Portion Control

[rrittenhouse]

Hello everyone!

I feel that before I dive back into the amazing Atkins world that I need to evaluate why it is that I eat so much (portions). If I'm full I keep eating and I don't know why. If I stop something makes me feel like I'm rebelling and I have to go get another plate or something "extra" when I know that I don't need it! It has become almost like a ritual - If I don't go get that extra plate I feel as if my entire day will be thrown off or something -- and it will be.

I don't know if this stems from something in my childhood or if it's just a thought of someone who is fat like myself (383lbs). It is very annoying and I wish I could get this under control. I know how to do atkins as I've done it before but I just can't make that JUMP to do it!

I know before Ken's videos were the thing that really made me leap into it and this community supported me 110%.

Does anybody have any suggestions?

[pinkfusion]

Re: Portion Control

I love this subject

Well, my experience has been that Atkins has taken care of this over consumption problem for me. I used to think that even though I could white knuckle it through alllll kinds of diets that there must have been something just so very wrong with me that I couldn't control my food intake long term.

I was even going to so-called "fat acceptance" sites thinking that I will just always be fat and I might as well get used to it.

I discovered that what was wrong (for me anyway) is that I was a carboholic and my body couldn't handle it. The only time I have any kind of cravings is if I dont eat enough fat or I dont exercise.

[not2late]

Re: Portion Control

If you "have" to have another serving, you can try this. Portion out your food. That is, set aside the amount you know will satisfy your hunger. Then take only 1/2 of that amount. Eat it. And go back for the remaining 1/2. Tell yourself that's all you're going to get because you've already had your seconds.

But sit down with yourself and try to figure out where this need to have "extra" comes from.

[not2late]

Re: Portion Control

Also, you can put your food on a smaller plate, like a salad plate. Rather than a dinner plate. That will trick you into thinking that you have "alot" of food on your plate.

It sounds weird, but I have a complete dinner set from the late 1950s and the plates, bowls, saucers, cups, etc. are smaller than the standard year 2000 dinner service. For example, the bowls can only hold 3/4 cup comfortably and the cups about 5-6 ounces. Ditto for a set of juice glasses I have circa 1964---they hold 3 fluid ounces comfortably.

So try the smaller plates too.

[imagood1]

Re: Portion Control

When you get into keotsis you will loose your appetite, hopefully you'll be able to get your portions under control then. I fill my plate at the stove and take it to the table. That is all I get to eat - no more.

[sombersusie]

Re: Portion Control

so ritten... even when you are on atkins do you feel the need to overeat? I'm not sure what the answer to that would be unless you're not eating enough protein/fat, (like pink said). atkins has been the only diet to ever work for me too. off of atkins its called" what's portion control?", there is no such thing for me. I can eat all day long, it doesn't matter, im a huge sugar addict. at this point in my life i believe i cannot stray to far from atkins again ever, its like the alcoholic and alcohol, one taste and it's over!

[IrishIrish]

Re: Portion Control

I've been eating off a smaller plate (normally called a pie plate or salad plate) since I started with Atkins. My only exception is when I eat something like lobster or something messy, but I digress. For me, it was important to see the visual of food on a plate, the plate looks "normal", just smaller. Even when I go to a restaurant, I ask for a small plate, portion out what I want and take the rest home for leftovers.

Additionally, when I ate, there was a feeling of satisfaction. It was happiness (or so I thought). I was content. Probably stems somewhere from childhood and my family showing love through foods. Anyway, I learned as I slowed down and ate smaller Atkins portions instead of piled on carbs that I was fueling my body, making better choices and from that, I got satisfaction.

I like not feeling bloated after a meal, not feeling nausea, not being able to breathe because I ate too much, not having a sugar high and wanting to nap or sit in front of the tv all night. I like that I don't feel constipated or having the adverse issue or dumping (I know ... TMI!) I'm happy that I don't have to wonder what happened to the leftovers and remembering I ate them. I like being able to plan meals because we don't eat them all in one sitting anymore (I'm a firm believer in cook once, eat for a couple of days.)

And as the weight comes off, seek pride in the way you feel and look from yourself. You are the only one you can truly count on.

[rrittenhouse]

Re: Portion Control

I love this subject

Well, my experience has been that Atkins has taken care of this over consumption problem for me. I used to think that even though I could white knuckle it through alllll kinds of diets that there must have been something just so very wrong with me that I couldn't control my food intake long term.

I was even going to so-called "fat acceptance" sites thinking that I will just always be fat and I might as well get used to it.

I discovered that what was wrong (for me anyway) is that I was a carboholic and my body couldn't handle it. The only time I have any kind of cravings is if I dont eat enough fat or I dont exercise.

When I was on atkins the first time (and lost 50lbs in 5 months) I still took advantage of eating a lot of meat.. I mean a lot. I couldn't have one chicken breast I had to have two plus that "extra" something that I was allowed to have. It never really dwindled away but I just compensated with more of what I was allowed to have on induction.

I just need to get on board with Atkins again. It proved to work last time but I for some reason feel that I just need to get my eating under control before I take the next step and get back on induction.

Thank you for your response.

[rrittenhouse]

Re: Portion Control

If you "have" to have another serving, you can try this. Portion out your food. That is, set aside the amount you know will satisfy your hunger. Then take only 1/2 of that amount. Eat it. And go back for the remaining 1/2. Tell yourself that's all you're going to get because you've already had your seconds.

But sit down with yourself and try to figure out where this need to have "extra" comes from.

That makes sense. I kind-of did this yesterday at work. I had the choice of 2 Lean Pockets and pizza rolls (just because I had them in the freezer at work?) I took the Lean Pockets even though I told myself I would go back for the pizza rolls later; I never went back for them. Instead that's what I have to eat for lunch today haha.

Thanks for the response

[rrittenhouse]

Re: Portion Control

so ritten... even when you are on atkins do you feel the need to overeat? I'm not sure what the answer to that would be unless you're not eating enough protein/fat, (like pink said). atkins has been the only diet to ever work for me too. off of atkins its called" what's portion control?", there is no such thing for me. I can eat all day long, it doesn't matter, im a huge sugar addict. at this point in my life i believe i cannot stray to far from atkins again ever, its like the alcoholic and alcohol, one taste and it's over!

I agree when i'm off of atkins it's like Portion what? I eat and eat and snack and then eat some more and I know myself that it's not healthy. Is this the self sabotage that they talk about? The first time I just jumped in head first and came out 5 months later weighing 50lbs less and well I had to have surgery which for some reason (and its not much of an excuse) I went back to eating JUNK. If my 'other' was more helpful I probably would have been able to stay on it but I wasn't able to cook and she didn't like my meals most days. (unless it were chicken + cheese)

I do miss it sometimes but right now I am having a gum disease issue and I feel that may throw me off if I jump in now. I can't eat steak or anything right now so I would have to mainly have chicken.

Thanks for the responses everyone

[rrittenhouse]

Re: Portion Control

I've been eating off a smaller plate (normally called a pie plate or salad plate) since I started with Atkins. My only exception is when I eat something like lobster or something messy, but I digress. For me, it was important to see the visual of food on a plate, the plate looks "normal", just smaller. Even when I go to a restaurant, I ask for a small plate, portion out what I want and take the rest home for leftovers.

Additionally, when I ate, there was a feeling of satisfaction. It was happiness (or so I thought). I was content. Probably stems somewhere from childhood and my family showing love through foods. Anyway, I learned as I slowed down and ate smaller Atkins portions instead of piled on carbs that I was fueling my body, making better choices and from that, I got satisfaction.

I like not feeling bloated after a meal, not feeling nausea, not being able to breathe because I ate too much, not having a sugar high and wanting to nap or sit in front of the tv all night. I like that I don't feel constipated or having the adverse issue or dumping (I know ... TMI!) I'm happy that I don't have to wonder what happened to the leftovers and remembering I ate them. I like being able to plan meals because we don't eat them all in one sitting anymore (I'm a firm believer in cook once, eat for a couple of days.)

And as the weight comes off, seek pride in the way you feel and look from yourself. You are the only one you can truly count on.

I think we have two or three sets of dishes and one of them are actually smaller (at least the salad plate or whatever you call them). I do like to eat off of a smaller plate whenever possible and I do find that beneficial when I am trying to "get full" off of less.

Why do our minds have to be so dang complicated?! ugh.

[FwL]

Re: Portion Control

At 383, you're feeding a lot of fat and very little is getting to your cells as nutrition. It's hardly any wonder that you have an eating problem.

Even on low carb, it's going to take a while for your body to balance your energy intake with your output.

Give it some time.


Every day you put off getting on plan is a day you're feeding your fat cells instead of emptying them, though.

[imagood1]

Re: Portion Control

I had periodontal surgery (4 times -- 1/4 of my mouth each time) several years ago - when I had the stitches in my mouth eating anything that had any form to it (including hamburger) was difficult to do.....I would suggest waiting to start until you are able to eat normally again - you need to eat veggies, meats, fats etc while on Atkins -- when you are only eating soft foods it's hard to do that.

I feel for you bud!!!

[Greeneggs&ham]

Re: Portion Control

I tend to overeat as well (surprise!). I have often been accused of sucking my food down like a vacuum which is probably why I feel the need to have a second (or third) helping -- I eat the first in under ten minutes so my body doesn't have time to report that I'm full.

What I've been doing lately is drinking a large glass of water (16-20 oz) before I take a single bite of food. This effectively fills the belly so that when that first portion goes down the gullet, I feel fuller faster. And when I say fuller, I really mean bloated to the point of feeling sick.

By doing this for a few weeks, I have managed to eat a little less than I normally would have. Combined with the appetite suppression "side effect" of Atkins, I don't think I'm eating as much as I used to. And now that I eat less, I find that it takes less to fill me up too. I'm actually getting to the point where I have to remember to eat something every few hours.

Good luck to you when you decide to start.

[pinkfusion]

Re: Portion Control

When I was on atkins the first time (and lost 50lbs in 5 months) I still took advantage of eating a lot of meat.. I mean a lot.

I hope it was a fried piece of meat