Debbie Cousins's Journal, 02 Jul 20

Are you thinking that bread is off limits for some reason? If you are, that may cause you to overeat it when you do have it. If you come to terms that you can have it and still make progress maybe it will make you think of it less as a forbidden fruit that you must have in large portions. If your diet isn't sustainable long term, it will fail. 

You can eat some of the favorite things if you are willing to count calories - I know it is annoying but it can work if you burn off more than you eat. 

Debbie, my birthday buddy, are you in a place in your mind where you are willing to prepare a menu for the day that includes bread? I follow a Mediterranean diet and carbs are definitely part of the program. I think back to that happy picture of you and your friend in a pair of your pants. You can and will do this. 💕💕💕  

Can you manage portion control and moderation yet? If so, there is nothing off limits. I wish there were a magic bullet for you. 

I try to count my calories and eat what I want. You shouldn't have to go without. 

Tispence—The “eating” what you want” attitude because you don’t want to be “ deprived” is a how you end up on FS. You have to come to grips with reality. You make a conscious choice to eat healthier most of the time and less healthy once in a while. Portion control and moderation. Otherwise, you will fight this same battle over and over the rest of your life or really become “deprived” because you develop health issues that demand a change and that is no way to live. 

Kenna, so well said and so very true. 

I love bread beyond belief . . . it is the stuff of life. That said, I've somehow managed to cut it out completely for the past six weeks and it has made a huge difference. I guess in some ways, I have COVID to thank because there are not restaurants open and if we don't buy bread for the house, I won't eat it. I'm thinking of adding in some low carb/high fiber wraps to replace bread but haven't done it yet. Good luck with your reboot and if you find the bread and ice cream diet that works, let me know because i'll be all in.  

Don’t give up Debbie. I just found myself in the same situation recently only it was frozen yogurt. And bread. I got so much support from FS people that I at least have started to log my food again. Hang in there! You can do this!! 

And I just read the rest of your support posts and they make so much sense! I got support from your support 😁! I guess that’s what makes FS so great 

I feel you! Bread is my kryptonite!! 

"Once in a while". If once in a while is twice a day, you may be on to something lol. 

I eat bread almost everyday....half a bagel with peanut butter most of the time. I seldom eat bread with dinner, except when I choose to have a hamburger or sandwich. I eat rice, pasta & potatoes, but not everyday. I eat cake & cookies....also not everyday. And when I do eat them I often have just a thin slice of cake or 1/2 a cookie. I firmly believe you can incorporate anything you enjoy into your diet as long as you can balance it out with other foods that are lower calorie. BUT....you have to have self control. If you can't stop at a reasonable portion, you may not be able to indulge your desires.  

I switched from a Keto based diet to Weight Watchers. I am so much happier and I have already seen some loss. I am a vread eater too and Keto killed me! 

Hello, Debbie!! Thank you for the invitation and make wonderful challenge. How long have you been being moderator? It was so good to continue the progress. I hope you doing Great, too.. It's okay, we'll learn and growing from past experience, what's work and what's don't for our own diet (way of eating). We'll get there!!  

Debbie, you have supported me from the very first day, and you know the progress I've made, and I think you know that I have not given up any type of food. This week I stayed within my RDI, and I ate lots of fresh, unprocessed foods, but I also enjoyed a cinnamon streusel muffin for breakfast one morning and I had white rice with my shrimp gumbo yesterday. Perhaps you could try getting back in focus by doing CICO and counting calories for a while, and then, once you begin losing again, you can reevaluate what kind of WOE you want to follow. I eat 1500-1600 calories a day, maybe that could be a starting point for you. (((HUGS))). 

Wow, such good advice and great encouragement from you all! Thank you for taking the time to share your thoughts with me! To answer a couple of questions, yes, I do feel that I need to limit carbohydrates because I did GREAT with the Keto WOE. That said, I seem to have an "all or nothing" mentality. As long as I am sticking STRICTLY to a diet plan, I lose very well. But, as soon as I "blow it" (even with just one slip), I get totally derailed and give up the whole thing. I KNOW in my head that it is the wrong way to handle things, and my scale can prove it! Typically, I have to get totally sick of myself before I can work up the energy and determination to get back on track. I've never want to be a "do as I say, not as I do" person - especially with administrating the challenges, which I've done for over a year now. Since they continue to be a help to people, I continue to set them up and I DO follow each of the participants and root you on from the sidelines. Even if I feel like I've given up on ME sometimes, I've never given up on YOU! Continue to be strong and to reach your goals, and before you know it, I'll be sneaking up from behind! 

💞💞💞