Results 1 to 26 of 26

Thread: Getting back to normal eating?

  1. #1

    Join Date
    Sep 2006
    Location
    CA
    Posts
    126

    Default Getting back to normal eating?

    I've finally lost all the weight I wanted-I'm slightly underweight now and really don't think it would be wise to lose any more. But I'm having trouble stopping the "dieting behavior." I am eating, but I have to psych myself up before I do so. I always have a smoothie for breakfast, but at lunch and dinner I always find something else to do and delay eating as long as I can. I do eventually eat, but I have to talk myself into it.
    Has anyone else had this problem? Any ideas on how to fix it?

  2. #2
    puffin's Avatar
    Join Date
    Dec 2004
    Location
    Cambridgeshire
    Posts
    1,193

    Default Re: Getting back to normal eating?

    I have had this problem for many years, food is always a huge part of my life, should i shouldnt i eat at this time, maybe not think of the calories, but i should as i will be hungry later and eat loads then it will be worse. I think the best thing to do is eat as much as you feel you need. Try not to worry about putting the odd pound on or losing the odd pound, dont weigh yourself all the time, infact i would throw them away. Try and eat slightly more each day like an extra banana and dont feel bad if you eat 4 bits of chocolate instead of 2. I know its hard to break the cycle but eating regular meals at the set time will stop you thinking about food so much. Sorry, it might be rubbish advice but these are the things i try to tell myself

  3. #3

    Join Date
    Sep 2006
    Location
    CA
    Posts
    126

    Default Re: Getting back to normal eating?

    Thanks, puffin. It's not rubbish advice at all. I guess I am afraid that I will go overboard, but that really hasn't happened when I've had the opportunity to eat a lot (friends of ours took us out to dinner last week. I had a big pata dish, ate what I wanted and took the rest home. I eventually finished it, but it took 3 days). I also have noticed that I just don't have much of an appetite-that might be just my metabolism slowing down. I need to bring it back up. I've been eating some seaweed, because a dietitian friend of mine suggested that my thyroid was not functioning properly (I was feeling very, very cold, even when the temperature was normal). That seems to have helped.

    Thanks!!

  4. #4
    puffin's Avatar
    Join Date
    Dec 2004
    Location
    Cambridgeshire
    Posts
    1,193

    Default Re: Getting back to normal eating?

    Thank you I understand that, its hard to know when to stop eating once you have a platefull in front of you but it sounds like you listen to your body. I cant eat large amounts at one time so try and eat small things during the day, it keeps my energy levels up and stops me thinking about food all the time. Good luck and i hope you can find a happy medium where you feel comfortable

  5. #5
    AR Activist Roxy's Avatar
    Join Date
    Apr 2004
    Location
    South Australia
    Posts
    4,977

    Default Re: Getting back to normal eating?

    Hi Holly

    I sympathise with your struggle to get back to regular eating habbits and I am watching this thread, hoping for some good advice too.

    From April through until about Octoberish last year, I was dieting, and lost 18 pounds in total. I thought that was enough, and when I tried to go back to regular eating habbits, I found it very hard not to calculate calories and analyse everything I ate.

    For a couple of weeks over the Christmas holidays, I gave up on calorie counting and simply ate what I liked. At the end of the 2 weeks I felt really awful, and have now gone back to using Fitday and calorie counting.

    I wish you all the best in getting back to regular eating habbits, without putting on the weight that you lost. That's my biggest fear......putting it back on. I worked so hard to get it off (and I'm sure you did too) that it would be a shame to put it all back on again.

  6. #6

    Join Date
    Sep 2006
    Location
    CA
    Posts
    126

    Default Re: Getting back to normal eating?

    Congratulations, Roxy. It is so hard to successfully lose weight, then to pull yourself back when you start to go back to old habits. I lost about 50 pounds, and I'm so small now that when I went to buy new underwear I had to go to the children's department!!
    I really think the key to my success was in going vegan, so if I keep that up and increase my portions little by little I think I can find that "happy medium." It would be nice to have a little bit of an appetite, but I believe that part of my problem with that stems from the fact that I learned to ignore my body's hunger signals for the year it took me to lose the weight. I will just have to eat when I know it's time, because if I wait until I feel "hungry" it will never happen.

    Thanks again.

  7. #7
    Rentaghost Marrers's Avatar
    Join Date
    Aug 2005
    Location
    UK Croydon/Brighton
    Posts
    2,857

    Default Re: Getting back to normal eating?

    I think the Paul McKenna approach is brilliant and is just as valid for those who have lost weight as for those who want to lose it. It's all about changing our relationship with food so we eat to live rather than live to eat, and so we think about and enjoy food while we eat it rather than at all time except when we are eating it. It is also about getting back in touch with your body so you learn to recognise when you are hungry and when you are full. Don't worry too much about never feeling when you are hungry - your body really will reset over time.

    Amazon sell the book which comes with a good cd for about 7quid (http://www.amazon.co.uk/Can-Make-You...e=UTF8&s=books) or I think QVC do a package of dvds and the cd for about 40 quid.

  8. #8

    Join Date
    Sep 2006
    Location
    CA
    Posts
    126

    Default Re: Getting back to normal eating?

    I've been thinking about that, Marrers. It's so hard to just ENJOY your food, when you've really fooled your body into thinking that you don't want it. I haven't been eating nearly enough over the past year-it's really a wonder that my weight didn't plateau a long time ago. I am a real exercise fiend, so that's probably what kept it going.
    Yesterday, I made myself eat a veggieburger, and for dinner I had a 1/2 a bagel with homemade bean spread. I know, that's not a lot. But it's progress. Today, I actually felt hungry. I started to do what I normally do at lunch-have a coffee and busy myself with other things. I did eat (two pieces of bread with bean spread) and finished my son's potato.
    Thanks for all your support. I was afraid that I would get a lot of backlash because there are so many on this forum who are trying to lose weight-and here I come with "Oh, but I just can't seem to work up an appetite..."

  9. #9
    Rentaghost Marrers's Avatar
    Join Date
    Aug 2005
    Location
    UK Croydon/Brighton
    Posts
    2,857

    Default Re: Getting back to normal eating?

    I think Paul McKenna is doing a spot on GMTV all next week but no idea what time! May be worth setting the video if you want watch it, give you a bit of a boost (much easier to watch than read a book I think!)

  10. #10

    Join Date
    Sep 2006
    Location
    CA
    Posts
    126

    Default Re: Getting back to normal eating?

    Thanks Marrers. but I am in Southern California and they never broadcast anything quite so intelligent in the mornings here!

  11. #11
    perfect RedWellies's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jan 2006
    Location
    Herefordshire, England
    Posts
    1,564

    Default Re: Getting back to normal eating?

    Hollybee, you may have been feeling the cold more because you weren't eating enough. We need fuel to keep us warm. When it's cold, I eat loads more than when it's warm. I agree with what Marrers said. You need to let your body tell you when you're hungry and listen to it. Over-excercising can also diminish your appetite.
    "Do what you can with what you have where you are."
    - Theodore Roosevelt

  12. #12

    Join Date
    Sep 2006
    Location
    CA
    Posts
    126

    Default Re: Getting back to normal eating?

    So true-we are experiencing an unusual cold snap here in Southern California. The "cold" here really didn't bother me for the first winter we were here-I refused to wear a coat or sweatshirt because I always got too warm. Last year was more difficult, and now I am having an awful time with the cold.
    I was doing ok at increasing my food until today, now it's back to square one. I had a long run around the park this morning, and I haven't been able to look at any food.
    I know-I'm getting myself into a bad spiral, as well as sounding like a whiny brat. I'll go have lunch right now.
    Thanks everyone!!

  13. #13
    Rentaghost Marrers's Avatar
    Join Date
    Aug 2005
    Location
    UK Croydon/Brighton
    Posts
    2,857

    Default Re: Getting back to normal eating?

    Why not try writing a food diary as well? Even if you have an off day where you feel you haven't eaten enough you will see overall the pattern of your eating and what needs to change if anything.

    And don't engage in negative thinking around your habits - you may have had an off day but you are not back to square one! Talk to yourself positively - about what you are doing well and about what you intend to do better, not what you are doing badly.

  14. #14

    Join Date
    Sep 2006
    Location
    CA
    Posts
    126

    Default Re: Getting back to normal eating?

    I've thought of keeping a food diary, but haven't because I guess I just don't want to see it in print. I've been doing better over the past few days. I woke up the other morning feeling very, very hungry.
    It's a bit of a psychological barrier for me, too. I convinced myself that food was an enemy (that was really the only way I COULD lose weight-I was nearly 50 pounds overweight); now I have to learn to enjoy it again. I was doing that, until today. We had to be out the whole morning, so I didn't eat lunch until 3 pm. Then I did the same thing-had a coffee and got busy with putting groceries away.

  15. #15
    Rentaghost Marrers's Avatar
    Join Date
    Aug 2005
    Location
    UK Croydon/Brighton
    Posts
    2,857

    Default Re: Getting back to normal eating?

    Quote hollybee View Post
    . . .I have to learn to enjoy (food) again. I was doing that, until today. We had to be out the whole morning, so I didn't eat lunch until 3 pm. Then I did the same thing-had a coffee and got busy with putting groceries away.
    Okay, but tomorrow is another day. Remember, don't talk negatively to yourself. So you had a blip today - shit happens, tomorrow you'll do better.

  16. #16

    Join Date
    Sep 2006
    Location
    CA
    Posts
    126

    Default Re: Getting back to normal eating?

    Quote Marrers View Post
    Okay, but tomorrow is another day. Remember, don't talk negatively to yourself. So you had a blip today - shit happens, tomorrow you'll do better.
    Thanks

  17. #17

    Join Date
    Jun 2006
    Location
    West Texas
    Posts
    36

    Default Re: Getting back to normal eating?

    Honeybee,
    I've been reading a book that also addresses intuitive eating (i.e., eating when you're hungry, stopping when you're full, getting rid of the diet "good vs. bad foods" mentality and it's been helping me a lot. I also want to get off of the "diet" mentality and my fear of eating because I'll gain weight. For me, oddly, it's mostly related to carbs, but that's probably because I did lowcarb dieting for years and lost 30 pounds on it.

    The book is called "The Rules of 'Normal Eating'" by Karen R. Koenig and it addresses both compulsive/binge eaters and restrictive eaters (or, if you're like me, a combination of both).

    It takes a cognitive behavioral approach, so it really works on the thought/behavior/feeling connection.

    Hope that helps!

    Tam

  18. #18
    Cookie Monster RachelJune's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jul 2006
    Location
    Leeds, UK
    Posts
    327

    Default Re: Getting back to normal eating?

    Thanks for that book recommendation, Tammay. I've just looked it up on Amazon and I think I'll be getting it myself

    I have a history of yo-yo dieting and for quite some time now I feel like I've been on one constant diet, afraid of eating anything without calculating the calories or excercising to compensate. Thing is, like hollybee, once I reached my desired weight it's just so hard to go back to "normal" eating. In fact, I don't think I can even remember what that is anymore Now I have to put on weight, which is a really scary thought.

    I'm hoping that book can give me some useful information and tips on how to develop a healthy relationship with food.
    "Born on the same planet, Covered by the same skies..."

  19. #19
    Rentaghost Marrers's Avatar
    Join Date
    Aug 2005
    Location
    UK Croydon/Brighton
    Posts
    2,857

    Default Re: Getting back to normal eating?

    Paul McKenna is really good too RachelJune. I've not gone into it wholeheartedly yet but know some people who have.
    Based on NLP it changes your relationship with food fairly instantly - comes with a very effective cd and is only aout 6 quid.

  20. #20
    wmenke's Avatar
    Join Date
    Sep 2006
    Location
    Kansas
    Posts
    85

    Default Re: Getting back to normal eating?

    I have finally had a break through with my weight, but now I seem to have another issue. I went from 122lbs to 112 lbs over the last few months. At first I really felt like I lost weight; 10lbs makes quite the difference because I'm only 5'1". Now that I've been at 112lbs for a few weeks, I feel large again. I don't feel any smaller than I did when I weighted 122lbs. Has anyone else experienced this? My goal weight is 105 lbs, which is still in the healthy range for my height.

  21. #21
    Rentaghost Marrers's Avatar
    Join Date
    Aug 2005
    Location
    UK Croydon/Brighton
    Posts
    2,857

    Default Re: Getting back to normal eating?

    When I used to diet I'd hit these points - I think they call them plateaus. I would just not try so hard for a few days - still watching my food but eating a few more calories than normal as long as my weight didn't go up - then cut back down again and the weight loss would start again.

  22. #22

    Default Re: Getting back to normal eating?

    yeah, i feel like that all the time. but that said, i've been suffering from ed for the past 7 years. so yeah, i feel like i'm big, no matter what i do. the only time i don't feel like that, is when i've been fasting for a couple of days..

  23. #23
    Cookie Monster RachelJune's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jul 2006
    Location
    Leeds, UK
    Posts
    327

    Default Re: Getting back to normal eating?

    Quote wmenke View Post
    I have finally had a break through with my weight, but now I seem to have another issue. I went from 122lbs to 112 lbs over the last few months. At first I really felt like I lost weight; 10lbs makes quite the difference because I'm only 5'1". Now that I've been at 112lbs for a few weeks, I feel large again. I don't feel any smaller than I did when I weighted 122lbs. Has anyone else experienced this? My goal weight is 105 lbs, which is still in the healthy range for my height.
    It's strange, isn't it? I feel that way too sometimes, I think it's why it's so hard to stop when you reach your goal. There is a sense of achievement when you succeed in getting there, but when this subsides you need to create another goal to reach, and it kind of becomes an obsessive cycle... Although I agree that 105 lbs isn't an unhealthy weight for your height, it's important to realise you need to stop once you get there. Sometimes we can't see what others see.
    "Born on the same planet, Covered by the same skies..."

  24. #24
    Cookie Monster RachelJune's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jul 2006
    Location
    Leeds, UK
    Posts
    327

    Default Re: Getting back to normal eating?

    Quote Marrers View Post
    Paul McKenna is really good too RachelJune. I've not gone into it wholeheartedly yet but know some people who have.
    Based on NLP it changes your relationship with food fairly instantly - comes with a very effective cd and is only aout 6 quid.
    I might look that one up, Marrers. Thanks
    "Born on the same planet, Covered by the same skies..."

  25. #25

    Join Date
    Sep 2006
    Location
    CA
    Posts
    126

    Default Re: Getting back to normal eating?

    Quote wmenke View Post
    I have finally had a break through with my weight, but now I seem to have another issue. I went from 122lbs to 112 lbs over the last few months. At first I really felt like I lost weight; 10lbs makes quite the difference because I'm only 5'1". Now that I've been at 112lbs for a few weeks, I feel large again. I don't feel any smaller than I did when I weighted 122lbs. Has anyone else experienced this? My goal weight is 105 lbs, which is still in the healthy range for my height.
    I'm 5'1", too, wmenke. I'm about 105 pounds. I never thought I'd reach this weight-at first I would have been thrilled to reach 120 pounds. I guess it's a bit like having a new hairstyle. The newness wears off after a while. Maybe the best thing to do when you reach your goal weight would be to buy some new clothes to complement your lovely new figure.

  26. #26

    Join Date
    Dec 2006
    Location
    Iowa
    Posts
    150

    Default Re: Getting back to normal eating?

    Alright, I think this may help: Take pictures.
    I'm having the same problem - I lost 10 pounds and felt no different. I got discouraged and have since gained 5 of those back and now I can tell the difference. I can see it in the mirror. So, today I took my camera, took of my shirt and stood infront of the mirror and snapped a picture (I figure the less clothing the easier it is to tell the difference).
    Seeing myself in that photo is winceworthy right now, but once I manage to loose another 10 pounds I'll take another photo and compare. Small changes, but I think it should help me inspired. Seeing what you used to look like a few weeks back should help spur you forward, you know?

Similar Threads

  1. Anyone tried raw and gone back? Is this normal?
    By mariogirl in forum Raw vegan?
    Replies: 14
    Last Post: Nov 25th, 2010, 05:12 AM
  2. Weight gain: Is it normal?
    By quimet in forum VEGAN HEALTH
    Replies: 46
    Last Post: Apr 16th, 2010, 07:35 PM
  3. High-normal blood pressure
    By kriz in forum VEGAN HEALTH
    Replies: 25
    Last Post: Jul 22nd, 2008, 04:58 PM

Bookmarks

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •