I finally did it!

[eddie z.]

I made an appointment with a nutritionist who specializes in eating disorders! It's not for two more weeks, but I'm excited that I'm actually taking some steps towards dealing with my bad eating habits. I imagine she'll have me keep a food journal for a couple of weeks, so I was thinking I should go ahead and start it and go in "armed" with it. What do I include?

Love and hugs,
Eddie

[Pony]

"Everything" lol

Eddie, that is so great. Very proud of you, but more important, you sound proud of you!! That's wonderful. Taking those steps...very inspirational for me.

Starting the food journal is a great idea.....write down everything you eat, even the snacks...planned and unplanned ones..lol....so you and she will have an idea of what is going on.

This is so cool, I can't wait to hear how it goes. Please share with us all you learn.

[eddie z.]

Thanks, Pony! I found a relatively blank notebook and I'll start in a few minutes actually.
—EZ

[Paulie]

That is great Eddie. Yep, I agree with Pony...write down everything. I stopped doing that for the last month or so, and boy it is easy to get off track. I started again last Saturday and it helps so much. Today I see my trainer again (first time in a long time) and get back on track myself.

you are doing great, thank you for sharing that with us.

[Pony]

Yayyy Paulie. That reminds me that I have to get in touch with my friend/trainer from the gym. I hope she doesn't think I have forgotten about her. This last month has gotten away from me.

[Paulie]

Oh yeah Pony...take her up on that offer. I am exhausted right now, but I feel great. I have not felt this good in 3 weeks, even though I can't lift my arms LOL.

Lets get back on track together.

And Eddie...gets to share her nutritionist info with us to!!! k?

[eddie z.]

Originally Posted by Paulie

Today I see my trainer again (first time in a long time) and get back on track myself.

That's super, Paulie! And thank you!

Well, I wrote it all down, including the pint of Ben & Jerry's I just scarfed down. I feel like I KNOW what I need to do, but I just can't seem to do it. Like with the quitting smoking. I guess I'm not beat down enough yet or something. I want to go back to OA but the meetings around here all conflict with my classes. Darnit! I wish I could afford to go to treatment again. I could use the structure!

Love and hugs,
Eddie

[Pony]

Eddie, you are doing something. You are taking steps to move forward and deal with this. One step at a time. These are bad habits we all got ourselves into, it's going to take more than overnight to change them and ourselves. Be proud of the strides you are accomplishing toward the goal of being healthy.

There are OA meetings online that are also good. It might be something to look into for at least the time being until you can get to a f2f one. They also have sponsors.

[Wolfstarr]

eddie that is great!
i think i am going to do that, too. i need help so bad. i am in such a rut and isolating, and just feeling plain miserable. how did you find a nutritionist specializing in food disorders?
i have to get started here but i am dragging my feet, and the depression only snowballs.
i do have to tell you that reading your post gave me some incentive...
thanks and best wishes to you with your nutritionist...can't wait to hear what you've learned....
((((eddie))))

wolfstarr

[In memory of miracle]

Good for you ! Sending support your way. Bless, Trish

[Paulie]

Yep...small steps, just like recovery. Writing it down, makes me accountable, I hate being accountable .

[eddie z.]

Thanks Wolfstarr and Trish, and again, Pony and Paulie!!

Pony, I sort of have an OA sponsor. I'm just not using her. Maybe I'll call her tomorrow. It's a little late tonight. Thanks for the reminder, though. I may check out those online meetings.

Wolfstarr, I got the name of the nutritionist from my therapist.

Love and hugs to all,
Eddie

[wastedtime4me]

Good luck with your new beginning eddie,,I THINK i am going rto check out the OA site mentioned here also...

[eddie z.]

Thanks, WT4M! And yes, check out that site. OA rocks! I just wish I could go more.
Love and hugs,
Eddie

[octoberbabye]

Eddie,
How great that you have taken this step. Hope you post a lot and share what you learn.

[eddie z.]

Thanks, octoberbabye! I've been faithfully logging what I eat and drink, so I should be prepared when I see the nutritionist.
—EZ

[eddie z.]

Well, I went to the nutritionist Tuesday. I have to be honest. I was disappointed. Has anybody here read Intuitive Eating? She wants me to read it. I'm going to have to explain this better later, but I thought I'd at least check in here. I'm supposed to be journaling my food and my hunger levels and emotions, but I feel discouraged to the point where I'm not doing it. I keep saying I'll start tomorrow. Maybe if I got a new notebook...I just don't know. This hasn't been a good week.
Love and hugs,
Eddie

[Pony]

Sorry you are feeling this way Eddie. What is it that is making you feel that way about it? Were you expecting something that didn't come through?

Go ahead and get the new notebook and start that journaling, it can only help you to know what you are doing daily.

Hugs and hugs

[eddie z.]

Pony,
Thank you always! This woman has a VERY different approach from that advocated by my 12-Step background. She doesn't believe in diets and abstinence and so forth. I feel like I need structure and guidelines and this "physically-connected" eating idea scares me to death. She says it's about giving myself "permission" to eat things, but there are just some foods I feel like I can't stop eating once I start.

I've just met with her once and I haven't read this book she wants me to read, so I don't want to rush to judgement, but I think I want the things OA suggests—a plan of eating and abstinence. It's all very confusing to me. I'm feeling very bad about my body, too, and this new approach says I have a "natural" weight I'm supposed to be. I'm afraid my "natural" weight is too high for me to be happy with how I look.

I got out the journal I set up and I'll try to write in it today. Thank you for encouraging me to do that! I have a second appointment in two weeks. And that book should arrive soon. I'll keep y'all informed. I need to call my OA sponsor, too!

Love and hugs,
Eddie

[tobstah]

GOOoO eddie! ive been thinking of going to a nutritionist for the longest time... one day, one day.. lol

I kept a food journal for about a week, and my sponsor stopped me because she said i was getting obsessive. i dno... I still think its a good thing. all the luck!

[eddie z.]

Thanks very much, tobstah!! I just hope my next appointment is more encouraging. Love and hugs, Eddie

[Wolfstarr]

((((eddie))))
thanks so much for sharing your experience with your nutritionist. I would tend to agree with you on the "natural weight" thing!! It is kinda scarey, but, I am intrigued enough to buy the book and read it myself! Sure sounds interesting to me....
I have also started journaling what I eat, and also my mood for the day. It helps...
I wish you the best, and please! keep us updated...
Big hugs to you,
Wolf

[eddie z.]

Thanks, (((Wolf))), and you're welcome, too! I just don't know what to write. I think I'm supposed to be getting in touch with why I eat what, but I just plain don't feel like it!
Love and hugs,
Eddie

[Pony]

Eddie, just start with something simple like write down the day....time...what you are eating at that time......include any snacks...and if you raid the cupboard or refrig during the day ... write it down, whatever it is and then write down what you are feeling at that time....nervous, sad, anxious....what ever you feel. If you are not sure what you feel....you could write what is happening at that moment...activity or was there just a fight...or....something else that may have triggered an emotion.

I know these things take time and effort, but once you start and get into the routine...it's not too bad.

[eddie z.]

Originally Posted by Pony

write down what you are feeling at that time....nervous, sad, anxious....what ever you feel. If you are not sure what you feel....you could write what is happening at that moment...activity or was there just a fight...or....something else that may have triggered an emotion.

Thanks for that tip about writing down what is happening at the moment! That's probably about the best I can do. I'm just not in touch with my feelings at all. My medications really dull me emotionally. All I know is what I'm craving to eat. The nutritionist wants me to distinguish between "mouth hunger" and real tummy hunger, too. Know what I mean? I need to go work on this some right NOW! More later...
Love and hugs,
Eddie