Everyday Systems

Let me start by saying that I have three children, which makes this system a little more difficult (preparing snacks for kids, etc.). I'm pretty close to what I consider to be my ideal weight, but would like to lose 5-10 pounds. However, I'm tired of obsessing over food. One of my daughters and I have celiac, so there's a fair bit of obsession anyway, but I think I can say that what to eat and when has been an obsession through my life.

So, I know this might sound crazy, and I feel crazy even saying it, but here goes. I find myself disappointed in how quickly my body stopped wanting snacks and seconds. Sometimes I don't even feel hungry for the next meal, which means I probably am eating too much at each meal. So, I know that I can cut back my portions.

But for me it's not about hunger, it's about just liking food. I love the food I prepare. The fact of the matter is that eating these delicious foods is a pleasure and it passes too quickly. If my meal prep time is 30 minutes, and I'm finished in 7 minutes, it feels sad to me. So, I think I could comply pretty easily since I don't feel hunger, but I'm realizing that I just simply want more of these yummy foods.

So, in a nutshell, I like my food and I definitely don't feel deprived (i.e., hungry) in the NoS way of life, but I miss eating the quantity of food I used to let myself eat.

agreed, agreed, agreed.
I totally relate and often feel, "what's the point?" of preparing really nice big meals for everyone when I only have a little.
But it just takes getting used to.
I find I need to cut down quantity in my meals. I like big meals, so it's usually BIG salads with some crunchy carbs alongside.
I know I could cut down and lose the last 5 pounds that I know I could get to.
But for now I suggest just trying to not feel deprived at each meal. It will help you later not to binge and stuff.
I have 3 kids too! (7, 5, 2).
You're right about the snack preparing and stuff, but we can do it!

How about taking as long to enjoy eating the meal as you did to prepare it? If you slow down and enjoy it, you might also eat less and be more ready to enjoy the next meal.

I agree with wosnes on slowing down. It took me some effort to slow down, but it does make you appreciate the food even more. It should take you more than 7 minutes to eat your meal. I had to really think about it, and remember to put the fork (or sandwich, etc.) down in between bites, but it is becoming more and more a habit with me.

you described me to a tee!!

I love food and didn't want to give up the quantity of it. I struggled with it for a week or so before it hit me, that feeling uncomfortably full or carrying extra weight around is very unpleasant. And I decided that I can enjoy my food but not feel the unpleasant side effects of too much.

I still really miss it at times, but I focus on how light on my feet I feel, how energized, how confident.

I know it's tough. That feeling is what gets me when I mess up. It's always the reason why!

Hang in there! And try slowing down... I know it is hard. I normally eat a meal in that time too. But if I try to slow down, it really helps. For fast eaters like us, slowing down may mean 10 minutes instead of 7. I find 15 is the slowest i can eat for now. But if you eat slower for YOU it will make a difference, even if it is still fast by other standards.

Keep it up!

I agree with the slowing down bit while eating as u will enjoy it more and feel more satisfied. The other thing i have read on some other diets in relation to this is there is always tomorrow or later on to eat the same food. If you really love the meal you are eating put another portion away and have it for dinner or a meal tomorrow. Therefore u did not 'waste' all this time making this meal as you will enjoy the meal again at another time when u will have no preparation to do.

Gosh... as someone who was a calorie counter for YEARS and only ate 400 cals MAX for most meals... I find it hard to understand 1 full plate not being enough! I feel like I'm in heaven.

I agree with the poster who said, slow down. Since you have kids with food challenges, you may not be used to paying attention to your own eating and enjoying your own food fully at mealtimes.

So after my first day doing this, I felt no hunger either. Zilch. Even after a Zumba class and two hours of ballet, I didn't hear a single grumble. My body is probably freaking out a little, but hopefully it'll adjust. I realized that as for calorie counting, even 500 calories a meal will mean 1500 calories a day...totally acceptable to me! I mostly just want to maintain my weight and to stop my late night Dr. Jekyll/Mr. Hyde binging.
Meals are a lot more satisfying since I look forward to them way more!

I posted months ago about being disappointed in not getting hungry on S days because eating sweets (or even richer food because of restaurants or social events) made hunger disappear for 10 hours or more. I'm still adjusting, figuring how to eat little enough so that this doesn't happen.

I'm just adding to the line of those saying to slow down. Seven minutes is way too fast! Most slim cultures take their time over their meal, interacting with others and savoring.

One researcher suggested people divide their plate mentally into quarters and take 5 minutes per quarter, even if it means putting down the fork and waiting.

Is it hard at first? Yes. Will you feel after a few months that you can't believe how much pleasure others are missing when they inhale their food? Also yes.