Maintenance Weekly 28th May 2006 - Caring for Yourself

[Mitra]

Self-discipline is self-caring.
M. Scott Peck (Quote for this week from Staying Power)

Many of us have times when we resent having to constantly guard against portion creep, or carb creep, or be always on the alert for some food we are sensitive to. A little voice whispers that it would be so nice to just eat whatever appeals at the moment, without worrying about its nutritional value, without having to stop and think about how many carbs it has, or how many calories, or whether it has trans fats ... This quote just reminded me that eating well is actually being good to myself, and what seems like self-indulgence will make me less happy, less satisfied. Eating something that is bad for my long or short term health might sound like giving myself a treat, but what sort of treat is it to undermine my health? Not to mention the fact that these days, most of the things I used to eat don't actually taste as good as my memories of them!

Do you have times when you resent having to be "good" or disciplined? Do you have any strategies for getting through those times?

[cmcole]

I think my husband has moments when he resents my being "disciplined".

Yesterday, for an example, the "Booster Juice" place is next to the gym. My guys (and I) had gone to the gym after church, and they were hungry. I knew we had to go home and walk the dogs, and that I would be hungry. I did have protein powder/Atkins Shake in a container I could have mixed with water, and was willing to do so for me, but they didn't come prepared.

I don't mind indulging my son occasionally, and it is rare that my hubby gets one of those, but yesterday I decided that he either would have one of those, or would be suffering later, as he also didn't have breakfast (whereas we others had).

So, long story short - I ended up with a small low carb smoothie, and I still wasn't that happy. Sure, it tasted OK, but I knew it had (close your eyes for this one) "Cool Whip" in it. I was agast, and I really was having major problems with the artificial EVERYTHING that it contains.

Yes, I had it, and I tried to rationalize that I would likely not do it again, but I still felt like I didn't do myself any favours by consuming it, other than the fact that I needed the energy for the hour-long walk in the heat that we did with the dogs.

And, yes, it would sometimes be nice to just eat what appeals at the momemt, but usually I cannot bring myself to go that far.

[Shadow]

cmcole - I know exactly what you mean! I never thought food would repulse me, but anymore there is a lot more I won't eat than I will eat - something previously unheard of in my world :lol:!

Mitra - Oh yes, I resent having to be disciplined! Part of it is very easy - like what cmcole was talking about. Even if I did used to eat Cool Whip just like it was ice cream, now days you can't get me within a mile of it :lol:. However, the opposite part is that I find myself indulging far too often in lc treats. And I have a heck of a time reminding myself that they aren't "free" foods or even the optimal choice in nutrition ;). As for strategies - well, let's just say it's a "day by day" approach :rolleyes:!

[Mitra]

Even if I did used to eat Cool Whip just like it was ice cream, now days you can't get me within a mile of it :lol:. However, the opposite part is that I find myself indulging far too often in lc treats.

That sounds familiar. There are definitely lots of things that I just don't want to touch - but still a temptation to everdo the ones I do eat. The fact I'm so fussy definitely helps keep me on the straight and narrow :).

I don't have much of a strategy. Usually I just remind myself of how much I don't want to undo all the progress I've made so far, and wait until the mood passes - it doesn't happen all that often, and usually passes fairly quickly, fortunately.

[Relief]

I have been all over the place with this in my journey--from so disciplined and steady--to resentful but compliant --to downright hostile and non compliant ( how MATURE! :rolleyes:) and back again. I think time and commitment have been the most important factors for me.

by that I mean that I eventually really got that this was the best way to eat for optimum health and that since it was a journey and not a destination I just got better and better at doing it until ( at least most of the time) it isn't either a burden nor does it feel like deprivation. I know what to eat in almost any situation, find most off plan food to be totally not worth eating and so not tempting --probably because I have such good food--including treats at home. But it did take a lot of time to get here--time just moving though it and time spent learning what I can eat and how to make it--what "blows my skirt up" as they say, gastronomically! And even the tendency to overeat less than optimal nutricional treats is getting better--(though I will confess that just the other night I had 3 LC chocolate eclairs for dinner--that was it! I had been experimenting with carbalose flour to see what I could come up with and boy howdy were they GOOD!-about 5 ECC each and....about a billion calories and no protein but....)

My struggles NOW center around exercise and getting my supps and meds in. I have such a rebellious streak and " forget" to take my meds on a regular basis--now what is THAT about?

[Missy]

You all are making me feel GOOD as a newbie!!!! :D here I thought I was the ONLY ONE with these feelings resentment, hostility, burden, deprivation.....:rolleyes: ...and the rest of you are all COOL..CALM...and COLLECTED!!!!!!! :D

I guess not? COOL!!!!! :D

I don't ALWAYS feel these feelings....but when I do, MAN O MAN they are strong!!!!!

It's nice to not feel alone.

[Missy]

My struggles NOW center around exercise and getting my supps and meds in. I have such a rebellious streak and " forget" to take my meds on a regular basis--now what is THAT about?

You know Relief....it's because there are ALOT of "balls" to keep in the air...and when we feel good, we tend to get complacent about what KEEPS us there!!! Till we get SPANKED! :eek: :rolleyes: :D

[Mitra]

Sometimes it seems like trying to put a new tyre on your bicycle - every time you get one bit into place another bit pops out. The food side of things isn't usually a problem for me - my periods of resentment are relatively few and far between, but exercise is sometimes a struggle, supplements are extremely hit and miss, and I never seem to be able to fit meditation, breathing and exercise into my yoga sessions - there's always one that's being neglected.

[Relief]

and when we feel good, we tend to get complacent about what KEEPS us there!!! Till we get SPANKED! :eek: :rolleyes: :D
yes--or hit with a killer hot flash! http://www.clicksmilies.com/s0105/sauer/angry-smiley-005.gif