stepping off plan

Hey all,

I have been obsessive compulsive about anything with refined sugar and nearly all processed foods since April.  Since I am still pretty new (3 weeks Wed.) I have no plans to stray from plan (I am on pureed) anytime soon.  (still no refined sugar or  processed carbs of any kind). But, my family has been wondering if I will "ever" eat what we call naughty food again (sweets, crackers, etc).  It is clear to me on the boards that there is a continuum of adherents to food plans.  In other words, we have members that appear to never stray during weight loss phase and others that admit to various special occasions and some not so special.

So, I am wondering, since your surgery when have you decided to step off plan?  Was it planned?  Was it a moment of weakness?

Thanks so much, I am very interested in everyone's journey... no judgment, just wondering.

Anne

I stepped off plan one time before I got to goal and then it was a brownie bite and a tablespoon of vanilla ice cream because brownie sundaes are a Christmas Eve tradition in my family.

I still rarely stray from my maintenance plan (which allows for certain treats). I know myself. If I let myself stray, the frequency of straying will gradually and without my noticing it increase over time until my eating habits are back out of control.

There is a range of theories on "cheating." I think it depends on the person's body. I cannot really indulge in sugars and bad carbs or I have to then fight the cravings and sugar spikes and related mood swing. I know when I take a bite, that I will travel this road. It definitely is a deterrent. Some people get to goal and can take a bite or two of something. I have noticed that IF I do take a bite, I am satisfied with just a bite. I don't need a lot of anything. Your palate will become retrained if you don't indulge in the foods off the plan.

I'm starting a whole30 reset tomorrow, giving up all things not on that plan. it's similar to the sleeve plan and the paleo diet. Training the body to find sweetness in fruit and other tastes, requires staying away from the sugary sweet stuff.

The Whole30 looks very very similar to my diet pre-op.  Unfortunatley, with surgery came the need for protein supplements and artificial sweetners (I have not been able to figure out how to get in 80 grams protein any other way....advice is always welcome).  I also would eat black and pinto beans as well as hummus.

Good luck with that, you will feel great!

Anne

I did not stray during weight loss. It was important and necessary for me to be totally focused on the prize. Also, I recognize everyone is different, but for me moderation was not an option. For me, moderation is the devil.  Now that I am in maintenance, I rarely stray, even though I could allot for more carbs, I find I usually choose not to. That being said, there will be times when I am going to allow myself to choose something I would not necessarily eat if I am at or under goal weight and have otherwise stayed on plan.

I had self inflicted pre-planned food vacations and just plain screwed up.  June-December I was very strict with my plan even during Thanksgiving.  However, at Christmas, we went to my parents' and I ate things that I normally wouldn't eat.  When we travel, I am a little lax with my eating as well.  I've also just said screw it and I've stress eaten chips and candy.  The change is I've forgiven myself for the screw ups and got back on plan.  After vacation, I'm right back on plan.  Will this always work?  I don't know.  It's working for me now.  

No one is perfect....everyone messes up even if they don't tell on themselves.

I didn't stray at all during weight loss.  I wanted to get to goal as soon as possible and that was a huge priority for me.  The first time I strayed was when I hit 101 lbs. and decided that this was just to low for my happiness.  I chose to eat more calories and more carbs at that point to gain a few pounds.  I don't know if you would call that straying from the plan, or that the plan just changed.  Now, in maintenance, I do eat "off plan" foods quite a bit, but I pull it right back in if/when I go close to the upper edge of my weight goal range.

I am about 9 weeks post-op, and I have not strayed from my diet since I started the pre-op in January of this year.  the thought of eating something that might trigger cravings is absolutely terrifying to me.  My greatest fear is that I will do myself in, and end up out of control and gaining the weight back.

I hope I never go off diet.  But never is a long time, so I am doing it one day at a time.  (smile)

I wish you well in your weight loss journey.  It is an adventure.

Carol

Wow, 9 weeks post op and almost 100 pounds down? That is so great congratulation!!! People like you inspire me that this will work, because I fear my my cravings as well, but I do know this will change my whole body and very high cholesterol (650) at 31 years old is really scary. So I am keeping hope by reading peoples inspiration like you.