The hot button for any weightloss program (The word "diet" seems to have become politically incorrect these days.) is "moderation." I know what moderation is ,and I know that I'm supposed to use it.
How do I actually DO that successfully. I've NEVER --inspite of my bravest efforts -- been able to "just eat a small portion". I also don't do well with the "just avoid it" thing either.

HELP!!!!!

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Good question! I learned from our elite
DT-er here, Dj, to only eat ONE portion of anything. Whatever the label says, just eat that and no more. When you are making meat, remember a closed-fist size is about the size they are talking about. Fruits and veggies are usually l/2 to 1 cup. Another way of looking at it that helps me is to see how they package frozen foods like Lean Cuisine. That is a good reference. I hope this helps.

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Joni

Divine,
Moderation is just a pretty word for self control. It is exercising the power within ourself to make choices in the best interest of ourself. If we don't take care of ourself, who will?
It is the choice to do the right thing despite our feelings.
No offense intended, but I don't think it's a matter of not being able to do something, its a matter of not being willing to do something.
Hang in there, and know that we all struggle with the same issues... that's why we're here.
Post again with your success stories.....
Love,
forme01


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Moderation is the art of eating what we like but only a small portion. We have to learn that we eat to fuel our body and It is not suppose to be done out of pure enjoyment. If you buy a high priced car you are not going to put regular gas in it, you are going to put premium in it to keep it running the way it is suppose to. We have to think of our bodies that way.. Our bodies need food to live. We work better on healthy, good foods. If we load up on fats then eventually our body will quit working as it is suppose to. So am I saying never eat the "bad" foods again? No but use moderation with these foods.. Think about what your body is going to do with that food when you stick it in your mouth.. Moderation you can do it!!!!!!!!!!!! Jeni

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What I've been doing is measuring the portions out, and dishing up our plates. That way, you eat what's on the plate and that's all you get. Also, preplanning the snacks for the day, helps. So you get the quantity on your plate, your 2-3 snacks, gallons of water, and that's it.

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Regards,
Big Bones (Bev)

Bev's Blob Blog (http://www.inhormoney.com/blob/blogger.html)

bevisnot@home.com

"Minutes at the table don't make you put on weight - it's the seconds."

To get a little more obsessive than Big Bones, another weightloss wonder (Mel) gave us the tip to ration out snack portions into baggies or whatever works when you get home from the store. That way, you have one serving and if you want another, you have to go back to the cupboard or wherever to get another one.

I too, eat WAY too out of moderation. It is a hard and constant struggle.

Corinna

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"Every decision you make indicates what you believe you are worth."

Divine...... good question :) If you try eating a one serving size of things that have calories, you'll be okay. There are some vegetables that I consider "unlimited" and might eat more of, but meat, potatoes, deserts, snacks, etc. I try to just eat a single serving size. For years I have packaged snack things in zip lock baggies and keep them in a "snack basket" on top of my fridge. When I feel like I have to have an extra snack or at times I know that I can have a snack, I can just grab something in that basket and it's going to be a single serving size. It's a nice feeling to sit down and know I can eat the whole bag of whatever I choose out of the basket. Most chips, pretzles, cookies, even candies (Milky Way lite bite size bars help me with chocolate cravings) and they all have the serving size on the back of the package. I keep a real variety in there so it's fun to pick out something. Fresh fruit is anoher good snack and one piece is one serving. It takes some extra time to prepare things like that, but it's really worth the effort. Unfortunately, eating in moderation doesn't come naturally to most of us, so it's practice makes "progress" (get rid of that perfect word! *grin*) Just make healthy choices when choosing your food and you'll do fine! Are you drinking any water? That's really important, too and may help with your moderate portion servings. Drink a big glass of water before every meal that you eat. About 64 ounces a day is what your body needs. And as far as avoiding certain foods goes...... that never worked for me. I would try to ignore being hungry for something in particular and would ultimately end up bingeing. Since I have taken the words "forbidden" and "bad" out of my eating plan and I eat a single portion size or less of whatever I'm hungry for, the bingeing has stopped!! Take care and good luck to you. Hope this helped a bit.

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Here's to healthy and happy!

Dj

[This message has been edited by Dj (edited 01-06-2001).]

This area is my cup of tea. I love talking about this, in fact, I just posted a topic in the motivational forum...if you can check that out. Listen, moderation is just this...giving up your will, your indulgences, and your desires that are only temporary for an even better reward.
I try to tell myself that freedom = obediance while slavery/bondage = disobediance. This means that when you overeat, you are in bondage to that food. Think about it, when you overeat do you honestlty think you are in control? Oh no, food becomes your thoughts, your motivation throughout the day. IT CONTROLS YOU!!! When you eat when your stomach growls and eat just enough, you are free. You don't wake up thinking, "Another day, another opportuinity to eat food!!" Instead you get up focusing on the more important things like your job or school.
Moderation is absolutely the key to permanent weight loss. It does take practice but there are no substitutes!! Eventually you will come to the point where you will have no desire to overeat...I'm still working on that! So far I've lost 24 lbs and kept it off for 3 years!!

God Bless

One more tip since all the good advice is already posted before I got here..hehee
When I cook up a meal I have everyone take what they want to eat and put it on their plates then I get my normal serving sizes of portions..then before I eat...I PUT THE LEFT OVERS AWAY!!...away in the frig and not out there for seconds...besides all ya need is a serving that is why it is called..ONE SERVING..imagine that...I KNOW you are thinking well ya just gotta go back into the frig and dig it out if ya want it bad enough but during the time it takes ya to dig it all back out and heat it up..ya might just realize ya aren't that hungry after all..course I am also lazy so that helps too..heheee...ohh and couple more tips that help me..chew gum while ya cook keeps ya from sampling yourself into 10 extra pounds..and when ya finish eating brush your teeth it curbs the munchies who wants to mess up that fresh clean mouth taste...I know I AM a lunatic..LMAO
:)

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Pamela
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Live!! This is not a Dress Rehersal!!

If you are a lunatic, then I am one too Pamela! LOL. I brush my teeth as soon as I am done with my food. Sometimes I am still chewing my last bite and I am already on the way to the bathroom! It really does help me from eating anymore. It takes away the taste and the temptation. As for chewing gum, another of my favourites! I eat it in between meals or when I want to snack on something I know I can't.

If you guys consider yourselves lunatics, then you're in good company. Count me in (lol)!

Good points up there. Thanks for the input. One thing I have noticed is that when I do overeat (especially when I really get out of control), I'm trying to control a circumstance that i feel out of control in (does that make sense?). Like when the baby is throwing multiple tantrums and I'm trying to deal with that and work at the same time. That is a situation that makes me want to pig out -- and has often led to that.
Kinda sideways, huh? Now if I can just figure out how to break that cycle.....

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I've also tried not having any "forbidden" foods and instead just eating them in moderation. The problem is this- when I eat my favorite foods (pizza, ice cream, chocolate, chips) in moderation I get absolutely no joy from them. I miss the "high" I get when I binge on these foods. I do try to savor the foods when I eat my one serving, but it doesn't seem to work. Can anyone relate to this or am I just crazy?


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Isabella :)

Hi there,
Remember the old commercial that said "I betcha can't eat just one?" Ain't that the truth. If we all knew how to be in control all the time we wouldn't be in this mess...let's face it we're human...not a very big revelation I know. Right now I'm doing the Richard Simmons food mover that forces you to examine just what a portion is and exactly how much you can have, etc. Since I'm not feeling terribly strong these days it's helping me that the foodmover is in control instead of me.

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Marilyn

Hmmm moderation.. The key to moderation is fooling the mind... Instead of using a big plate for food portions use a smaller plate..Your body will be fooled into thinking that it's receiving the same amount of food when indeed it isn't. It will be hard getting used to at first but eventually it will..

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bougiej@hotmail.com

[This message has been edited by joanne (edited 01-15-2001).]

"Moderation" is a whole lot easier to attain if you are not trying to moderate trigger foods! I can easily have one low-fat yogurt bar. No problemo! But there is no way I can have just one peice of chocolate cake with thick fudge icing. Avoid the triggers, those foods that make you want more and more, and that is l/2 the battle!

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Joni

I agree with drinking lots of water before you eat it really curves your appetite. As for me my family eats dinner around 4:30pm I know that's early but my husband is working nights right now. Before I eat I pack the left-overs for my husbands lunch, so there is nothing left for me to go back for.

I know you can do it!!!!!!!!!!!!


Eat to Survive, don't Survive to Eat
Loretta

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