Have you considered having a free meal once a month perhaps?

Anything you want just for that one meal in any amount and that is it until the next month.

<<I love that I can wear smaller sizes now and can shop wherever I want and most things look at least ok on me, but man. I really would like to just eat and I mean really eat.>>

One of the most powerful posts I've seen on this board talked about the loss experienced when we decide to give up eating as much as we want, whenever we want. The poster faced this loss head-on rather than pretending it didn't exist. She said that this lifestyle change involves trading the unique high of unbridled indulgence for a series of more moderate but ultimately more satisfying highs. I found her thoughts to be very wise and inspiring. For me, acknowledging the reality of the tradeoff makes it easier to take and reminds me of its value.

Freelance

<<It sounds like you haven't really committed to a healthy lifestyle.>>

That's a completely unhelpful, not to mention inaccurate, statement. If committing to a healthy lifestyle meant never indulging or thinking about indulging, it would be unsustainable for the vast majority of us. I, for one, would want no part of it.

My new healthy lifestyle includes built-in indulgences (and I do mean indulgences) to satisfy my psychological need for periodic abandon around food. Whatever works for each of us is the way to go.

Freelance

That's why I do it too. I got to the point that I was SO TIRED of being hungry in the eve's and I didn't have any more calories, so I was going over, and that was not. okay.

Also:

I'm pretty sure that's the stupidest thing I've heard today, not to be mean... IMO and all that stuff. CLEARLY you haven't been here a while and SEEN WHAT SHE'S DONE. Lord help me.. Sigh. Even looking at her ticker, you can see it right there... I just.. Wow, I just cant even believe that. LOL. Are you serious? Did you seriously mean that? ROFL.


ETA: Melissa, you are doing and HAVE DONE an excellent job. A life changing wonderful job, not only are you reaping the benefits but your husband and children are too. You've done better than tons of the people here, and I for one am super proud of you. TOTALLY. And good job.

Thats all. Have a good day peeps. :D

I am just about to have a second cup of coffee, I would really like to have a doughnut or a piece of coffee cake to go with it. I am NOT hungry, I just like sweets. I find that when I think I am hungry I am really bored or even thirsty or just miss the old days when I ate all the doughnuts and coffee cake that I wanted, of course that was what brought me to over 200 pounds. and being just 5' tall, not a pretty sight or a healthy one.

Did you happen to notice that she has lost 87 pounds ? 87 pounds. Repeat after me 87 pounds !

Are you truly, honest to god hungry or do you just want the food?

Either way it sucks and it's difficult, no denying that.

I don't think that's the case. The post reminds me more of lamenting the loss of something rather than cursing a new lifestyle. Sort of the way an adult might talk about how they miss the idyllic summers of their youth—it doesn't mean they're childish, it just means they miss what they used to have.

I can eat enough in one meal to be above my "loss" level, but I cant to be above my maintain level, especially if I get in a really good workout first.

For me the IF works not just because I can have physically bigger meals but because then there is room for the stuff I really want but couldnt otherise "afford". Like steak instead of fish or butter on a baked potato....or the baked potato.

'

I've been married for 21 years and have 2 great kids. Sometimes I spend hours dreaming of being single and child-free.

berryblonde,

I've read your threads over the past week (about family, surgery, etc). I have no real advice to offer, but I just wanted to give you a hug.

:hug:

what an innacurate judgement.

OP-- I appreciate your honesty! i too think about the days where i could visit a buffet without the least bit trepidation or guilt, or order the rich, yummy dishes on the menu without thinking about calories. but you know it's a trade off for having a longer life and being proud of the way that you look.

talking it out seems like the healthiest way to deal with those moments. it shows your commitment because if you weren't committed, you'd just go out there and pig out.

the moment will pass and you will be stronger because of it. you are a great example to us all!

Sometimes I wonder if we feel the deprivation because we experienced the bliss of indulgence. Like...I know a lot of people who have eaten regular sized meals, or if they eat a richer meal, they eat less later, but they never binge like I did. I hated the feeling after binging, but it did feel good during (Nutella-banana-honey sandwiches WOAH). Just like some people who may have tried some stimulent-they experienced a sensation that others may never know about, so it is sad to no longer have it-the forbidden fruit is only tempting when you are aware of its existence.
In a way, maybe its a good thing, now you can be goal weight and have memories of all the indulgences that some people have never experienced-I have a friend who had a more exciting (but unhealthy) life, and reminisces about the past-but in a way where he has glad that he did it in one point in his life and all I can do is just imagine it. Anyways, I can totally relate and I too feel the same way and I congragulate you on your strength!

I feel that way all the time. Like, I know what I'm missing out on! I feel like that way when I'm on a stall, mostly.. And sometimes going into a little indulgence means that I break thru that stall. :D

i love chewy or creamy foods. hence my love of caramel, and cheese (you can get those either way!)... i don't know of many healthy options for chewy or creamy. chewy indicates either sugar or fat, and creamy almost always indicates fat... sigh.

i often sit and think of having a lovely big bowl of fresh baked brownie a la mode with caramel sauce... i guess i'll deal with the rice cakes with the caramel drizzle for now :P

I feel like sometimes we are hungry just b/c our bodies need a little more than we're giving it. If it's a sweet temptation, I usually let it go but when it's a protein I am craving, I am more apt to listen, especially if it's high in iron or B-12 like a steak. Perhaps your body is just asking you for more of something you need?

Will it derail your motivation to have that steak dinner? If it's gonna throw you off then skip it but if not, maybe have a free meal of something you absolutely love. When I feel like I really need to sink my teeth into something, taco night usually works for me. I can have 3 tacos with all of the trimmings(except quacamole) for about 500 cals. Tacos were always blood sugar friendly when I was diabetic and now they don't seem to derail me by making me more crave-y later. But ya know, sometimes, I also need a bacon cheeseburger. Ironically, when it's so specific and I am uber-hungry I see little to no damage on the scale or in cravings, sometimes I even get a whoosh. This can be a crazy game. :dizzy:

I say, eat what you are craving, in a somewhat healthy way. Something protein-based like a large steak shouldn't hurt too bad. I think you are gonna find it hard to eat a large amount now though, at least, I do. I think that is a testament to how much I used to eat vs. how much I really need to eat. Sometimes, just sometimes, our body will ask for more than our calorie allotted portioned foods.

I love this site - I truly do! Thanks for all the kind words and for getting it.

I indulged then entire time from December 3rd through January 8th. We had 9 parties or events during that time, two family birthday, Two christmases and the New Year. I baked and at events nibbled on things. I didn't even go crazy, but I also asn't exercising during that time. I was sooooooooo busy that it got pushed out the window. I can't be sure how much fat I gained, but the scale went from 171 to 186 during that time. It quickly went down to 176 and then I basically stalled out for over 6 weeks. Then, this month I've lost quite a bit - my body is releasing the water it was holding I guess as it readjusted with the exercise and fat loss.

So, I do have meals where I induldge, but I haven't allowed that for this month because I was on a super mission to get back down to my all time low. It had been 3 months since I had seen it because of 3 weeks of being indulgent and I wasn't even VERY indulgent! That is the scary part - my meals were the same small meals - the same, same, same. Just that I would have a dessert, or nibble on the batter while making cookies and so on.

It was kind of scary seeing how fast I packed the weight back on when I wasn't even completely off plan! And I planned that break.

Now that I've seen the weight come down, DH and I are planning a late to happen date night at The Melting Pot and I will enjoy and eat whatever I want for that meal. I just haven't allowed it this month to finally break out of this rut!