Interesting...who are you?

Abstainer here. I know if I get started it will be extremely difficult to stop.

Right now I'm actually struggling with protein bars that are fairly low carb and high protein. They taste like freakin' brownies to me. Crave something sweet...ooh..looky here..it's a protein bar that's allowed in my diet..yum..what? That sweet tooth still isn't satisfied, well damn, I got me a whole box of these bad boys. 

Ugh. I keep it to 2 a day on my worst days,  but I'm telling you, they are turning into something that's no longer a healthy way to get my protein in and be on plan.  I may have to stop them altogether to keep moving forward. 

I think by nature I am an abstainer. I am very grateful that my program has given me hard and fast rules to follow, and they aren't very lenient. Grains? No. Starchy vegetables? Nyet. Refined sugar? ix-nay. None of this "a few bites" or "occasionally" or "protein first, then eat oatmeal/grits/cookies/mashed potatoes/whatever you want." I know what my boundaries are and operate within them, I don't have to worry about getting too far away from the program and then "getting back on track" because my ONLY option is to stay on track.

My dietician told me that in their program, moderation is for people who have gotten to goal weight and maintained successfully. "Learning to eat in moderation is something you can do after you lose all the weight and figure out how to stay there." I know this type of program isn't for everyone but it is perfect for me.

I dont like it but for me im black and white, good or bad, yes or no...cant ever seem to find the gray area.  Id like to and usually for others I can...just not for me.  Id like to be a moderation type person.  Maybe after my goal in wl I can try but it scares me too much.  Having been a failure with the band I think is what makes me hyper vigilant with my sleeve.  People on the boards have me scared crapless when it comes to maint and regain.  I hope its not true but i'll prob always eat like i do now.

Good article for me.

tia

I've been preparing for surgery for the last 54 days and one of the things I have been working on is moderation. I know that I can do it, I just need practice and training. So far, it has been going well. I can have 6 almonds, or a single cookie, or a single serving at dinner, etc. I've been proving this to myself and it's healthier for me and my brain than abstinence is. 

It has been a really good exercise for me :)

(I can even eat a single spoonful of ice cream - omg.)