introduction

[Guest guest]

Hey Amy - congratulations on taking the leap...and on your weight loss. I find SBD the easiest way of eating I've ever undertaken, mainly because it's all the foods I love (well - except maybe cupcakes and potato chips, but I'm learning not to miss them, LOL).

Welcome to the group!

NikkiAmy Mathews wrote:

Hi all,

Actually I've been a member here since I first started the diet about 3 1/2 weeks ago and finally decided to introduce myself. I didn't weigh myself the first week I was on the diet as I didn't have scales. Since I've been weighing myself (2 weeks), I've lost 5.5 lbs! I've been suprised at how easy this diet has been compared to others that I've tried. I eat pretty much what I want and don't seem to be hungry during the in-between times. Hopefully I can continue the current pattern of weight loss. It's been very satisfying.

My starting weight was 288.5 and now I'm down to 283. I'm shooting for 280 for next Monday. It's amazing the difference that my clothes feel with such a small weight loss. Some of my clothes that were feeling tight are feeling much more comfortable. I walk at least 20-30 minutes every night---except Saturdays, that is my shopping day and I figure I get enough walking in on those days.

I've always been a heavy person. Looking back at old school photos I was always the largest person in my class. I can't remember wearing any size under an 18. When I was much younger, I always wore clothes in the "pretty plus" section. My goal at this point is to wear a size 14/16, down from a sometimes tight 24. But my first goal is to get down under 275 and then I'll look at 250. I'm 32 years old so I figure the time is now to get this under control and improve my health.

So far I've found this group very interesting and supportive. Good luck to you all!

Amy

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

"When the world gets in my face, I say......HAVE A NICE DAY"

- Bon Jovi 2005__________________________________________________

[Guest guest]

Thanks Nikki...I hope this group is around for a LONG time cause I'll be on this plan for a LONG time! Today wasn't such a great day. I had an continuing credits class for my job and of course they had the donuts & muffins out this morning. I guess my willpower was down...i had a donut & then had a piece of cake after my chef's salad for lunch. After that I've been fine...tomorrow I will power my way through and not vary off the plan much at all. I hope the weather improves here and Ophelia stays off shore so I can get some walking in tomorrow and over the weekend!

I'm going to the movies tonight to see March of the Penguins. They have a small kid size popcorn that I'm going to have minus the extra butter along with some water. I take a couple sugar-free hard candies with me as well so I don't feel left out with everyone around me munching!

Re: Introduction

Hey Amy - congratulations on taking the leap...and on your weight loss. I find SBD the easiest way of eating I've ever undertaken, mainly because it's all the foods I love (well - except maybe cupcakes and potato chips, but I'm learning not to miss them, LOL).

Welcome to the group!

NikkiAmy Mathews wrote:

Hi all,

Actually I've been a member here since I first started the diet about 3 1/2 weeks ago and finally decided to introduce myself. I didn't weigh myself the first week I was on the diet as I didn't have scales. Since I've been weighing myself (2 weeks), I've lost 5.5 lbs! I've been suprised at how easy this diet has been compared to others that I've tried. I eat pretty much what I want and don't seem to be hungry during the in-between times. Hopefully I can continue the current pattern of weight loss. It's been very satisfying.

My starting weight was 288.5 and now I'm down to 283. I'm shooting for 280 for next Monday. It's amazing the difference that my clothes feel with such a small weight loss. Some of my clothes that were feeling tight are feeling much more comfortable. I walk at least 20-30 minutes every night---except Saturdays, that is my shopping day and I figure I get enough walking in on those days.

I've always been a heavy person. Looking back at old school photos I was always the largest person in my class. I can't remember wearing any size under an 18. When I was much younger, I always wore clothes in the "pretty plus" section. My goal at this point is to wear a size 14/16, down from a sometimes tight 24. But my first goal is to get down under 275 and then I'll look at 250. I'm 32 years old so I figure the time is now to get this under control and improve my health.

So far I've found this group very interesting and supportive. Good luck to you all!

Amy

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

"When the world gets in my face, I say......HAVE A NICE DAY"

- Bon Jovi 2005

__________________________________________________

[Guest guest]

Amy,

I hate to tell you this, but even without you putting the butter on the

popcorn at the movies, it comes already loaded with tons and tons of

the bad fat.

What I normally do is take some carrots with me and munch on them

during the movie. I also have lots and lots of gum handy just in case.

Paola

--- Amy Mathews wrote:

> Thanks Nikki...I hope this group is around for a LONG time cause I'll

> be on this plan for a LONG time! Today wasn't such a great day. I

> had an continuing credits class for my job and of course they had the

> donuts & muffins out this morning. I guess my willpower was down...i

> had a donut & then had a piece of cake after my chef's salad for

> lunch. After that I've been fine...tomorrow I will power my way

> through and not vary off the plan much at all. I hope the weather

> improves here and Ophelia stays off shore so I can get some walking

> in tomorrow and over the weekend!

>

> I'm going to the movies tonight to see March of the Penguins. They

> have a small kid size popcorn that I'm going to have minus the extra

> butter along with some water. I take a couple sugar-free hard

> candies with me as well so I don't feel left out with everyone around

> me munching!

> Re: Introduction

>

>

> Hey Amy - congratulations on taking the leap...and on your weight

> loss. I find SBD the easiest way of eating I've ever undertaken,

> mainly because it's all the foods I love (well - except maybe

> cupcakes and potato chips, but I'm learning not to miss them, LOL).

>

> Welcome to the group!

>

> Nikki

>

> Amy Mathews wrote:

> Hi all,

>

> Actually I've been a member here since I first started the diet

> about 3 1/2 weeks ago and finally decided to introduce myself. I

> didn't weigh myself the first week I was on the diet as I didn't have

> scales. Since I've been weighing myself (2 weeks), I've lost 5.5

> lbs! I've been suprised at how easy this diet has been compared to

> others that I've tried. I eat pretty much what I want and don't seem

> to be hungry during the in-between times. Hopefully I can continue

> the current pattern of weight loss. It's been very satisfying.

>

> My starting weight was 288.5 and now I'm down to 283. I'm

> shooting for 280 for next Monday. It's amazing the difference that

> my clothes feel with such a small weight loss. Some of my clothes

> that were feeling tight are feeling much more comfortable. I walk at

> least 20-30 minutes every night---except Saturdays, that is my

> shopping day and I figure I get enough walking in on those days.

>

> I've always been a heavy person. Looking back at old school

> photos I was always the largest person in my class. I can't remember

> wearing any size under an 18. When I was much younger, I always wore

> clothes in the " pretty plus " section. My goal at this point is to

> wear a size 14/16, down from a sometimes tight 24. But my first goal

> is to get down under 275 and then I'll look at 250. I'm 32 years old

> so I figure the time is now to get this under control and improve my

> health.

>

> So far I've found this group very interesting and supportive.

> Good luck to you all!

>

> Amy

>

>

>

>

>

>

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------\

-------------------------

> " When the world gets in my face, I say......HAVE A NICE DAY "

>

> - Bon Jovi 2005

> __________________________________________________

>

[Guest guest]

Amy..

When I go to movies, I take cheese sticks , and a piece of baked oatmeal, or a nice cookie that I have made that is SBD friendly. Depending what phase you are in, you can bring some good quality food to nosh on .

Di

[Guest guest]

Hi,

Make sure you go to the files section

http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/South-Beach-Diet-Getting-It-

Right/files/ and look at all the phase 1 files and all the phase 1

recipes. This will really help you. There is a list of allowed foods

on phase 1 there.

I'm hypoglycemic, also. I find protein snacks work best. String

cheese sticks, Kraft 2% cheddar cheese sticks, almonds, cashews,

pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds, plain or artificially sweetened

yogurt, celery with peanut butter or lowfat cream cheese in it, etc.

I've lost 52 lbs so far on SBD.

ann

>

> Good Morning Everyone (or afternoon or evening depending on when

you

> read this).

>

> My name is Caprina. I am new here and this is also my first time

> doing the SB diet. Actually I attended a Weight Watchers meeting on

> Monday. But now I am debating on if I actually l want to keep going

> because they didn't really tell me anything spectacular, and I can

> weigh myself once a week for free. Is there anybody using a

> combination of South Beach/Weight Watchers? I guess I will decide

if

> I want to go next week or not. I can see that SB really works from

> reading the message boards and from seeing how often I see SB items

> in the grocery stores, and how I've seen it on talk shows, etc. I

> mean everywhere I go I heard about how well this lifestyle change

> works. Could some of you share some of your success stories, in

> particularly during the first 2 weeks? I want to lose about 50 lbs.

I

> am currently about 210 and want to be about 160. I'm 5'5, and I

> wouldn't look good too thin I think. I'm supposed to be about 135-

140

> for my height but nah...I think I'll be good at 160. I currently

> don't even look 210. When I tell people I want to lose 50 lbs they

> look at me like I'm crazy, haha.

>

> I started phase 1 on Monday and I am going to start working out

again

> first thing next week when I re-join the YMCA. I am doing well

> considering. Yesterday we had a birthday party for one of the

> managers here and they had ice cream cake and I didn't even want

any!

> Everyone was trying to convince me to have a little piece, and I

had

> no desire for it whatsoever. I haven't had a desire for liquor

> either, and I'm a big martini drinker. Plus I haven't had any

fruit,

> fruit juice, any type of bread or pasta etc for 3 days. That's an

> accomplishment for me as well. Right now I'm trying to get all of

my

> water in. I already take a multivitamin but I have never been a big

> liquid drinker. I did slip up and have a few Rolo's candy and some

> Animal Crackers though (the PMS kicked in). And also some salsa

> before I read that Salsa can contain sugar. My main thing has

always

> been eating a lot of bread. With my schedule sandwiches have always

> been the easiest thing to grab and go. I also had a thing where I

ate

> before I went to bed. Which we all know is not good. I work til at

> least 7, sometimes later. So now I eat at work at about 5:30 and

just

> drink for the rest of the evening. I hear that if you stop eating a

> few hours before bed that helps facilitate the weight loss.

>

> I am looking foward to reading the post, receiving some good tips,

> and the support. I have already been parousing the files section :-)

>

> Oh one last thing. I am hypoglycemic. What types of things can I

> snack on to keep my sugar levels up. I usually have to snack on

> something periodically throughout the day.

>

[Guest guest]

Is there anybody using a

combination of South Beach/Weight Watchers?

Hi and welcome Caprina! I had been doing the points system for the last four

years and snapped around last September - I couldn't take it anymore. I put

back on about 18 pounds and tried to keep starting WW but didn't last more

than a day. My cousin had been doing SB and lost a ton of weight and looked

gorgeous. It really motivated me and I got the book after I saw her. If I find

I'm hungry, I add up the points I ate and decide in my head if I have room to

have anything. If I'm under my max WW points, I'll let myself have a healthy

something. But that is really the only way I am combining the two programs.

>>(snip) Could some of you share some of your success stories, in

particularly during the first 2 weeks? <<

I lost about 14 pounds in the first two weeks. It really helped quick start

my losing again. In fact, today, two people told me I looked skinny! Anyhow,

I struggled a tad the first few days and promised myself that all I wanted

was the two weeks and could do whatever I wanted after that. The next few days

breezed by and I think I almost lost it on day 9. In a blink of an eye, I'm a

few weeks into phase II already - I started August 27.

It's a great program if you follow the principles. Like everyone in the

world, dieters have a bad day too. Just try again when you realize you've

messed

up. FWIW, since I had a lifestyle epiphany four years ago, I went from 257 to

172. I traded my 24s for 10s and haven't looked back. You can do this.

>>(snip) Yesterday we had a birthday party for one of the

managers here and they had ice cream cake and I didn't even want any!

Everyone was trying to convince me to have a little piece, and I had

no desire for it whatsoever. I haven't had a desire for liquor

either, and I'm a big martini drinker. <<

That's just wrong! If someone is badgering you to have the cake you should

badger them for putting that kind of poison in their bodies! That said, I do

have to say that I will have a few drinks here and there. You still have to

live. But it's all in moderation. I drank August 26 and I had a few drinks

last Saturday. Probably won't drink again until my November vacation. If

you're

in the first two weeks, forgo going off program. It's not worth it. After

that, if it's something you want to do, just compensate in other ways. No need

to beat yourself up. Accept it and move on. Tomorrow is a new day!

>>Plus I haven't had any fruit,

fruit juice, any type of bread or pasta etc for 3 days. That's an

accomplishment for me as well. <<

Awesome! You go girl!

>>I did slip up and have a few Rolo's candy and some

Animal Crackers though (the PMS kicked in). <<

If you don't bring them in the house, you won't eat them. If you need to

have them because of small children, keep them in a low shelf so they don't

greet

you in the eye.

Good luck to you! You can do this!

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 10/20/2005 11:53:50 AM Eastern Standard Time,

maryann127@... writes:

I've lost 52 lbs so far on SBD.

ann

ann,

That is sooo awesome! You are an inspiration to us all!!

[Guest guest]

,

I am thrilled with my weight loss. I'm down from a size 32 to a 22. I

have a neck again. I have a waist again. I don't feel like a big blob

now.

I lost 12 lbs on phase 1. Then, I lost 2-3 lbs a week after that.

After three months, I started to lose more like 1-2 lbs a week. It's

more like 1 lb a week now at 7 months. Which is typical.

I can't exercise due to being disabled, but I'm losing anyway. I have

never been able to stick to a diet or lose this much weight before. I

just find SBD to be so easy.

ann

> ann,

>

> That is sooo awesome! You are an inspiration to us all!!

>

>

[Guest guest]

Now that I have been lurking for a week, I really should introduce myself. My name is Chris. I am either gluten intolerant, or allergic to wheat, and don't care which it is, because avoiding gluten makes me feel so much better.

I've already learned a lot, just in these last few days, for which I thank you.

I don't miss the wheat things. I never liked them in the first place-- maybe because they made me sick, ya think? But I don't have to tell anyone here that American food manufacturers put wheat and gluten into absolutely everything, whether it needs it or not. I am now a dedicated label reader.

Sharing what's gluten free for dinner tonight:

The local store had huge fat red bell peppers on sale, so tonight it is red pepper pork on rice.

2 boneless pork shoulder roasts, about 2 pounds each, cut into pencil shaped strips, very gently sautéed in a dry non-stick pan on medium low heat until they lose their raw color

Add two large bell peppers and 2 large onions, cut into very thin long strips. Maybe a minced clove of garlic, I'll see what it smells like as it cooks. Sprinkle on some Lawry's season salt. Cover and cook gently until the onions are completely limp and transparent and the peppers are soft.

I'll make a huge pot of rice to go with it.

Then it is dinner tonight: pepper pork over rice. Plus a whole bunch of little Ziploc storage containers, each with a scoop of meat in the bottom and a scoop of rice over that. When I turn it out onto a plate to microwave, the rice ends up on the bottom with meat over. Into the freezer it goes into my collection of ready to eat home made gluten-free microwave meals. Not that I mind cooking, but I hate doing all the dishes, so it is nice to just take something good out of the freezer.

Best wishes

Chris

[Guest guest]

Hi

Thanks for sharing the recipe...sounds like one we'd enjoy here, I printed it and put in my dinner's to try album. I'm a bit behind and have seen some really yummy sounding recipes on here...so this way I won't forget which ones sounded good.

:-) in VA

introduction

Now that I have been lurking for a week, I really should introduce myself. My name is Chris. I am either gluten intolerant, or allergic to wheat, and don't care which it is, because avoiding gluten makes me feel so much better.

I've already learned a lot, just in these last few days, for which I thank you.

I don't miss the wheat things. I never liked them in the first place-- maybe because they made me sick, ya think? But I don't have to tell anyone here that American food manufacturers put wheat and gluten into absolutely everything, whether it needs it or not. I am now a dedicated label reader.

Sharing what's gluten free for dinner tonight:

The local store had huge fat red bell peppers on sale, so tonight it is red pepper pork on rice.

2 boneless pork shoulder roasts, about 2 pounds each, cut into pencil shaped strips, very gently sautéed in a dry non-stick pan on medium low heat until they lose their raw color

Add two large bell peppers and 2 large onions, cut into very thin long strips. Maybe a minced clove of garlic, I'll see what it smells like as it cooks. Sprinkle on some Lawry's season salt. Cover and cook gently until the onions are completely limp and transparent and the peppers are soft.

I'll make a huge pot of rice to go with it.

Then it is dinner tonight: pepper pork over rice. Plus a whole bunch of little Ziploc storage containers, each with a scoop of meat in the bottom and a scoop of rice over that. When I turn it out onto a plate to microwave, the rice ends up on the bottom with meat over. Into the freezer it goes into my collection of ready to eat home made gluten-free microwave meals. Not that I mind cooking, but I hate doing all the dishes, so it is nice to just take something good out of the freezer.

Best wishes

Chris

[Guest guest]

OK, dinner report—we had pork chops

rubbed with garlic, salt and pepper, rice pasta with pesto, sweet potato fries

and roasted asparagus. My ds is obviously in a growth spurt (or has a newly

healed digestive system….) and is eating me out of house and home! He

eats TWICE what I eat (he’s 13—it’s probably appropriate).

Laurie

lbilyeu@...

From: SillyYaks [mailto:SillyYaks ] On Behalf Of Kathi Sandler

Sent: Thursday, March 02, 2006

9:13 PM

To: SillyYaks

Subject: RE:

introduction

hehe Yeah ME

TOO!! And it's a really BIG pile these days!

We had kale sauteed with onion and bacon bits,

fresh asparagus

marinated in italian dressing and then grilled,

Chicken breasts

seasoned within an inch of their lives and

grilled, and Indian

basmati rice in the rice cooker with carmelized

onions and baby

bellas on the bottom. Rice was OK.

Needed more salt or a saucy

dinner to eat it with. Curried chicken the

other day was good

on it. : ) The kids actually ate the curried

chicken!! But not

the kale tonight. That's OK...it leaves more for

me and Mark!!

Welcome to the group Chris!! Keep up the good work

on the

recipes. I too am a self proclaimed

gf'er. AND I found those

two red bells I got the other day tonight when I

took out the

kale to cook!! hmmmm.....ideas ideas!

Thanks!

kathi

--- Laurie Bilyeu wrote:

> A dinners to try album…, you are

so organized. I just

> have a “recipes

> to look at again someday” PILE.

>

>

>

> Laurie

>

>

lbilyeu@...

>

> _____

>

> From: SillyYaks

> [mailto:SillyYaks ]

On Behalf

> Of :-)

> Sent: Thursday, March 02, 2006 7:30 PM

> To: SillyYaks

> Subject: Re: introduction

>

>

>

> Hi

>

> Thanks for sharing the recipe...sounds like

one we'd enjoy

> here, I printed

> it and put in my dinner's to try album. I'm a

bit behind and

> have seen some

> really yummy sounding recipes on here...so

this way I won't

> forget which

> ones sounded good.

>

> :-) in VA

>

> introduction

>

>

>

> Now that I have been lurking for a week, I

really should

> introduce myself.

> My name is Chris. I am either gluten

intolerant, or allergic

> to wheat, and

> don't care which it is, because avoiding

gluten makes me feel

> so much

> better.

>

>

>

> I've already learned a lot, just in these

last few days, for

> which I thank

> you.

>

>

>

> I don't miss the wheat things. I never liked

them in the first

> place-- maybe

> because they made me sick, ya think? But I

don't have to tell

> anyone here

> that American food manufacturers put wheat

and gluten into

> absolutely

> everything, whether it needs it or not. I am

now a dedicated

> label reader.

>

>

>

> Sharing what's gluten free for dinner

tonight:

>

>

>

> The local store had huge fat red bell peppers

on sale, so

> tonight it is red

> pepper pork on rice.

>

>

>

> 2 boneless pork shoulder roasts, about

2 pounds each, cut

> into pencil

> shaped strips, very gently sautéed in a dry

non-stick pan on

> medium low heat

> until they lose their raw color

>

>

>

> Add two large bell peppers and 2 large

onions, cut into very

> thin long

> strips. Maybe a minced clove of garlic, I'll

see what it

> smells like as it

> cooks. Sprinkle on some Lawry's season salt.

Cover and cook

> gently until the

> onions are completely limp and transparent

and the peppers are

> soft.

>

>

>

> I'll make a huge pot of rice to go with it.

>

>

>

> Then it is dinner tonight: pepper pork over

rice. Plus a whole

> bunch of

> little Ziploc storage containers, each with a

scoop of meat in

> the bottom

> and a scoop of rice over that. When I

turn it out onto a

> plate to

> microwave, the rice ends up on the bottom

with meat over. Into

> the freezer

> it goes into my collection of ready to eat

home made

> gluten-free microwave

> meals. Not that I mind cooking, but I hate

doing all the

> dishes, so it is

> nice to just take something good out of the

freezer.

>

>

>

> Best wishes

>

> Chris

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Yum! Except for the pork chops, that's all right down my alley!

(vegetarian issue, i'm sure it was tasty though) Did you deep fry or

bake the sweet potato fries? I love pesto. and roasted asparagus.

>

> OK, dinner report—we had pork chops rubbed with garlic, salt and

pepper,

> rice pasta with pesto, sweet potato fries and roasted asparagus.

[Guest guest]

I don’t deep fry anything, ever!

Tossed in olive oil and roasted (finish under the broiler).

Laurie

lbilyeu@...

From: SillyYaks [mailto:SillyYaks ] On Behalf Of seamaiden399

Sent: Friday, March 03, 2006 2:50

AM

To: SillyYaks

Subject: Re:

introduction

Yum! Except for the pork

chops, that's all right down my alley!

(vegetarian issue, i'm sure it was tasty though)

Did you deep fry or

bake the sweet potato fries? I love pesto. and

roasted asparagus.

>

> OK, dinner report—we had pork chops

rubbed with garlic, salt and

pepper,

> rice pasta with pesto, sweet potato fries and

roasted asparagus.

[Guest guest]

Hi Nic! I want to welcome you too. I went through a rapid wieght gain, but I really took "Eat whatever you want " literally. I ignored full, sometimes, too. I am now ready to get rid of the final diet tool, that I have hung on to - the scale! I believe I know hunger, full is a bit more difficult, but I need to listen to my body more closely, to hear what it wants. Getting rd of the scale, I think, will help me do that.

To: IntuitiveEating_Support From: ert4dogz@...Date: Tue, 14 Jun 2011 17:50:59 -0400Subject: Re: Introduction

Welcome Nic...what would you say you have concentrated on the most to achieve those kinds of "releases"? I need to buckle down and follow the program with much more commitment but for some reason my disordered eating is much harder to overcome than I thought It would be. I'd love to know the secret to your success.

Sunny

Introduction

Hi I would like to introduce myself my name is (Nic for short) I came across intuitive eating about 3 years ago and have released 30 kilos, I don't think I am at my natural weight just yet as I continue to release weight each week.I look forward to getting to know you all.Regards,Nic

[Guest guest]

Welcome to the group . I am also new and enjoying it very much. Congrats on figuring out what you really want to eat and all of the realizations you have made so far. that is amazing. How long have you been working with IE?LizI am also reading Woman, Food, and God. I feel like it is changing things every time I pick it up. Are you having the same experience. I had the same realization 2 nights ago that maybe I am not as broken as I have always thought. This was the first email from the group I read this morning and it hit home for me. I am so glad someone else is reading it. I am sure many others are or have. I highly recommend it too.To: IntuitiveEating_Support Sent: Wednesday, June 15, 2011 2:56 PMSubject: Re: Introduction

Hi ,

Welcome to the group. I wanted to chime in here and say that I believe you can find peace with food. It may take time to unravel the emotional abuse related to food from your past, but in time you will find yourself making choices more naturally and not being as drawn to foods that were once forbidden to you. Although I haven't had your particular experience, part of my history is that I turned to food for comfort after an abusive situation in my life at a young age, and that connection with food as retreat from a painful situation has been a hard one to break. I am reading Women, Food and God right now, and I highly recommend it. One of the things WF & G has shown me is that now when I emotionally eat, it actually has nothing to do with that old wound. The wound just started the habit, and now it has become my go to coping strategy. Usually when I emotionally eat now, it has more to do with a smaller daily annoyance or general fatigue. I am

learning that I can honor the role food has played in coping with my history of abuse and also recognize that it really isn't a very useful coping mechanism for day to day woes because the effects of overeating outweigh the benefits of relieving a little tension at the end of a long day. I guess I am starting to get that I am not as broken or as fragile as I have always thought, and I won't fall apart without a bi-weekly binge to drown my sorrows.

I like your realization about what your body really wants in the mornings. When I started IE, I was shocked to see how much I craved meat. I still regularly eat a small portion of dinner leftovers for breakfast because it is hearty and satisfies my body better than a bagel or fruit (which I also sometimes eat for breakfast!). I think I had cut meat largely out of my diet in my attempt to cut calories back in my diet days, and I told myself I didn't really miss it. But man, when I asked my body what it wanted for the first time in 20 years, it said PROTEIN! (Sorry to any vegetarians who may be totally grossed out by that).

Anyway, I have hypothyroidism, too. My meds work and have given me lots more energy and my hair, which was falling out in clumps, has started to grow back. But for me, too, the weight I gained when my thyroid started acting up has not been cooperative about leaving now that my thyroid is getting some help. Ah well, at least I feel better now, and that is definitely an improvement from where I was before the meds.

Hope your knee heals up soon!

-Liz

>

> Thanks for the kind words, Tai, and Abby. It's good to know I'm not alone.

>

> Abby, thanks for letting me know that there is a light at the end of the tunnel. I stopped weighing myself, but I gained a pants size while eating what I wanted. I'm a little bummed about that. Initially I thought I'd go crazy for sweets, but that craving passed after a couple of days of donuts, ice cream, and Ghiradelli.

>

> Then I bought a big bag of those frozen fried chicken sandwiches; another forbidden food. I ate them every morning for breakfast and occasionally for lunch or dinner. After a couple of days I found I wasn't overeating, I would eat until I was full then stop. I swung by KFC two days ago for dinner. I realized that all I wanted was the chicken. Not the bread, the potatoes, or any of the other stuff. So I ordered two pieces of chicken. Again I was full, but not stuffed.

>

> As ridiculous as the chicken caper is, my Food Anthropologist figured out a few things:

>

> 1. I didn't continue to overeat when presented with a forbidden food. I finally convinced some unconscious part of me that I can have

> it whenever I want. I don't need to eat 5-6 pieces at a time.

>

> 2. I eat a lot of low-nutrient foods because they are paired with the item I'm craving. Sometimes I eat a whole sandwich when I'm really just craving some chicken. This leads to overeating side dishes I wasn't interested in to begin with.

>

> 3. I crave savory, salty protein pretty frequently, especially in the morning. This is important because it's the opposite of how most American breakfasts work. I don't want a smoothie or cereal, I want protein to start off my day.

>

> 4. When I include protein in my breakfast I actually make it to lunch without hitting up the vending machine. This is a Big Deal. It turns out all of those diet breakfasts like the low-fat yogurt and fruit just weren't giving me what I needed. Not to say that those are bad breakfasts; they work for plenty of people. But, I eat less when I eat what I want. That was a big eye opener.

>

> 5. Now that I have this info, I can play around with it. I can tell the Food Police to go away and eat fish or a handful of nuts for breakfast if I want to. That's very liberating.

[Guest guest]

Such amazing posts and work and Liz!!!thank you for sharing what you have learned.I think, Liz, that your point that it's not that you are so emotionally damaged, it's just that you learned that eating-as-coping mechanism when you were going through abuse is an important one. i think lots of folks think they must not be eating emotionally if they don't feel emotionally damaged. a very important distinction!

, your work with food is fascinating! isn't it amazing to find out what food we eat just because we think we " have to " just because it is paired with the food we really want??? 

the other day i made sticky buns, a food i used to overeat and haven't had in months and months. normally i would eat the burned bits first, saving the best for last. this time i ate the best FIRST, because i reasoned that i didn't want to be disappointed by getting full too soon, and then having to choose between eating when i wasn't hungry or throwing away the best part. it was GREAT to eat the best part when i was hungriest! yum! 

best,abby

 

Welcome to the group . I am also new and enjoying it very much. Congrats on figuring out what you really want to eat and all of the realizations you have made so far. that is amazing. How long have you been working with IE?

LizI am also reading Woman, Food, and God. I feel like it is changing things every time I pick it up. Are you having the same experience. I had the same realization 2 nights ago that maybe I am not as broken as I have always thought. This was the first email from the group I read this morning and it hit home for me. I am so glad someone else is reading it. I am sure many others are or have. I highly recommend it too.

To: IntuitiveEating_Support

Sent: Wednesday, June 15, 2011 2:56 PMSubject: Re: Introduction

 

Hi ,

Welcome to the group. I wanted to chime in here and say that I believe you can find peace with food. It may take time to unravel the emotional abuse related to food from your past, but in time you will find yourself making choices more naturally and not being as drawn to foods that were once forbidden to you. Although I haven't had your particular experience, part of my history is that I turned to food for comfort after an abusive situation in my life at a young age, and that connection with food as retreat from a painful situation has been a hard one to break. I am reading Women, Food and God right now, and I highly recommend it. One of the things WF & G has shown me is that now when I emotionally eat, it actually has nothing to do with that old wound. The wound just started the habit, and now it has become my go to coping strategy. Usually when I emotionally eat now, it has more to do with a smaller daily annoyance or general fatigue. I am

learning that I can honor the role food has played in coping with my history of abuse and also recognize that it really isn't a very useful coping mechanism for day to day woes because the effects of overeating outweigh the benefits of relieving a little tension at the end of a long day. I guess I am starting to get that I am not as broken or as fragile as I have always thought, and I won't fall apart without a bi-weekly binge to drown my sorrows.

I like your realization about what your body really wants in the mornings. When I started IE, I was shocked to see how much I craved meat. I still regularly eat a small portion of dinner leftovers for breakfast because it is hearty and satisfies my body better than a bagel or fruit (which I also sometimes eat for breakfast!). I think I had cut meat largely out of my diet in my attempt to cut calories back in my diet days, and I told myself I didn't really miss it. But man, when I asked my body what it wanted for the first time in 20 years, it said PROTEIN! (Sorry to any vegetarians who may be totally grossed out by that).

Anyway, I have hypothyroidism, too. My meds work and have given me lots more energy and my hair, which was falling out in clumps, has started to grow back. But for me, too, the weight I gained when my thyroid started acting up has not been cooperative about leaving now that my thyroid is getting some help. Ah well, at least I feel better now, and that is definitely an improvement from where I was before the meds.

Hope your knee heals up soon!

-Liz

>

> Thanks for the kind words, Tai, and Abby. It's good to know I'm not alone.

>

> Abby, thanks for letting me know that there is a light at the end of the tunnel. I stopped weighing myself, but I gained a pants size while eating what I wanted. I'm a little bummed about that. Initially I thought I'd go crazy for sweets, but that craving passed after a couple of days of donuts, ice cream, and Ghiradelli.

>

> Then I bought a big bag of those frozen fried chicken sandwiches; another forbidden food. I ate them every morning for breakfast and occasionally for lunch or dinner. After a couple of days I found I wasn't overeating, I would eat until I was full then stop. I swung by KFC two days ago for dinner. I realized that all I wanted was the chicken. Not the bread, the potatoes, or any of the other stuff. So I ordered two pieces of chicken. Again I was full, but not stuffed.

>

> As ridiculous as the chicken caper is, my Food Anthropologist figured out a few things:

>

> 1. I didn't continue to overeat when presented with a forbidden food. I finally convinced some unconscious part of me that I can have

> it whenever I want. I don't need to eat 5-6 pieces at a time.

>

> 2. I eat a lot of low-nutrient foods because they are paired with the item I'm craving. Sometimes I eat a whole sandwich when I'm really just craving some chicken. This leads to overeating side dishes I wasn't interested in to begin with.

>

> 3. I crave savory, salty protein pretty frequently, especially in the morning. This is important because it's the opposite of how most American breakfasts work. I don't want a smoothie or cereal, I want protein to start off my day.

>

> 4. When I include protein in my breakfast I actually make it to lunch without hitting up the vending machine. This is a Big Deal. It turns out all of those diet breakfasts like the low-fat yogurt and fruit just weren't giving me what I needed. Not to say that those are bad breakfasts; they work for plenty of people. But, I eat less when I eat what I want. That was a big eye opener.

>

> 5. Now that I have this info, I can play around with it. I can tell the Food Police to go away and eat fish or a handful of nuts for breakfast if I want to. That's very liberating.

[Guest guest]

It's so funny that you mention " saving the best for last " Abby! I do the SAME

THING! I imagine it's pretty common. I guess we think we're savoring the food by

doing it that way. I definitely overeat when I do that.

I discovered something else last night - small dinner + 1 beer = eating a whole

pint of ice cream at 1 am. I guess my blood sugar dropped and the beer goofed

with my hunger and satiety signals.

> > >

> > > Thanks for the kind words, Tai, and Abby. It's good to know I'm

> > not alone.

> > >

> > > Abby, thanks for letting me know that there is a light at the end of the

> > tunnel. I stopped weighing myself, but I gained a pants size while eating

> > what I wanted. I'm a little bummed about that. Initially I thought I'd go

> > crazy for sweets, but that craving passed after a couple of days of donuts,

> > ice cream, and Ghiradelli.

> > >

> > > Then I bought a big bag of those frozen fried chicken sandwiches; another

> > forbidden food. I ate them every morning for breakfast and occasionally for

> > lunch or dinner. After a couple of days I found I wasn't overeating, I would

> > eat until I was full then stop. I swung by KFC two days ago for dinner. I

> > realized that all I wanted was the chicken. Not the bread, the potatoes, or

> > any of the other stuff. So I ordered two pieces of chicken. Again I was

> > full, but not stuffed.

> > >

> > > As ridiculous as the chicken caper is, my Food Anthropologist figured out

> > a few things:

> > >

> > > 1. I didn't continue to overeat when presented with a forbidden food. I

> > finally convinced some unconscious part of me that I can have

> > > it whenever I want. I don't need to eat 5-6 pieces at a time.

> > >

> > > 2. I eat a lot of low-nutrient foods because they are paired with the

> > item I'm craving. Sometimes I eat a whole sandwich when I'm really just

> > craving some chicken. This leads to overeating side dishes I wasn't

> > interested in to begin with.

> > >

> > > 3. I crave savory, salty protein pretty frequently, especially in the

> > morning. This is important because it's the opposite of how most American

> > breakfasts work. I don't want a smoothie or cereal, I want protein to start

> > off my day.

> > >

> > > 4. When I include protein in my breakfast I actually make it to lunch

> > without hitting up the vending machine. This is a Big Deal. It turns out all

> > of those diet breakfasts like the low-fat yogurt and fruit just weren't

> > giving me what I needed. Not to say that those are bad breakfasts; they work

> > for plenty of people. But, I eat less when I eat what I want. That was a big

> > eye opener.

> > >

> > > 5. Now that I have this info, I can play around with it. I can tell the

> > Food Police to go away and eat fish or a handful of nuts for breakfast if I

> > want to. That's very liberating.

> >

> >

> >

> >

> >

>

[Guest guest]

Hi Paige. I bought IE over a year ago and kept putting it off. A month ago I

realized that this knee injury is going to take a while to heal and gaining a

bunch of weight isn't going to help it. I kept trying to convince myself that a

little exercise would do the trick, but the knee injury was preventing that. I

considering dieting but just couldn't bring myself to do it again.

> >

> > Thanks for the kind words, Tai, and Abby. It's good to know I'm not

alone.

> >

> > Abby, thanks for letting me know that there is a light at the end of the

tunnel. I stopped weighing myself, but I gained a pants size while eating what I

wanted. I'm a little bummed about that. Initially I thought I'd go crazy for

sweets, but that craving passed after a couple of days of donuts, ice cream, and

Ghiradelli.

> >

> > Then I bought a big bag of those frozen fried chicken sandwiches; another

forbidden food. I ate them every morning for breakfast and occasionally for

lunch or dinner. After a couple of days I found I wasn't overeating, I would eat

until I was full then stop. I swung by KFC two days ago for dinner. I realized

that all I wanted was the chicken. Not the bread, the potatoes, or any of the

other stuff. So I ordered two pieces of chicken. Again I was full, but not

stuffed.

> >

> > As ridiculous as the chicken caper is, my Food Anthropologist figured out a

few things:

> >

> > 1. I didn't continue to overeat when presented with a forbidden food. I

finally convinced some unconscious part of me that I can have

> > it whenever I want. I don't need to eat 5-6 pieces at a time.

> >

> > 2. I eat a lot of low-nutrient foods because they are paired with the item

I'm craving. Sometimes I eat a whole sandwich when I'm really just craving some

chicken. This leads to overeating side dishes I wasn't interested in to begin

with.

> >

> > 3. I crave savory, salty protein pretty frequently, especially in the

morning. This is important because it's the opposite of how most American

breakfasts work. I don't want a smoothie or cereal, I want protein to start off

my day.

> >

> > 4. When I include protein in my breakfast I actually make it to lunch

without hitting up the vending machine. This is a Big Deal. It turns out all of

those diet breakfasts like the low-fat yogurt and fruit just weren't giving me

what I needed. Not to say that those are bad breakfasts; they work for plenty of

people. But, I eat less when I eat what I want. That was a big eye opener.

> >

> > 5. Now that I have this info, I can play around with it. I can tell the Food

Police to go away and eat fish or a handful of nuts for breakfast if I want to.

That's very liberating.

>

[Guest guest]

The IE way sure is a whole lot better than dieting, don't you think? :-) I sure do. Thanks for all your input. TaiTo: IntuitiveEating_Support Sent: Thursday, June 16, 2011 2:01 PMSubject: Re: Introduction

Hi Paige. I bought IE over a year ago and kept putting it off. A month ago I realized that this knee injury is going to take a while to heal and gaining a bunch of weight isn't going to help it. I kept trying to convince myself that a little exercise would do the trick, but the knee injury was preventing that. I considering dieting but just couldn't bring myself to do it again.

> >

> > Thanks for the kind words, Tai, and Abby. It's good to know I'm not alone.

> >

> > Abby, thanks for letting me know that there is a light at the end of the tunnel. I stopped weighing myself, but I gained a pants size while eating what I wanted. I'm a little bummed about that. Initially I thought I'd go crazy for sweets, but that craving passed after a couple of days of donuts, ice cream, and Ghiradelli.

> >

> > Then I bought a big bag of those frozen fried chicken sandwiches; another forbidden food. I ate them every morning for breakfast and occasionally for lunch or dinner. After a couple of days I found I wasn't overeating, I would eat until I was full then stop. I swung by KFC two days ago for dinner. I realized that all I wanted was the chicken. Not the bread, the potatoes, or any of the other stuff. So I ordered two pieces of chicken. Again I was full, but not stuffed.

> >

> > As ridiculous as the chicken caper is, my Food Anthropologist figured out a few things:

> >

> > 1. I didn't continue to overeat when presented with a forbidden food. I finally convinced some unconscious part of me that I can have

> > it whenever I want. I don't need to eat 5-6 pieces at a time.

> >

> > 2. I eat a lot of low-nutrient foods because they are paired with the item I'm craving. Sometimes I eat a whole sandwich when I'm really just craving some chicken. This leads to overeating side dishes I wasn't interested in to begin with.

> >

> > 3. I crave savory, salty protein pretty frequently, especially in the morning. This is important because it's the opposite of how most American breakfasts work. I don't want a smoothie or cereal, I want protein to start off my day.

> >

> > 4. When I include protein in my breakfast I actually make it to lunch without hitting up the vending machine. This is a Big Deal. It turns out all of those diet breakfasts like the low-fat yogurt and fruit just weren't giving me what I needed. Not to say that those are bad breakfasts; they work for plenty of people. But, I eat less when I eat what I want. That was a big eye opener.

> >

> > 5. Now that I have this info, I can play around with it. I can tell the Food Police to go away and eat fish or a handful of nuts for breakfast if I want to. That's very liberating.

>