Still Dieting...
Mar. 13th, 2002 11:44 am![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
the_rckI'm still working hard on the diet. I know I mention it here from time to time in a sort of off hand way, but it takes more of my attention than that would indicate. Sometimes I feel like I'm just barely keeping to it (and my diary comments are more likely to mention the lapses). The temptation to make "one" exception tugs at me each time I have an opportunity. Yesterday, for example, I ended up at Denny's while waiting to see my psychotherapist (she works from her home and has no waiting room, but the bus gets me there at least 20 minutes early). I stuck to what I could have while keeping the diet, but it wasn't easy. Part of my mind whispered that having French fries "just once" wouldn't hurt much. Or onion rings…
I sort of have to take this one meal at a time. Each one I manage properly is a victory of sorts, and the defeats only really become important if I stop losing or start gaining again. Going out is very dangerous in some ways, especially if I'm alone. I've found that I do better if the most tempting foods simply aren't around. It's much easier to decide once not to buy something than to decide over and over again not to eat it when it's in the cupboard or fridge. I suppose I should be glad that Scott and I don't have much in common when it comes to snack food (He like saltines, pretzels and popcorn).
Of the foods I can have, the hardest to manage in moderation is fruit juice. I'm big on texture in eating and drinking, and the juice we keep around is much easier for me to swallow than water is (Yes, I know this sounds strange. It's true though). Sometimes, when I get thirsty, it feels like my throat is blocked, and it's hard to imagine getting water down. When I can't imagine it, I tend to avoid trying until I realize what I'm doing and force the matter. Adding a couple of tablespoons of lemon juice to the water helps considerably in texture (though not in flavor. That's way too much unsweetened lemon for the amount of water!).
It's an odd thing. Cranberry juice works, orange juice and lemonade also. White grape juice is about like water in terms of ease of swallowing. Purple grape juice is worse; it seems to make my throat fill with glop. (Apple juice causes acid reflux, so I haven't had any in years and can't really say how it works or doesn't for this.) Soda pop tends to go down fairly well (pity I'm allergic to nutrasweet. Diet pop might solve some of my problems). I suspect it's a question of acidity. Why that should make a difference, I don't know. It's something I plan to ask my doctor about once I'm sure my insurance is straightened out.
In the meantime, one day, one meal, one serving at a time. I'm halfway to my original weight goal. I don't like thinking about another eight months or so of this, but… I can do this. Really.
I sort of have to take this one meal at a time. Each one I manage properly is a victory of sorts, and the defeats only really become important if I stop losing or start gaining again. Going out is very dangerous in some ways, especially if I'm alone. I've found that I do better if the most tempting foods simply aren't around. It's much easier to decide once not to buy something than to decide over and over again not to eat it when it's in the cupboard or fridge. I suppose I should be glad that Scott and I don't have much in common when it comes to snack food (He like saltines, pretzels and popcorn).
Of the foods I can have, the hardest to manage in moderation is fruit juice. I'm big on texture in eating and drinking, and the juice we keep around is much easier for me to swallow than water is (Yes, I know this sounds strange. It's true though). Sometimes, when I get thirsty, it feels like my throat is blocked, and it's hard to imagine getting water down. When I can't imagine it, I tend to avoid trying until I realize what I'm doing and force the matter. Adding a couple of tablespoons of lemon juice to the water helps considerably in texture (though not in flavor. That's way too much unsweetened lemon for the amount of water!).
It's an odd thing. Cranberry juice works, orange juice and lemonade also. White grape juice is about like water in terms of ease of swallowing. Purple grape juice is worse; it seems to make my throat fill with glop. (Apple juice causes acid reflux, so I haven't had any in years and can't really say how it works or doesn't for this.) Soda pop tends to go down fairly well (pity I'm allergic to nutrasweet. Diet pop might solve some of my problems). I suspect it's a question of acidity. Why that should make a difference, I don't know. It's something I plan to ask my doctor about once I'm sure my insurance is straightened out.
In the meantime, one day, one meal, one serving at a time. I'm halfway to my original weight goal. I don't like thinking about another eight months or so of this, but… I can do this. Really.
![[identity profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/openid.png){kind=small}
no subject
Date: 2002-03-13 10:42 am (UTC)I also dilute juices quite often - straight juice often tastes way too sugary for me, but diluting it (1/3 juice/water or 1/2 parts juice water) seems to help a lot.
One other thing you might try, though people have mixed feelings about this is trying vinegar in water - my favorite for this purpose is berry vinegar (last time I did this, I got mine at a whole foods store) Again, about a capful per 16 oz mug of water was about right - it added just enough flavor for it to be not straight water without being overwhelming.
no subject
Date: 2002-03-13 11:34 am (UTC)I prefer not to dilute my fruit juice because it doesn't feel right going down if I do. It's not a taste thing but a texture. I only get the 100% juices these days, though, because I don't like the corn syrup. I find that juices sweetened with white grape juice are comparably sweet in taste to those with corn syrup while feeling better in my mouth and throat.
Of course, I've got high tolerance for sweet stuff...
no subject
Date: 2002-03-13 01:23 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2002-03-13 10:54 am (UTC)Good luck. I know you'll make it, and I know it sucks. *hugs*
no subject
Date: 2002-03-13 11:43 am (UTC)The nutrasweet thing won't kill me but isn't worth dealing with for 99.9% of what I might find the chemical in. I get oozing rash. As I said, not life threatening, just disgusting. Discovering what caused it was enough to make me want to avoid all artificial sweeteners; some part of my brain starts worrying that I'll have similar (or worse) problems again.
Most of the time, I feel smug and morally superior about avoiding artificial sweeteners, but... Dieting changes one's perspective, no?