how often are you on your diet plan- meaning, you are not "cheating" (I hate that word!) or "off the wagon?"

I am just wondering if I do this 80% of the time, is that good or bad?

For me personally it would be good, compared to the way I used to eat!

Jenn

I'm on week 5 and aside from some champagne a few weeks ago for a special event and a glass tonight for Valentine's day, I don't feel the need to go off plan. This plan works for me. I am so happy to have found it

You know I was just thinking about this...

Im thinking this is LIFE style change. So I try not to harp on occasional cheat BUT, I keep aware of where Im going with my eating.. you know what I mean? Who can expect to not ever eat any dessert or whatever your "treat" is? I think what got me where I am is overindulgence and no awareness. I shoveled it in not thinking about the implications. All I have to do is look at my thighs or *gulp* gut and know where all the "indulgences" went. Yes, I cheat but Im getting right back on the horse the next minute. I am finding subtle ways to recognize my triggers. (Thanks, Laurie)

My first seven weeks, I stayed strictly on plan, then had a minor meltdown during the week leading up to Christmas, got back on until I went to visit my parents for a few days in the middle of January, and am back on, but every once a week or so will indulge in a few bites of something not on the plan when I go out to eat. When I eat all my meals at home and cook my lunch to bring to work, staying on plan isn't a problem at all. When I go out to eat, though, I'd swear that the heart of America's restaurants is really just one giant white potato.

I remember reading in the Daily Dish once that instead of calling it a 'cheat or falling off the wagon' to call it a 'treat'. I treat myself at least once a week. Not planned that way, but always seems that way.

As others have said earlier, this is a life style change. There are a few things that I am not willing to give up permantly and I incorporate them into my diet occasionally and in moderation. I like pizza in the past I could polish off half a large pizza by myself now I'm happy with one slice with lots of vegetables and a smaller amount of meat. I only treat myself to pizza once a month, same with other things.

If I am going to a function that I know will be bad food-like a picnic. I allow myself 1 hot dog or 1 hamburger and a handfull of chips not a plate full. It's amazing how much better food tastes for me when I'm only eating a single serving instead of the entire package. I've also given myself permission to not eat food if it doesn't taste really good, especially high fat/sugar dessert type foods. If it is not orgasmic when I put in my mouth, I don't finish it.

I do believe that during phase 1, you should be as close to 100% following as possible. But after you've been in phase 2 for awhile you can allow a few treats to sneak into you diet each month. But you have to keep a handle on it, because sometimes it becomes a little more frequently and it becomes hard to break the habit.

Sarah

Also, the days I plan on having something off plan, I do some extra exercise in advance of the treat I guess I consider it part of my plan to allow for occasional treats and it reinforces my commitment to my WOE.

I'd like to find a happy balance. I was "perfect" on plan for 53.5 pounds. I didn't cheat for 7 months. Then I didn't fall off the wagon....I face-planted!

It took me nearly 4 months to get back on. I'd like to know that for me I can have an occasional bite of something or day off, but I have this sick mindset that it is all or nothing. I'm chicken to cheat, it's too hard for me to get back on track.

Hopefully, I'll find a healthy attitude about food through this journey.

Well! The only time I really Fall Off the Wagon (OUCH!!) was when I went on our18 day criuse from Mex-to-Panama Canal-to-Islands. I gained (10-lbs)that I lost, the first time around.Now its slowly coming off again. I have 7 more to get to my pre-cruise weight and than 7lbs more until I reach my goal. Hugs BB

On? *sigh* I've been off. I seem to be good all day and then at night the chocolate meanies attack me like 2 weeks out of the month.

I am hoping that once I learn that I did pass the state board exam to become an RN that some of the stress will subside and that will help with the anxiety and nervousness.

Since DH today found out his fasting glucose level was over 150 last week and I know that my A1C dosen't look much better... AND I've gained back 13 pounds of the 30 that I'd lost... and I don't want to look like a sack of potatos in scrubs...

Night time is the worst time. Before I did good allowing myself to have these yummy Keto ice cream bars... I don't know that it's a "good" solution but it worked before...

Lovingly,

NEVER!

However, that does not mean that I don't eat off program foods occassionally. When I was still wanting to lose weight, I knew that we would be attending DFIL's 90th birthday, AND, that I would be having a piece of cake at the birthday party. However, I don't consider that falling off the wagon...I consider it a planned treat. Here's what I did then and continue to do when I know the temptation to eat off program foods will be too great.

The week prior to the birthday party, I followed Phase 1. At the party, which was dinner in a restaurant, I ordered grilled chicken which came with steamed veggies and potatoes of some kind (I asked the waitress to give me extra veggies in place of the potatoes). I indulged in birthday cake that evening and enjoyed every morsel. The following day was back to my usual WOE with a weight loss to boot.

By following Phase 1 the week prior to an event, I mentally feel like I have done some extra work to be able to indulge in a treat without feeling like I have 'fallen off the wagon.' Having planned the event in advance just makes the consumption of the food that much more enjoyable. This is the way that I plan to eat for life - no guilt and above all, no feelings of deprivation.

The bigger discipline is to be caught in situations where off program foods are served and you have not planned to eat them...e.g. someone brings a box of donuts in for everyone for coffee. Although it is hard to do, I just say no. the bigger goal of a healthier and leaner me taked priority.

Yikes, me too!!! I almost never cheated (except planned treats once in a great while) and lost 30 lbs. Then, for no reason, I just nose-dived. I stopped exercising. I started eating mindlessly, endlessly. I gained back 7 lbs.

I'll be starting Phase 1 again for two weeks on Sunday. Hopefully, I can be more successful this time around.

I follow a strict phase I - no cheating! Then I generally stick to what we refer to around here as phase 1.5 - Not really phase I - not really phase II. You need to find what works for you! Every body is different. I try to only eat OP foods. My occasional cheat is wine which is OP for Phase II - but only one glass and I usually have a few more than that. The things I stick to are no breads, cereals and pasta's. No yogurt for me either. I don't eat any bars or pre-made "low carb" junk because it really is junk. My occasional non-natural food is a pre-made shake and only if I'm starving and in a hurry. I also will bring pistachios to the movie theatre so I don't feel bad about the popcorn. If I'm really crazy about eating something I try to eat more of OP products - I'll eat 60 pistachios instead of 30. Or whatever. I'm satisfied with my weight loss so far. If I'm really good and motivated I can lose 9 pounds in a month. If I'm screwing around and eating too big of portions - I'll still lose 4.

Good Luck!

I seem to be following Phase II without too much difficulty. Of course then there was V-day with children with puppydog eyes putting cupcakes, candy and cookies on my desk all day, trying to please me. Giving me some of there own candy to share and be nice...talk about torture! I accepted everything gracefully and brought it home to my kids. I ended up eating a large fingerfull of frosting and half a box of low carb russel stovers to not deprive myself entirely. It was cheating, but just think of how bad it could have been! That is how I think about it anyhow.