[MtaTJac]

Aside from your abstinence, do you follow an eating plan?

I've been doing WW, but I think it's too much for me to worry about. I'm considering dropping that plan, at least for the first while of my abstinence!

[Mrs Snark]

I "count calories" and just make sure that I'm making reasonable selections by trying to eat more veggies, whole grains, and good fats and less processed junk.

I'm a creature of habit and I tend to eat many of the same things over and over, so keeping track of calories is pretty darn easy since I'm rarely eating something totally new and unknown.

In restaurants, I usually just pick something that I know isn't totally high in fat (and therefore over-the-top calorie-wise), then eat only half of it. Restaurant portions are generally HUGE. And stay away from appetizers, desserts, and bread baskets (<-- my nemesis).

And that's it. Oh, plus 30 minutes of physical activity per day. It can be walking, dancing, swimming, biking, hiking, lifting, stepping, yoga... whatever... you get the picture. Just 30 minutes of moving around.

By the way, I saw in another post where you apologized for so many posts -- DON'T. This site is becomming a lifeline for me. I look at it over and over, I even re-read some of the posts. I need the fresh material you are posting! And it gives me an excuse to answer, too.

[MtaTJac]

Thanks Tyler (That's my favorite movie BTW)

[marny]

Jac-
I use the Zone as my food plan. However, I make it work with my abstinence. I don't eat my trigger foods, and I don't eat as many times a day as they recommend.

I chose it because I had great success with it years ago. I already know how it works, I like the food, and it doesn't cost anything (dues etc).

But, food plans are very personal. You have to find what works for you--what helps you stay abstinent, includes foods that you like, and is do-able.

[WaterWater]

I have learned from past experience that I do not do well when I have to count a whole lot of things. I tend to burn out. This is just me, but that is why I have decided not to go with a rigid plan... at least not right now. I figure that if I can keep my eating narrowed down to ONLY mealtimes then that will be a huge improvement. I was grazing all day before. Once I get the no eating between mealtimes down, then maybe I will cut one more thing out of my plan at a time or work on smaller portions or whatever I need to do next. I get overwhelmed easily and if I do too much at once, I get lost and often do not find my way back. For now, I am doing three meals a day, and trying to keep my portions 'reasonable'.

[MtaTJac]

Thanks for sharing your plans

I've always thought the zone sounded interesting... I just didn't know what was on it! (Perhaps I'll do some searching tonight!)

Water, you have a great idea... one step at a time!

[marny]

Water, you are making amazing progress! I think you are smart to work on one thing at a time. Eating only three meals is HUGE!!!!! Hurray!

Jac--The Zone involves a lot of reading and learning. You may want to put off researching it until you are ready for something that new. You have a lot to grapple with already. :-)

[ellis]

Jac, I'm doing a doctor/dietician/trainer supervised program.
I have to have six meals a day (three meals and three snacks), track my food, and commit to at least three exercise classes a week. I've tried so many gimicky things, and I really think that for me, counting calories and exercising is the only way to go.

[MtaTJac]

Marny, definately waiting then I've got my plate full! And I'm just proud of myself for sticking to scheduled snacks and not going overboard!

Ellis, I've tried a ton of gimicky things too And I never really lost any weight at all with them... my problems ran deeper than that I suppose!