I'm having some difficulty these past few days...

[Missy]

even though we had a very nice weekend camping...I'm finding, for the first time since I started that I'm having hunger pangs...and cravings and voices that keep saying "go ahead, you know you want it"...:rolleyes: or "a little bit won't hurt you"....something that hasn't happened since I began. I'm finding that I can't get full either. It's pms...so there in lies the problem...but I get so discouraged when I know I shouldn't listen to those thoughts that keep floating around in my brain. :( ~yet, I can't shut them up!!

I know...this too shall pass...but what do I do with myself till it does.

Perhaps I should overly concern myself with keeping within my normal calories, but if hungry lean towards eating additional "legal" food choices. Just to help me feel like I can eat something?

[Gaelen]

Missy, if you're hungry, eat. Your body is reshaping, and it's normal after about a month or so on plan for things to readjust.

Aim for lean protein choices--keep some tuna salad, grilled chicken or turkey, even some slices of smoked salmon or deli meat spread with cream cheese at the ready. Keep some baby carrots or celery sticks on hand for the tuna salad, and if what you really need is crunch, find a bag of pork rinds (I know--I hardly ever eat them because they're really pretty nutritionally bankrupt, but they are a harmless crunch when you need one and nothing else will do.)

When you're hungry, eat healthy legal stuff (not a lot of artificially sweetened 'treats,' but aim for protein and good fats.) When you're craving, MOVE. Take a walk. Do your bills. Do whatever it takes for fifteen minutes, and by the time you're done, you may find you've totally squelched the craving. But definitely make sure that you're out of harm's way as far was what's available in the house. ;)

[Billie]

And if you need incentive look at those numbers decreasing!!! Way to go!

sometimes we put ourselves in situations, like camping, where all the smells and "vitals" end up saying strange things to our psyches. But you weathered the storm, like Gaelen said fill up with protein, increase if you need to that, drink more water, stay active, keep busy and this too will pass with some more weight loss!

[gitfiddle]

Lynn, when I have unexpected cravings I can often correlate them to hidden carbs that I didn't count or even a sensitivity to some artificial sweeteners that I've developed. Knowing that takes away the mystery and I can clench my fists and wait it out.

[SherryJ]

Oh, Baby! DON'T cave!!! It's SO HARD to re-start...

Sherry
**speaking from experience!**

[Missy]

Okay gang...NO CAVING THEN FOR THIS GIRL!!! :D

Over the weekend, although I felt I was doing very well...I did get tempted by some torilla chips. :rolleyes: I ate a few...but I tried to not over do it...however, even though I felt I didn't...I probably did. A few here and a few there....:(

I've been experimenting with the Carbquik recipes for pancakes...and I made them too over the weekend and had zero carb pancake syrup (Atkins..quite watery..) But, perhaps those were the triggers? Oh..and...lol I allowed myself a couple of diet Mountain Dews too. (that could have been a BIG trigger,eh?)

Gitfiddle, perhaps these all were working against me, and triggering that evil voice to be aroused.

Thank you all for your encouragement and advise. This has been the first time I really felt tempted to get out of control. :rolleyes:

Gaelen, I did as you said, and mixed up some tuna salad and I think I'll go buy some pork rinds to after I get done today at the gym. Not my favorite taste, but perhaps it will satisfy that crunch need.

Thanks for that specific advice Sherry, I'll keep that in mind to keep me from CAVING!!! :eek: I don't want to make this harder then it has to be.

[SherryJ]

If you do it once, Lynn, you will then have the "you know I did it once, and it wasn't TOO bad" think going on... THEN, it gets EASIER to justify, and HARDER to get back to the straight and narrow!!!

DON'T! DO!! IT!!!

Sherry
**still speaking from experience!**

[Missy]

OKAY OKAY!!! OKAY!!! I BELIEVE YOU!!!!!....I won't, I PROMISE!!!!! I won't cave!!! I WON'T cave!!! I WON'T CAVE!!!!!!!! I WON'T CAVE!!!! I WON'T CAVE!!!!!!!!!!!! I WON'T CAVE!!!!!!!!!! :D

I am the QUEEN of justification!!!!!!!!!!! ~ so, I will heed your experienced advise....and remain PURE AS THE DRIVEN SNOW!!!! :D

[gitfiddle]

Over the weekend, although I felt I was doing very well...I did get tempted by some torilla chips. :rolleyes: I ate a few...but I tried to not over do it...however, even though I felt I didn't...I probably did. A few here and a few there....:(

I've been experimenting with the Carbquik recipes for pancakes...and I made them too over the weekend and had zero carb pancake syrup (Atkins..quite watery..) But, perhaps those were the triggers? Oh..and...lol I allowed myself a couple of diet Mountain Dews too. (that could have been a BIG trigger,eh?).
:eek: Gorsh, Lynn! That would do it for ME! Much as I hate to admit it, anything that tastes even close to something I would binge on is just as dangerous as the real thing. And Sherry's words ring true, too. Getting away with nibbling isn't a victory, it's the "thin edge of the wedge" for me.:paranoid:

[SherryJ]

I am the QUEEN of justification!!!!!!!!!!!
ACK!!! :p


...so, I will heed your experienced advise....and remain PURE AS THE DRIVEN SNOW!!!!
I'm gonna hold you to that, Lynn!!!

Sherry

ps... you might want to save this post for next month... :D :lol: :D

[Missy]

ps... you might want to save this post for next month... :D :lol:

lol...next month??? HOW's about TOMORROW!!!!! :eek:

These carbs are a darn ol slippery slope!!!!!

Perhaps I need to convience my husband that I need a laptop to go camping with!!!....you know....staying connected to my lifeline and all. :D

Gitfiddle, until YOU said what you did...it never dawned on me that I WAS DOING IT!!!!! :paranoid:

I went and bought some pork rinds....:rolleyes: they'll "do" in a pinch I guess.

I will try not to have impure thoughts about torrilla chips....:jawDrop:

I think that I've been TRYING to find decent subsitutes for "former" foods and perhaps I was really just triggering the old mind instead. Ahh...there ain't NO TWO WAYS ABOUT IT....I ate too many of those chips. :rolleyes: And with a couple of diet Mt Dew's it was too close to the sensations of "the old days".

I just thought I was doing so well...that those types of "treats" such as the diet Mt. Dew's wouldn't hurt.

Hopefully with today's corrections I feel past those cravings and I think I already am actually. What a great lesson without allowing myself to all out binge. My worst fear.

Hold me to it girls!!! Keep my feet at the fire!!!!!!!!

[Gaelen]

I went and bought some pork rinds....:rolleyes: they'll "do" in a pinch I guess. I will try not to have impure thoughts about torrilla chips....:jawDrop: I think that I've been TRYING to find decent subsitutes for "former" foods and perhaps I was really just triggering the old mind instead. Ahh...there ain't NO TWO WAYS ABOUT IT....I ate too many of those chips. :rolleyes: And with a couple of diet Mt Dew's it was too close to the sensations of "the old days". I just thought I was doing so well...that those types of "treats" such as the diet Mt. Dew's wouldn't hurt.

There you go, Missy.
The main trick for me has been to find NEW tastes that satisfy me equally, rather than feed old monsters. Everyone has to figure out what works versus what causes problems, and everyone's mileage varies.

The thing about pork rinds (for me) is that provide that crunch on a dark day, but they don't tempt me to stray for the other 28 days of the month. I just don't crave the taste of the packaged kinds in the same way that I enjoy real chicharrones made from scratch. They don't taste bad, they are just a totally different taste. ;)

Take a small handful of pork rinds (the bottom of a typical cereal bowl, maybe half a cup) and dot a couple of tablespoons of salsa and shredded cheese over the top of them. Microwave for a minute or minute and a half, until the cheese and salsa have seriously melted into the pork rinds. Let 'em cool a touch and then and snack. For me, I find that going to the effort of making these, and then consciously eating them, fills up the urge partly because it's a lot less mindless than opening a bag of (fill-in-the-blank.) Having to work to make the snack will help keep those impure thoughts about tortilla chips from sending you over the edge. ;)

[Belfrybat]

Missy -- you are doing so well -- you will be successful! :) Just keep on keeping on.

I know others have so much more experience than I do, so please take what I'm going to say with a healthy grain of salt. This works for me, but might not for you. When the "munchies" hit me, it's usually for sweets. I can eat protein and pork rinds until I pop, but it usually does not satisfy my cravings. As a result, I've come up with a couple of PP friendly sweet treats that don't add many calories or ECC, but satisfies my sweet tooth. One is what I call "accidental cheesecake" -- gee whiz 1/2 C of cottage cheese with a stick blender. Add a bit of LC "milk" if it's too stiff. Stir in 1 TBS DaVinci syrup (I use either vanilla or praline) and 1 TBS SF instant vanilla pudding mix. Let sit a few minutes to stiffen. Sprinkle with a few chopped pecans, and if I have it, I'll add a dollop of whipped cream. It is absolutely decandant and satisfies my need for something sweet and also light. If I'm running low on protein, I'll add a half scoop of whey to it.

Another standby for me is LC dark chocolate (without sugar alcohols). I get the Chocoperfection ones that are so expensive, the cost keeps me from overindulging. I can take just one bite, let it melt in my mouth for as long as possible, and it usually does the trick.

Another treat for me is frozen berries mixed in with LC yogurt and a bit a sweetener (usually DaVincis).

For some, finding close substitutes for foods they used to eat is a lifesaver, for others it's a mine field, so each person needs to find his or her own way. But for me, having some good tasting substitutes helps to keep me on plan. YMMV

[Missy]

After posting to you all today...and reading your advice...it's clear to me now that I was feeding the monster. :rolleyes: It has to be the Dt Mt Dew and torilla chips the more it dawns on me. That combo just too closely reminded me of the "old days" without a doubt. Even though I "thought" it was a controlled tasting...it obviously wasn't...and it was leading me to crave more.

Yeah, Gaelen, those pork rinds won't be leading to eating them for long. lol

I'm pleased to tell you all that I think I've "corrected" the problem today...because I don't have the craving voices nor the hunger. It was however a GREAT lesson for me to learn...and help me pay much better attention to what my body is saying, and what I was eating.

I'm truely pleased that I didn't go ahead and have a full blown blow out....but I was awfully close. :rolleyes:

Belfrey, thank you for your idea....cheesecake won't get me in "craving" trouble...so I'll have to make sure I plan better for my weekends away..and have stuff like that available so I feel like I too can have a "treat".

For now, I THINK the emergency has past...phew. But, it's moments like this that can make or break me...as sad as that is. :rolleyes:

[gitfiddle]

For now, I THINK the emergency has past...phew. But, it's moments like this that can make or break me...as sad as that is. :rolleyes:
Lynn, if you can stand one more bit of advice: Don't be despairing when you do have moments like that. They will occur from time to time, sometimes with no clue why. Just use your best tactics to get through and pick up where you left off. If you focus on the negative feelings, they stay around longer, IMHO. This is not a sprint, we're in it for the long haul. ;)

[Missy]

Advise away Gitfiddle...I'm greatful!!! :D ~ I think this time was my "first" scare to be honest with you...and I have a personal "worry" right now of somehow something getting the best of me and persuading me to "give up".....as it's happened to me so often in the past. But....in saying that, this time is different, this time I know I have a really good support group...and I KNOW that will be the DIFFERENCE for me especially.

I mean, you guys have answers through your experience...and I'm listening intently. I never before HAD "tactics"....and just summed it up to me being personally "weak" and/or a failure...and that is definitely not correct in my past thinking.

As you said, these moments will happen, and I shall not "beat myself up" over them if I do cave...but learn and grow from them. But...till I'm satisfied with my progress heading regularly in the postive direction...I'm going to stick to the thinking of remaining "pure as the driven snow". I can't afford to tempt myself right now. Living through this brief but valuable lesson is more helpful then what giving in to a craving would have been.

I'm glad I turned to this board, and I'm glad you've all be so helpful. I won't hesitate to do it again sometime if I feel I'm in need. The more success's I have from overcoming these moments...the more confident I'll feel about my efforts and it won't phase me as strongly. I believe so anyways.

[ladydoc442]

You guys, this support group is the best around! I feel for you, Lynn, because my so-called "friends" and family are always trying to sabotage my new WOE. You know, the "just have a bit, it won't hurt you" line. Well, last night I caved in a bit and regretted it this morning. Our knitting club had its monthly meeting - I cut up some colorful peppers, carrots, mushroom and cauliflower and made some home-made tzatziki dip and a beautiful caprese salad (tomatoes, basil & mozzarella). Then my "friends" showed up with huge plates of desserts - lemon bars, brownies, mini-cheesecakes and something called a "Texas donut" - one huge fried donut filled with sugary white cream & strawberry preserves. Of course, with their urging, I just had to have a "little bite" of each.

Boy, did I pay for that! I was sluggish and groggy the rest of the night, barely slept from the sugar rush, and felt even worse this morning. From this moment on, NO ONE will make me eat something I don't want/need. If I have to, I'll lie and tell them I'm a diabetic (even though I'm not) - maybe if they think I have an actual serious medical condition, it'll stop them from trying to tempt me with those forbidden foods. I personally think they look at this WOE as "just another diet" for me :(

Like you, Lynn, I WILL NOT CAVE!!!!!

[Missy]

Ladydoc...you just described my WORST FEAR!!!!!! :eek:

Matter of fact...I'm wondering just how well to handle an upcoming "carb fest" of a graduation party for a cousin the first part of June. It's going to be one of those land mine buffets, I'm sure. :eek: I guess, locate the protein, eye up the cheese and splurge on the veggie tray is the game plan. Quite frankly, it makes me nervous just thinking about it. Even if I go "overboard" if I could stay within "legal" choices...as a self negociating tactic.

I did it a couple of weeks ago with the political dinner I went too. It was helpful though that the desserts were away from the regular foods...so I could avoid the whole table.

But what's hard at these family events that it's the "good" stuff that I've known and loved.

But, you can't stop living life BECAUSE of "Danger" food situations either! :rolleyes:

[SherryJ]

EAT BEFORE YOU GO, Missy... have some nuts in your purse, too... DON'T USE IT AS AN EXCUSE TO SLIP... START PLANNING NOW!!!

Take your lemon/cucumber water with you...

Sherry

[ladydoc442]

Lynn - on the bright side, because I stayed on the plan the rest of the week, I ended up losing another 4 lbs. since last Tuesday! Yippee!!!

Let's all have a great holiday weekend ... we're having a barbecue on Sunday, and the menu is:

Appetizers: Cheese platter (no crackers), Roasted olives
Main menu: HUGE salad with plenty of crisp Romaine lettuce, cucumbers, cherry tomatoes, assorted peppers and mushrooms (NO croutons), grilled "beer can" chicken and fresh corn on the cob with plenty of fresh butter.
Dessert: Fresh fruit medley (strawberries, blueberries, blackberries, cantaloupe and raspberries).
Beverages: Some nice crisp pinot grigio :) (hey, it's a barbecue!).

All PPLP friendly, except for the corn. Everyone else can have that; I'll have an extra helping of salad or olives instead!

[Missy]

Great idea's Sherry...I'll put them all into service that day!! :D I am mentally planning now, for one! Hopefully, it won't actually "be" as bad as I'm assuming it will be to manage and get through....but it's best to be mentally prepared that it will be.

And I will take along my lemon/cucumber water to enjoy and AVOID the poor choices!! Thanks for the reminder!!!

Good for you Ladydoc!!! Congratulations!!! Your party menu sounds delicious!!! :D

On Saturday, my husband and I will be eating with my inlaws and we are having buffalo patties. I've never eaten buffalo...and neither have they, so we thought we'd "try" them together and make a picnic out of it. I'm going to make a creamed spinach recipe and she's mentioned the food choices that she's going to make and I should find plenty to choose from.

I'm also buying some brats to cook along with the buffalo, JUST IN CASE we all decide buffalo isn't for us! lol :eek: