I think you should always like the Person you are. In fact getting healthy is a reflection of that. I definitely did NOT like the state of my health, fitness, and weight. No two ways about that.

And thank goodness I didn't like it. Motivation was the key for me having the success I have this year. And oh boy was it worth it. So much happier, clearer, stronger, fitter, easier to move, more enjoyable to just be, much more energy.

Still want to hit under 200...sometime next year.

Did I like my health, energy, body, fitness at 285? Heck NO. That is super easy and, to me, healthy to admit.

Do I like being 230? Heck of a lot more than 285. But not satisfied yet at all. Bring on 2014. I am not going to stop till I am at the very healthy fitness level I want and I know I can get there. And I am not there yet and I am not going to stop pushing. Why? Because I like myself and I want my fitness and health to reflect that.

Inkrid, I think IE is a good plan. In fact, I incorporate the concept into my diet. I eat when I'm hungry, stop when I'm full, even on cheat day. I've actually tried IE without going low-carb before, but the carbs gave me problems. They caused my body to send cues of hunger when I had already eaten and shouldn't have been hungry again. But if you have no trouble with carbs, you should give it try. As Pixelllate pointed out, as long as your intuition is not off, causing you to overeat, it's a smart and effective method.

My neighbor did the stomach growling then eat until it stops growling thing. He claimed he lost a lot of weight but when he goes off he gains it back. I try to be more "mindful" about my eating when I can, have a plan, enjoy what I'm eating, not just "mindlessly" munching. Between that and writing down/logging what I'm eating and my exercise I've been successful lately. I just keep adjusting, when something works I keep it in the rotation.

Best to all :sunny:

I've had moments like this and they do make sense. I just wish I could stick to it, because plenty of people live moderately and do it successfully. I know and I can see that people all over the world eat carbs and can maintain their weight. But if I eat carbs I get more hungry and I eat more. So moderation leads to insanity sometimes.

I think it's crazy to swear off foods. I would never do that. But moderation to me means keeping tight reigns on certain foods. Someone here said once "One bad meal isn't going to make you fat...just as one salad won't make you skinny." I can't remember who it was but it rings true to me.

Everything in moderation is a cop-out. Unhealthy food in moderation will put the weight on. Your body needs nutrition, not cookies and hamburger helper. Processed foods are junk.

I don't eat cookies and "never have" Hamburger Helper. Jeez, I'm human for a day, shoot me! ;)

For me, moderation means keeping reins on quantity. I can't eat intuitively, because my intuition (both physical and mental) is to eat 3,000+ cals per day. That's the amount that leaves me most satisfied, energetic and creative, but it's obviously not a sustainable amount weight-wise.

Like you, I have no off-limit foods. I'm too much of a foodie to swear off my favourite indulgences forever. To me, a life without neapolitan pizza, nutella crepes, sushi, yakisoba, etc., would not have the same richness.

F.

I am pretty good with intuitive eating.... EXCEPT (drum roll) for ice cream.

If I eat ice cream, I will go bonkers. It's like crack.
No ice cream since November 2011.

If only there were some of this :dust:

I think its important to remember that the options are not just
"eat hamburger helper & fake potatoes or spinach."
"love myself or hate myself & want to lose weight"
"eat vegetable soup or eat socially."

It sounds a little like you are backing yourself into a corner with choices that aren't your only choices.

The cabbage soup diet or Spinach for dinner while your family is eating "normal" food doesn't sound like a long term sustainable plan. Nor does it really sound like modeling healthy eating for your kids.

But the challenge is to:

1. Live in the culture we do, and
2. To lose weight, while
3. Doing it as normally/most family friendly/healthy/result oriented/long-term/under the radar way as possible.

That is why I posted, your response at first read, just reframes my situation in a blame-y way with no answer.

I am Re-setting, for sure, taking advice, and wisdom tid-bits to heart. I know: I lose 15 pounds low carbing. I lose a pound a day if I eat veggies/fruit only. Therefore, to live in my world, could I have, say, smoothies in the AM and a normal dinner at night. See what I mean? I'm finding what works *for me*.

And with XMas and skiing, my goal this week is to simply Not Gain Weight and to maintain!

I guess that is what we are all trying to do! Sounds like you know yourself and have a good plan for the upcoming holidays! :goodvibes

Well, you go do that. I deep fry my falafel, eat fries, have chocolate cookies, and I'm still losing weight. Moderation and calorie counting DOES work. That's why so many people suggest it.