SuccessThisTime58's Journal, 19 February 2015

Studies on the psychology of pleasure show that we get the most thrill out of the first 20-30% of something we do, so I do my best to be aware of how much I enjoy that first (or second) bite of something and tell myself the next one won't be as enjoyable, so why ruin the moment with diminishing returns? Most of the time, reminding myself of that works for me! How do you stay mindful when faced with your favorite treat? 

I can eat just a piece or two of good quality chocolate now and call it a day but it's taken me a long time to get to that. What really helped for me was cutting out enough sweets/baked goods that sweets taste funny now.. Eventually you retrain your brain and palate for the better. That's why I am a firm believer in lifestyle changes and not just dieting. 

I had gestational diabetes with 2 of my pregnancies and this was something I learned when dealing with it. The first pregnancy I tried to follow all the rules all the time but would find myself craving the sweats until I felt nearly mad then I would benge. Which, obviously, was very bad for my sugar levels. With my second pregnancy when the cravings hit I would allow myself either 1 bite or 1 very small portion. For me this made it easier to avoid the sugar more over all and my sugar stayed more level. So yea, one bite can do it; especially if you are aware that it will only be one bite and allow yourself to savor the moment. 

I try to avoid all my cheat foods all together, cause for me 1 bite would not be enough and it would create a domino effect, sweet, salty, sweet, salty, you get the picture. I started at my new job last week and there is an older lady who works there who, in the last week has brought in homemade cupcakes,(2 kinds) brownies, and a milky way cake. told me if I wanted some it was there.... I declined and told her I was diabetic so she wouldn't push the issue. I overcame the urge to tear into it all day! Last night after dinner, I was sitting there thinking to myself about the junk in the cupboard that we got for our 8 year old and how nice it would be to have a little nibble of something sweet. I overcame that urge as well.. I am feeling better everyday without all the crap I used to eat. 

Thanks to ALL of you for your input...I totally agree with Nicholaix that I quit saying "I am dieting" 31/2 years ago and started saying..."I am going to eat totally healthy MOST of the days of the rest of my life." And I do think our "tastes" change with time, esp. after surgery...but surgery NOT required...LOL... Thanks so much, Klaymates, your info has implications to many different areas of life....Blurose, I do think sometimes your stategy can be very helpful IF WE CAN HOLD THE LINE and stop with one or two bites....BackinControl (love your name) Generally, I think the MORE we abstain, the faster we can "re-train" our brains...and your FINAL SENTENCE is a GREAT daily affirmation for all of us on FS.  

You can but it really depends on what makes you fall off the wagon, so to speak. Sometimes it's not necessarily just the food (i.e. like chocolate) but that specific food combined with other factors, (i.e. chocolate and a lot of stress at work, issues at home, etc). It is usually during these time that we are more vulnerable to letting a small deviation lead us on the wrong path. I have a list of "NO FOODS", that I have chosen to completely eliminate because I know that I used to use as coping foods when I was stressed, upset, bored, etc. To simplify life (and it makes staying on a healthy lifestyle a lot easier) I have chosen not to have them. I do not feel deprived, or like life is not enjoyable, to the contrary. When ever those foods are around, my thoughts go like this "I am choosing not to eat chocolate covered almonds, I prefer to be thinner and healthier. Oh well, that's what I have to do to get this long term benefit, give up these little chocolates and the 5 minutes of pleasure for a lifetime of thinner and healthier" You would be surprised how easier things get when you don't give yourself a choice to give in!! 

Great Post,Buddy, thanks so much for sharing!!!!!!!!!! 

My biggest downfall is sweets. I consider myself a sweetaholic I am to sweets as an alcoholic is to liquor. If I eat one. I'll eat them all and don't stop till thery are all gone. Best for me is to not have them around. Of course at times I do and it is a struggle. Hoping one day this will pass. 

Linda51 just wrote my response for me. It is so much safer just to say "no" than to risk going off on a binge.  

Dark chocolate is OK on keto so I have no problem eating that when my husband says I had a good day and earned one. But otherwise no, cause if I knew where he keeps the bag of dove dark chocolate bites, if eat them all in one sitting! 

Thanks Lindar and Buffy...that is certainly the "safest" route  

I don't buy anything that I am not supposed to eat. My daughter might buy something, but it is hers and I wouldn't touch it. When I am at someone's else's home, I might eat some dessert that I would never have at home. Thank goodness I eat most of my meals at home. :)