I have done enough programs to have lost a total of 95 lbs but that is the accumlative amount of weight that I have taken off and put back on. Somehow having to write things down and count every little bite I take seems more obsessive than productive. I personally don't know anyone who has written from the time they started and not stopped doing it.

There has to be a way to truly recognize when you are hungry for food and knowing when you are full. Yes I know there is that little tiny issue called menopause with the lovely little hormones (or lack thereof) that make it harder and those intsy binsy things that make you eat not want you want to but what you "need or should" eat which then makes you eat everything in the house until you eat what you wanted in the first place.

Isn't there a way to help ourselves without paying some company money to tell us lies about how we can keep it off if we just keep paying them. Sorry I'm just a tad bitter about how much money I've spent only to ultimately fail because these programs set you up to fail. I believe my body knows what will make it work efficiently without following somebody else's idea of what's right. I just haven't yet learned it's language I guess. Therefore I keep fighting it and ultimately losing because it is round and I keep trying to fit squares inside.

I don't want to be "skinny" I want to be comfortable. I want to be able to breathe better and well a whole lot of other things. I had written before in another post that I hate my body.....I don't really I guess. I just hate the constant battle I have with it.

And it is not just about getting out and exercizing. I do that. okay well maybe not as much as I want to. I am not going to say as much as I "should" I despise that word. That and "need to" I go to work out with hubby at the gym every oher day.
Except that I have had a nasty sinus infection for almost 4 weeks and I couldn't go for 3 of those weeks. I have gone 2 days this week because I am having major cabin fever and wanted to try.

Well I have rambled enough. I am sick of hearin myself talk.

Love to all,

Pam

I don't know what intuitive eating is but I can tell you I lost 16 pounds and so far kept it off for a going on 2 years without following any "diet plan" I honestly do not believe in any of them for life long results. What I do belive in is 30 minutes of excersice every single day, and not eating more calories than you should for what you are supposed to weigh.
I don't belive that any one food is the "enemy" I don't believe in cutting out carbs, or cutting out healthy fats because frankly our bodies need them especially durring menopause. I don't believe in depriving myself. I eat what I want to within reason. If I wake up tomorrow with an incredible urge for pepperoni pizza I will not tell myself that I can't have it nor will I feel guilty for having it....... but I know that at my age with my slower metabolism I can not eat 3 or 4 slices like I could in my teens and 20s and still be thin. I know that I will have to stop at 2 slices and therefore have a salad with it so I'm not still hungry.
Whatever it is I feel I want to eat I will have it. I do not eat and eat till I am "full" To me full means the uncomfortable way you feel after the 2000 calorie thanksgiving dinner. I eat until I am "satisfied" meaning I have no more hunger pangs or growling stomach. For my weight I stay at or just under 1400 calories. your calorie needs may be lower or higher depending on what you are supposed to weigh and how often you excersize.
If I get to the end of the day and have only had 1200 calroes or thereabouts and I feel like eating a piece of cake or a candy bar I will allow myself to have it, enjoy it, and not feel guilty over it because desserts are not the enemy either.

Also I can't say enough about fiber.
fiber fiber fiber every day! fiber is not only good for lowering your cholesterol and keeping you healthy, it also helps you to feel fuller faster so that you can be satisfied with an appropriate sized portion adn not be tossing ad turning in bed at night longing for a cheeseburger.

tooter: what an interesting post. There is a book...I can't remember the name of it...I actually sat in a bookstore and read the whole thing cover to cover and then didn't buy it (!) It addressed the subject you're referring to...the author was a woman who struggled all her life with this diet or that. One day she just gave up. She ate only when she was hungry, and only foods that had nutrional value. She ended up losing something like 30 lbs...she's still overweight by the standard height and weight charts, but her blood pressure is normal, and her doctor said she is in great shape.

I too, am tired of following what i called "prescription eating." I'd rather just eat when I'm hungry, and stop when I'm no longer hungry. Luckily for me, I've never been an emotional eater---in fact, when I'm stressed, my stomach shuts down and I can't even look at food.

I was slim all my life until menopause hit. Then I put on 20 lbs almost instantly. No amount of exercise or diet will make the scale budge. I only exercise 30 mins a day and I think that if I increased it to an hour, I would maybe lose weight. I haven't tried it out yet...other things just take priority these days.

Good luck with your theory...let me know how you are doing...

Robin, was it Tosca Reno's The clean eating diet. I've not read the book but I do know that once I was diagnosed with celiac and had to eliminate all the processed foods, I dropped 10 lbs and stopped being hungry all the time.

Eating whole foods the way God created them and exercise... it won't make you skinny but it will keep you comfortable. To be skinny... I do believe we have to track every morsel we eat and stay within a limit like Perimeno said. It takes diligence and discipline. and very good genes.

Hi tooter,

After you and I wrote, I took myself to Amazon and academic medical sites, and searched for hours for a book that would address my binge eating problem. I found a book that I believe is a gem. My psychiatrist read it and then bought a copy for himself.

It is called Overcoming Binge Eating by Dr. Christopher G. Fairburn. Fairburn is a named Lecturer at Oxford and is considered one of the world's leading experts on eating disorders.

I started with his approach ( instructional about eating disorders plus a form of CBT) and so far, I am more emotionally healthy than I have ever been in my life. I have even lost a few pounds. I heartily recommend this book.

I think I know the book that Robin is referring to--by Geneen Roth--and it is too touchy feely for my purposes. I wanted someone expert in the field who would give me a step by step approach to solving an incredibly difficult psychological problem.

I hope this is helpful.

Best,
Marcy

Yes, it is helpful to me. I have many "issues" and rituals associated with food, that are hard for me to control. Thank you.

You gals have such great advice. I have found for me that eating lots of fruits and vegetables and whole grains and fish and lean meats keeps my weight as it is. I too will eat in reason and on weekends, I bake a goodie and enjoy it. I exercise every day too and do about 30 minutes on some days and 50 minutes on others. It just depends on how much time I have. I also will do things like run up the stairs instead of walking and I climb the stairs a lot every day. I too have gained about 10 pounds since peri has struck and it won't budge but I feel good so that is what counts. I too think fiber is so important.


I think I will look into that book for my husband.

Mopsy

It always comes down to the basics: limiting sweets and other carbs, and fatty foods.

Here's a simple approach I've been following for years:

Breakfast: whole grain toast (thin smear of real butter), or cereal with lo-fat milk (I use almond milk as I don't like regular milk), and fruit. Once in awhile, I'll have one boiled or fried egg with a slice of whole-grain toast.

Mid-morning snack: fruit

Lunch: Salad or broth-based (as opposed to creamy) soup, and slice of whole grain bread. Or a sandwich made of low-fat turkey or ham or hummus, with added veggies like lettuce, red onion, avocado, etc.

Mid-afternoon snack: a few wheat crackers and peanut butter, or handful of nuts, or cup of lo-fat yogurt. I often get low-blood-sugar issues at this time of day, and the crackers help that right away.

Supper: Lean meat or fish (portion sizes count) and vegetables. Tho' I eat mostly "vegetable meals" - stir fries, soups, egg-and-veggie dishes like frittatas, pasta and veggies, etc. Sometimes make veggie pizza on one of those mini-Boboli crusts with lo-fat mozzerella. But tonight we had chicken.

Evening snack - I often skip this, but if I'm just dying for something, then: 1/2 cup ice cream, or some lo-fat popcorn, or a single cookie. They say a small square of dark chocolate is actually very healthy for those who can eat it, but sadly, it bothers my bladder.

I have a small pot of coffee with Coffeemate & a bit of sugar in the morning, and then only ice water (lots of it - I love it!) the rest of the day.

Exercise can be simple, too - a 30-minute walk each day, and then a few days of working out with light weights. There are videos to buy that will guide you, or some of you might get the "Body Electric" show on PBS. I love that show hosted by Margaret Richards, and have been working out with it since 1985! Margaret and I have gotten old (but still stayed slim) together!

Oh, and on holidays and birthdays, anything goes!!! Life is also meant to be savored....

JJ

There was an english doctor on the Learning Channel last night talking about this subject. It will be a 5 week session, every Sunday night for an hour. Did anybody else see the show? What were your thoughts on it? I found it interesting, I need a new way of thinking about food and diets. Many of his ideas made sense to me. I would like to hear others opinions on it. Hope

Hello there,
I've been overweight most of my adult life. I've tried every "program" under the sun and paid a fortune for them over the years. I probably could have had a round the world holiday with the money I've spent on programs! 6 months or so ago I stumbled across a pocket size book called Low GI Express Diet for Busy People by Rick Gallop. I've lost nearly 40 kilos. I eat 6 times a day and beside the meno stuff, I've never been healthier. I know the book is available in in Australia but I'm sure you can order it if you wish. I'll never touch another "program" as long as I live. That's a promise I made to myself because I've always put the weight I've lost back on with interest! Not sure if this eating plan is for you because everyone's different. I believe everyone has to find what's right for them but for me it worked so I wanted to share it with you. Good luck
Gabby

I love your advice here and the menu doesn't sound half bad either! I'm glad you said you get to have your coffee with coffee mate in the morning! That would be the hardest thing for me to give up!


Paula

I really really appreciate all of the responses I have received from this post. That being said and not to sound ungrateful but there were posts that included eating "plans" which for me is another DIET or PROGRAM. ( And please note that I am saying (for me that is how it feels) It is creating boundaries with respect to what foods are "GOOD" and what foods are "BAD". That puts restrictions on me again and that is what has caused my rebound yo yo life with weight.

When I spoke of intuitive eating I meant where you could feel free to eat what satisfies your stomach hunger once you have established the ability to be comfortable with foods of ALL types. By that I mean keeping foods that have been "taboo" readily available so that they aren't a trigger anymore to make you want to binge because you may not "see" it again for a long time. Or eat it and then feel "well I've blown it - might as well eat as much as I can today cause I blew my diet."

For me - I can be champion "dieter" regimenting my meals day in and day out....but it only lasts until I've lost the weight . then I am so relieved to get off of the merry go round. By eating according to perfectly portion controlled and limited quantity types of foods (as determined by people who have no idea when what each individual requires to truly make this a lifestyle change) I don't care what Weight Watchers says about it NOT being a diet! I (and others) ultimately rebel and so does my poor body and mind.

By intuitive eating I mean being able to get to a place where you are able to recognize real stomach hunger as opposed to mouth/mind/emotional/bored etc hunger and then also to be able to know what a comfortable and healthy "full enough" feels like (for MY body.) I was always still feeling hungry on the programs but because I wanted "the prize" I pretended like it was the proper way to feel.

To be comfortable with ALL foods and trusting yourself to eat what you REALLY want and still maintain balance in your life around all foods according to your own individual needs...not some carbon copy one size fits all. And most of all be healthy under your own power and I'm not talking willpower or self control.

I know it may sound complicated or even unrealistic to some folks. Instinctively I truly feel this is attainable; however I am having problems getting un"brainwashed" and would like to know if anyone else has been able to do it.

Reading a book is only part of the solution - hearing someone's experience, strength and hope is another part and then applying it in my own life is another part.

I hope and do not mean to offend anyone who was trying to help. I appreciate the responses. I may not have made myself clear enough in my original post about what I was seeking.

Love and success to all!

Toots

The 'English Doctor', Paul McKenna is on the learning channel (wasn't it TLC?)...is actually NOT a doctor at all...he is a very famous - in the UK - hypnotist.....!!!!

His 'program' has 10 steps...I only got up to step no. 4.....the 1st 4 were:

Step 1. Eat WHEN your hungry
Step 2. Eat WHATEVER you want
Step 3. Eat consciously (chew slowly, savour food and in between each bite put the knife and fork down)
Step 4. When your full....STOP EATING!

His program is on a Sunday night on TLC and it is called 'I can make you thin' (and he vows to do it through the TV!)

I watched it because I'm very much interested in EFT (Emotional Freedom Technique...go to www.emofree.com
to see all details) which is a tapping of the meridian points that block energy.

You can also go to his website at www.paulmckenna.com

Hopefully it will help someone.

Caz

Thanks Caz! Are you in the States? I'll look in the guide on my ATT U-verse....it also has a search engine of sorts...really helpful....

Don't know if I can go for somebody saying they can "cure me" in ten steps over the Tv but hey it sounds like the kind of intuition I'm after.

Can't hurt to check him out!

Toots

What you're describing is the basic philosophy behind both Thin Within and Intuitive Eating. Thin Within is Biblically based, where Intuitive Eating is more secular. Neither book offers dieting programs as such. They do include loads of advice on how to reckognize stomach hunger vs head or soul hunger. Both 'programs' have free online forums for encouragement..there's a large group of Intuitive eaters at the 3 fat chicks on a diet forums. That place is awesome anyway. I don't think 'dieting' is the answer entirely. I am beginning to think the real answer is learning to pay attention to our own individual needs for both nourishment..both in the physical and spiritual realm. Excercise is important, but not to the point of something else to obsess over. Balance is the key.
For the record..I'm just starting again on this journey to get release excess weight, so I don't know everything either

You must have amazing will power to eat like this. How Boring!!! I guess what I do is realise that energy in has to be less than energy out on most days. On other days, eat what I like, do NOT diet, makes you fat. Try try and try again to like your own body. x