Over the past month or so my eating has spiralled out of control. I believe I have put on a slight amount of weight although my husband still seems to think I am losing. I'm not sure how it all started but I have been pretty unwell lately and my youngest son has just started school. I know that I have been incredibly busy and I guess I must have turned to food as some type of stress relief.
But why it happened is not as important as how to get back on track. I happened to stumble on an article about David Hasslehoff and apparantly he said that 'part of recovery is relapse'. I sat and thought about that for a long time. I do have an addiction to food in a way, and part of my recovery will include relasping to old behaviours occasionally.
Years ago I bought a marriage help DVD. It was truly ingenious it was called 'Divorce Busters' or something like that. But the woman gave some really great advice. One piece of advice was that we shouldn't focus on how or why an argument started. You know how it goes, we try to find whos to blame, 'you did this, you did that which caused this' yada yada yada. She said that this was just pointless and only angered everyone more, we all know what we did that may have hurt the other person and we all know what they did that hurt us. Studies on animals show that when males fight over territory there are certain triggers which stop them from ultimately killing each other. These behavioural triggers end the fight. Humans behave in the same way, when we argue there are behavioural triggers which end the arguement. The most important thing when arguing with a loved one is not how it started but how to end it.
So we pay attention to how the arguments end. Then we consciously initiate the same behaviours when in an argument to end the argument earlier and earlier. Do you know where I'm going with this?
When I relaspe and start eating everything in sight ruining my plans for weight loss, there really is no point in trying to figure out how it happened, its more important to note the way I get back on track and losing weight once again. What motivated me in the first place? And how do I get back to that level of motivation?
Well I'm near enough back on track. I've had one brilliant day yesterday and I'm having an amazing day today. I've had a grapefruit and half a slice of bread today and its now twenty to 3. So how did I get back on track?
It was all to do with what I was thinking about at the time. The whole time I was relaspsing I was angry that I wasn't losing weight and I was angry that I wasn't already slim. Every slim person I saw I was like 'how do they look like that' and I was just really angry and it made me eat more. Yesterday my focus changed. I started thinking that by christmas I could look slim. I imagined myself slim in the future and imagined how great I felt and how other people treated me. I imagined people that I didn't like seeing me slim and how that would make them feel, that I wasn't fat any more and they couldn't belittle me.
It may not be reality but my imagination has linked me back with my goal. I really want to lose weight again. It is important that I record this and remember it, because the next time I steer off track I'll hopefully be able to read this and motivate myself once more.
I better say first of all that this is not my work. I found it here when searching for whether grapes raised metabolism. I thought it was so good that I have posted it here. I would like to read it every now and again to remind myself of those key foods.
Cayenne Pepper - Oxford Polytechnic Institute proved that cayenne pepper stimulates the metabolism approximately 20%. It not only stimulates the body's metabolic rate, but also cleans fat out of the arteries. Cayenne pepper also adds great zip to foods such as spaghetti sauce and soups.
Salsa - Salsa was proven at the Oxford Institute to stimulate the metabolism approximately 15 to 20%. It's also America's number 1 condiment now. You can throw it on anything from baked potatoes and scrambled eggs to beans and even veggies. It's going to help because it is a natural thermogenic food that increases your metabolism. Of course, the hotter the better, but only choose what best suits your taste buds.
Hot Peppers - Dr. Henry at Oxford University proved that hot peppers were very effective at stimulating the metabolism by adding just 3 grams of chili peppers to a meal consisting of 766 calories. The peppers led to what Dr. Henry calls "a diet-induced thermo effect". "It doesn't take much", he says, "but I caution that you must listen to your taste buds."
Chili Sauce / Mustard - British investigators added about 3/5 of a teaspoon of hot chili sauce or ordinary mustard to a meal, and the hot stuff caused average metabolism in 12 subjects to shoot up 25%! The subjects burned off an extra 45 calories in the next 3 hours. Mustard and hot sauces such as Tabasco, caused one person to burn off 76 calories!
Ice Water - High water intake reduces fat deposits and rids the body of toxins. Simply drinking eight 16 oz. glasses of water throughout the day, cooled to 40 Fahrenheit, will burn 200 calories; that's equivalent to running 3 miles! Ice water will burn more calories since your metabolism will increase to warm the water to body temperature. It is also very effective for reducing cravings. If you're not a water fan, we suggest you experiment with purified, spring or reverse osmosis water. If you're still not convinced, add a little juice for flavor. Don't drink Ice Water with meals as it dilutes digestive enzymes. A little warm water or herb tea is a good choice then.
Green Tea (Iced or Hot) - Studies have shown that green teas that contain both Cannatic Extract and Gymnemic Acid, reduce absorption of sugar into the blood, and lessen the craving for sweets. More importantly, green tea inhibits the action of amylase, a primary digestive enzyme of carbohydrates and therefore, moves food more quickly through the digestive system, raising the metabolism quicker, and burning more calories. Green tea is best consumed before a meal to aid digestion. Other advantages include links to cancer prevention and health benefits for people with diabetes.
Apple Cider Vinegar Drink - An excellent fat burner, apple cider vinegar assists in the reduction of excess weight. Make a potent cocktail consisting of: 1 % teaspoons of apple cider vinegar (unpasturized) in a glass of pure water. Take twice daily.Organic apple cider vinegar has the best flavor. Apple cider vinegar has received glowing reports from both Patricia Bragg MD, Ph.D. and C. Scott. If a person who is too stout takes 1 teaspoon in a glass of water first thing in the morning and then during one other meal, he/she observes that in 2 months his/her waistline has been reduced by 1 inch. In 4 months, 2 inches and so on. Inch loss is evident but it does not always reduce weight.
The cider vinegar treatment will allow surplus fat to gradually disappear, whether it is a double chin or love handles. It is best to drink for 2-3 weeks, then go off for a week, so your body does not become immune to it. Works great for plateaus! Do not use this drink if you have Candidias.
* Thermogenic Cocktail - According to a group of Oxford researchers, hot spices can boost your metabolism by an extra 25%! A thermogenic cocktail, for instance, cayenne pepper, will assist your body not only by burning off calories, but will also give you more energy. An excellent thermogenic cocktail is a glass of V-8 or tomato juice sprinkled with cayenne and tobassco. Stir with a celery stick. Now your body is going to be cremating calories.
Not all fat burning foods have to be hot, though. Vegetables (preferably raw) and most fruits also increase your metabolism. Okay, maybe you haven't been too keen on veggies in the past, but many of them are very tasty and some fruits are as sweet as candy. All vegetables are good, but the most effective for flushing out the system are the following:
Cabbage - Red or green cabbage should be shredded, raw or steamed. Start including cabbage in your diet as it is a longevity food. Studies in the United States, Greece and Japan have shown that people who eat a lot of cabbage are less likely to develop colon cancer, and also have a lower incidence of disease-related death. Try coleslaw instead of green salad with your next meal.
Celery - Celery takes more energy from the body to absorb and digest than the calories it provides. Celery has also long been used as a nerve tonic; it's a good, crunchy raw vegetable to chew on if you are stressed out. Celery will calm your nerves, help flush fat out of your system, and make you sleep better. Try eating celery with low-fat yogurt dip.
Brussel Sprouts - If you are a fan of these mini cabbages, you are in luck. Dr. Wattenburg's research concluded that brussel sprouts are an ultra-nutritious vegetable, extremely high in vitamin C and richer in protein than any other vegetable. Dr. Wattenburg recorded that healthy young people given a diet rich in brussel sprouts and cabbage improved the functioning of their metabolic systems.
Broccoli and Cauliflower - Both broccoli and cauliflower rank number 1 as America's favorite vegetable, according to a poll by the Epcot Center. Your bones will love them, as they are one of the few calcium-containing vegetables. A cup of broccoli provides over 150 mg of calcium. Broccoli and cauliflower are both great in stir-fries or casseroles.
Lemon or Vinegar - A small amount of vinegar or lemon juice (1 tablespoon), because of its acidity has a powerful slowing effect on stomach emptying, thereby slowing down the rate of starch digestion. Have a glass of water with lemon in the morning. It's a great way to keep your blood sugar balanced.
Vinaigrette Dressing - A vinaigrette dressing (1 tablespoon vinegar and 2 teaspoons of oil) with your salad can lower the blood sugar response to the whole meal by up to 30 percent. Best vinegars for this are red or white wine vinegars. For other delicious lowÂfat salad dressings, please refer to my 201 Fat Burning Recipe Book.
Apples - A low-glycemic, low-insulin food loaded with pectin, apples leave you feeling fuller, longer. According to Dr. James Anderson, apples prevent hunger pains by guarding against dangerous swings or drops in your blood sugar levels. An average-sized apple provides only 81 calories and lowers blood sugar and blood pressure. Because of their high fiber content, apples are also a heart-healthy food.
Grapefruit - Grapefruit is not a diet myth. It actually helps dissolve fat and high cholesterol, as proven at the University of Florida, by Dr. James Cerda. Grapefruits are loaded with over 15 grams of pectin, which helps curb your appetite by expanding in the body and making you feel fuller, longer. It is rich in natural galacturonic acid, which adds to the potential to fight fat and cholesterol. Try sprinkling cinnamon on your grapefruit to reduce the tart taste, or a little fructose if you have a sweet tooth. For a unique taste, sprinkle the grapefruit with cinnamon and broil for a few minutes; it makes a nice appetizer for a meal.
Berries - Berries are one of the best rate reduction foods. They have a natural fructose to satisfy your cravings for sweets, but enough fiber so you can absorb fewer calories than you eat. British researchers found that the high content of insoluble fiber, found in most berries and vegetables, reduces the absorption of calories from foods enough to promote weight loss, without hampering your nutrition. Berries are also an excellent source of potassium which is effective for your blood pressure control. Enjoy berries; they make a great dessert when topped with low-fat yogurt. In the summer, drink fresh berry juice with
a protein powder, for a light snack. .
Due to their high glycemic measure, fruits to consume only occasionally include:
Apricots - Raisins - Watermelon - Papaya - Bananas - Mango
In large quantities, these fruits drive your blood sugar to the sky, but they are fine to mix in with a salad or be eaten with other foods, to help neutralize the glycemic effect.
On the other hand, the following foods actually slow digestion and absorption for a more balanced blood sugar level. The fiber from these fruits also binds with some fat to prevent its absorption. High fiber foods are beneficial for speeding up bowel transit time and to taking some stress off the liver as less toxins form, allowing the body to metabolize more efficiently.
Apples - Berries - Cherries - Grapes - Grapefruit - Oranges - Peaches - Pears
Fatty Fish - Fighting fat with fat may sound paradoxical, but not all fats make people fat. Omega 3 fatty acids, found in salmon, mackerel, tuna and other fatty fish, can increase the metabolic rate, rid the body of excess fluids and increase energy levels. Dr. Joel Krener, University of Florida, discovered that daily supplements of EPA (found in health food stores) brought dramatic relief for inflammation and stiff joints from rheumatoid arthritis. Other essential fats for a healthy metabolism are Omega 6 fatty acids, especially Gamma Linolenic Acid (GLA). Good sources are evening primrose oil, borage seed oil and black current oil. If you are not a fish lover, fish oil capsules and flaxseed (either in seed form or as an oil) are great sources of Omega 3 essential fat. In fact, flaxseed may play a role in the prevention of heart disease and cancer. You can also use flaxseed oil as a salad dressing.
Soup - Forget the salad before a meal; have soup instead. A study by Dr. John Foreyt of Baylord College of Medicine, found that people who consumed a bowl of soup before lunch or dinner lost more weight than dieters who didn't. This is because soup fills you up better than salad, since salad generally consists of 75% water.
Oatmeal - Oats drive down cholesterol. 23 out of 25 studies prove that a large bowl of oatmeal did the job. Oatmeal is a great, long chain molecule food that expands in the body and makes you feel fuller, longer. Oatmeal also releases glucose into the blood stream, slowly but surely. Add buckwheat to your bowl and you'll get a double whammy.
Pumpernickel Bread - Studies at Michigan State University show that some breads reduce the appetite and others did just the opposite. The reason for these study results is that white and whole-wheat varieties are high on the glycemic index, and elevate the blood sugar greatly, which in turn stimulates fat production in storage.
Breads that are dense, high fiber breads, do just the opposite. Researchers found that subjects who ate dark, high fiber breads, compared to those who ate white bread, were less hungry on a daily basis and
- lost five pounds in just two months without doing anything else differently.
A key to choosing dark breads, such as pumpernickel, mixed grains and some whole-wheat's, is that the more chewing the bread requires, the more density and fiber it contains. If the bread melts in your mouth, it is a high glycemic food.
Emotional eating is just one of the worst habits you can ever have. Its so difficult not to eat when you feel a certain way.
I watched this today http://news.bbc.co.uk/player/nol/newsid_7220000/newsid_7229300/7229352.stm?bw=bb&mp=wm&news=1&bbcws=1
This disturbed me. Mainly because she said that being thin wasn't worth it and all the reasons she gave (even the bingo wings) are all the same reasons why being fat isn't worth it either.
Not having enough energy, health risks, saggy skin. All you can get from being fat. In fact the saggy skin was from her being fat, not being anorexic.
I'm not saying that anorexia is good. Its not good to starve yourself to near death. But she went through all of that and now she is a healthy weight. I doubt that she wishes she was fat again. Truthfully it was being obese that led her down the slippery slope.
I can greatly understand the want and need to be thin. I want that. I cannot deny it. But at the same time I cannot understand someone who doesn't want to eat ever again. Without food we die. We have to eat.
Honestly, I am worried or feeling 'guilty' that I am eating so little. I am NOT starving. I am not hungry for a great length of time and I don't restrict any food group. So why do I feel guilty. Why do I feel that it is dangerous not to eat, even when I'm not hungry? I'm healthy, I have loads of energy to be doing DIY - and I'm am sleeping well every night. So why do I feel bad?
Its true that other people don't like it when you lose weight. They start getting worried. Its classed as 'dangerous' to skip meals. Plus as a nation we are becoming more and more obese. Maybe this attitude of eating not because you're hungry but because its expected has something to do with it. I've realise with my past eating habits I would say at least 60% of my eating was non-hunger eating. And that is a LOT.
I'm glad I'm losing weight. I don't want to be scared off. Really guilt is the main issue with weight. I feel guilty being fat, I feel guilty losing weight and I'm pretty sure I'll feel guilty when I'm slim. So its pretty much apparent that I need to tackle the guilt issue. Woa, this blogs amazing. Its like having your own psychiatrist. Okay maybe thats going a little too far.... hahaha.
My Mother-in-law is here. She hasn't lost too much weight since the last time I saw her, and although I don't want her to be fat - obviously, I think its great she is losing weight. The reason why I'm happy she hasn't lost too much is because of selfish reasons really. I don't want to be 'the fat one' anymore. I don't want to be the last one to lose weight, the one thats always fat.
What really annoys me more than anything is my hubby went and told her I was on a diet! Before she said whether she noticed I had lost weight. He's really pissed me off. I didn't want anyone to know, because it makes me feel uncomfortable. I feel I have to eat more in front of people in case they start making comments like 'you;re not eating enough' blah de blah blah blah.
So I'm annoyed. I would rather my weight wasn't talked about. I want to tackle it on my own, without looks and comments etc. I don't want my weight loss to be out in the open. I liked it the way it was. Just me and my blog. and the occasional nice comment from the hubby.
I just don't want to TALK about it. I want it to be just me and my thoughts, however lame or silly or outrageous or sensible they might be.
I love my blog.
I don't want to hear 'oh I'm trying to lose weight too. But I'm doing it this way coz I think its better. Its so difficult. I want to eat. I'm hungry. I shouldn't have that. OH NO I ate too much' and all that other crappy annoying rubbish.
I like losing weight alone. Although I'm not completely alone. I have my blog and my readers.
I really hate that my secrets out.
Its 7 oclock and I have had all my meals today. I am really hungry. I'm pleased really, because I haven't been hungry for a while and my weight loss has slowed. I reakon this will definately speed things up a bit.
My husband has kept mentioning that I look slimmer, and hugging me which is kind of worrying. I don't mind that he likes me losing weight but too much excitement about it is going to upset me. Coz then I'll start thinking he didn't find me attractive before.
Hell, I'm talking like I've lost all the weight already. I'm still fat, but I'm getting there. I've lost that horrible hunchback look you get when you put on weight, its like you have a padding of fat at the neck and it looks like your hunched over all the time when you're not. Thankfully now when I stand up straight, I actually look straight. Which is really pleasing. I just wish my chest was smaller, its so unnattractive and cumbersome. The top of my thighs are thinner, but still touching. Although not as much is touching as before. I can't wait till there's a gap there. I've also got horrible folds of fat on my back. I can't wait to see the back (haha) of those. I really can't though, its been one of the main things which stops me from wearing the clothes I want. Yes I have a large chest, which can be helped by wearing a fitted bra (something I don't like doing) just for occasions when your going out. But fitted bras excentuate a fat back. Something I hate, and I usually wear something drab to hide it. It will be so nice to wear a tight fitting top and turn around and see no flab whatsoever. Maybe even some muscle and a bit of spine showing through. I would sooooo love that.
My mother, who is usually quiet cynical about weight loss, stated that my stomach looked flat. Which of course it isn't, but I'm glad she noticed that I'm losing. Because as you know, I have no other way of telling, other than by touch or by sight. So it is really helpful when people mention that you're slimmer.
I hope I can keep to this stricter plan for a while. All this DIY is so tiring. I literally stopped today and just zoned, I couldn't do any more even though I wanted to. But it must be helping to keep me fit. Which is great. If I could lose weight, I might be able to get my parents to listen to me about their eating habits. They are so in denial. They think they eat healthy but they don't. They are both very overweight. If I lose a significant amount of weight I know they will start asking me how I've done it. Then I can spill the beans and help them too. I want that more than anything.
Hmm, I found something very interesting today.
I was trying to find out where I got the 6oz from, I assumed I looked up the size of the stomach and came up with 6oz to lose weight.
I did another search today to see if I could find more evidence of this and I ended up on weight loss surgery sites. Apparently when they staple your stomach it can be as small as 2 ounces to begin with, then in stretches to up to 6 ounces. In a weight loss surgery guide it stated that after surgery you can eat no more than 3 meals a day of between 4 - 6 ounces.
Now without painful surgery, this is exactly what my plan does. However, I assume that after surgery, eating 4-6 ounces of food 3 times a day would help you lose weight to a certain extent. But I've never seen anyone extremely thin from this type of surgery. So I guess the weight loss must stop at generally the 'normal' weight range. What I am trying to say is that after weight loss, going to a 6oz portion size would surely help maintain weight!
So for me to eat 4oz per meal or even less is I think satisfactory for weight loss. I was unsure about going this low as I thought it may be unhealthybut this is the normal about for patients recovering from surgery AND the weight loss surgery guide has some good tips like making sure there is enough protein etc in the diet. Which is what I do. So I guess I wasn't far off after all.
Since my weight loss has slowed a little, I don't think there is any problem with me going a little bit lower. Perhaps to 3 oz. This is half of what I should be eating when maintaining my weight. So once I've lost the weight I can slowly increase to 6oz to maintain.
I'm excited now, I will hopefully drop the weight easily on 3oz. If weight loss surgery patients can do it, so can I.
My mother-in-law is coming to stay in a couple of weeks. I've known about this for a while and it was slight motivation to keep me going, since she is also losing weight. In fact she started losing weight AFTER me and has since overtaken me. I hope that she will notice that I have lost weight since the last time she saw me.
But to add to this, other family members are also coming to town in 2 weeks time. Ones that are skinny, stuck up and I haven't seen them in a while. It would be nice if I could lose just I little more before then. It is a LOT of motivation. I am pretty scared. I need to get the place decorated and tidy for one. PLUS I need to stick to the plan so I lose weight. Its a LOT of work to be done in 2 weeks. I hope I can do it. I really hope I can.
Another thing to add is that since the folks have been round I have purchased a new piano. They didnt even know I've played. They'll probably be shocked also to know that I am planning to do a degree in music (though I don't think I will tell them until after I have achieved that). So I expect performances maybe wanted. In which case, I'll need to practice too.
So much to do in 2 weeks, so little time. Hopefully I will be too busy to eat and the weight will fall off me.
Heres hoping!
Well I haven't been around for a pretty long time have I? What have you been up to, I hear you ask.
I've been struggling greatly. Every emotional problem I have had with food I have had to deal with, and I haven't always dealt with it properly. My father in law came to stay with us, and he doesn't eat anything I cook (typical) so for 3 days in a row we had take-out, yuk. I felt so bad. Things started to get worse as I began to feel more and more pissed off, I gradually ate more. Then my kids lost my glasses (my most expensive pair) and I exploded.
I threw everything we had into black bags and went absolutely mental. You probably wonder why, but with lack of food, mixed with over eating - a house that has been decorated but no where near finished mixed with looking after the kids and trying to study just drove me insane I think.
In any case, my husband understood. At least I think he did. He said I was mentally deranged, then he put a sweeping brush through the kitchen worktop. But after that he came round. YES, we have been decorating ever since like crazy! I decided I would put my study on hold for a bit, until the house is done. I have signed up for a degree so when that starts I won't want to be thinking about the house all the time.
Each night I have been physically exhausted from all the work I have been doing. PLUS I have been sticking to the plan. So I have overturned all that overeating I did. I am losing again. YAY! And my husband is really happy we finally got stuck into the DIY. There is still loads more to do, however, so that means more hard work and more weight loss! I didn't think I would be so happy about doing DIY.
Well the appetite supressant doesn't really work. Oh well - I think its mostly because I usually overeat due to emotion rather than hunger but if you want to try it, eat a handful of pinenuts next time your hungry. I bought some diet pills recently. Not chemical rubbish, but a natural food we can't really get in the uk. I am going to try it, and let you know if it works or not. Obviously I'm still staying on the plan, but I would like to see the weight drop a little faster. I just want to get past the fat stage and on to the slightly chubby stage, you know?
If I'm not around for a bit, don't worry, its just that I'm busy doing DIY. But I will keep you informed as much as I can. See you soon.
I haven't been in for a while have I? Sorry about that, I guess life gets in the way sometimes. Its been a month and 2 days since I started this weight loss plan. I have been struggling these past few days but I've recently got a natural little helper which you can buy from any shop. I'm going to test it out for a few days and let you know how I got on before I reveal what it is!
I have been struggling, but I haven't been cheating. I've been going up to my higher food intake occasionally when I'm really hungry but thats about it. I have had some real trouble with my scales of late, they are just not very accurate.
Instead of bought these diet scales:
Again from amazon, (because I am an amazon junkie). The scales are a lot more accurate, and nice and small. Although I would have liked to have bought a digital one, most of them have lithium batteries which I can't stand. I just can't find lithium batteries to replace them when they die. So I made do with a mechanical set. They are really small and pack away tidy, the scales fit inside the container so it fits in my draw nicely.
More importantly it goes up in quarter ounce increments, perfect for me because I can weight out to the ounce satisfactorially which is so important. When you lose faith in your scales you tend to lose faith in the plan.
The only downside to the scales is that they weigh small amounts, which means if you try and place a plate on top of it your going to have some trouble, the weight of the plate will probably bring it close to its maximum. This means you have to continually use and wash out the container, which doesn't bother me much. The great thing is you can surreptitiously take it out to resturants without anyone noticing too much. You can always say your diabetic if they do ask. But its a little dangerous since if you ever pass out you may wake up to find someone sticking a needle in you kindly injecting you with insulin. :-/
...or maybe that won't ever happen. But if it did, I would be like 'typical!'
About my secret helper, well it is an appetite surpressant. Just to make things a little easier from time to time. But its not a drug, you can buy them at any store. But I don't want to embarrass myself by telling you then finding out they don't work. So I'll give them a go for a little while just to see what happens. Wish me luck!
I was literally dreaming about food yesterday so I let myself have a controlled binge, I ate slightly more than my usual amount but thats all, nothing overboard. I might actually make it a regular thing, since it did neatly fall at the end of the month. After each month of hard work, I'll let myself have a 'controlled' binge.
I cannot ever binge really because I get heart palpatations, probably due to higher blood sugar, I am quite sensitive to that - so really it is a sensible precaution that when I start dreaming about food I let myself have something extra just to stop me from going out of control.
Today however, I ate too much again. Seems like sticking to the reduce amount is harder than I thought. I have to give it at least 10 days, so I can get used to it.
This means I have to skip dinner today just so I can stay on track. Its no biggie because I'm not hungry actually which is cool. I just keep eating grapes, they're so addictive, especially in this hot weather!
Bravenet Blog 
Blog Community
Get a Free Blog
Manage your Blog
bravenet.com