What are your non-negotiables?
 

One of the things I've learned from all my failed diets (well, actually failed maintenance - very successful diets) is that I have to figure out what things are not negotiable. What can't I successfully give up and how do I fit those things into a successful weight loss program.

I know I love crunchy, salty snacks. I've discovered soy crisps and I can eat them in the appropriate serving size. Sometimes a couple of pickles or pepperoncini will do the trick. That works for me and I haven't been near a potato chip or cheese curl since day 1, nor have I felt the need.

We like to eat out and do it fairly often. I'm lucky because I live in an area that values whole foods, vegetarian and ethnic foods, and locally produced stuff. It's not that hard to eat out and make good choices. I refuse to pass on the vegetarian hot and sour soup, even though I'm sure it has a little corn starch. I happen to think it's the perfect food :) and if I get a cold I'll eat quarts of it if I can convince my sweetie to drive into town and pick some up! I did make the mistake of ordering an omelet today. I ate a little more than half with mixed greens instead of potatoes or toast and had heartburn soon after. Won't do that again!

I thought real pasta would be on my list. I just can't eat whole wheat/grain pasta. Yuck. However I have realized it's the sauce I really want and so I make a sauce loaded with veggies - eggplant, zucchini, mushrooms, peppers, and some veggie ground with a sprinkle of good grated cheese. It's really yummy and I don't need the pasta under it.

So far I haven't missed chocolate. If I do I'm ready with a small piece of really dark chocolate but I just haven't felt the urge so far. I'm sure I will at some point though :)

How about you? What are the things you won't give up and how do you fit them in?

Traditions are non-negotiable. I'd rather have a small piece of regular birthday cake than to try to substitute cake with something else. Pumpkin and apple pies will be served at Thanksgiving and Christmas. I will be making cookies this Christmas but I will be setting myself a limit for consumption.

I thought I'd miss cereal more than I do, but I could really take or leave it now. I do have a new-found love of oatmeal, though.

Kara

I really thought I'd miss cereal too Kara. But I eat this hot multi-grain soy flaxseed cereal in the morning with berries and could care less if I saw a cheerio or captain crunch again. :)

I can't do the wheat pasta. yuck.

Cappacino from Speedway gas station. (I'm sad I know) But I don't miss it one bit. Although at 5am and it's 19 degrees out and my car has no heat I'm craving the warmth alittle :) but I have not slipped once in 2 months.

Chocolate, no doubt.
I can easily live without the bread, chips, pasta, potatoes, rice, cereal, juice, fast food.
I could do without fruit, wine, alcohol although I'd miss it some.
But just give me a square of dark chocolate and then leave me alone for five minutes once every couple of weeks, or I will go insane.

BTW, I think the latest guidance on the cornstarch is that a little used in cooking is okay, right mods?

Dark Chocolate, red wine and coffee. I don't have to have the wine or chocolate everyday but once in a while is great. And coffee is ABSOLUTELY necessary everyday.

Coffee as many times as I've tried to kick it I can't.
My favorite way is with splenda 1 or 2% and a splash of vanilla. once in a while with *cough* cream from Dunkins

I can't believe I forgot coffee! Yeah, coffee was the one South Beach thing I never followed. I've given up lots of bad habits but coffee is the one I refuse to give up :) I'm a 3-4 cup a morning girl, with an extra cup at 5 if I have to work late. And it has to be good coffee - dark, organic, freshly ground.

Cyndi- I'm right there with you. I've got a grinder in my kitchen next to the dark roast whole beans. At least 4 cups a day. Unfortunately caffeine doesn't wake me up or keep me awake so I can literally drink a cup and go to bed. It's the taste I can't seem to live without. :coffee:

Well, I don't drink coffee or alcohol so those are easy for me. I am with Kara on this, there are certain traditional holiday foods we have in our house that we will just have to go off plan for. It is a planned "off plan" for us so I don't expect it to throw us off at all.

Well, there is one more thing, I HATE brown rice. I usually sub a small portion of Jasmine rice for brown rice. This time around I am really hoping to stick to what is allowed though (except on holidays).

schmoodle - a little cornstarch in cooking is fine during phase 2. In phase 1, you can substitute arrowroot. Even in phase 2, I will sometimes use a mix of the two to reduce the amount that is used.

LoveMySgt - Have you tried Uncle Ben's Converted rice? It is allowed on South Beach and is every bit as good as white rice. I use it whenever I use rice.

I love whole wheat pasta. In fact, the few times I have tried regular pasta since starting South Beach a few years ago, I have found I no longer like regular pasta. I do try to add lots of vegetables to it so that my portion size isn't too large.

Good dark chocolate is my favorite and I do like to have some of it occasionally but I have portion control issues with it so I have to be careful.

Coffee and coffee and did i mention, Coffee? Sorry, that's the one thing i can't do without.......... i even tried de-caffinated and got a serious migraine. Something that do to 'de' it that just puts me down. Yeah, coffee.......in fact, i'm sipping some now and even when You read this much later today, i'll probably be sipping some then too!........... Sorry Dr. A! i'd rather go without air.
Best!mots

Barb - went to the store today and got the converted, thanks!

I was just asked today by my lovely husband, "You're not going to make the cookies low-cal or anything, are you?" so evidently cookies are definitely non-negotiable!

Kara