BambiS - Glad you have been able to enjoy some vacation time at home; it sounds like that has been both productive and relaxing! I am definitely looking forward to warmer weather, too.
BambiS wrote:Still trying to get eating back on track.
At present, what would you say are your most significant challenges in this regard? What tools are working well, or feel most helpful right now? Anything you might change or adjust in the days ahead to give yourself support?
frowsyowl - Hang in there, Jennifer! I can certainly imagine how struggling with eating behaviors on those unusual days, and perhaps feeling somewhat out of control (at least that is how it always felt for me), could provoke a sense of discouragement. At the same time, these sorts of incidents can also occasionally offer useful information. What do you feel was the prevailing force that made these days seem so challenging? Was it simply the sudden change in routine? More time spent in close proximity to tempting, calorie-rich foods? Some new stressor or other change in context? Thinking through that information could point toward the most viable tools to apply in a future situation that seems comparable. Are there any actions you might take or changes you are able to make to support your efforts?
frowsyowl wrote: I have continued to start back up the next day with being on-plan. I have done well at work this week.
Good for you! Those are both significant achievements.
Rebecka22 - I really appreciate your considered analysis with this self-assessment!
Rebecka22 wrote:One success was that I got right back on track Monday and thankfully it hasn’t been too hard.
That is definitely a victory, and a blessing, too, right?
Rebecka22 wrote:In the past if I was going to have a no at the end of the week anyway I would keep choosing junk, but it was different this time.
That seems like important progress. Keep doing the best you can!
Hjklost55 - Looks like a very good week to me, Holly!
Hjklost55 wrote:Even though I have a huge plate of food. Haha
Unfamiliar people are SHOCKED by the volume of food I eat. It has become a bit of a running joke in my family.
My vessel of choice is actually a stainless steel mixing bowl. Speaking for myself, I rarely have fruit for dessert, but I nearly always include some fruits in my preload salad. Within the context of the fundamental principles, let hunger and physical comfort be your guides. Carry on!
VegSeekingFit - Feeling terrific about the process is pretty TERRIFIC, Stephanie!
I'm so glad you found an exercise venue that is working for you.
VegSeekingFit wrote:Have started a habit of going to the gym every morning – I put my clothes out the night before and just brush my teeth, comb hair, change clothes --- and head out the door.
Absolutely awesome practice to employ! I completely agree with you about the incredible feelings associated to starting the day with exercise.
Love the quote! Have an amazing week!
Gimmelean - Kudos to you for your exemplary efforts! What you wrote really shows the value of planning, preparation and practice. I'm reposting your description, as it is filled with so many great points and examples:
Gimmelean wrote:This week I batch cooked wheat berries, oat groats, quinoa, and barley on Sunday. I made a pot of black bean soup from dry beans. I steamed fresh broccoli, cauliflower, small potatoes, and sweet potatoes as well so that I could have good food ready for work nights with no effort. I had mixed salad greens ready and raw cut up vegetables. Every work day, I now take cut up fruit and berries. For some reason that whole apple travelled back and forth for 3 days, but when it was sliced and cored with a mini blood orange and blackberries or grapes in a container it was so much more enjoyable. I also brought a small container every day to work with a beautiful assortment of raw vegetables; mini tomatoes and carrots of all colors, snow peas, snap peas, mini cucumbers, sweet peppers, celery.
Making it special makes a difference. Buying from lower cost produce stores makes it very affordable too. Isn’t it great that grocery store inflation doesn’t have such an impact when eating this way?
I echo your closing sentiment - let's all do our best to make it a GREAT week!
Lizzy_F - Being mindful about, and building toward a healthy relationship with food and eating behaviors seems like something with real, lasting value! To me, this would seem to be of a piece with becoming aware of, recognizing, and acknowledging the principles that shape the life we want to live. Here are a couple of relevant threads from Jeff relating to the observations, concerns and questions relating to variety, simplicity, ease and repetition:
The Road to Success: Creating Healthy HabitsBetter to eat many different foods or a limited variety?Both are excellent threads with really useful content, and lots of personal observations and ancedotes from various individual's experiences. Speaking for myself, as I've mentioned in the past, I tend to eat a pretty broad variety of foods throughout the day, but they also tend to be the SAME FOODS each day: lettuce, celery, cucumbers, carrots, cauliflower, broccoli, collard greens, apples, strawberries, sweet potatoes, and diced tomatoes. I've streamlined my prep and cooking process to be as easy and simple as I can make it (for me). Importantly, what easy and simple means is pretty specific to me and my personal situation, and I think through practice everyone eventually finds out the best tools and methods that work best to make things easy FOR THEM. It just takes time (more time than we might expect or wish!) Onward!
Ejg - Seems like another fairly solid week, Eric! I think focusing your attention specifically on adhering to the recommended pattern of behavior, and letting that framework take the driver's seat can be extremely beneficial and makes a lot of sense.
I love cherries and mangoes! I also find them (and bananas) to be REALLY easy to overeat (for me). Something that works well for me, when I want to include those fruits, is to eat them as part of my salad, rather than on their own as a dessert or snack. Keep at it!
Greens - A very nice groove, Marilyn, and great progress!
As you observe, social engagements and interactions can sometimes bring a fair amount of stress, along with the fun, enjoyment and community. It can feel challenging and burdensome to navigate other people's feelings, thoughts and opinions about our behavior, and they are often all too apt to share them, right? Until the perfect world you describe arrives (wouldn't that be fantastic), your mantra AND the potato in your purse will serve you well. Wishing you all the best as you make your way through the days ahead!
Noella - Excellent adherence! I'm so glad you are able to function so well while continuing to recover and heal. I'm sure it will be a happy occasion when the cast comes off, and your thoughtful, therapeutic exercise regimen should help make it even happier.
One-handed spring cleaning is quite an impressive achievement!