You can overcome any obstacle just close your eyes and think how good you feel eating better and the energy you get from not eating a bunch of processed foods. I always get up and go up and down the stairs before I give in to any hunger pains just to make sure it isn't me being bored.

__________________

Good going, Goldie! I am on day 6 of phase 1 for the first time. It was good to read what you wrote because I'll know a little better what to do when I get to phase 2 - go slow, take note of cravings, keep the protein coming, learn... Thanks for sharing. Good luck to you!

__________________

I've new here goldie and just started with reading some of the journals, you have come so far. This is my second time on the beach and hope I have as good results as the first time. We are starting a weight challenge this week, you are welcome to join us . It has always helped me stay more accountable. I read about your husband with his heart attack and bypass, I work in an critical care cardiac unit as an RN so if you ever need to vent, feel free to post in my journal once I get it started.
jane

Good morning Goldie! How are you doing today? We all have our triggers and I swear splenda triggers some of mine at times. If I put it on say berries, it seems I gotta have more carbs such as more fruit or bread of some sort. If it is a product such as fudge sicles I crave more too, but in a cup of tea I am fine. Maybe it had to do with how much splenda they put in it with the chemical process?? It is made from sugar so maybe I should get equal instead?

There are some studies that suggest that this "effect" is present with artificial sweeteners. That our bodies associate "sweet" with caloric intake and expect an influx of calories when we taste sweet things. When the calories and energy do not "appear", then our brain compensates by wanting more things that will include the "missing" calories. So I don't think it's that unusual. The good news is that you are becoming more in tune with your body and what it is asking for! The problem of course is getting it to STFU when it wants the stuff that isn't good for us!!

Congrats to your son on his b-day. Since you weren't having any cravings, it makes me wonder if it is the chemical process versus the sugar to give you cravings.

__________________

If the temptation was staring me in the fridge I'm not sure I could handle it day to day. Goldie maybe if you ask them to wrap whatever is left over in foil or something you can't see thorugh and put it maybe in the veggie crisper. At least it would not be staring at you in the face in the morning. My dh still eats junk food but I tell him if you want it you buy it and you either throw it out if you don't finish or put it some where else. He's been keeping it in our garage fridge that we usually put our extra food from hunting season. He's an adult and I can't tell him he can't have it but I don't want it around me either.

__________________

That's how I look at it goldie, if I don't see it I won't eat it! How are you doing today? What are your plans for thanksgiving? I'm making my plans today and what I will eat, I'm much too new to be able to indulge so I have to have things so I won't feel left out.

__________________

Well we always have alot of family and friends here for turkey day, I think we have around 12 here. I want to trim down the menu a little without disappointing anyone. So menu is here so far as follows:
roasted turkey
my sage and sausage stuffing which will have ww bread and less butter with turkey sausage
water gate salad(a healthier version of waldrof salad),
broccoli gratin(sb recipe)
sweet potatoes roasted
3 cheese potatoes(which I will not be having any) they are my kids favorites so they are bringing them.
fresh salad
fresh rolls
pies-pumpkin and apple(sf as possible)
pumpkin mousse (a sb recipe)

I will not be having any of the cheese potatoes, stuffing or pies. I feel I'm too early in this plan to have any serious grains or breads.

__________________

I think goldie if you are using the treadmill and need something else you might want to check out a couple of fitness items to see how they work for you. How about joining a gym? There are a lot of gyms you can pay monthly and you can use a variety of equipment to give yourself a more well rounded workout. I have an elliptical but it is old, got it a few years ago when they first came out and really would love to have the nordic track 1600. It is on my wish list but there are other priorities we need right now so don't really expect santa to put it under the tree this year. I do plan on joining a gym though close to work so I can just exercise after or before work.

__________________