Beck Diet For Life/Solution – September 2010 – Support, Discussion, Buddy/Coach

[jasy]

Hi, Beck coaches & buddies,

Just checking in.

To answer your question, BillBlueEyes, I found the Beck Forum by browsing the forum titles on this site. Then I went and read reviews on Amazon and elsewhere for the Beck books. The reviews were so overwhelmingly positive, I had to give it a try. The other thing that convinced me was that you got to start your own forum, so here I am.

Lexxiss and others, credits for sleeping when tired rather than eating. I've done that. I also tend to want to eat when coming down with a cold rather than resting.

Still ate a bit standing up today, but tried to work it into my calorie count (LOL). I just go unconscious and then I suddenly wake up and realize I've been standing and eating. Realizing that I'm standing up eating is kind of like learning how to meditate, if you've ever done that.

Read my cards today
Ate standing up, when I realized it I sat down.
Tried to eat slowly - another one of my pitfalls. I have a problem with feeling hungry and eat too fast. I know, I haven't reached the chapter of Beck yet that deals with hunger feelings.

Thanks all, for your welcomes.

[Woodland]

Hi Everyone,

Yes, I'll PM the salsa recipe to you, Lexxiss

I tried something really weird today. I've been thinking about being more mindful with my food, and found that I do this pretty well during the eating, but not so well at either the start or finish of the meal. Today I took a smell of the food at the start to help me notice it more ! Weird, I know !!!!! Ever smell cantaloupe ? It was effective though, kind of focusing me more on the food so I slowed down and enjoyed it more.

My weight on the scale is so funky this fall. I vary 3 pounds all the time ! I don't know if it is water, humidity, or what. I'm eating consistently on program, so it is odd. I've been exercising harder, so maybe it is about muscle growth. Oh well, I keep reminding myself "if I don't quit I won't fail".


Keep up the great work, fellow coaches !
Woodland

[RobinW]

Hi Everyone!!

I recognize several names and many new ones!! Its good to see everyone working the program!

Its been ages and ages since I posted last. Things took of with the business, then expanding, then, then, then.....I gained wayyyyyyyyyyy too many pounds.

So I now thankfully have a much better handle on the stress, Im working with my personal trainer again and have my gym sessions literally scheduled into my appointment book!

Ive been on plan for 2.5 weeks. Im feeling good....so I thought Id get my butt back over here for the extra support I need

[maryblu]

RobinW!! Welcome back!

'Lo to all my Beck buddies/coaches.

Lexxiss, best Survivor Council EVER, yes??? Watching those young hotshots implode was TOO COOL!!!!

BillBE, re: Red Sox Nation. I have been a not-so-closet Red Sox fan ever since they beat the damned Yankees, and ever since Doris Kearns Goodwin's book, Wait Until Next Year. Any time the Red Sox win is OK with me.


Quick shout..gonna be gone for a long weekend..indulging in Fall color spectacles. It's early, but gotta take it in when Mother Nature dictates.

Best to all.

[seadwaters]

Hi Coaches
I worked at home today and seemed to spin my wheels. I ate my lunch and snack standing up in the kitchen. I don't know what I was so hyped about but I didn't seem to achieve much. I certainly didn't mark any papers!

Credits
I ate to plan; shopped to make sure tomorrow was on plan; weighed myself (up again - sigh)

Not so good
did no exercise but made myself walk further in the "mall" - it was not a good day for walking or pain unfortunately but without exercise it won't improve any; didn't do A & R cards; didn't read Beck

[BillBlueEyes]

Diet Coaches/Buddies - Found myself facing a vendors table with FREE stuff: FREE apples - took one for later; FREE bags of almonds - took one for later; huge FREE store baked cookies - Not About Me; FREE top shelf dark chocolate - gobbled a piece on the spot (Ouch). Turns out it wasn't just dark chocolate, there was a shortbread cookie welded underneath. (The scale was randomly down this morning to mess up my head after nibbling off-plan, standing, LOL.) But, CREDIT moi for what I refused and for bringing the apple and almonds home for later.

At a pot luck last night I did well; CREDIT moi. Pol lucks are a good place for me to justify over eating because stuff is all home made and yummy. Last night was all that and, without much effort on my part, I stayed the path. CREDIT moi again just to revel in that thought. Later I had a Honeycrisp Apple for my evening snack. Acknowledging no mention of exercise, other than the incidental stuff like using stairs instead of elevators; Ouch.


maryblu - Oh Yes, I'm well versed in the local chant, Wait Until Next Year, LOL. Thanks again to Minnesota for cultivating Honeycrisps; you guys have done a good thing.

Robin (RobinW) - Congrats for expanding your business when others are still reeling from the economy; I continue to believe it's merely due to your hard work and business acumen. Kudos for being back on plan for 2.5 weeks. (For those to whom Robin is a new name, she is one of the founders of this thread, posting here in May, 2007 on the second day it started, long before I'd even heard of Dr. Judith Beck.)

CeeJay - Yay for back on track - with arm weights even. LOL, I just noticed your signature line from Gone With the Wind.

Joy (gardenerjoy) - Interesting observation that you're startled by the easy times as well as the difficult; don't always remember that.

Shepherdess - LOL at "so I decided to go to bed" - I just love it when I realize that my day is over and it would be just as well if I went to bed and admitted it. Reminded from your post that ranching is not for wimps. Attached is a virtual pot of Trader Joe's best French Roast coffee.

Beverlyjoy - Let me join you in needing "very precise and structured 'rules' about chocolate" - see above. Yay for starting the day with a plan.

Cheryl (Seadwaters) - Welcome to eat-while-standing day here on the Beck thread. And Ouch for no exercise - I recognize that, LOL.

Debbie (Lexxiss) - Yay for 3 am when the world is available just for a few of us. Kudos for tweaking your day, for the nap, and for surviving Survivor unfazed by DH's snacks.

Woodland - Great idea to include your nose to appreciate your food.

jasy - It's such a shock to realize that we've been standing up eating. Kudos for recognizing that so clearly - I like the analogy to learning to meditate.

Readers -

day 38
Deal with a Plateau

Today I'm not talking about short-lived plateaus. I'm talking about more lengthy plateaus that span a few weeks or longer. The most likely explanation for these plateaus is that your body no longer needs as much energy (calories) as you've been taking in. If you hit one of these longer plateaus, you have four options:

1. Continue to do what you're doing and see if you start to lose weight again.
   .... . .

The Beck Diet Solution, pg 248.

[AmberPr]

Hello Everyone!

I did have a nice relaxing weekend at the cabin. Spent some quality time with my Grandmother, as well as my Aunt & Uncle. Went for my last boat ride of the year. It was cold, but the scenery was beautiful.

Feeling really good. Water weight came off (that monthly thing) and found myself at 195. I've been cutting out my morning snack to compensate for less activity.

I'm struggling with getting back to planning my days in advance-- which is, in my mind, making me feel like I'm doing something wrong. I know I'm playing with fire by not being extra careful, especially now that the days are getting shorter, less exercise, and the body naturally wanting to eat more to gear up for winter.

So, I know that. Now, what am I gonna do to work through it?

[Shepherdess]

I had a hard time getting going yesterday. I decided some fresh air and movement would help so I turned over my compost pile (it doesn’t happen very often). That gave me some energy, though I still couldn’t focus to get much actual work done. Physical labor I can do, but can’t quite switch gears to sit down at the computer. I also couldn’t get myself into gear to do my usual exercise, like a run or some weights or something. Instead I just tromped around in the hills with my dog, Jen. It was a good mental break for me, but Jen thought I was moving a little slow. She would run up ahead, check out all the sage brush, then come back to see what was taking me so long.

Two of the ranch hands came by yesterday to pick up DH’s horse. He’s injured and they’re going to babysit while DH is gone. I fixed them lunch and sent them home with the cookies and brownies that were left. Except the one I had frozen, which I thawed out and enjoyed last night.

In honor of DH being out of town I made Whole Wheat Macaroni and Cheese, Russian Style, from the Moosewood cookbook. It’s got cabbage, red onions, carrots and bell pepper. I thought it was good; he would have hated it. As a bonus I have lots of leftovers to freeze for emergencies. I love a well-stocked freezer.

CeeJay, great job getting back on track so quickly. I’m convinced that a speedy recovery after a slip is one of the keys to Beck.

Lexxiss, yay for naps! I don’t think our culture places enough value on sleep. For me, getting enough sleep is so important to staying OP and I work much better when well-rested.

Jasy, interesting that you see recognizing standing while eating like learning to meditate. I think you’re on to something. It’s all about mindfulness and part of the Beck plan is that you should never put something in your mouth without being aware and intending to eat it.

Woodland, that 3 lb variation can be odd, but there are so many factors that affect your weight. I think that my “true” weight is only an average over a period of time (that’s why I like weighing everyday instead of once a week.) Kudos for paying attention to smells while eating. It’s an important part of tasting food!

Hi RobinW! It’s great to see you back! Yay for the business expanding, but ouch that it came at a high price. Great job getting a handle on stress and kudos on 2.5 weeks OP!

Maryblu, yay for enjoying fall colors when they come. We’re just starting to turn around here and it’s beautiful. Enjoy your long weekend!

Seadwaters, ouch for “it was not a good day for walking or pain unfortunately.” Hope it gets better soon. I can relate to day of being keyed up, but not getting much done. Good job preparing so tomorrow is OP.

BillBE, your description of navigating through the FREE stuff me of the old Atari game Frogger, the game about the little frog hopping across a busy road. You get points for grabbing the good stuff (almonds and an apple), successfully dodge the car (cookies) and just when you’re about to get to the other side, a semi comes out of nowhwere (chocolate) and hits you. Oh well. Like Frogger, you get to start over again and keep your points!

AmberPr, the weekend at the cabin sounds wonderful! Yay for water weight coming off. It’s always nice to see that go. Good job cutting back on your snack when you’re not as active. I sometimes resist planning in advance, but after doing it a few times, you’ll be back in the swing of it.

[Beverlyjoy]

Hi beckfolks - gosh yesterday was a hard day - I felt down all day. I did a bend and twist and pulled a muscle in my back. I know what to do and it should be better in a day or two. I have a hard time with pain - I know that food doesn't cure pain - I need to tatoo it on my brain. I am grateful for my heating pad and bag of frozen peas. Two simple things that help my pieces and parts.

I got up today feeling very positive and willing to keep trying. I've made my plan, got out my journal & rc, and am ready to move forward. Today I am going to lunch with my mom and my aunt to a restaurant called First Watch. I've checked online and know what I can get that is in my calorie range. I am grateful for the willingness to plan ahead today

Billbe - wonderful credit for bringing home the sample. Not fair that the chocolate turned out to be a cookie. Dr. Beck says that it’s not the one cookie that will effect your weight. It’s the willingness to stop right there and keep eating is what we need to do. I am loving the fall apples, too.

Seadwaters - some days we don’t do it all. The days I do better is when I write down those goals: response cards, eat seated, no seconds, etc. - it helps me because then all my goals aren’t spinning around in my head all day. We all have days when we ‘spin are wheels’.!

Maryblu - have a wonderful weekend!

Robin - glad to see your post. WONDERFUL to be on plan for over 2 weeks. Learning to deal with stress is a wonderful credit too.

Woodland - credit for being mindful and reaping the benefits of enjoying the food, taste, smell and timing of meal/snack.

Jasy - credit for realizing how often you eat standing. It’s amazing that when we get a hold on this one goal - that we realize how much we eat doing that one behavior.

Lexxis - yes, indeed! Credit for doing some different with your sleep and seeing if it can be helpful in your day. You are so right…I think/hope that my willingness to keep trying will help me.

Ceejay - yay! So glad you are back on track. It helps me too, to see it. Reminds me that no matter what, we should always aim to get back to the healthy stuff. Many credits.

Shepardess. - major credit for having a good food day despite your busy schedule and being so tired after a long day. You posted again while I was responding...Credit for planning for your brownie treat and enjoying it.

gardener joy - you said: And, I have to admit that I'm startled at least as often by moments when it's easier than expected as I am discouraged by when it's hard. Remembering those times is helpful, too. That is a wonderful revelation.

Have a GREAT day.

[gardenerjoy]

We had a weird evening. We were invited to an event from 6 to 8 serving "cocktails and Hors d'oeuvres." I ate lightly during the day, saving up starch and protein exchanges. We still weren't sure when we got there whether we would try to make supper on the appetizers or would go out afterwards. They were walking appetizers, which made it extra hard to figure out what was best to eat. Ultimately, we decided to skip them and go out to supper. I drank water and talked to people -- what a concept at a party! We had a really good time. This is all new skills for us, so we were pleased that we spoke at length to the guest of honor and several other people.

I couldn't fall asleep last night. A combination of being keyed-up from the evening, fretting over some stuff going on today, and excitement over my new iPad. I coined a new medical term iPad iNduced iNsomnia.

WI: -0.05kg, Exercise: +60 1255/1800 minutes for September, Food: 70%op, Read my Advantages and Responses: yes

Shepherdess: thanks for the Beck post. It helped me that she talked about grieving as part of the process. I think that was a big part of my journey, getting through the grieving process over the fact that I no longer get to eat the way I used to. And it still pops up occasionally, in much the same way that I still wish sometimes that I could call my mother or send my dad an email.

RobinW: Lovely to "see" you!

Beverlyjoy: sorry for the pulled muscle, but glad you know what to do and are confident that it will be better soon -- that's a new knowledge in my life to know that such things get better in just a few days and I'm so grateful for it. Yay for waking up positive and ready to move forward!

Shepherdess: It looks like you're doing great -- listening to what your body wants and making efforts to make healthy choices while DH is gone. I love the idea of cooking food he wouldn't like while he's gone!

AmberPr: so what did you do? Planning my days in advance was a huge and wonderful turning point and I don't think I would have been successful on this journey without that. I did it for months, I do it at any moment now when I feel like I need it, and I'm willing to do it again for long periods in the future if I need to (I'm thinking that the first few months of maintenance might be a really good time). But I'm not doing it on a regular basis anymore.

[MaryContrary]

And hello to all the new faces, those returning and those just arriving!

Well, the weather is messing with me. Yesterday, it was cold and gloomy (SoCal cold, which means, like, 60), nice weather for a comfy sweater and some writing. Today, it's brilliantly sunny and will be close to 90! This depresses me, slightly. As much as I love it here in SoCal, I missssssss the seasons of the midwest. Nostalgia kicks in, and I just sit around thinking how much I would rather be somewhere else . . . a vicious cycle, my fantasy world of the-grass-is-always-greener-somewhere-else . . .

So I'm shaking it off by writing to y'all, so that I can motivate myself to get to the library.

I "forgot" to do my plan last night, which is probably why I'm feeling unfocused.

Some credits from yesterday:

* I worked out (the 3-mile with upper body strength training is getting to feel too easy!)
* I did four loads of laundry and cleaned our room
* I wrote 3 pages before noon
* I dealt with $ stuff and planned my stress-eating (which I knew I would experience!)
* I weighed in and read my A&R cards

Thanks to everyone for all the thoughtful, insightful ruminations. I do feel lucky to be so young, with the freedom and the resources to make positive eating changes. On our first date, my DP and I went to a wishing well, and she wished for health because, "You can't do anything unless you've got this going for you." These words have stayed with me. I have so many dreams, and I'm beginning to see that fulfilling these dreams requires that I be healthy!

I'm grateful to be a part of this forum!

[Pecola123]

Hi Buddies:
Doing well here - OP. Joined my local TOPS group to get that extra support and reinforcement that we all know is so important.


Shepardess: Thanks so much for the suggestions on coping with DH being OOT. I do fall into making recipes while he's away that he would not like. (Unfortunately, I make my share of those he doesn't like when he is here also.) The other night I set up my tent in the backyard and slept out like I was camping. It was so much fun. I highly recommend it if weather permits.
Jasy: Eating fast was a big one for me too. Just over the last few weeks, I've almost totally eliminated that bad habit and woken-up to a whole new world with food. Hope you have a great experience too.
Robin: Welcome back!! Wow, a founding member. Glad you're getting things back together again.

Bye Buddies. Thanks for being here.

[madrikh]

Hi Everyone.
Well, I am officially "on my diet", which means I am on Day 15 of the pink book, after about 7 weeks. Guess I'm a slow learner, or somethin'!

Anyway, I have had mind-boggling fatigue the past 2 days. Don't know if it's part of the depression, the new medication or something else. That said, fatigue and hunger feel almost exactly the same to me (almost exactly!?), so I have overeaten 2 times; dinner last night and tonight, by taking seconds.
Then I feel full, but still hungry; which I think is the fatigue. Sigh.

Credits (yesterday):
-ate OP (except that 2nd helping at dinner), even though I got stuck at the hospital with a friend for hours and didn't sit down to dinner until almost 9pm
-hard yoga class, in spite of fatigue ( I took MANY breaks).
-cleaned house today, one step at a time
-feeling more positive about this weight loss journey by reading Beck everyday

So, recently I have made a choice to be pretty blunt about where I'm at. Depression is a big player in my life at this time. I do realize however, that this is not a mental health forum. Therefore, if I need to stay more "on topic" (perhaps there are some guidelines I am not following), someone please let me know. I certainly don't want to discourage or offend anyone.

Marci

[BillBlueEyes]

Diet Coaches/Buddies - Out for lunch for a regular event and I ordered my regular Portabello Mushroom stack over white beans; it's just so yummy. I ignored the bread sticks and butter that we had to face for nearly 30 minutes. CREDIT moi. Dinner was left over Dahl (lentils) and my favorite tomato salad - just cut up garden fresh tomatoes and basil with a touch of olive oil and salt. A whole day of special food.

Did gym; CREDIT moi.


Joy (gardenerjoy) - You're my hero for standing down the walking appetizers - all my plans cease to exist when a platter of those walk by. LOL at "iPad iNduced iNsomnia."

Shepherdess - Kudos to your trainer, Jen, for egging you on your tromp about. Gotta go tromping sometimes to get a close look at what's happening. And Kudos to you for sending away all your cookies and brownies. You got me drooling with your Moosewood cookbook mac' an cheese - gonna ask DW to try that. [LOL at your Frogger analogy - Yep, the semi's do come and Yep, we just start over again.]

Beverlyjoy - Sending supportive thoughts that your hard days be few - Kudos for toughing your way though them. Useful reminder, "I know that food doesn't cure pain."

Amber (AmberPr) - Yay for quality time with family for a whole week, with Kudos for recognizing your need to get back to planning. When I let myself go freelancing, I lose that instinctive notion that off plan food is, well, off my plan if I'd had one.

Marci (madrikh) - Yay for off and running at Day 15. Kudos for dealing with a long stay at the hospital with a friend and Kudos for progressing with your life despite how you feel at the moment. My take is that we talk about where we're at - follow your instincts.

MaryContrary - Great example of planning, "* I dealt with $ stuff and planned my stress-eating (which I knew I would experience!) And Yay for feeling deeply that health is key to the good life.

Pecola123 - LOL at camping in your own back yard - good for you guys who don't have nocturnal black bears. Kudos for joining TOPS; hope you let us know how it goes - I've repeatedly heard good stuff about that group.

Readers -

day 38
Deal with a Plateau

Today I'm not talking about short-lived plateaus. I'm talking about more lengthy plateaus that span a few weeks or longer. The most likely explanation for these plateaus is that your body no longer needs as much energy (calories) as you've been taking in. If you hit one of these longer plateaus, you have four options:

.... . .
2. Reduce your daily calorie intake by 200 calories, which should allow you to lose about a half pound per week. (Check with your health-care professional first to make sure it's reasonable to cut down some more.)
.... . .

The Beck Diet Solution, pg 248.

[seadwaters]

Hi Coaches
I usually work at home on Friday if I can but today needed to "go down" to the city. So I waste 3 hours in travel and am not getting done what I need to - so not the best day. Now I know I will also have to work all weekend because I am in a high pressure phase at work - (too) interesting but it will pass. I just need to make the time to plan and prepare I keep reminding myself. I bought food to make freezable snacks and meals on the way home so hopefully I get organised in between work bursts on the weekend.

I ate "to plan" calorie wise today but the eating standing up curse still reigns. I also bought a precooked chicken on the way home and with premeditation put it in the front of the car rather than the boot - and proceeded to snack on it on the rest of the way home. Not good.

Credits
Weighed myself (still up); remembered to drink occasionally; planning; and that is about it unfortunately

BillBlueEye - great work saving up some of the free stuff for later - a tower of resistance strength with a small dark chocolate lapse. Nice work. Credit for the pot luck

Marci (madrikh) - congratulations on getting to day 15 - feels like progress from what I remember. It is good to see people being honest with the issues that impact on their relationship with food. Thanks for your insights. Yay for hanging in there with the BDS

Pecola123 - Glad you are doing well and OP. LOL at camping in the backyard - I probably missed earlier posts so not sure what that is about

MaryContrary - You workout sounds serious! Yes - health is pretty good and we are all trying to get there in our own way. Interesting that you feel bullet proof until something goes wrong - tends to focus the mind. Good strategy to plan for stressful time - I forget to do that

gardenerjoy - Oh - A new iPad (where is the envy icon when you need it) - i wouldn't sleep either. I would be up all night playing. Love your new medical condition. Great method of eating at a party - huge restraint but you make it sound easy

Beverlyjoy - Sorry for the pulled muscle - but you are thinking right with the belief that food doesn't help pain. Hope your lunch went to plan today

Shepherdess - I can totally relate to "I love a well-stocked freezer" - makes my life so much easier. Such good planning for the chocolate brownie and a great strategy to off load the goodies on the cowboys (sheep boys? Is this PC) - oops ranch hands

Amber - Ouch for "playing with fire" and great insight that "So, I know that. Now, what am I gonna do to work through it?" That is always the question isn't it. Knowing something and doing something about it is for me the great divide. I know all sorts of facts about weight and dieting etc. But how I manage me is always the stumbling block. Good luck