cheating or treating self?

[Jasmain]

Re: cheating or treating self?

A cheat is a cheat is a cheat.

Any bad habit you indulge, no matter how seldom, is a habit you haven't gotten the better of, and food still controls you, not the other way around.

[sunflowergrl]

Re: cheating or treating self?

I agree with Jsj, when I get to my goal, and know what my body can and can't handle. I don't think you should do thing 'treat' meal until you are at goal. I also am not sure how healthy it is to think of food as a 'treat' or 'reward'. Sure, cake is yummy but I don't think of it as a 'reward' (I also don't eat cake), but you get the point. Life is to short to deny yourself being thin and happy, and that is what I think we all want! Everyone is different, and that is wonderful.
Oh, and I also agree its nice to be able to have your own opinion and not get jumped all over for it. Lately I have been afraid to say how I feel because some people get so upset if you don't tell the what they want to hear. Oops, I hope I didn't offend anyone! LOL

[KellySmith]

Re: cheating or treating self?

Hello There,

I agree with Jasmain. I can't cheat at all or treat myself at all. It will induce a binge and that is not a good thing. When I start wanting or craving something sweet, I have to do something different, drink water or do busy work. SOMETHING. The craving or desire will pass quicker than you think.

Wishing you the best and support, Sunflowergirl.

[jsj0305]

Re: cheating or treating self?

Absolutely. I cannot stray whatsoever at this point. That will be the end of me, for sure!!

I am just saying one day an occasional something isn't neccessaraly a horrible thing, for me. But that won't be for a LONG time...like after I've been maintained for EVER! LOL

[staziaw]

Re: cheating or treating self?

I just read this entire thread, which is fascinating. One thing that hasn't been mentioned is why a "treat" must be "food." That falls into the mentality that food is something other than fuel for our bodies, and has an emotional meaning. Now, I am severely guilty of pinning emotions on food, so please don't flame me! The trick is to look at food without emotion - to retrain you brain to see it as something it needs, not something it wants or desires. Knowing that we gain weight when we eat high carb foods, we necessarily take the risk of the scale reading higher post-treat. Why do this to ourselves at the Induction or Extended Induction phase? When we reach Pre-Maintenance or Maintenance, we will have a better grip on our critical carb level and will be able to plan for those high carb meals. But my question is . . . why designate food as a treat?

"Treats" could be something else entirely. A massage, a spa day, new clothes, sleeping late, a slow walk through the woods, a movie date with a loved one or friend, a yoga class, shell-hunting on the beach, going for a drive in the country, quiet time away from the family, quality time with the family . . . anything really . . . except for food.

This is the thing that has saved me, even when I slid off the wagon. When I did "treat" myself with food I should not be having, I took a real treat away. Cancelled that massage appointment, cancelled the shopping trip, anything that took a pleasure away from me -- including re-cleaning the bathroom just because I caved in to the siren call of Frankenfood!!! I HATE cleaning the bathroom - I want a maid. Hmmmm, now there's a "treat"!!!!!!!!!!

So, in my humble opinion, find other ways to treat yourself. They will be much more rewarding in the long run that using food as a reward!

Big love and good luck!
Stacy

[not2late]

Re: cheating or treating self?

"Treats" could be something else entirely. A massage, a spa day, new clothes, sleeping late, a slow walk through the woods, a movie date with a loved one or friend, a yoga class, shell-hunting on the beach, going for a drive in the country, quiet time away from the family, quality time with the family . . . anything really . . . except for food.

I reward myself with jewelry (the real stuff and the fake stuff)---gold, silver, glittering gems. Jewelry, clothing, books, bicycles, etc. are things I can use multiple times and last longer than a few bites of cake or cookies.

But as I said in my first post of this thread. It depends on how you prioritize your life.

BTW I hate the word "treat". To me it means something that really doesn't require effort to acquire. As opposed to "reward", I think of that as something you've worked hard to achieve. "Treat" also reminds me of doggy and kitty "treats".....

[poppie]

Re: cheating or treating self?

Well we heard from Jimmy and he gave his explaination, I do not crave, I had read his book and was thinking is this possible, this Atkins is great, it is scary to even attemp to eat something not allowed, but I will ponder the notion that Mr. Moore did and see what happens in the future?

[Emzina]

Re: cheating or treating self?

Hi,

I've been reading peoples thoughts on this, and I really agree that it's an individual thing.
I'm starting OWL as I'm nearly at goal and whilst on extended induction I have had a few cheats, but I find as long as I get back on straight away, I can almost have a cheat a week, without having to feel guilty or putting on weight.

I find that when I'm being really good, if I really get a craving for something sweet, I have a few grapes, or a can of diet soda and it doesn't stall me or bloat me or anything. I can get right back on plan.

I even had a slice of cake made by a friend, but was straight back on plan the next day, and no weight gain, inches gain or anything.

But I could not have done this in the first couple of months of the diet. I check back to the book every now and again, but find that I can eat the occasional piece of bread or spoonful of rice, or little piece of cake and be fine. As long as I get right back on the wagon the next day.

My next goal is no cheating/treating for 6 weeks, just to prove to myself that I can do it, but not to prove that its made a difference. As long as I can anjoy myself every now and again and still keep the weight off, then I'll be the happiest person alive!

A little of what you fancy does you good - just hop straight back on the plan afterwards.

Happy low carbing everyone. Oh and keep up the water! That helps if you do stray, keeping the water going....I swear it gets it out of your system faster so it doesn't stay...

[poppie]

Re: cheating or treating self?

Emzina,,I know what you mean, it is about ones own ability to manage it.

[not2late]

Re: cheating or treating self?

Hi,

I've been reading peoples thoughts on this, and I really agree that it's an individual thing.
I'm starting OWL as I'm nearly at goal and whilst on extended induction I have had a few cheats, but I find as long as I get back on straight away, I can almost have a cheat a week, without having to feel guilty or putting on weight.

I find that when I'm being really good, if I really get a craving for something sweet, I have a few grapes, or a can of diet soda and it doesn't stall me or bloat me or anything. I can get right back on plan.

I even had a slice of cake made by a friend, but was straight back on plan the next day, and no weight gain, inches gain or anything.

But I could not have done this in the first couple of months of the diet. I check back to the book every now and again, but find that I can eat the occasional piece of bread or spoonful of rice, or little piece of cake and be fine. As long as I get right back on the wagon the next day.

My next goal is no cheating/treating for 6 weeks, just to prove to myself that I can do it, but not to prove that its made a difference. As long as I can anjoy myself every now and again and still keep the weight off, then I'll be the happiest person alive!

A little of what you fancy does you good - just hop straight back on the plan afterwards.

Happy low carbing everyone. Oh and keep up the water! That helps if you do stray, keeping the water going....I swear it gets it out of your system faster so it doesn't stay...

I have a question for you since you chose to stay on Induction until you were 10 pounds from your goal weight.

My question is this: what made you decide to stay on Induction, eventhough foods you ate like "a few grapes", "an occasional piece of bread" and a "spoonful of rice" are completely acceptable foods and amounts during the OWL phase?

[sunflowergrl]

Re: cheating or treating self?

GREAT point, not2late!!

[poppie]

Re: cheating or treating self?

Hello There,

I agree with Jasmain. I can't cheat at all or treat myself at all. It will induce a binge and that is not a good thing. When I start wanting or craving something sweet, I have to do something different, drink water or do busy work. SOMETHING. The craving or desire will pass quicker than you think.

Wishing you the best and support, Sunflowergirl.

so what happens on birthdays and such outings?

[Richt]

Re: cheating or treating self?

so what happens on birthdays and such outings?

Do you mind if I answer that question as well?

At christmas, on my birthday and also special occasions, I still stick 100% to plan. Fortunately I dont think of food as something I have to have on special occasions anymore.

I think thats the whole point of this "diet".

Rich. (apologising for butting in).

[poppie]

Re: cheating or treating self?

Do you mind if I answer that question as well?

At christmas, on my birthday and also special occasions, I still stick 100% to plan. Fortunately I dont think of food as something I have to have on special occasions anymore.

I think thats the whole point of this "diet".

Rich. (apologising for butting in).

my birthday was a few days ago, I didnot have cake or anything off the diet, you are at goal and still not have any?

[Richt]

Re: cheating or treating self?

my birthday was a few days ago, I didnot have cake or anything off the diet, you are at goal and still not have any?

I am not quite at goal, but very close to it.

But I don't intend ever to go down that road again, as that was what made me fat in the first place.

R