Discussion Five: Key Four: Mastery Over Food and Impulse Eating

[Angel26519]

Hi Guys!

Sorry so late in starting this new discussion.... this week has been crazy.... school is getting harder - still loving it- just more challenging and then I had this major meeting yesterday with my bosses that lasted 7 1/2 hours..... talk about stress!!!!

I did pretty good though yesterday with everything.... didnt binge eat which in the past I would have.... and drank about 14 glasses of water during the meeting....

Anyway, this weeks discussion is on Impulse Eating and Mastery Over Food.... pretty appropiate.

All about habits! Changing one for a new one....

This is one that I am working on.... I know that in the past I would have binged the night before the meeting because of the stress, on the way to the meeting I would have been eating and having a coke and during the meeting I would have had several cokes, ate the danishes that they had there, ate alot of junk while there and then left and immediately gone to a fast food resturant.... all about the STRESS eating.... yesterday I was aware of all of this and while there was a few times that I wanted to do this I was able to see what I was doing and stop myself.... then I would drink a glass of water....

The whole eating in other places other than the table is a biggy for me.... my family always eats somewhere else. We are working towards the having planned family meals at the table.... sometimes it is hard when you have teenagers going in all directions but what I have started doing is I will eat at a certain time (which is now being challenged with school!) and if you want to eat it will be there. If not find your own!

Eating Fast! Oh boy do I! It started in high school where I had a 30 minute lunch period and stood in line for 20 minutes to get my meal and had 10 minutes to eat, take my plate back and get back to class.... so basically ate my meal in 5 minutes.... I am learning to slow down now... trying to put the fork down between bites and to take deep breaths during each bite.

I have a bad habit of drinking alot of empty calories mindlessly.... cokes, sweet teas, etc. I am trying to get all of these out of my house. and this does help. But I know in the past it wouldnt be hard for me drink at least 1000 calories a day. Now if I am really craving a soda I make myself drink a bottle of water first. Then if I still want it I will make myself a glass crammed filled with ice of the coke. Most of the time I end up not even drinking all of it.

Trying to find Incompatible Actions have been alittle challenging for me but am working on it. I think once school is done in December it will be easier for me to focus on all of this and I will probably reread this book then so that i can focus even more on it.

Overcoming my impulses and urges is where I have really been trying to focus on. Knowing when my trigger points are and when it is most likely to happen has made me stop and think about it before i do it and usually I end up not grabbing that Milky Way.

Anyway, How is everyone doing? Are you feeling like you are getting what you need out of this book? Have you hit stumbling blocks? I know there have been some that are hard for me. Some that I know that i need to come back to and really spend more time on them.

[Mima]

Eating fast!!That's me. I impusively ate a doughnut yesterday but that's unusual for me. Try Waist watcher's soda-no cals and Splenda for sweetness. My husband and I love it. Better than diet coke. Aspertame does something to my stomache. I had a Dr. Phil's bar for lunch yesterday-it was good and satisfying. He's going to be making the big bucks now that he has products. Bye for now, Mima

[Angel26519]

Hi Mima,

All proceeds from the Dr Phil products goes to fight childhood obesity.... I will look for that soda... I have been recently drinking Diet Rite - also made with Splenda... It is pretty good also!

[Summerlover]

You ladies are so lucky you can use splenda. There is all sorts of sugar free candy and other products made with it. Unfortunately, it gives me diarrhea...just like the WOW potato chips do. I have a very sensitive stomach.

On Sunday, I cleared the dining room table of clutter. Now we eat our meals at the dining room table. It has been a mostly positive experience. I'm using the opportunity for more family conversation and teaching manners to my kindergartner. The hard part is keeping my husband at the table until everyone is done eating. My daughter is a very slow eater, and if she has a story to tell, it takes her even longer to finish. Even though I requested that we all try to remain at the table and just relax, my DH ends up sneaking away to read the paper or watch the news. I read the paper every day, but it isn't an obsession to me. Sometimes I just want to grab it out of his hands and toss it. I would rather talk. Oh well, I guess I should have married a woman! :blah:

Anyway, I've tried to change a variety of bad habits, and without following any kind of diet, I've lost 3 pounds! So, yes, this book works. It is worth the work, the concentration, whatever it takes to absorb all of the information in this book and apply it to daily life. It is tough emotionally, but so far, the eating part has been easy. I realize now that my lifestyle was setting me up for failure, and now matter what diet I would be on, I would remain fat. Dr. Phil's book is a miracle for me.

[LuckyLadyBug]

I have gotten so far behind. Fall is so busy for me because I have to winterize everything and as with everyone else have limited time to do it in. I also have this “urge” to clean closets and shelves so I do that between 7 & 9 PM at night. I haven’t had much time to read BUT my plan is to be all caught up reading and posting by next Wednesday.

I do have to report that even if I am behind in my reading and posting these things are helping me by keeping my “attention” on my emotions as it pertains to eating.

Today I had this overwhelming desire for chocolate. Lucky for me the company I work for keeps chocolate on hand for their employees and customers!!! :lol: I went and got three Hershey Milk Chocolate Nuggets and went to my office. I was eating the second one when this voice in my head said, WHY????. Then my eyes fell on this file on my desk. I have been working on this awful file for the CEO of our company and it has been stressful. I didn’t even realize how stressed I was about it until I found myself with the Hershey Milk Chocolate Nugget in my mouth. I was happy to put this all together quickly before I had bought MORE chocolate and ate that too.

[Angel26519]

Summer- I have 2 teenagers that when I do get them to the table if I dont put velcro to their butts and attach them to the chairs they are gone as soon as they inhale their food.... so enjoy your time with your daughter..... they grow up so fast!

Way to go on your weight loss! Just keep on going!

Lucky- It is really great that you are able to start paying attention to the mindless eating.... that really is one of the first steps!

[Rowan Bailey]

Hey Angel,
Thanks for continuing to manage the book blub threads for Dr. Phil. I have been incredibly busy myself and am going to spend the weekend getting caught up for the discusison.

From what I have read, I am probably guilty of this kind of eating, a big part of it is that I get so busy (I work at home and you would think it would be great) but I wait until the last minute to eat, and then I eat fast and overeat because I am so hungry!!

I am looking forward to reading this chapter, thanks again!!

rb

[diphthong]

I think the one of the hardest new habits I had achieving was eating 5-6 times per day. My old bad habits were eating when too hungry, eating when I was too tired, convenience eating (like grabbing that MilkyWay or Snickers to hold me over) and eating while reading the newspaper. Now my body knows when it's time for meals #2, 3, and 4, and expects it. But I still slip up when I'm away from home. Even if I pack my food with me, I'll get too busy or engaged, I don't stop to eat. (Happened again just this week, but I held out til I got home talking to myself all the way. Then I ate my lunch.) Every situation is a new learning experience, that's for sure.

dip

[LuckyLadyBug]

Even if I pack my food with me, I'll get too busy or engaged, I don't stop to eat.

Dip: This is my issue too. I allow any little thing that changes my eating plan to throw it all out the window and then reward myself with "bad choice" foods.

Because of course I need a treat for missing the last meal/snack, right! :?:

[Mima]

I am so glad you told me about Dr. Phil's charity-Not doing well with food plan -back to WW points. I am almost at TOPS goal. I do maintain on the plan though. Mima

[diphthong]

Ladybug, the only "treats" I have available are Sugar-Free Fudgsicles (don't be duped by the Fat Free Fudgesicles), Sugar Free Hot Chocoloate, and Sugar Free Jello. Fresh berries or yogurt in the jello are a yummy combo. Few and far between, if I do have a Snickers, it doesn't taste as good as I expect. It's all a matter of giving yourself time (patience) and getting used to new tastes/immediate gratification, if needed.

dip

[Summerlover]

I have some really amazing news! I lost another 2 pounds. I have now lost 5 pounds total since I started reading the book. I have not been dieting at all. That is the miraculous part. I have already read the next chapter, but I will wait for Angel to start the next discussion before I post.

Summer

[diphthong]

Summer, you are obviously doing something different than you were previously, other than "dieting" (ouch, a word no longer in my vocab). To what changes do you contribute the 5# loss, which BTW, is SUPER. I think it would help others to see it can be done, so if you could be specific? Thanks!

dip

[mauvaisroux]

Summer, have you tried a product called Stevia? It can usually be found in health food stores- it is a sugar substitute but all natural - no chemicals. It is made from the dried stalk of a plant (can't remember which one at the moment ). It comes in liquid, powder and packet form, a bit pricey but worth it if you want a sugar substitute but don't want the chemicals. I use it in my tea.

BTW congrats on the 5lb loss! :cp:

[gonzostar]

i learned a lot with this key. i now make david (the boyfriend) put away all the leftovers. we've stopped eating in front of the TV. always at the table. and i try to eat slowly. those were the big things i took out of this chapter.

[Angel26519]

Summer-

Way to Go on the weight loss! Keep it up!

[soiley]

Just about every bad eating habit listed in the book, I do. :lol:

I've been eating only at the dining room table, with no tv, even when eating by myself. I found a mindfulness eating meditation in a book that I try to use to slow myself down (it's called "taking a single bite") and it seems to be working for me. It's basically taking one bite, putting the fork down and really tasting and enjoying that one bite, before you shove another one in.

I made myself a list of thing to do instead when I want to eat at night. I bought myself a ukulele and am teaching myself to play it. I'm really having fun with it, and don't think about eating at all once I pick it up. I also have a bunch of other stuff written down. I like the suggestion in the book about singing out loud to your favorite music. I do that one a lot too.

I took one great big GIANT step yesterday - I made arrangements to work with a personal trainer for a few weeks to get me off my butt and moving. Exercise is so hard for me to get started with. I start today, and she's going to get a routine for me to work in the pool until I feel strong and steady enough to work on land.

I keep having to go back to work on "healing feelings", but for the first time since I started, I feel like I'm making some progress. For the first time, I feel like this is going to work.

[FrouFrou]

Hi Ladies,

Summer WTG on your loss! :bravo:

Soiley, a ukulele?! That is so cool!

I do most of these habits listed. UGH! I don't eat at the table but I am working on it. I made a chart to mark off the days that I did eat at the table which was only twice this week, but it's a start. I did eat oversize portions but not now. I started using a salad plate for dinner, which of course holds less. And when I think I might get too big of a portion, I will turn to measuring my food (such as rice), also I am cooking less. Eating on the move or standing was a problem a while back but that one I have almost conquered. I say almost because it is hard not eating when you are out and about, but I do park the car instead of eating while I drive. That's a start right? I was also terrible about sampling food while I was preparing it. Now I make sure I have a bottle of water while I am cooking and drink that instead of reaching for food. It also helps me to not eat much because I get full from the water. I have quit eating in the evening, after dinner. I also used to be bad about snacking while watching tv. It's like going to the show where you feel you have to have popcorn to watch the movie, even though I know you don't. This all has been recent, changing my behavior because before I was awful. What I have done is I posted a list of my goals on a kitchen cabinet and on my bathroom door with a horrible picture of me to remind me of why I am doing this, and so the whole family can see, and believe it or not they are helping me stay inline. Apparently it is working because I lost 2.5 pounds this week!

[mauvaisroux]

I have to admit that I have a lot of those bad habits listed.

DH and I tend to eat and watch t.v. but I am making an effort to sit at the dining room table these days :)

I also end up eating at my desk a lot at work and working at the same time so I don't even notice that 3/4 of my sandwich is gone :lol: I've got to stop that for sure !

[Mima]

Isn't it amazing how simple this is and how we have aquired these bad habits over the course of our lives. And how much we eat-I get full so easily now and the dog loves it. I can't even eat all my chicken sometimes. It's really simple to do all these things. But old habits are hard to break-Phil say you have to replace them with new ones. Mima

[diphthong]

The entire title is -

KEY Four - Mastery Over Food and Impulse Eating

Unlock the Door to Habit Control

Link to previous discussion of Chapter 6 and Key 3:

http://www.3fatchicks.com/forum/showthread.php?t=37306&page=1&pp=15


This key (4) is another BIGGIE. The first thing I highlighted was one of Dr. Phil's sayings you hear often if you watch his show -

"When you choose the behavior, you choose the consequences."

We all have a God-given free will to make choices. In every aspect of our lives, we make choices and have to take responsibility for those choices. I can sit here and think of a miriad of bad choices, non-food related, that I have made in my life that had negative consequences. But because I was/am a compulsive eater, and it was very natural to me, I had to learn how to just say no to food. Because compulsive, unstructured eating is something I struggle with because I've done it for so many years (habit), I am going to take the time to reread this chapter, and retake the personal behavior audit as it applies *now* in comparison to the first time I took it, about 6 months ago.

Check back later.

dip

[Libra925]

"When you choose the behavior, you choose the consequences."

Dip, I hightlighted this statement, too. I just started reading the chapter last night and haven't finished it yet. Looks like a good one.

Marilyn

[Summerlover]

Well, it looks like I will be rereading this chapter as well. I am about done, but I feel like I could absorb more from it another time around. I'll be back. Summer

[DeenieD]

I just read this chapter for the first time today. I am a short term gratification person. Dr Phil says " The short term gratification you get todya out leverages the long term costs of your self destructive behavior. If this is your approach it is what I callt he Scarlett OHara school of self management - I will think about that tomorrow. "

How true - I often want short term gratification and thinking of a whole year before I might reach my weight goal (or more) and no one even noticing until I have lost 20 pounds, I have often given up fast.

Here is to a new way of thinking. I need to post this on my fridge
"When you choose the behavior, you choose the consequences."

[Jo_Pointer]

Well, it should come as no surprise that I have terrible behavioral habits when it comes to eating, but I was surprised by how many! I scored a -13 on the behavioral audit! I'm not a sneaker or a binger, but I do eat too much, too fast, often have seconds when I'm not hungry, eat dessert regularly, almost always clean my plate, center MANY activities around food, and eat in the middle of the night! Sheesh! :o

Probing my "payoffs" was also enlightening! Almost none of my payoffs were about the food itself! Most of my payoffs were for emotional and psychological reasons. :stars: AWARENESS...you can't change what you don't acknowledge!

I can see why I'm overweight. I have no reason to expect my weight to be anything other than what it is. I can see why I've gone up and down in weight so many times. I did not know why I could never lose weight before, but now I do. I've been programming myself for weight gain, not for weight loss. But no more. (page 139)

I really liked how he said that we don't have to "be strong twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week," but rather focus on our 2-3 minute long "impulse moments." By becoming aware of when those times are for me, I can better prepare myself and have an advance plan of incompatible behaviors at the ready. His list of incompatible behaviors was really helpful to me! I am going to do as he suggests on page 145 and put my list of incompatible behaviors in my "vulnerable" locations to help me stay aware and in control.

I found this to be a very helpful chapter!

CREATE WHAT YOU WANT BY DOING WHAT YOU CAN!

Jo :wave:
------
205.2/190.8/135

Beyond a wholesome discipline, be gentle with yourself. You are a child of the universe, no less than the trees and the stars; you have a right to be here. -Desiderata

[diphthong]

Hi Everyone!

Sorry for being such a slacker this week, but things are hoppin' on this side of the montitor. I will make a concerted effort to finish this chapter today and post.

dip

[diphthong]

OKAY! Upon rereading this chapter, I've discovered a few things about myself and impulse eating. I have been concentrating so hard on the emotional cues, that I've neglected to deal with some of the other cues. Also, I have limited my substitute behaviors to just a few. Well, starting today things are going to change, again.

I am going to write down what Dr. Phil says to write down and keep it in an obvious place, and use some new substitute behaviors. My favorites have been hitting the treadmill, taking a shower or napping. The napping needs to go because I find I'm not getting done what I need to get done during the day, AND I end up staying up later at night which leads to night-time cravings. I've also scheduled myself to quit smoking the end of this month, so this is an ideal time to initiate some new substitutes and get them into the habit arena.

On retaking the Behavorial Audit, I went from a -12, 5 months ago to a +3 now. That's an improvement for sure, but rereading those statements made me once again realize that's 15 ways NOT to eat. I went to the trouble of redecorating our diningroom from an office back into a real diningroom, and it is lovely. DH and I have had one meal in it. Currently I have all my books and study materials sprawled on the table because it's the only place I have to keep it handy since I have to study daily. We still eat in the dinette next to the family room where the TV is on 99% of the time. However, because all of my portions are weighed and measured, when I'm done, I'm done. DH clears the table, and I have gotten into the habit to put cooking things away as I use them. Last night during dinner, we had some business to discuss so I insisted the TV be muted. We still have a hard time associating eating a meal as a pleasurable or enjoyable experience here at home, but rather as a means of sustainance and ritual. Since we eat out less often now, that has become pleasurable instead of ritual. Since 4/5 of my 6 meals daily are eaten alone, I still have the tendancy to read while I eat them, or stand at the kitchen counter, or even eat here at the computer while reading. I will practice NOT to do these things.

This chapter was a re-awakening, and made me realize my own words some time back to someone who asked about this book. I said something to the effect, "it is the bible of change." Yeah, well time for me to start carrying it with me again, and opening it more often. Every time I reread a chapter, I realize what I missed the first time around, that didn't stick, and can now say, "OK, now I get it." There's always room for improvement.

dip

[Summerlover]

Sorry I have been MIA. My DD had a stomach virus over the weekend and we managed to paint our living room as well. I couldn't get near my computer because it wasn't even hooked up for a couple of days. If I didn't use it to write lesson plans, it probably still wouldn't be hooked up!

This chapter is great! I scored a -9. Yes, there is much work to be done!

The behaviors I currently engage in are: I eat too fast & too much. I give into cues to overeat. I clean my plate (thanks mom!). I eat in front of tv. I center activities around food. I eat at night.

Some behaviors that I no longer have are: eating leftovers, sneaking food, and bingeing. I am proud to say that those behaviors are a part of my past, not my present.

I think getting back into the dining room will be easy once we are finished remodelling it. I am making a concerted effort to leave food on my plate at the end of the meal (and I don't mean the veggies!).

The substitute behaviors I've chosen are: pursue a new hobbie...I'd like to try scrapbooking...work in the garden, email friends, read a book, and sing along to music. It is no fun to use obligatory behaviors. If I have to give up eating whatever and whenever I want, I need to replace that habit with something enjoyable not boring.

Reading a book is a great one for me because unlike my sister, I cannot read and eat at the same time!

Take care one and all!

Summer

P.S. I have lost 3 pounds!

[Hayne]

Hi everyone!

I was so excited to find this group, great looking message boards as well (other than having to go all the way to the end to read the latest posts, I've never liked message boards that make you do that - oh well, just a pet peeve ahaha).

I have read some of the posts here and am impressed by how open and honest some of your posts are, I appreciate that quality in a person but then when I looked at the dates it seems as if things have slacked off a bit... :nono:

I am hoping to find a board that I can call "home" most places are either dead or overly controlling ~ I hope I have found what I've been looking for here! Be forwarned, I am a talker! (and I can type fast too, whadda combo!).

Mastery Over Food and Impulse Eating - I am getting there, my main problem has always been evening eating while watching TV, I do good during the day but around 7 pm I lose it, first I'll have something sweet, then I need something salty and then something sweet and then, you get my point! But I am more aware now and have a little more control... (baby steps!)

I am so looking forward to getting to know you all!

Hayne

[Hayne]

Yea! I wrote to this forum about old messages displaying first and they told me this:

"You can change the option, though. Go to your UserCP and select "Edit Options". Slightly more than halfway down, you'll find Thread Display Options. You can set it to Linear Newest First if you prefer."

Ok, I love it, officially LOVE it!

And they were so quick to respond, AAAA+++ first class!

Hayne

[diphthong]

Hi Hayne! and welcome.

Unfortunately, this website suffered a crash not long ago, and many posts were lost.

Summer, what do you think *is* working for you? :bravo:

dip

[Hayne]

Hi Dip.

Thanks for the welcome.

I haven't looked through any old posts yet, just the most recent.

I've joined a few other groups recently, one is a brand new one and looks like it will be a really good group once it gets going, if it ever does and I've joined a few Yahoo Groups but I prefer this type of group to an email group.

The Dr Phil's message board is pretty active but its laid out so odd that its hard to navigate and there's lots of one time posters there and I am hoping to make a few really good efriends to go through this journey with.

I am just the type that needs a lot of stimulation I suppose :dizzy:

I am going to have no mastery over food today, its my Mother's 72nd birthday and I am taking her to Red Lobster (her favorite) for lunch and I am going to have the shrimp scampy, no excuses, I am just going to have it and enjoy it... I'll hopefully make up for it over the weekend, I've got lots of big yard and garden jobs to do, so hopefully I'll sweet and work it off.

Well, again, I am looking forward to getting to know all of you who post here, have a great day everyone!

Hayne

[Summerlover]

Well my dear Dip, at the moment, NOTHING is working for me. It has snowed here for the fourth time this week, and even though tomorrow is the first day of spring, I am stuck in my house for yet another snow day. Monday was our only full day of school. Tuesday we had an early dismissal, and Wednesday and Thursday we had delayed openings. I guess winter weather depresses me more than I realized. Just two weeks ago when it was warm...in the 50's...and I could go for walks...spring seemed like a nearing reality, I was totally motivated, and I lost 3 lbs. But, when it is freezing, the sun is a distant memory, ice and snow are everywhere, I just want to stay in my jammies and bake chocolate chip cookies. I haven't been binging, but I also haven't been motivated. I only exercised once this week...Monday. Right now, I am just so tired of winter...it is hard to see the light at the end of the tunnel. Sorry.

Summer

[Summerlover]

Welcome Hayne...I'm usually much more cheerful. :coffee:

Summer

[Hayne]

Hey, its Ok Summer... with a name like Summer I am sure you are tired of winter :D

I am cheerful this week, I was a nightmare last week... we'll take turns :sunny:

[Summerlover]

Cool. ;)

[diphthong]

Hi Summer and All!

It was a cwappy week for me too in the mood dept. for the same reason - winter and snow just wouldn't go away. No motivation to do anything except sit and think about all I *should* be doing. But alas, my darlings, this too shall pass. I will dig this thread out in July when we're moaning about the heat. ;)

Here's an idea. Now that the 3FC Chicks have been so kind to give us a Dr. Phil Forum, shall we start a weekly support thread for daily chit-chat and discussions about other Dr. Phil things than this book? I'd like to!

Thoughts? Have a great weekend, well, try to anyway. :dizzy:

dip

[Jo_Pointer]

Hi friends,

I'm sorry to hear that the winter blahs have got you down! Chins up--Spring is here and the weather will soon follow! :sunny:

Dip, I LOVE the idea of a place to meet and chat! I check the message board a couple of times a day, and it would be nice to have a place just to say "hi," share what's going on, and to encourage one another.

Welcome, Hayne! I'm looking forward to getting to know you! This is a warm, safe place to be! :)

My mom is visiting this week, and I had a GREAT conversation with her about the internal work I'm doing with Dr. Phil and now Al-Anon, and what we are doing here together. She was wonderfully supportive, which was very freeing. I wasn't surprised by her support, as she is really a kind and loving woman, but I was very surprised that she didn't appear to feel wounded or defensive about anything I said. I could tell she was a little uncomfortable when she heard I was going to Al-Anon (betraying the family secrets?!), and she wanted to know everything about how a meeting is run. She is an ACOA herself, so she learned the same behaviors I learned being raised in an alcoholic home--shhh, don't tell! I worked very hard to claim my feelings as my own and to let her know that *this is about me* and how I keep wounding myself, not about them or any anger or need to blame. I will never feel comfortable letting my father know about any of this, as he isn't equipped emotionally to understand where I would be coming from. No matter how clearly and carefully I framed my words, the take home message for him would be that I am blaming him for being a "terrible father." But I feel by sharing "my recovery" with my mom I have released any need to even discuss this with my father. Does that make sense?

I am baby-stepping but I feel some real progress!

Happy weekend!

Jo :wave:

A ship in the harbor is safe...but that's not what ships are built for.

[Summerlover]

Okay Miss I live in California, of course you can see that spring is on its way! Don't be surprised if you find me knocking on your door one day! :cool:

Dip, when it is hotter than hades in July, I will be in my GLORY. I live for the summer!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Why do I live in Connecticut? Because all my friends and family are here. Would I rather live in a warmer/hotter climate? You betcha!

I might enjoy another spot to chat, but I'm already deeply involved in the teachers' thread as well as this one. I'm not sure how regularly I'd be able to post. But if you don't mind someone who drops in only occasionally, why not?

Gotta clean my house for my St. Patrick's Day party. :hat: :lucky: :cheers: :lol3: :lucky: :hat:

[Hayne]

I think another place to chat would be great! I have been looking for a place that's active for sometime and just can't find it, its strange!

I joined a new group the other day, its a nice message board but there's only 3 members including me, I had high hopes for it but I guess it takes time to build a group and then it seems none of them really get built, maybe there are too many groups out there I don't know, its odd...

Seems groups for other "diet plans" are a lot more active, I can't seem to find a really active Dr Phil UWLC board anywhere.

The person that started the new group I told you about, she wants to have a regular chat area as well as a "weight" chat and they are going through the keys daily and I think they are also starting up a group book reading where they'll read a chapter together and then discuss it daily - which is great and the three members that are there are fairly active (the link's on my profile here, maybe you've seen it?).

Maybe its me? I don't know ahaha but I check in on the groups I belong to throughout the day and there's nothing going on, maybe one post a day and that's it... I guess I just need more activity (for some reason?). Maybe its because I am mentally hyper ahaha I wish my body were!

So, sure I'd love to have an area where there was more posting, an area to talk about the Dr Phil show etc...

[Jo_Pointer]

Summer, you CRACKED ME UP! :rofl:

I was trying so hard to be sympathetic without rubbing your nose in my 80 degree weather! ;)

You are welcome anytime, my friend! And I've always wanted to visit Connecticut to see the Fall colors, so maybe we can arrange an exchange visit! :^:

Hayne, post away and hopefully we'll all jump in too!

Thanks for taking charge, Dip! You're the greatest! :angel:

Hugs,

Jo :wave:
------
205.2/190.2/135
15 pounds gone forever!!

Ask yourself if what you're doing today will get you any closer to where you want to be tomorrow.--B. C. Forbes

[diphthong]

Oooops, I didn't mean to take charge; just want to see this forum get off and running.

Jo - Glad to see that you are having dialogue with your mother, and hope it continues positively.

Weather here is still wintery but suppose to change the next few days. I'm back on my lifestyle program full tilt, and even have been getting some things accomplished that I've been putting off. I think the last bout of impulse eating is over, and I'm beginning to feel like things are going to restart moving forward again. Cool beans!

dip

[SEARCHING4ME]

Hello All!!

Okay, Its been a long time since I've been at 3FC's.

I just picked up Dr. Phil last week and at this time I am only at stage one. So, I know I'm a little behind you all but reading your entries has made me real excited about getting to read more.

I have been carrying it around with me everywhere, just in the hopes that I get a few minutes to continue.

I hadn't posted in many months, and only started looking in again the last couple weeks. Then I saw that there where threads for Dr. Phil fans, welll Whoooo Hoooo!! :cb:

I was sharing with my mother too, and even though she doesn't look too impressed, I can see she is happy I'm trying something again. She doesn't go in for all the "Therapy stuff" but other than that she's mostly ok. It's the age I quess. I have been able to talk to her in little bits these last two years about my depression and some of the issues I have with eating.

My therapist (thats another long story for another time) Has been suggesting that I keep a journal, and since I used to do that years back and liked it, I have restarted this week.....

So, Dr. Phil and my journal now go everywhere with me. I keep a daily food dairy, (that's new for me.) A regular journal of thoughts and stuff. Then the book and all the Exercises that I'm completing with the good Dr.

I think I'll go read alittle before bed now that you all have me excited and ready to go. Hope to check in with you all again, and wish you all great days ahead.

[diphthong]

Evilyn,

Take this as you will, and I'm speaking as a mother, and an depressed, addicted woman who wished she had a mother to share her adult years with. If you possibly can, I would avoid talking to your mother about your Dr. Phil headwork. My mother was an extremely intelligent woman, but was in such denial, she would never accept that *anybody* in our family was screwed up about anything. She was always very defensive about her role in any of it. So if you need to talk it out, come here or PM one of us. I'm just guessing by your post above, that she may impede your progress, even if she doesn't have anything directly to do with your eating issues.

Hugs,

dip

[Summerlover]

I am so ready for the next chapter. Is anybody else? I would love to move on if everyone else is ready. I will leave it up to you Dip.

Summer

[diphthong]

Hi Summer! Yep, I'm ready too, but thought maybe we'd wait til Sunday and give folks a chance to catch up. I'll be out of town til Sunday evening, but if you want to go ahead and start the new thread, I can just post behind you with the link to this one.

Have a great weekend everybody!

dip

[Angel26519]

Here is the board to discuss Key Four: Impulse Eating.

OK Another Biggie for Me...

Review Posts:

http://www.3fatchicks.com/forum/showthread.php?t=33499

http://www.3fatchicks.com/forum/showthread.php?t=37777

Happy Chatting!

[Jen]

My biggest problems are: not eating at the dining room table, eating with the tv on, not planning meals, eating when I am bored, letting myself get too hungry so that I eat whatever I can get my hands on. So many times I eat totally mindlessly and then suddenly I"ll kind of wake up and think to myself what the heck have I have done and then I'll feel nauseous because I feel so disgusted with myself and also because I've eaten about a million calories of straight sugar. So what I need to do most importantly is JUST eat at the dining room table, no matter what or when I eat and also I need to start doing some meal planning.

[MistySeptember]

Jen I engage in those same activities. Eating without thinking. I am improving alot. I still don't eat at the table, but I am finding that I am not feeling so "munchy" all the time. I have concentrated on meal planning so I knwo what and when i am going to eat. I know that if I eat that junky candy bar now I won't have enough points to eat beef strganoff later. To me beef stroganoff is much more filling, satifying, and yummy than a candy bar. I know it will suck to eat just salad as I watch my family eat something warm and yummy and good. SO why waste my points on junk? But I only suceed in this when I plan ahead. If I don't knwo what is coming up I tend to eat whatever now. That's why I liek the points, I liek knowing exactly how much more I can have. When I am done I am done, no points no food. Its' working for me.

I am also finding activities like crocheting help b/c I can't eat and do it at the same time. Also my daighter is 20 months old, she wants to eat whatever i am eating. I don't want her eating snacks and junky stuf fbefore meals, so i can't eat them either b/c I can't eat inf orn t of her and not share.

Speaking fo which she is awake form her nap. I might have a few more note son this chapter so perhaps I'll write more later. I look forward to hearing how other people cope with this :)

[Jen]

Well I have improved in some small ways. Right now my worst thing is lunch because most of the time I am home by myself at lunch and don't eat the way I should. I am more likely to eat terribly then compound the mistake by eating more. For example today I ate a large bowl of buttered popcorn (air popped but about 1 T of butter) and then crackers with cheez whiz and then several orange/chocolate cookies. Talk about a carb feast!! The popcorn really isn't too bad even with the butter, if I had stopped at that I would have been okay but then I just had to keep on going. Breakfast is usually pretty good, a bowl of oatmeal and a piece of fruit and then supper is usually reasonable because I'm cooking for my husband and son as well. I can usually control myself to smaller portions and no dessert or like maybe one bite though I need to cut that out as well. So getting control over lunch is my big goal right now. I need to get to the supermarket and buy some stuff I can nuke, I don't mind eating a few small meatballs with a couple of cups of veggies, that has been a good lunch for me before and it fits in with dr.phil's plan.

I hear ya about wanting to be a good role model for your daughter. I have a 3 year old son and I don't want him to grow up as an overweight child. I don't let him eat a lot of cookies and candy etc. Like one cookie or one candy is okay, just not 10 times a day! He is at the stage where he has weird eating habits. Yesterday he refused anything for breakfast then decided he wanted a grilled cheese sandwich which I made for him and he ate about half of that. He has lunch at daycare and then at supper he had a cup of milk and 3 slices of processed cheese! He didn't want what we were having for supper...ham, salad and perogies (I had only 2 perogies, lots of salad and a regular serving of ham). I can't say that is great eating for a 3 year old but I suppose it is better than having him eat a bunch of cookies.

[Redskirt1]

My biggest problem is sodas. Dr. Pepper in fact. I have no impulse control when it comes to them, and I am giving them up. I figure, if I don't have them in the house, I can't drink them.

I don't have a kitchen table, there is no room in my apartment for one, unless I go to Lowe's and purchase the material to make one by hand, which i will probably do at the end of the month. So, for now, the kids and I eat at the coffee table. Well they do, and I eat at my computer, which I know is bad, however, I end up only eating one helping of food, cause I am too busy on the computer to bother with getting up to get more food? Good and bad?

I have been snacking on microwave popcorn quite a bit lately, and have decided that I can no longer buy that. I bought it for the kids, cause they wanted it, then I end up eating most of it when it is made. So, no more. Anyway, that's where I am with impulse control.

[Jen]

Don't you hate that, bought it for the kids (or husband in my case) and then end up eating it yourself?? that happens to me all the time. I'll buy chips or cookies or something treat-like and end up eating myself. Recently my husband requested donuts and I was in the mood that I would have eaten them so I just didn't buy them or sometimes I will buy just 1 for him and then I am not tempted by half a dozen donuts. Chips I am really bad with. If there is bag open I will finish it off everytime. It is just so much easier not to have it in the house to begin with! My husband doesn't need it either so I just don't buy snacks anymore. He's not into eating fruit or veggies as snacks but still he's not going to binge on snacks and then not eat when supper is ready.