I got busy and took a few days off from 3fc. After spending the previous two weeks completely off work, this last week I had a few work tasks, a few errands, and a few fun activities keeping me busy. During those three weeks, I discovered or rediscovered a few things:
(1) Eating too high a proportion of carbs makes me really, ready-to-eat-the-wallpaper hungry. I received a gift of fruit and discovered that an apple or a pear is a really bad snack for me.
(2) I need to eat some fat to feel satiated. I've had stretches of several days in the last three weeks when I ended up doing mini-binges (yes, plural) because I was so darn hungry. I should have noticed sooner that I was eating way too little fat.
During the week before Christmas and New Year's, I decided to use a few fast food coupons. I used to eat quite a bit of carefully chosen fast food early in my new lifestyle but have phased out most of it. During the week of eating more fast food, I was surprised to find that, despite the fact that my meals had lower volume, they were keeping me satisfied until the next meal. It was a good booster shot reminder. I don't know if I'll make it a point to eat more fast food, but I will make it a point to eat more fat.
(3) Sadly, perhaps, I still like the feeling of being noticeably full (but not stuffed). However, if I can avoid the hunger pangs, I am not tempted to eat until I reach this point.
(4) I seem to be OK with chocolate in the refrigerator in small, individually wrapped portions. Chocolate in large bars or other snack-type foods in large containers seem to be more problematic. I've mentioned in other posts that one or two small pieces of chocolate seem to be good for me for scratching the itch, without triggering a physical craving.
Between being less busy and struggling with hunger pangs, I've eaten more than planned, but it hasn't been ridiculous, and I still plan to pay it back. Now that I've reminded myself how to keep the hunger under control and I'll be busier again, I think it will be much easier to stay on plan.
One food I think I'll be eating more is cheese balls/logs. I found today that 5 oz of cheese log and a pear (650 calories) made a very nice lunch--I was a little hungry five hours later, but not the kind of hunger that Must Be Obeyed.
Sometimes I feel like a chemistry experiment!