GD everyone!
This is the longest that I have been able to go to bed and fall asleep by 11 p.m. that I can remember. I think, it is now going on three weeks!! What a big difference it makes. Let's hope I can keep it up.
I C/P many of your individual thoughts so I can reflect on them at a later time. I really resonated with many of your thoughts, feelings and ideas these past couple of days. It sure feels like synchronicity in this group right now.
Credit: although I ordered delivery pizza last night on the spur of the moment, I did first check with my food plan to see if I could have it and that it would fall within my daily calorie range, nutrients, etc. It did so that gave me the "go-ahead". I ordered the least "offensive" (more vegs, less meat, cheese and sauce). I also ate to "normal fullness", which came quicker than I had expected. There was 1/2 of a slice left of pre-measured pizza. So, this satisfied both the "leave some on my plate" and stopping when hitting "normal fullness". I promptly put away the rest of the pizza that I had measured out for myself. As a distraction, I strung lights on our Christmas tree then watched a B/W Christmas movie. It worked like a charm!
Credit: A new habit that I am working on fostering is turning the computer off after dinner. It is another habit that I want to break. Again, BALANCE! I have been doing that for about a week or so now. I really like doing that. To me, the "act itself" signals to me that to "move on" to something else, which so happens to be Q-time with my beloved, Paul. When he saw me leave 1/2 of the last "pre-measured" slice of pizza, he went "YAY!" spontaneously. It is moments like that when I just ooze love for him.
He "gets" me!
ladym! You are quite a brave lady to be taking on the holiday season but you do have the right arsenal with you: Beck will serve you well!
GL.
maryann your words dig deep in my heart and soul. I spent the majority of my only child's life, deep in the throes of addiction, depression and withdrawal. I have since forgiven myself but I wept bitterly as I began the slow and painful process of recovery knowing that I could never return to his youth. I asked his forgiveness and he has so now we have a wonderful relationship. I am so blessed to have such a wonderful adult child. He has turned out beautifully.
hollyp I just went through a "test" regarding my food plan and being so physically sick. Yes, in the past, I "used to" count being "sick" as a "special occasion" and therefore, I need to nurture and coddle myself....usually with highly sweetened carbs and/or salty foods, since that was the only foods I could "taste". Well, this past time(mid-November to a week ago), although it was a challenge, I did much better. I logged my food, ate my meals as planned and didn't ply myself with those foods that I had "erroneously" thought would aid in my recovery. I remember the quote, "Feed a cold, starve a fever..." but, what if you have both?? This time I focused more on getting adequate rest and fluids. Hope you are feeling better soon. This is a terrible time of the year to be sick!
eusebius I personally call the frozen food meal plan (your back-up) as "damage control". Yes, it is not ideal but what in life is?? I applaud your realistic take on the situation. You are doing the very best you can!!
Major Credit for seeing the wisdom in your present choices and accepting that. NOTHING meaningful in life has ever been accomplished in SELF-HATE, only SELF-LOVE. I see self-love in your words.
FFC So very happy to see you back in top form!!
Major Credit for coming back to share how your journey has been. As a result of both the global economic woes and my own personal finances I too have had to learn to live on a lot less. It has been over a year now and although I don't necessarily like being so conscious of how I spend money, I have also learned that I can and actually don't mind some of the changes I have made. I feel that there is a "life lesson" in every turn of the road I am on but I will only see it if I acknowledge that it exists. As a person who once had quite a menagerie of pets, I sympathize with the difficulty of the choices you have to make. Our pets give us so much.
Lexxiss, I totally agree that when we are organized, we bring our stress levels
way down. I might also add that having adequate rest also contributes to feeling like I can take on a lot more without feeling added stress.
When we take care of ourselves, more things get taken care of.
Bill By George, he's got it!!
Did I ever tell you my book story? A year or so ago, Paul and I made the decision we were going to part with our huge voluminous collection of books. (this is what happens when you have one who loves to click on Amazon.com and the other can't resist bookstores at retreat centers during "alone time")
Plan A: I set out two large laundry baskets. I told Paul to put the ones he didn't "want" anymore in the basket nearest him and then I would do the same with the other basket. Well, I was sitting in a folding chair next to both baskets. As Paul was putting one of his books he was willing to let go, I picked it up, looked at it and put it back on the shelf (I hadn't read it and it looked "interesting"). When Paul said he was done, we looked down at the two baskets: one was nearly empty and the other one was empty.
Okay-- Plan B: I told Paul he could have one very long shelf to put his favorite books he wanted to keep. I would have the shelf below that. Anything else would have to go. Period. No debate. Well, that worked better (both baskets were filled with books) although we did have a third shelf we half-filled. Better but I knew we would probably be buying more books so that was a "concern."
Finally, Plan C: I said that we needed to make an "oral agreement" that as soon as we finished one book, we would donate that to a used bookstore or something/someone. That has yet to be tested but it is still is an idea I hope to "enforce". And so the book saga continues......
sarah already you have fallen in so easily. Thank you for your insights. We have so many here who have so many wonderful and helpful ideas to share. I actually worked the Pink Book (the first Beck book) day by day as Dr. Beck suggests. Although at times it seemed stifling, it does teach patience and if you are going to tame this beast, patience is something to foster.
The #1 thing that I have taken away from the Beck Diet Solution is that more than half the battle of losing weight permanently is between my two ears. I instinctively knew this but I never acknowledged it or openly admitted it as I do now. Also, this methodology has given me confidence. I know that I will succeed. Talk about "easy mindset". You bet!! I no longer view food as "forbidden, bad or gross". I have made peace with it all.
Now, I am going to tackle putting up the outdoor lights. It is overcast, cloudy and it has been raining non-stop since late yesterday. Perfect day to be out on the porch stringing lights.
Pam