Debbie Cousins's Journal, 19 Jul 19

I hear ya, Debbie. This week I have stood at the freezer that contained ice cream sandwiches (for the kids), even one holding one in my hand.... The "I don't eat this." mantra (vs. the "I can't") was what pulled me back from the brink. You can do it, Debbie!  

I understand, I did that also, this week (birthday week), but I know I can't stay on that path, my body paid for it, I was in so much pain, because of all that sugar, don't stay there, get back on track and focus, I got myself back on track, you can do it Sis, we're here to help each other, and we understand, have a good day, stay encourage uplifted and focus.  

If you can't resist, why have it in the house? Do your kids "need" ice cream? Make your problem foods into "special treats we only have for special occasions". 

The ice cream in the house is actually for my husband and our house guest. Neither of them needs it either, but they like to have a bowl at night. The mistake I made last time was buying a kind that IIII like, too. I'm usually safe with vanilla and chocolate, but the chocolate chip was more of a temptation, and I even bought butter pecan! I was just asking for trouble. SO FAR today, I've only had a string cheese and an Atkins Endulge Chocolate Coconut bar, but I'm not feeling at all confident about the rest of the day. Scary. 

I have been struggling. This struggle reminds me of my pre-menopause days. I'd be on track for 3 weeks and then all hell would break loose. Then on week 4, the desire to eat everything in sight would disappear. You'll come back from this, be back on track, and your success will continue. If anyone can do this - it's you!  

Wish I could help you but only you can decide to do it. I actually would get a high from thinking about starting over the next day. Sounds stupid but it was a vicious cycle of binging and then I'd write out my goals and what I was going to do the next day and how much I'd lose by the end of the month. It was pretty messed up. Good luck to you. An easy thing to do would be to drink the water. Down a big glass of water since you said you aren't drinking enough. 1/2 the time we think we are hungry- it's actually thirst- or so I have read somewhere. I can stand at the sink and drink a 32 oz bottle of water in 10 seconds and get it out of the way. (Actually I love water so I don't consider that a chore). :) Not only would I take ice cream but I (maybe I shouldn't tell you this) would add peanut butter and pretzels and whatever ever else might make it good and really hit it out of the park. I mean- I know how to really screw up. So drink some water- take a breath and don't put anything else in your mouth until your hungry. That's my advice. 🤞💕🤷‍♀️ 

It happens! Don’t beat yourself up. One of the most helpful suggestions Rosio and some of our other FS peeps is to just go back to tracking and counting the next day. I have noticed that my consistency is what has been the difference for me. The up and downs (binge / no binge) is inevitable. But what gets us and keeps us on track is the consistency of us going back to basics and following our calorie in and out. Enjoy your little splurges! and get right back to biz. 😎😎😎😎 

I’m so sorry. 

Hang in there! I put this drink water app on my phone....you set it when you get up and go to bed and every hour awake it reminds you to drink 10 ounces of water!!! It records weight and BMI....it's free and it works to remind me to drink more! YOU know I have a hard time losing weight...only 43.2 lbs since Nov 1 2018....I just lost another lb counted in that already!!! You'll get back on the right track!!! 

You are giving a lot of power and a lot of blame to a bowl of oatmeal. A serving of oatmeal and a BOWL of oatmeal are two different things. 

I had a bowl of ice cream last night... After a bowl of cherries, after making brownies for a kid to take to an event (having a huge spoon full of the luscious stuff before cooking it), after going out to a special meal with my hubby. I feel really down this morning from the sugar and feeling of failure. Today can and will be better... For us all! Hang in there. We probably all understand to one degree or another that out of control feeling. I'm just focusing on how good I feel when "in control" and heading back there today.  

Lemon juice or tart cherry concentrate can be used to flavor your water. Even certain amino acids, like citrulline (sour). Sweets are social and send out invitations to friends and family to join them in you stomach. Often require a cold turkey day or two to stop the rush. 

are you working out? Sometimes working out snaps me out of it! It gets me into the "taking care of myself" mindset again!  

TomLong, "Sweets are social and send out invitations to friends and family to join them in you stomach." What an interesting and accurate statement! You are so right! 

I get cravings sometimes too. I don’t allow certain foods in the house so I don’t overindulge. Also, by not eating sugary sweets I find fresh fruit to be very satisfying. It’s natural sugars and much better for you. Pick your favorite fruit and indulge! 

I'm not considered really overweight but if you can't fit into your clothes it's time to do something. if I am not careful I would be over weight. I am very active at 57 cut grass and do alot of work lifting. in the heat I might add. when I started to work on my weight I was frustrated it didn't seem to want to go away. but the thought crossed my mind (I think it was the Lord brought it to my attention) that I didn't gain the weight in one week and I am not going to lose it in one week. that seemed to help me not be depressed when I didn't lose what I expected and if I messed up one day I would just start a new one the next. helped me. just saying.  

I am in the same boat the last couple of days. Between the last two days I polished of a family size bag of m&m's 1 or 2 lb size. Now it's time to get back on track.  

I can pass up sweets pretty easy but oh my! I can eat a whole pan of rolls just by themselves. 😊 lemon juice is great with water helps keep you hydrated as well.  

My great Aunt Mickey used to make homemade rolls - big ones - and she would eat six of them WITH her dinner, @hadleydudet. She weighed about 500 pounds, I'm guessing. The scales didn't go up that high back then. I'm eating the last of the chocolate chip ice cream as I type, and I had mini-ravioli and a slice of bread with butter for lunch, ; BUT...I went to the produce market this afternoon and just cooked up some squash with onions, and have the fatback simmering now for the fresh string beans I just strung. At least I'll have some really good choices available for tomorrow.  

Keeping sweets out of the house hasn't always worked for me personally when I've wanted to binge. It just makes me waste calories on stuff that wasn't even great... Like 4 pieces of toast. If I want it, I'll find anything to try to make a sweet snack. Glad those days are *mostly* behind me. Starting over and over and over as many times as you have to is the key to success... in my eyes. But I'm still a work in progress so you may not want my advice.