It has been helpful for me to separate "overeating" and eating something unhealthy from "bingeing." For me the goal of reminding myself of this is ultimately to see that I can on occasion overeat or eat something unhealthy and that that is really alright. It doesn't need to turn into a binge. Instead of getting upset with myself I try to sit with the anxiety and say to myself, "This means absolutely nothing bad, UNLESS I get frustrated and allow it to turn into a binge." I find it very hard to do, but it helps me to have awareness of this as a trigger for bingeing/ continuing to eat unhealthy or in large amounts for a prolonged period of time. I try and reframe eating one meal or one item out of my plan as a good thing, an opportunity to retrain my brain, to practice not operating in an "all or nothing" way of thinking. It also helps me to write it all down in my journal. I often find that what I thought of as a huge transgression was really not, and I can calm myself down and go back to eating healthy instead of feeling like a failure and bingeing out of hopelessness and a sense of not having control.

The other trigger for me is when I have been doing well with eating, and the scale doesn't show it. It's tough not to binge but to instead think realistically the same thought, that a few pounds up or down means absolutely nothing bad UNLESS I use it as an excuse to binge out of frustration. When I feel that frustration and urge to "jump ship" I sometimes write in my journal, "The only way out is through." To me this means that as long as I stick with my plan despite these hiccups, I WILL succeed. I can't do it by magic. I have to do it through overall steady commitment, even when I hit a bump on the road.

There are a few foods that I've successfully managed to cut out entirely, and I've found that helpful. I don't need to think, "Should I have this?" / "Should I not have this?" I am able to truly say to myself, "That food is not for you." Then my brain doesn't struggle back and forth over whether or not to indulge. With time and experience, my brain adjusts to ignoring what it's no longer used to accepting and over a few years, the cravings generally diminish. I had confidence that I could do this from knowing that I managed it as a teenager when I became (and still am) a vegetarian (no meat, chicken, or fish). I didn't do that for diet. I did it due to the ethics of factory farming, but it helped me in my eating because it showed me that it really is possible to adjust to abstinence from certain foods that don't feel like a positive part of my life.

When my mom had a heart attack with quadruple bypass surgery four years ago and I saw her attached to machines (She's healthy as ever now!), I was shocked into being able to follow through with a change that I've stuck to ever since then. I gave up all caffeine, including chocolate. I know that dark chocoate is healthy but I had a very hard time with just having limited quanitities of dark chocolate. I would find myself eating lots of candy and ice cream. After I gave up chocolate, while sweets have their allure, their really not as exciting without chocolate. Giving up the caffeine meant that I gave up Coke, which had been an addiction for a long time. Also, since I have a sensitivity to caffeine, I am able to sleep so much better and have less jitteriness and less anxiety.

About six months ago I also succesfully gave up "movie theater popcorn." Now I always bring my popcorn, like Jo discussed, and my drink. It also helps save a lot of money. I have tried giving up sugar but haven't nailed this one during the times I've tried, and the same goes for simple carbs (all the bad for me, tasty, white stuff). Since I can't seem to give them up at this point in time, I just try to do what I talked about in the first paragraph: Indulge now and then, and strive for it not to turn into a binge. It's an ongoing challenge!

I use Stevia! Also have a bag of Splenda that I am trying to use up.

Im not doing much baking lately and dont use sweetener in my tea or anything so the only time I really use it is for baking or very rarely, a smoothie. (learned my lesson with unsweetened pumpkin!)

Good Evening Everyone,

I normally don't add sugar to my coffee or tea. If I pick up my coffee at work, I try to find the sugar in the raw packets. I have found that the natural sugars, mess my stomach up.

Have a great night,

Zimmy

if I wasn't so mad at myself I would be laughing...

G had been here visiting for 5 days...we had a grand time and my eating was in control and fine...the plane leaves and, for the next 36 hours all I can do is eat..or think about eating...or take bites out of things and throw them away...it's food, food, food....

if I had ANY thoughts that food and feelings and stress and all that weren't connected for me, even I --Queen of Denial, can not miss it ...

and, the thing I really notice is how unsatisfied I feel...I'm not full, since truth told I am not eating as much as I think I am...and I am not numb, which is probably my goal...

I guess, as I think about it, I find that my disconnect button is not working so well...and thank goodness for that...I want to eat and I have been eating worse, but it doesn't work as well as it once did...and I am not willing to give up on my desire to be smaller...and my yearning for lots of new cute dresses...and to win the Bet...

mostly I don't want to slip...I am okay with a stumble but there really is little to no point to Fall...typing this out has really helped me process...and, I thank you for that...

I no longer have to eat my feelings...and that feels pretty fucking good!

Guilty
 

Hello, my name is jelli and I am an emotional eater.

I am currently starting this book:

http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1309202095l/39169.jpg

Hope everyone has a well balanced weekend!
 

I'm glad Juney isn't in this thread because she'd probably shriek at the fact that I'm about to sing the praises of Sam's Club.

Went this morning after the Farmer's Market because I didn't find any greens there and also needed to stock up on some fruit.

I picked up a HUGE bag of Fuji apples at Sam's for around $4, 3 pounds of bananas for $1.50, pineapples for $2 each, some of that wonderful Laughing Cow cheese (the wheels that are garlic and herb flavor!) for $7.98 for 3 wheels.
Also picked up a 2lb bag of frozen mixed berries for making smoothies - $7

The thing I am most excited about is the 4-pack of EGG BEATERS! ($4.98)

I've been reading up on them and supposedly they taste just like regular eggs but without all of the cholesterol. I'm kinda stoked about trying them and am looking forward to some omelets loaded with onion and bell pepper and fat free cheese!

Anyone have any experience with Egg Beaters? Good recipes or tips?

Anyone have any experience with Egg Beaters? Good recipes or tips?[/QUOTE]

Freezer friendly!

The egg (in the past) has gotten a really bad rap. They have revisited

just how good an egg is for you. I know for one, it's good for your brain.

I think frying it in butter or bacon grease is what made the egg bad (cast iron skillet days)

I try to use real eggs when I need to use eggs.....as I want the egg shells for my worms, but I don't use the yolk. I do keep egg beaters in the freezer, for those times I need eggs, and don't have any.

excuse the two minute derail. I can never pass up an opportunity to save the earth. Egg shells that have not been boiled, are a constant source of nitrogen for the soil. And doing just as Sassy said, crushing the shells into the soil (any soil) will be a constant source of nitrogen.

Thank you!

I purchased two quarts of egg beaters with peppers one day. I will say they are good and they are able to be frozen. Later they can be thawed and used as if it was just bought. :-)

Stress and stress somemore.
 

Yesterday I was on a hight about my new job,then I found out they had someone from another of the casinos pproperties come fill the job,so now I dont have the job I thought I had.Now that was bad enough but betweem the time I was told I had the job and then didnt was about four hours...I had already called the place I was working and already told them I had a new job.Where I was working is a place that gets ppl jobs working for non profits at minimum wage,at first we were working 20 houre a week,then cut the hours to 17 then recently to 12 hours a week...after taxes that aint squat.But I was hanging in with it till something cam in...it did then it didnt so now I had told the place I was working I had the other jiob,so now I have nother cause of the hireing freeze that came with the cut in hours.Its enough to stress out anyone.Im not worrying about paying my bills cause I have some income to cover them and then some.plus I saved most of what I made while working for the non profit.Needless to say I was very stressed out last night,had one of thise stress attacks I havent had in a very long time and nearly went to the hospital.I did eat more than I should but a bite hear and there then pitched it in the trash.Today im better but still feel like ive been sucker punched.the place said they will hire me back when the hireing freeze is over..till then I can pick up a fue bucks hear and there doing some catering and there are a fue places I want to check out.Im gonna make it but feel like I could puke again..

Nothing is more healthy then a fresh egg. I'm talking right from the coop and has not been refrigerated yet. It is packed with aminos and vitamins. The best is raw but if you can't do raw soft cooked.

Is it realistic to have your own hens? If you can then you should because the health benefits of farm fresh just laid eggs are amazing and really yummy.

That's our goal is to have at least 2-3 hens! We have been talking about it for over a year now and being super envious of friends who have coops.

We have the land to do it (almost 3 acres) but will need to build a super-secure coop because our land is COVERED in raccoons, opossum, squirrel, deer, and the neighbors beagles are known chicken-killers and have a bad habit of busting out of their pen. We caught one on our back deck last year with someone's dead hen. :(

I'd love to have fresh eggs! The omelets I would make!

I just (within the last month) found out that the city of Pittsburgh allows you to have three hens per every 2000
sq feet of property you own. So I have been researching
everything hens. (the chicken manure is super excellent for soil). No roosters allowed in the city, I can understand that.

I'm sure you've seen my postings all over the place, that I don't like meat and my father did a very good job of teaching me ways to get protein into my diet. He used to
put very cold orange juice into the blender and a raw (but fresh) egg and blend them. You can not taste anything but the cold juice. We didn't have chickens on our farm, he grew grain (mostly). We did the barter thing.

Eggs that go to the store go through a series of washings, and each *wash* if you will, washes away vital nurishment and vitamins. Fresh is best.

They actually sell some nice hen *huts* on the internet (of course) I've borrowed several ideas that I intend to incorporate into my hen house.
Mine also has to be super secure. Not so much from other animals, although thats always a concern, but from ASS HOLES. Living in the city
come with it's share of issues. I had a hell of a time keeping the passerby drunks from raiding my garden, imagine what they'll do to my chickens. I installed motion detector flood lights and bought three imitation security camera's one moves constantly, one is in a dome and has a red light that is always on and one is a boxed camera mounted to the side of my house,,,,, as if I have some kind of compound here (its a 6 x 12 sq ft garden sheeze):fastdraq:

And its a proven fact that fresh eggs are healthy. I am imagining those omlets!

I have raised hens for over 10 years. I'm happy to help. You don't need a fancy pen but if you have predators you need to protect them. Obviously the best and most healthy will be a chicken tractor. This is a pen that can move across your land/yard providing fertilizer for your lawn and fresh bugs, grass and grit for your hens.

Recently I saw where someone modified a 4 foot chainlink dog kennel, putting a top on, a set of wheels on one end, a few nesting boxes. It was very simple and they put a top on it for weather and shade. The nesting boxes we're hanging on each side by the gate. The water supply was a hanging bucket with open top they could fill. When moving they just lifted the non-wheeled end and pulled it.

This would work just fine for maybe 4 hens. In the winter cover 3 sides and add a heat lamp.

get 4 hens for two people. Some days they lay a little, some none at all, some a lot. I eat eggs sometimes everyday. They are a complete food source and I make omelets for dinner all the time, especially when I'm growing fresh tomatoes and veggies.

Raccoons can grab a hen through the fence and will work hard at trying to do this. There is an expensive fencing system that is easy to put up, some poles and a netting that is electrified by a plug in or solar panel. Its great for keeping coons, dogs, etc out of your yard. If you start gardening you probably want this. Or motion activated sprinklers. Coons and beagles hate water,

WOOT!

I love pesto and have been kinda sad about not having any lately. Most of the pestos I have seen in the store are BAAADDDDD calorie-wise so I found this one on the WW site:

Artichoke pesto!

1 1/4 cup(s) canned artichoke hearts, without oil, drained and rinsed (about 5)
1 clove(s) (medium) garlic clove(s), quartered
1 1/4 cup(s) basil, packed
1/4 cup(s) pine nuts, toasted*
3 Tbsp grated Parmesan cheese, fresh, such as Parmigiano-Reggiano
3 Tbsp water
1/2 tsp table salt
Instructions
Place all ingredients in a food processor fitted with the chopping blade; pulse a few times, then process until well-chopped but coarsely-grained. To refrigerate up to 2 days, spoon into a small bowl and press plastic wrap right against the dip's surface to minimize the dip turning brown. Yields about 2 tablespoons per serving.
Notes
*Toast the pine nuts in a dry skillet over medium-low heat until lightly browned, stirring occasionally, to release their aromatic oils.

Just got off the treadmill.

I walked a MILE without stopping! Made my goal!

My brother is awesome! He brought over this super high-tech treadmill for me to use cause his wife is not using it! I am super excited! Gonna take some Ibuprofen for my knee and get on the sucker and walk for a mile and half, and try to run the last half mile.

I don't recall if we can post links to websites here!

I joined a place, my fitness pal, on April 11th and lost 24 pounds so far :)
It's a website to track calories and exercise. I downloaded the APP on my phone because I am barely ever on my laptop anymore.

It's free and SO simple and fun! (big community)
basically, it gives you calories to keep at to lose/maintain or gain
and you track exercise and such :)

I also go to the gym 3-4x a week, sometimes more.

Going to JAMAICA in August and I wanted to have a bit more confidence walking about half naked.

I do feel totally sexy-feeling right now at the weight I am at, but I do feel mentally and physically better since I started eating better and going to the gym. So! I am going to keep it up.

I have been watching everything that I have been eating. While moving and the following week afterwards, I was eating stuff that wasn't good for me and I gained a few pounds. On Friday, I went grocery shopping and picked up several things. I eat like a bird and I love to space breakfast out. I usually start with a cup of Chocolate SoyMilk, Greek Yogurt and coffee with just a tablespoon of French Vanilla creamer. Since I have been working the 6am shift, I usually eat breakfast around 5am. Around 8am, I am hungry again, so I bought a package of Everything Bagel Thins with whipped cream cheese and that is what I have. I drink a ton of water during the day and then with dinner, I have a 12oz glass of orange juice.

It feels like I have lost a few pounds, but I am not sure since I don't like to step on a scale.

Zimmy

Last night, instead of munching on chips or ice cream or other such things during TV watching, Scoote and I had fresh strawberries.....and then, when that wasn't enough :) ....I made us a big salad with 2 kinds of lettuce, tomatoes, and cucumber (hers got the tiniest sprinkle of cheese)...and, yes, I made some homemade croutons just because...and went easy on the ranch dressing.

I love that quote Ms, I think I will write that somewhere and tack it up on the wall so that I can look at it when I get frustrated and need a boost :-)

Good Morning Tonya,

Thank you and I will look for these ice cream treats when I go grocery shopping. I have also found that Publix grocery store makes a delicious frozen yogurt that I truly enjoy...

Have a great day,

Zimmy

Like you Pinkie, I love ice cream. These are very good too. I don't know how they stack up on WW points, but just 130 calories, so probably not too badly - and they are very rich and creamy and decadent tasting. :)

http://www.musesofmegret.com/reviews...2.24.02-PM.png

Great stuff! Just remember that artificial sugars and stuff have a reverse affect on weight loss.

Clipped :

Diet Soda Drinkers Gain Weight
By Lloyd de Vries

S
(WebMD) People who drink diet soft drinks don't lose weight. In fact, they gain weight, a new study shows.

The findings come from eight years of data collected by Sharon P. Fowler, MPH, and colleagues at the University of Texas Health Science Center, San Antonio. Fowler reported the data at this week's annual meeting of the American Diabetes Association in San Diego.

"What didn't surprise us was that total soft drink use was linked to overweight and obesity," Fowler tells WebMD. "What was surprising was when we looked at people only drinking diet soft drinks, their risk of obesity was even higher."

In fact, when the researchers took a closer look at their data, they found that nearly all the obesity risk from soft drinks came from diet sodas.

"There was a 41 percent increase in risk of being overweight for every can or bottle of diet soft drink a person consumes each day," Fowler says.

More Diet Drinks, More Weight Gain

Fowler's team looked at seven to eight years of data on 1,550 Mexican-American and non-Hispanic white Americans aged 25 to 64. Of the 622 study participants who were of normal weight at the beginning of the study, about a third became overweight or obese.


Your body knows what to do with sugar, it is confused by fake sugar......the pancreas is tricked when artificial sugars are introduced, resulting in an opposite affect.

Just a tidbit for anyone who is interested.