I am struggling to find my way back to eating healthy, so I thought I would just try and maintain for a couple of weeks while I get my head together. The problem is I forgot just how hard it is to eat like a normal person. For the last 20 years I have been either dieting or binging, so I really have no idea how to eat like a normal person.
I went to the supermarket last night and bought fruit, veg and meat and made meal plans for the next few days. Last night I made a baked potato with coleslaw, light cheese, bacon and light sour cream. Tonight I am having crumbed fish with frozen chips and veggies, my other ideas are rissoles with veg and mashed potato, fajitas and home made pizza. It was so hard for me to come up with ideas for dinner that are appealing and not too unhealthy. I tend to go from veggie soup to take away pizza and there is not much in between.
I am finding understanding what my body needs very difficult. Last night after dinner I couldn't stop snacking. I had given myself the go ahead to eat if I was hungry, but I just didn't know if I was hungry. I am not sure if I really know what being full is. Traditionally I have kept eating if there was any possible chance of fitting any more food in until I felt sick and I used to think that was full. Just knowing that I had bought some snacks (usually banned in my house), meant that I couldn't stop eating it until I had over indulged and made a pig of myself.
Then this morning at work we had a morning tea and I restricted myself to 1 cupcake, but as the day went on and the food sat in the kitchen, it was on my mind. Throughout the day I ended up going back and eating another 2 cup cakes and a piece of lemon slice and I almost grabbed a muffin as I was leaving but I managed to stop myself. The food was in the back of mind all day and I just couldn't stop thinking about it. I really just don't know how to stop.
I am really hoping that over the next couple of weeks I can think more about the foods I eat and why I am eating them. I have lot's of social functions on where I normally eat and drink way too much, so it should be an interesting challenge.
You sound like all of us - I wouldn't worry. I have started eating only when hungry, and keeping track of what I am eating so that I can look back on it at the end of the day and see where I could improve. I have also stopped eating after supper. I didn't realize how much I ate after supper - it totally surprised me that I was eating the same amount of calories in snacks after supper that I had just eaten for my main meal! Eeeks.
ReplyDeleteIt is difficult Tully, you're not the only one who has a massive struggle with this! All of those meals that you describe sound absolutely lovely, and are great meals :-D Remember that you can check out my recipes section in AYGTET if you need ideas as well, though I admit, I haven't filled in that much recently. I made these a few days ago - feta, zucchini, chorizo sausage on toasted English muffins. SO GEWD.
ReplyDeleteRegarding snacks and things - I'm at the point now where I can say to myself, "I can eat those whenever I want to.", and giving myself that freedom helps with the struggle. Only problem is, when I DO want to, I find that the family have gotten to my food first! Hmph!
Good luck with those social events! Only thing I can recommend is to ENJOY the night out :-)
I found it hard to stop thinking constantly about food also... kind of obsession isnt it... the biggest thing for me was to eat my dinner then that was it for the night... I now drink water or peppermint tea...
ReplyDeleteand coz i hate getting up thru the night I have learnt not to have anything much at all...
it is all about breaking those nasty nasty habits..
very hard.. but also doable..
Social situations are my downfall too. I haven't been by your site in forever. I'm glad I stopped back by!
ReplyDeleteIt is hard to get back into the swing of things .... I am in the same boat at the moment!
ReplyDeleteI love the sounds of your meals this week ..... can I come over?? lol!!
It is hard to keep/get on track... One thing I hate the most is that I think about food 24 hours a day (what I am going to eat next, what can i have, what i want etc.) which can be so frustrating when all I want to do is just eat with abandon (as i have done quite often in the past). Why does the bad stuff always have to taste so good?
ReplyDeleteBut I know you can do it, we're all pulling for you!
Hey its hard when your used to going to extremems - one minute strict dieting, the next a big ice cream binge.
ReplyDeleteOne site that really helped me and is free to join is calorieking.com.au
It has LOADS of healthy yummy recipes. Low in cals and fat, and stuff you can make for yourself or a family. Includes desserts and snacks.
Also has a great forum of women going through the exact same thing as you and looking for support.
We are all here if you need someone to lean on!!
It is so hard. Temptations are everywhere.
ReplyDelete