I re-read Jill's thread and what I saw over a very long time was the simple fact that she didn't stay on the diet. She kept slipping stuff back in, despite it working beautifully when she ate clean. She couldn't seem to stay consistent with clean eating, not even to GET to goal, which is a time of higher motivation and bigger rewards for "good behavior."
(Sadly, Sally's journey serves as a cautionary tale for MUCH later in the process.)
It is my opinion, based on my experience, that we have to come to terms with staying on the clean diet. If you can't do that, you can't expect long-term results. It's not easy to come to terms with, and it takes years, not weeks. Over time, a clean diet will bring you to your knees in all sorts of ways. Jill stayed off her knees--usually with cream cheese. Did you see that?
You are totally right in your words right now: One thing I've learned from reading the journals, and from personal experience, is to not allow anything to rule my eating plan--not emotional turmoil, not physical tiredness, nothing. Plan the food ahead of time, stick to the plan no matter what, and then I'll be able to ride out whatever happens. I said that was one thing I've learned, but maybe that's the most important thing.
Hold the diet clean and steady, always be prepared, just stay 1-2 steps ahead, and then let life happen. That's what leading with the diet is. It will be awkward and personally infuriating at times. You will probably find that you "needed" food for things other than hunger. Then you get the opportunity to figure out what else you can do besides eat (creamy, dreamy swoon foods) when you are feeling ANYTHING.
Assuming you stay the course, your weight WILL normalize, and you will come out on the other side able to handle everything in your life, including your emotions, in different ways.
Stay in touch!
Adele
139 this morning
April 28, 2016
189 this morning
The weather here is gorgeous right now; spring has sprung! And so when I can (when work allows), I have been taking two 15-minute walks a day. To get outside and breathe in some fresh air, listen to the bird song, and see everything engulfed in greenery is a simple way to refresh my soul (and get a little exercise).
A friend and former co-worker dropped off a homemade strawberry pie yesterday afternoon at the office for everyone to enjoy. Aesthetically, it was pretty-looking, and yet I wasn't the least bit tempted to indulge. This is the honeymoon period of low carbing for me, the first 2-3 weeks when I'm the strongest. Staying strong in the long run is what I will be working on in the coming weeks.
Cooked up a whole tray of boneless, skinless chicken thighs last night. Have lettuce already chopped, have frozen veggies ready to go. Practicing the 4Ps.
Adele's Response:
Staying strong in the long run is what I will be working on in the coming weeks.
Yes. And remember, you don't have to FEEL strong in order to BEHAVE strong. It could be one of the first times you (generic you) separate the two. In a nutshell this is about divorcing our actions from whatever we happen to be feeling in any particular moment.
I've been told many a time: "I could never be as strong as you" when sugary treat-foods are offered and someone notices that I decline. If I reply (which I rarely do because talking about this with others is almost never helpful or productive to either of us--even here, lol) I will say "oh no--I am not strong, I am weak! And once I start eating things like that, I am even weaker. That's why I don't start."
By then, they're usually too busy chowing down on the confection to come up with much of a response.
Keep going, Trisha.
Adele
(138 this morning)
April 29, 2019
189 this morning
I believe I've finally made peace with the bathroom scale.
I have been weighing every morning, and have gotten to a place of...what's the word...neutrality? No, objectiveness, that's it.
"Objective, adjective, 5. not influenced by personal feelings, interpretations, or prejudice; based on facts; unbiased:an objective opinion." from www.dictionary.com
Adele, you and your friend (Patricia) are right; the bathroom scale is simply a tool, no more, no less.
It does not sit in judgement of us, nor does it hand out rewards. It just exists.
--Did the number on the scale go up?
Then I need to review all of the food I've ingested over the last couple of days.
Did the number on the scale go down or stay the same?
Then I'm doing it right.
Feeling quite zen at the moment.
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