Time to get serious

[dave47]

I'm 11 days in to a new regime and so far so good.I weighed myself today and have lost 8 pounds so am pleased with that.My upmost priority is not to drink,i think if i fail in that area then everything else will come crashing down too.I thought the best thing would be to go cold turkey with the alcohol but with regards to food,gradually improve things over a period of time.In these few days i confess i had a curry(not a low fat one either) and a few cakes,biscuits,crisps and nuts.Now i feel the time is right to up the ante and cut out more of the junk.Any ideas in how to manage this without feeling that all enjoyment has gone?

[Afraid2Succeed]

Congrats on the 8lbs!

nuts are good for you if you eat a handful a day - and for a meal substitute, try 20 almonds.

sounds like you had a 'creamy' curry, the kind with coconut milk in it. Soooo good, i hear ya. I allow myself a couple of 'indulgences' per week, which sometimes include a coconut curry grilled salmon over rice! totally bad, knocks me out, but soo good.

i would say the biscuits and cakes are nothing but empty calories. if you have a sweet tooth, why not try substituting the white refined carbs with real fruit. maybe in the beginning, put your fruit in fruit juice to add more sweetness ( but avoid the fructose and sugar).

and if you're really craving a junky snackfood, then just make sure you work out harder to compensate. that in itself might deter you from 'relapsing'. i had an ice cream cone 2 days ago, and i made sure i swam for 45 mins straight to compensate. make it a game. it can be fun!

[dave47]

Have heard almonds are good for you,have to try and eat them one at a time and not down in one.You got that curry in one,don't remind me of it.45 minutes to cover an ice cream cone! that puts it into perspective.Love fruit so no probs there,thanks for the advice.

[cali]

Dave47:
My upmost priority is not to drink,i think if i fail in that area then everything else will come crashing down too

I Absolutely 100% agree!
It has to be # 1 for me too!

[cali]

I was at work when I replied earlier so I could not elaborate on what I wanted to say. I too am juggling a lot of things that I am trying to succeed at like not drinking-not smoking-and eating well etc.
The most important thing in my life is my sobriety-hands down. I am learning that If I apply the 12 steps to everything in my life, I won't have to make "a choice" ...
it is not easy but it is possible! Keep up the good work!

[dave47]

Thanks cali,smoking too,thats tough.
Best of luck with the juggling.

[cali]

How are you doing Dave? Hope you are finding things that are working.
Check in-

[dave47]

Drinking loads of coffee,which isn't right i know,and started buying fresh orange juice.Been told to water it down as well which makes sense.Also buying natural fruit bars,bananas and apples to keep at work so i don't raid the snack machine.Think i'll only weigh in every week or longer,want to try and kid myself into doing this without thinking about it all the time.As long as i don't drink i have a fighting chance,and reading others views and stories can only help.I read that if you are going to have a takeaway a chicken kebab is quite healthy,so had one last night-it was beautiful

[cali]

Excellent-glad to hear that you are "in the game" and moving forward.
I don't weigh myself anymore. I have to think of the way I eat now as a way of life.
I didn't get into this jack pot over night and I won't get out over night either.
I tell myself that losing weight is a bonus-but living each day-sometimes one food choice at a time is where it all begins. I sure am glad you're doing well

[Afraid2Succeed]

Originally Posted by dave47

Drinking loads of coffee,which isn't right i know,and started buying fresh orange juice.Been told to water it down as well which makes sense.Also buying natural fruit bars,bananas and apples to keep at work so i don't raid the snack machine.Think i'll only weigh in every week or longer,want to try and kid myself into doing this without thinking about it all the time.As long as i don't drink i have a fighting chance,and reading others views and stories can only help.I read that if you are going to have a takeaway a chicken kebab is quite healthy,so had one last night-it was beautiful

hey Dave, it's good to hear you making some conscious choices... that's half the battle. chicken kebab is indeed a good source of protein w/minimal fat (white meat), while the basmati rice that usually accompanies it has a lower glycemic index than regular white rice.

it's so hard to find healthy takeaway choices. if you come up with anymore let me know. always looking for good alternatives on days i feel too lazy to cook.