DAY 290: Sweet dreams

Natalie M.

01/07/2016 6:01PM
Author Gretchen Rubin argues that there are two types of people, moderators - who do better allowing small amounts of treats in moderation, and abstainers - who actually find like easier if they just say "I don't eat chips" (or whatever). She is an abstainer and says it is so much more relaxing for her because the decision is made, she doesn't have to keep deciding "will I or won't I, and how much?" every occasion. I think I can understand that point of view, but as a "moderator", by her definition, I go into a panic spiral if I think about never having chocolate again and binge. And some other extremely overweight bloggers I read say they were addicted to sugar and have found life much easier when they completely abstain, if they have a bit it triggers them to eat more. I guess what I am saying is that while I personally live in line with what you say here, I don't think there is one rule for everyone in the world. Some people are different, and do better with different life rules even though that may be incomprehensible to us.

Beckys-Getting-Fit likes this comment.

Pirwaki

Hi, Natalie! Of course people are different and will have varying degrees of success with different approaches and methods. Things like your example of chips, you can live without forever because it's actually not food and it has no nutritional value. Things like bread, you can't really entirely eliminate because it IS food and it DOES have nutritional value. That was the point I was trying to make with my example of soda, which I personally have 100% abstained from for several years: it's like chips, no dietary benefits. You can eliminate refined sugars to an extent, like never eating M&Ms again, but you can't completely avoid them in every food forever unless you eat only whole foods and prepare everything yourself, always. That's all I meant to say. In any case, I'm no expert and I am only recommending what has been successful for me. :) Thanks for your insight!

Beckys-Getting-Fit

Hi Natalie, this is very interesting! I have noticed this is true for me with forming good habits. I finally have gotten into this groove of waking up every morning and exercising and eating my planned breakfast. I know I have formed this habit when I no longer think *should* I exercise this morning or do I have an excuse to skip it? or What should I eat for breakfast? It IS so RELAXING to not have these stressful angel/devil on each shoulder internal debates every morning when I just woke up! I just do it. It helps that I've been sleeping in sweats and sports bra and t-shirt and my breakfast is prepped in the fridge! I am ready to go in the AM and don't even think about it. It has worked for me for a few months now. Its a habit! fingers crossed it sticks!

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