No, no, no. I never said telling yourself that going off plan is likened to that of an alcoholic. Never. I'm not sure where you got that from. What I said is and of course this is MY OPINION, is that using food AS A REWARD. A REWARD. A REWARD is a big definite NO-NO. I don't see it as a negative. What I saw as negative was this statement and that's what I commented on and responded to:

I think "break free" from your usual "dieting routine" is EXTREMELY over the top negative. That one needs to "break free" is what I think is sending out a really strange and wrong message.

I think using foods as a reward is just wrong. On so many fronts. That's my opinion - and I'm sticking to it. ;)

And for me, I do believe that I had/have an addiction to food. Maybe you don't feel that way, but that is what I believe. So please don't tell me that it is wrong of me to have that mindset.Thanks. Because I believe HAVING that mindset was a huge realization for me and was extremely helpful to me. :)

Don't beat yourself up about it - everyone slip's up now and then :)

Hehe...At Christmas I had a bit of a difficult time climbing back on the wagon after one day of eating off plan. I remember writing a post about it and there were the usual sugar coat response of well wishers....but at that instant what I really wanted was a swift kick in the rear and a "WHAT THE H@LL ARE YOU THINKING??" kind of response. IIRC Jay gave me the kick I so badly needed, (thanks Jay!)

SO...Here goes. WHAT IN THE H@LL ARE YOU THINKING? ;):hug:

i wasnt =p hence the title of the thread. lol

Food is food.

It is fuel for the body.

Some of it is extraordinarily tasty and completely superfluous to our nutritional requirements. It is eaten for pleasure--not for energy or sustenance. Pleasure eating isn't good or bad--it is what it is and too much of it will make you fat and unhealthy.

But food is not a substitute for anything. It isn't a warm hug and comfort. It isn't a stress reliever. It isn't a reward.

(Now I just have to repeat that every single day and maybe I'll get it in time!)

Some of us may have an addiction to certain foods, some of us may have simply fallen into bad habits (or never had good ones for whatever reason). But thinking of food as a "reward" just isn't a healthy thing. I struggle with this--and I struggle with it with respect to my kids.

Thanks for this thread.

Hey Mahina Lani, :wave:

I have seen a lot of folks come and go on 3FC... :yes: And it seems to me that when people talk about going off plan as a reward, they are not talking about having an extra boneless, skinless chicken breast or a double helping of green beans. :lol: No, usually what they have in mind is pizza or drive-thru or a pint of something rich and creamy and full of sugar. :yikes: And yes, that version of going off plan as a reward is absolutely the same, in my mind, as feeding an addiction. It is not changing eating habits--it's reinforcing them.

So, yeah, I send out a negative message about that every chance I get! :drill: ;)

It does not mean that NEVER AGAIN can anyone eat those foods. But it does mean that a few weeks into a weight loss program is not the time to be thinking of a reward like that. I think it sets folks up for failure.

Mahalo!
Jay

can i have the extra green beans? ^____^; i lurve green beans

Yes you may! <passing platter of green beans>

Jay