Debbie Cousins's Journal, 13 Jul 20

Not possible to just say— enough is enough? 

if you can't get on the wagon at least follow it. 

We love and appreciate you Debbie, for keeping us together, for your support, for your care. My wish for you is that you love yourself as you do the rest of us, you are your own best friend who comes to visit you every day. Treat you as you would a very dear best friend. You deserve all the blessings your caring nature gives to others. This was the thought that flipped the switch for me a few weeks ago and though it isn't easy, it is easier every day to treat myself like my best friend. Love and a hug 

For me it has more to do with changing habits. Once I eat less for a few days I want less food. My starting point is intermittent fasting and it's not easy to start for me. Just like a person who eats 3 meals a day and snacks perhaps 4 times a day what I think is a good way is to start by cutting one snack and at first replacing it with celery, carrots or a low calorie food. Eventually we lose the habit of eating at that particular time and the pounds start to drop. One day at a time, one snack at a time! Moving really helps as well, when you think of the extra calories that you burn. One way to start for you could be to try changing one habit at a time. Best of luck!! 

Ireland, you think like me. I think a lot of things we may do that are not the best for us are bad habits. If we try to create good habits after awhile that's the norm & it's easier to make better choices. That's not to say occasionally you choose to eat something decadent or have a lazy day with no exercise. But, it's easier to get back on track. Debbie, you just have to think of the things you want to do differently & come up with better choices. You have done it before so you know it's achievable! 

My trick is to eat a solid serving of lean protein with my first meal of the day. If I eat 40g protein at breakfast (preferably chicken or fish), I’m waaay less peckish and won’t be poking around late night. Hope this helps, I’m excited for you take the plunge and jump back in 🦋 

dr. jason fung. the obesity code. just do it. 

💚 ⤵ 🎵🎶🎶🎶 

Try some camomile tea...it helps curb the need to put something in the mouth and helps with sleep.  

Hi Debbie - Can you do intermittent fasting where you are only eating during a set amount of hours? Take away the guilt of what you are consuming. Don't count calories or restrict. Just try to eat in a 6 or 8 hour window? Are lunchables even in the house b/c of kids? 

Yes, @ny_shelly, the Lunchables were around because they were on sale 5/$5 last week, and they make a good and easy pool snack for the grandkids. As to the Intermittent Fasting, I think I'd eat the same amount of food that I'm eating now, just eat it FASTER to fit in the fasting window. @MeWestlake, the camomile tea sounds like a good idea for the evenings. If I'm unable to go to sleep for 2-3 hours, I usually get up and EAT something, but drinking that instead would be a good compromise! @PattiOB, thank you for the caring comment! Changing my "self-talk" would probably be very helpful. I need to be as kind and patient with myself as I strive to be with others. Problem is ... when I have a best friend come to visit, what I want to do is cook them something special. Just need to change the choice of what that IS. 

I think I jinxed myself last night - didn't fall asleep until 5 am. lol Hang in there Debbie - I know you will figure it out. Sometimes when I'm binge eating I have to wait until I'm in the right frame of mind to jump back on the bandwagon. Sometimes it takes awhile. Reach out if you need to talk.