The MakeMeThinner Support Forum

[holberry]

Hi,
So trying not to be a pest here, but would you recomend PUSH? I just viewed the website and it looks interesting. Did you sign up for the 90 day offer? any suggestions, thoughts, would be helpful.
gracias,
h

[DogMa]

I went for one month at a time, in case it didn't work out. I'm great at doing cardio every day, because it's at home, but I've been horrible about going to the gym because I just plain don't like it.

I'm only three weeks in on the PUSH thing, but so far I really do like it. For one thing, I actually DO it consistently. Plus the workouts have been right at my level, so that I find them challenging but doable (well, except for the dolphins, but I'm improving on those, so it's something to work toward). I haven't done the cardio workout, since I prefer my treadmill (but I do plan to try it one of these days). I don't do the bonus ab workout because it's WAY too hard for me, but I do like the bonus butt workout I got. I'll be happier next month because I asked them to get rid of the stability-ball exercises (because I don't like my ball; I'll probably add them back in at some point when I get a better ball), and I may switch to the 40-minute workout (you can choose 30 or 40 minutes) because the 30 minutes FLY by.

But I like the way Bob explains things, and I like the way the exercises are taped from several angles, so you can get a good look at what he's doing. It's a little odd because the exercises are all clearly taped separately and then pieced together for your workout, so Bob does an exercise, then just stops at the end, then the next clip starts. But they tell you the name of each exercise and what muscles it works and what equipment you'll need (before you start each one), which is nice. And there's a countdown timer for each exercise.

So yeah, so far I really like it. But I've only been doing it three weeks.

[DogMa]

Just checking in before I head off to work. I went out to dinner last night with a friend, and I'm very proud. We went for Japanese food, and I got chicken teriyaki. But I also felt like some soup, so I got a cup of soup - but not miso, because they had a spicy one that sounded interesting. But when I got it, it had all kinds of stuff in it - gyoza, and some sesame oil and maybe chili oil. It was actually kind of greasy, and way more food than I should eat (if I was going to eat the chicken, too). So I had a sip, then had them pack up the soup and just ate my chicken and veggies. Yay.

[holberry]

thanks robin, good info

[DogMa]

Just checking in. Did my PUSH workout last night, and slowed down the dolphins to match Bob's pace. Still managed to do eight, so next time I'm going to shoot for 10 (or at least nine). Taking the day off from the treadmill today because my ankle's a little sore and I'm due for a day off anyway.

[MerryMary]

Maybe it's the word "craving." I don't view wanting a piece of chocolate as a craving. And for me, lately, it seems like if I just eat the piece of chocolate (or whatever it is I feel like having), I'm OK afterward. It's when I refuse to let myself have it that I continue wanting it, and the want grows until it becomes a craving - something that I feel like I MUST have and that I want a lot of. And something I just can't stop thinking about. If I head it off by having a small amount, I'm done with it.

But this is with stuff I truly want, on my own. Not something I want just because it's there, like cinnamon rolls a co-worker brought to the office or something.

As usual, whatever works. But I know for me, denying myself and keeping whole groups of foods off-limits doesn't seem to work long-term. So just as I used to go off-program sometimes intentionally, to train myself to display self-control and eat something unhealthy but go right back to the plan, I do the same now. And I suspect it's easier now because I've had so much practice. One "bad" meal does not make me go over the edge anymore. I either work treats into my day's calories, or I kind of make up for an unhealthy meal by cutting back a little for a few days. It might not work for everyone, but it works for me. And keeps me feeling in control. And not deprived.

Robin, I read what you wrote in Jo's journal (quoted above) and wanted to extend my appreciation to you for sharing your experience--which has been my experience as well. How can I say "never" to those foods that I really enjoy? Frankly, I don't want to. I used my weight loss phase to learn discipline and self-control ... and so far it is working well for me in maintenance. Deprivation does not work for me. Anyway, thanks.

[DogMa]

Thank you, Mary. I've actually been pretty bothered by that discussion last night, and have been thinking of how I want to respond. Specifically, I'm very disturbed by the comment (made twice, actually) that I'm "lucky." I've spent the past three or four YEARS working on this, and retraining myself to be able to handle treats without losing control and going overboard. It's taken a lot of work to get to this point, and I am really hurt, angry and offended at the dismissal of all that, especially by someone who's been here quite a while and has seen my struggles with cravings and emotional eating and all the rest.

We followed different paths to goal and maintenance, but I have NEVER dismissed the work she's put in. The only "luck" I've mentioned in regard to Jo's success is that she's lucky that she enjoys the taste of Medifast foods. I never said she was lucky that she lost easily, or lucky that she was able to stick to plan with no cheating or anything else. Obviously, I don't consider those things luck and I think they're things she should be proud of.

But by the same token, I worked very hard to get where I am, and I'm proud of mySELF, too. From the beginning, I figured I practice to master other skills, and eating should be no different. So I've practiced deviating from my normal healthy eating plan and jumping back on. I've practiced eating just ONE of something. I've practiced having a treat once in a while instead of all the time. And I'm proud of what I've done.

[Serendipity]

Robin, I'm sorry if you took offense to my coment that you are lucky. It was not meant to minimalize your efforts. I actually felt that you weren't really listening to me.

Do you think that I haven't been there, done that? I have. I have been through the whole spectrum of telling myself nothing is a no no and that I should be able to have everything in moderation. I've been there for most of my adult life and I was saying that I didn't like the struggle that it takes. I am making an adult decision, just as someone who has problems with drink, smoking, etc., must come to a decision about whether it's worth it to continue the struggle.

If I was comfortable controlling it like you seem to be, I would certainly go that route. I know you have had more success at controling things than I have. I gave you kudos for it.

I would appreciate it if you have a problem with me, you would speak to me personally rather than discussing it with someone else first.

Again, I'm sorry if my short reply gave you the wrong impression.

[DogMa]

I don't know how/when you feel I discussed it with someone else. I posted my feelings in my journal. I don't think I need to apologize for that.

In any case, eat sugar or don't; it makes no difference to me. I was actually responding to Erica's post initially, and her concern that she'll have to swear off carbs forever. As I said, I thought at one point that I would, too, but it turns out that old reactions can be unlearned with practice and a lot of work.

[DogMa]

And BTW, I definitely heard what you were saying. You said the real struggle with sweets began when you started thinking about giving them up for good. Which is kind of my point.

[Serendipity]

Actually, no, the real struggle started long before. It was a struggle from the first time I took a bite of something containing refined sugar. I allowed myself to go overboard when I knew that my conclusion was going to be to give it up.

Read back in my journal and see. The first time I posted about it was way back last May. The honeymoon maintenance period was over for me then and the inner arguments begin.

Robin, we are two different people. When I said you were lucky it was in no way meant to diminish your struggles and hard work.

I have tried fooling myself many times over years and years that I could relearn to eat sweets in moderation. It has only been recently that I have come to accept that if I want to be thin, I need to make some hard choices. In my mind the choice was struggle with it or do without it. That's all.

I'm sorry, I didn't know you were responding to Erica. That explains alot and makes me feel a little less contradicted.

[ChynnaDoll]

hey Rob!..just swinging by to say hi to'ya'+)..bet yer prolly sleeping..lol!..it's 1:05am here and i'm on my way to bed! Thanks for coming over with that nice welcome back:+) ttyl my friend!

Chynna

[MerryMary]

Hi Robin ...
Just checkin' in on ya ...
Hope you are having a good week. Your presence on the forum is inspirational!

[DogMa]

Thanks for checking on me, guys (and for the kind words). I'm fine, just don't have much to say. Weight holding steady, workouts going well (but still working on those darn dolphins), food about the same.

Went out for dinner last night, and had a tasty little pizza on a "low-carb, whole-wheat" thin crust, LOADED with veggies and very little sauce and cheese. It was delicious, and unfortunately I ate the whole thing even though I could have stopped halfway through. But, as seems to be the case with me and pizza lately, I went home and ... errrr ... purged (unintentionally, of course; I'm not bulimic).

Aren't you sorry you asked?

[DogMa]

Hey, a minor miracle. I had a banana yesterday, and it didn't lead to cravings or overeating (or six more bananas). Apparently the bananas were just yet another phase, which makes sense. So that one's passed, and apparently so has my obsession with peanut butter toast. Maybe I just need to ride out each little food phase. Because these seem the same as my others, like eating turkey chili for lunch every day for months, or having hot cocoa (or before that, sugar-free Fudgsicles) every night. Maybe I just need to relax about 'em and ride them out.