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Frustration and new tactics

Posted by Trish Milburn Sep 22 2011, 12:01 am in bad habits, eating healthy, food, Trish Milburn

Sweets are my downfall. There, I’ve said it. Over the past couple of months, I’ve made a lot of changes to my diet to try to improve my cholesterol and triglyceride levels. And at first I did really well at steering clear of the sweets. But I have an confession — in the past few days, I’ve had several desserts. Sigh. I seem to be an all-or-nothing gal when it comes to the sweets. So today I’m embarking on a no-sweets mission, at least until I go back to my doctor for my follow-up tests.

At that time, I’m hopeful my levels will be such that I can introduce a strict new plan of one dessert per week, and low-calorie ones at that. With sugary sweets, I need to have very strict rules or I start down the slippery slope of eating too many. So I need to refocus so that I start training my body to satisfy its sweet tooth with simple, fresh fruits. While it’ll be more difficult than giving up white flour or sodas, I’m filled with a renewed determination to succeed in this challenging part of my new diet. It’s just like anything else, if I do it long enough I’ll get used to it. It’d be nice to get to the point where I don’t even want desserts, but I’m not holding my breath on that one.

And this week seems like a good day to start with a new tactic and determination because it coincides with the premiere of the new season of The Biggest Loser. Not only will I have daily inspiration here at Healthy Writer, but also the weekly episodes of the show to keep me pumped up and on the right track.

What has been the most challenging thing you’ve faced in your journey to becoming a Healthy Writer?

8 Comments

Comments

8 Responses to “Frustration and new tactics”

Michelle Butler says:

September 22, 2011 at 1:10 pm

Losing weight and keeping it off. Writing regularly/daily is also a challenge.

I have found that the less I have of desserts the less I crave them. After a week or so of not eating sweets regularly, I start appreciating the flavor of healthier desserts and think less of what my next “treat” will be. I also try to become a dessert snob and only eat sweets that are really good and pleasing to me. Homemade is always better.

I also try to be aware of the pleasure a really good sweet gives me, appreciate it and recognize that this pleasure would decrease if I had a sweet every day. There’s a lot of diminishing returns to it. The first time you have a particular sweet, it’s fabulous. The second time, it’s good. The third time, it’s ok – but you quickly think let’s have another to see if that one will bring back the pleasure of the first one the first day. Does that make sense?

Good luck!

Reply
- Trish Milburn says:
  
  September 22, 2011 at 1:25 pm
  
  I think you’re right about having fewer desserts leading to craving them less. But, conversely, when I have one then two…it just cascades. Sigh. But I’ll start with one day without desserts and go from there.
  
  Reply
- Kaed says:
  
  January 22, 2012 at 12:12 am
  
  That’s the best answer by far! Thanks for cnotriubntig.
  
  Reply
- vgqusc says:
  
  January 23, 2012 at 2:09 am
  
  FsdOst qeskfpeszxiu
  
  Reply
- gxhuto says:
  
  January 25, 2012 at 4:20 am
  
  wcLnC2 kokwhmhaiwes
  
  Reply
Anna Sugden says:

September 23, 2011 at 5:38 am

I’ve never been very good at the all or nothing approach – except when I gave up smoking, and that was because it would have interacted with the meds I took to massively increase my risk of cancer. I find if I cut things out completely, my brain makes me crave them even more.

I’m not a sweets person, really, so I don’t struggle with that. But, if I was to say no chocolate, you can bet I’d be craving it! We rarely have desserts, unless they’re home-made ice-cream or something with the fruits from our garden. Though, when we moved back from the US and were seeing my in-laws every day – and having to eat cake or biscuits – that was a killer! I did cut those out, and had to put up with the looks of disappointment!

I’ve always found that being able to have one treat a day is the best way to get into a routine. I choose that treat carefully and trade off other stuff around it (you know me and my trade-offs!). For me, I’d allow myself a sweet treat, but would make it as healthy as possible, then start skipping one day etc.

How about treating yourself to something nice if you don’t have desserts, like a prize? You could chart all the days you don’t have them and if you reach say 20, you get the prize?

For me, weight loss is always hard because of the hormonal issues. Keeping up a regular exercise program is hard too, but I keep trying. BTW have done my brisk walk every day now, this week!

Reply
- Trish Milburn says:
  
  September 23, 2011 at 4:46 pm
  
  Oh, a prize, I like it. I’m on day 2 of no desserts. I did have French toast this morning, but it was made with wheat bread. Hubby was off work and we went out to breakfast, something we never do. I had very little maple syrup and mainly used the apples as to sweeten it. And had turkey sausage with it. I was happy to see Cracker Barrel was adding some more healthful options.
  
  Reply
Michelle Styles says:

September 24, 2011 at 7:07 am

Think about fresh fruit. For example — puree a kiwi with half the juice of an ornage and a bit of basil.
If you are going to do chocolate do 70% or above as you will have fewer cravings. A slingle square of 70% plain chocolate can staisfy much more than an entire bar of milk chocolate.
Also remember 80/20. As long as 80% of your food choices are healthy, don’t beat yourself up over the ones that are not.
Dialling it down to once a week is good.

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