I don't usually post here (or anywhere - kinda turned into a lurker), but just wanted to throw in what I try to think when faced with off-plan treats. My 13yo niece has type 1 diabetes and anything she eats, she has to take an insulin shot. I HATE shots, so I try to tell myself that if it's not worth getting a shot in order to eat it, then it's not worth eating.

Also helps that eating poorly could lead to type 2 diabetes and I could become insulin dependent if I don't get my weight and diet under control.

Men frequently go about weight loss differently than women. My BF just decided 10 years ago that he wanted to look very trim in his business suits, which he equated with the look of a successful executive. He basically cut back drastically by eating half of what he normally would. By doing this portion control method, he lost 35-40 pounds relatively quickly and looks great, but he still "eats like a bird" because he says he never wants to be heavy again. I just don't have that kind of willpower, but when I think of how his plan worked, I do try harder to stick to my own.

Ha! I've never thought of it that way! Crazy....thanks for sharing :) I think I am going to use it with all the Holiday parties coming up ;)

Originally Posted by NoMakeSense:
It's nice that your boyfriend is working towards a healthier lifestyle along with you. And nice that he does it in such a positive way. My husband is crazy competitive and loses weight when I do because he has to win - and winnning means staying a couple of pounds lower than my weight. Drives me nuts.

LOL....I can't wait until I weigh less than my hubby! I'm so close I can smell it! :)

Originally Posted by elisaannh:
My husband and I also think very differently about food and eating. He will restrict his intake but allow lots of treats and still obsesses about food he wants to eat. He does NOT want to make the necessary changes to lose all of his excess weight and stay there. For him, the answer is in exercise, and firmly believes he can get thin and maintain his weight through running. He has not run in 7 years.

I believe in a strict diet and learning what I need to know to take the weight off and keep it off. I am willing to to accept the changes I must do. I do not obsess over what I can or cannot eat and I do not think that things will somehow fall into place when I am at goal. I will have to restrict and monitor my eating for the rest of my life. While we will become more physically active in the future, we are aging and that activity level will be geared towards our age and abilities.

He still thinks he can still attain what he was when young. I seek to find peace with the realities of aging and massive weight loss. It just isn't going to bring me youth and a gorgeous body. So we differ like night and day on all these issues.

I liked your husband's concept though. I have actually used this idea in my own changes, realizing that I can enjoy the smell or look of food without having to having to consume it each and every time I see it.

When I am invited to people's houses for a meal, I often compliment the hostess or cook on how lovely a food item they made is, how much work must have gone into making it and often there is no dismay in my not eating it if it does not fit into my plan. Appreciation can be enjoyed in any case.

I had to check and make sure I didn't write this! lol, oh my husband keeps saying he wants to lose weight, but doesn't want to take any of the steps to do so.

Thank you for sharing this! I have never looked at it quite like he does. Actually something I started telling myself a while ago to keep myself from binge eating was "I can always have this again at a later date, I do not have to eat a ton now. This food is not permanently going away."

It helped a lot when I was in HS, and my mom would cook something I loved for dinner. I would eat seconds, and they were full plates both times. I had to firmly tell myself no every time.

Now I don't have a problem at meals, I have a problem with snacking in the afternoon after work.