... well, maybe not a friend as much as a comfy old sofa i used to sit on every night. A place I used to rest on... and relax and recharge on after a hard day.

Taking away that way of eating IS taking a way of coping for me and finding new ways has been difficult but not impossible so far.

(lee)

Hi Lee,The let down feeling comes from disengaging food from emotions, Ithink. I tend to keep very busy, and use food for comfort and stress

relief. The busier I get, the more chocolate I eat. So now I amworking to develop better ways to deal with life but am in between. Ihave used dieting for years to give me that in control sense. I canMAKE that scale go down, it will listen to me, or so I thought, until

that stopped happening while dieting. Also, my weight is creeping up,so I am not getting instant gratification in that department. I havemade progress, though, in that I haven't binged on chocolate in two

weeks! I believe that my body is getting healthier, if not lighter.As someone else pointed out, It is like grieving for an old lifestyle, even when you know that this new stuff is better.Thanks everyone, for your great responses,

Maureen > > >

> > > I had an interesting realization that basically grew out of a ho-hum> > > experience I had with a pan of brownies I'd recently baked.> > > It was some mix I bought because it was on sale and had chocolate

> > > chunks in it and a syrup packet you dribble through it and I am all> > > about giving myself permission to try whatever strikes my fancy.> > > Normally, I adore brownies.> > > So I made these, had a couple, and wasn't

> > > particularly..... " transported " by the experience; I can rememberwhen> > > I'd diet, and when I was finally able to " splurge " on something> > > otherwise " forbidden " and what an ecstatic experience it seemed

to be!> > > Better than.....well, I could use a lot of metaphors here; use your> > > imagination! ;-)> > > In this case, not NEARLY. Just very ho-hum.> > > Then today, I'd gone to a work-sponsored function over lunch and

> > > they'd passed out candy. I had a Reese's (again, just....ho-hum) and> > > ONE malted milk ball from a mini pack of three. It wasDISGUSTING!!! I> > > used to ADORE those. I'd buy the cartons, or the egg version at

> > > Easter. I ate one and thought, holy cow, this is seriously noxious!!> > > This has NO place in my mouth right now! Gag me!> > > And then it occurred to me--THIS is what I consider to be " The 'Oz'

> > > Effect. " In other words, the concept or illusion of these foods was> > > far more exciting and impressive than, ultimately, the> > > reality of the taste. I'd formerly cherished a LOT of " play

foods " and> > > held them up to a sort of pseudo-mythical gustatory " starstatus " in> > > my Diet Days only because they'd been off-limits...but now thatI can> > > have them, man! I am SO underwhelmed!! I do believe tastes can

change> > > as one gets older, but I'm also just so much more discerning about> > > food. I appreciate good quality, I love HOME-MADE, and my bodyprefers> > > less overall fat (which is totally fine, cause I still eat plenty of

> > > it--but good quality).> > > So, like in " The Wizard of Oz, " I've peeped behind the curtainof some> > > of these formerly highly-esteemed " obsession " foods, and often,

> > > there's nothin' there but bells and whistles.> > > I don't feel particularly disappointed in this fact. I still like> > > certain kinds of sweets, and I like being discerning. I'm just

> > > constantly discovering that things that used to ring mychimes...just> > > don't do it for me anymore. And I totally do not even care.> > >> > > Just wanted to share. :-)

> > >> > > ~Caitlin> > >> > >> > >> > >> > >