Posts: 972
11/7/11 6:00 P

Every little bit of progress is progress, right? :-)... This is so true Starryeyed_1979; so very true!

Each day, I remember one piece and focus on it. I forgot to honour my hunger or to pay attention to what my body needed - I was just eating! Oops. Yetserday was better, today is even better.

I still put everyone else first.... mostly by DH and the kids; must take care of ther needs first (even though they are all adults). Last night I went to dinner with a wonderful friend, but another person I feel the need to take care of... but I put myself first during part of the dinner - and will celebrate that!

Mindful eating is so new to me, it will take a while; but I am so very grateful to have a start at it and somewhere to talk about it.

T

Posts: 3,390
11/6/11 4:36 P

I hear ya, Carol! Learning to forgive ourselves & live more presently is difficult. Persistence makes all the difference though! I read an Einstein quote that goes something like, "It's not that I'm so smart, it's that I stay with problems longer."

I made my sign this morning and also handwrote out the "10 Commandments of Healthy Eating for Parents" from an article here on sparks. Added some fun family pics b/c that helps remind me of why I'm eating healthier. I hung it all on the fridge & am very pleased. This morning has been hectic with taking care of DS but I did take the time to enjoy my food more than usual and really taste it instead of just chewing and swallowing. Every little bit of progress is progress, right? :-)

11 Days until:  Early Childhood Education Praxis II

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0

Posts: 877
11/5/11 11:42 P

I feel like we are in this together, Alayna. Part of the process is forgiving ourselves for our "mistakes" and allowing what is, to be. Maybe we need to learn that first, before we can pay attention to the smaller details! Anyway, I guess I am saying that any change is difficult, but I am confident that we can learn new habits if we continue to visit the team and stay connected. I want to believe that tomorrow will be my breakthrough, since it wasn't today!

Carol

Posts: 3,390
11/5/11 9:27 P

I'm actually relieved to read that other people struggle with this challenge, too. I am having a very hard time even remembering my pledge to mindfully eat. I'm making a sign for the kitchen & setting a spark appointment reminder to my email so that I will hopefully remember before the day is gone. Currently, I don't remember until I go to the 'other goals' section of sparks. Then I'm like, 'duh, duh, durh!'. oops!

I've thought some about why it's so hard for me to remember, and I suppose that I'm not comforable simply being and eating. Sad to say but true. Hope I can change that, little by little!!!

11 Days until:  Early Childhood Education Praxis II

50 37 25 12

0

Posts: 877
11/5/11 8:18 P

I continue to struggle. I won't be moving on to Week 2 until I feel that I have gotten several days in a row accomplished. At least I am closer to being mindful about being mindful!

Carol

Posts: 252
11/4/11 10:47 A

I don't know if this counts since it was forced, but I'll take it anyway. After going through minor surgery yesterday, being under anesthesia, and not being allowed to take my meds, I felt totally nauseous. When I was finally able to keep something down, it was soda crackers. And they tasted absolutely wonderful. Crunchy and salty at first, sweet and smooth by the time I got them down my throat.

Now, soda crackers are not my first choice of foods. In fact, my little boys were very disappointed when they discovered they didn't taste like soda pop. But eaten mindfully, slowly, and a long time since I'd previously eaten, they were manna.

Bobbie

Total SparkPoints: 3,276

	2,500 2,874 3,249 3,624	3,999
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Posts: 877
11/3/11 7:49 P

Tiny totter forward. Flashes of mindfulness during breakfast and lunch. I am starting to think that I can do this............

Carol

Posts: 877
11/2/11 8:23 P

Hi Kim. Thank you for the welcome!

Ugh. I think I need to start out by being mindful about being mindful. Plowed through 3/4 of my meal last night before I remembered my pledge. Baby steps.

I commit to posting here each day, so that I can help reinforce this new way of eating. I know that mindfulness is life changing and need to USE IT!

I will post again tomorrow, hopefully with progress!

Carol

Posts: 760
11/1/11 9:26 P

Welcome!!!!

I struggle with this on a daily basis, still. I can relate to the mindlessness when it comes to food. I'm looking forward to hear how you're progressing!

Kim

current weight: 168.0

185 176.25 167.5 158.75

150

Posts: 877
11/1/11 7:52 P

Hi, I'm new. We are practicing Mindfulness at work, but i struggle to remember to actually implement what I am learning. Personally, I think I choose mindlessness and food to numb myself. I will choose to remain Mindful during dinner. I will let you know tomorrow how I did! Progress, not perfection...............

SparkPoints: (69,759)
Fitness Minutes: (83,470)
Posts: 10,089
10/22/11 5:29 P

I am still struggling with this one.

Posts: 760
10/22/11 4:43 P

I'm starting afresh once again. I think one of my biggest challenges is to slow my eating. I'm so used to eating on the run or in front of the computer. It's doable!

current weight: 168.0

185 176.25 167.5 158.75

150

Posts: 823
10/2/11 8:24 P

I mindfully ate my spaghetti dinner at the dinner table, then I had my pie in front of the computer.

current weight: 3.4  over

5 2.5 0 -2.5

-5

SparkPoints: (69,759)
Fitness Minutes: (83,470)
Posts: 10,089
10/2/11 7:51 A

This is still with a lot of difficulties. I am not quite making it for even one meal.

Posts: 823
10/2/11 12:27 A

(I'm not sure if I'm posting in the right place or not)Okay, I joined this group months ago, and ahem, I been too busy to notice what you do here. So, I am going to start the challenge. This is Day One of Week One for me. It's late, I've had my meals for the day, although earlier, I did want to have a night snack, but it would have put me over my limit (by the way, this resisting is big for me). So, I started to do some house cleaning on my site which, led me here. Anyways, I think I was pretty mindful and appreciative of my food today, it was all so delicious and nutritious.

Edited by: JEWELY_ROADS at: 10/2/2011 (00:27)

current weight: 3.4  over

5 2.5 0 -2.5

-5

SparkPoints: (69,759)
Fitness Minutes: (83,470)
Posts: 10,089
9/15/11 9:57 P

I am still struggling here. I think part of it could be that I have major difficulties when it comes to changes.

Posts: 1,145
9/15/11 6:34 A

Starting today with mindfully eating....going to start with a good breakfast!

Posts: 16,790
8/19/11 9:14 A

Yesterday was my first day for this challenge and I did pretty good. I noticed I was more mindful and I did eat more slowly. Today, I'm going to take my lunch to the local park and not eat at my desk.

current weight: 169.0

170 168 166 164

162

SparkPoints: (69,759)
Fitness Minutes: (83,470)
Posts: 10,089
8/17/11 9:52 A

I am still having a lot of difficulty here.

Posts: 985
8/16/11 11:24 P

Day one for me. I've been reading Michelle May's book "Eat What You Love, Love What You Eat" - excellent by the way! - and this challenge will be the perfect compliment. Today I ate breakfast on my balcony while my kitty sunned himself. It was lovely. I ate lunch in stages from 11:30-2:45; half a sandwich here, my side salad there, a few nuts there, etc. I was making an effort to eat when I was actually hungry but stop at satisfied instead of full. Dinner was my biggest meal of the day and I was very hungry for it at 8:30. I learned that the particular dish I was eating was DELICIOUS the first day (yesterday) and OK the second. That it's better with couscous than pasta. I could have stopped eating sooner, but didn't want to be hungry again tonight so I finished the serving. I feel content and at peace with my choices today and hope to continue this momentum tomorrow!

And - HI, Dimi! :-)

current weight: 165.0

188 175.5 163 150.5

138

SparkPoints: (69,759)
Fitness Minutes: (83,470)
Posts: 10,089
8/13/11 9:57 P

I am to the point that I am speeding up even more now.

Posts: 3,563
8/10/11 8:15 P

Amy Yes I would like to discuss the book! I am just starting chapter one

Posts: 3,050
8/10/11 8:04 P

Savor's the book I bought and started to read on my Kindle on the way home from vacation. It's really good and will be helpful, but I haven't gotten very far. Once I got home, I had so much to do, I haven't been reading it. and also have not been doing so well on the mindfulness eating today. I ate a big dinner tonight -way too much! I will get back to reading tomorrow, so I can refocus. If you'd like to discuss the book, let me know.

25 Days until:  retired and full-time rving

50 37 25 12

0

Posts: 3,563
8/10/11 7:34 P

Ground 0 with my mindful eating. I do ok in the morning but after that it's a wrap. I checked out a book from the library called Savor hope it helps!

Posts: 3,050
8/9/11 11:37 P

I am definitely finding it challenging to stay mindful during my eating, but I am at least becoming aware of eating too fast, and I am getting better at slowing down and savoring each bite. I know this will take a lot of work, but it will be worth it!

25 Days until:  retired and full-time rving

50 37 25 12

0

SparkPoints: (7,120)
Fitness Minutes: (4,453)
Posts: 155
8/9/11 7:31 P

Day Two.
My mindfulness today made me think of a quaint little sandwich shop instead of a fast food place for lunch. I asked myself if I was hungry. I was. I asked myself if I wanted to undo all the good choices I've been implementing. I didn't. I chose to forgo dressings and opted for roasted peppers. I ate half and said, "I am full now.", wrapped up the rest and felt very good about the several good choices in that moment. :)

Peace,
fran

SparkPoints: (7,120)
Fitness Minutes: (4,453)
Posts: 155
8/8/11 8:01 P

This was Day One for me. I cannot say that I was on top of the mindful eating at every meal, but I was aware of how very good my food tasted when I paid attention to it. It is amazing how my satiety was reached much sooner.

Thank you for this board. It has brought a new perspective to my health.

Peace,
fran

SparkPoints: (69,759)
Fitness Minutes: (83,470)
Posts: 10,089
8/5/11 3:14 P

I am to the point that I am slowing down one meal here and there. I am still eating super fast the rest of the time.

Posts: 3,050
8/3/11 8:05 A

I have made mindful eating my number one goal for August, so I have joined this group. I am on vacation right now, but have more time than usual to relax, ponder/reflect on life and how to improve what I've been doing on my weight-loss/health journey. Even though I know what I should do, I don't do it. I am starting today to put the mindful eating into practice. We have a five+ hour drive to our destination today, so I am going to do buy one of the recommended books for my kindle and do me some reading about it!

25 Days until:  retired and full-time rving

50 37 25 12

0

Posts: 3,563
8/1/11 12:51 P

Hi I have decided once and for all that I am going to deal with the mindless eating. I am not overeating per se but. I am not always present while I am eating. SOOOO Here I am.

Posts: 391
7/24/11 9:04 P

My MIL mentioned an article she read that said whenever you sit down to eat, you should imagine yourself as if you were having High Tea with the Queen of England. This makes a lot of sense, because you would obviously eat slowly, take time to chew your food, set your utensils down, take small sips of your drink, etc. I thought this was a great way to think of it, and I plan to put it into practice immediately.

SparkPoints: (5,571)
Fitness Minutes: (3,377)
Posts: 306
7/15/11 1:38 A

I am finding this challenge very difficult. Everytime I eat, I am so hungry that I simply devour my food and forget all abt being mindful.After I finish eating, I remember I was supposed to be "mindful' - I can only blame myself.

Pounds lost: 2.0

0 7.5 15 22.5

30

Posts: 1,161
7/3/11 4:17 A

I work best when I plan ahead, so here's what I am going to do today (first day of this challenge):
I've already had breakfast and that was not exactly eaten mindfully, so we're not talking about that. It was before I found this team! (Excuses, excuses.)
For lunch I am going to make a salad, and I am going to focus on the texture of it. I am also staying well away from the computer whilst eating it, and reading a book whilst eating a salad is an art I have never mastered anyway. The TV isn't a problem, as it doubles as my beloved's computer screen.
Dinner will be my "big" mindful meal. I swore yesterday that today would be a simple dinner, but I think I want to make something from scratch again, because when I make things from scratch I automatically am more mindful of what I am eating.

So that's the plan for today!

current weight: 157.0

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154

Posts: 760
6/22/11 9:15 P

Another day with mindless eating...time to regroup, again

current weight: 168.0

185 176.25 167.5 158.75

150

Posts: 805
6/14/11 5:20 P

Eating slowly has made me realize how fast I was eating before.

I found a Native American Prayer to say before eating:
From forest and stream
From mountain and field
From the fertile Earth's nourishing yield
I now partake of Divine Energy.
May it lend health, strength to me.

I had my lunch at the dinner table today--trying hard to change my bad habits.

SparkPoints: (69,759)
Fitness Minutes: (83,470)
Posts: 10,089
6/14/11 10:28 A

I have been trying to slow down and it works for part of one meal.I am also with difficulties when it comes to knowing when I am full.

SparkPoints: (2,519)
Fitness Minutes: (2,085)
Posts: 106
6/14/11 10:02 A

Yesterday was day one. I took time with dinner to smell and taste the food, not just shove it in. The problem I had, was I still ate more than I was comfortable with, but because it was such a pleasant experience and not because I wasn't paying attention. I think part of my problem was not knowing when I was getting full, since I normally eat too fast and too much. I'll have to learn to listen to my body.

Posts: 805
6/7/11 1:08 P

I usually take my food to my bedroom and eat it there before the TV. Today for the first time, I ate my breakfast at the kitchen table and in silence. It was a revelation!

SparkPoints: (69,759)
Fitness Minutes: (83,470)
Posts: 10,089
6/5/11 8:21 A

I have been trying to remember to count. I must force myself to do it since it is not natural.

SparkPoints: (184,743)
Fitness Minutes: (175,323)
Posts: 9,615
6/5/11 12:48 A

still not being as mindful as i want. but i am doing better at saying no to temptations several times a day.i am close on my calorie total most days. i have been drinking to much soda and eating things that i don't enjoy (because i am eating them too fast.)

i am still working on slowing down.

SparkPoints: (184,743)
Fitness Minutes: (175,323)
Posts: 9,615
5/30/11 2:12 A

For june i am going to really work on my mindful eating, i will be traveling twice - 2 weekends in the car so i really want to work on defeating temptation and eating when i am not hungry.
i will be using this as a guide to help me.

http://www.sparkpeople.com/resource/calendar_2009_outsmart_temptation.pdf

Posts: 760
5/27/11 9:20 P

I'm having trouble slowing down as well. I'll try the counting. Breakfast is usually eaten in the car on the way in to work, lunch at work usually is the slowest of the day, other meals are either out on the swing, in front of the computer, or standing up....

current weight: 168.0

185 176.25 167.5 158.75

150

SparkPoints: (69,759)
Fitness Minutes: (83,470)
Posts: 10,089
5/24/11 4:52 P

No one has mentioned that. I know super is fast, but breakfast and lunch is even faster.

Posts: 33
5/24/11 12:53 P

@Onicam

Have you tried seting a chew count and tracking those? Make yourself chew for "x" number of times before you swallow? Maybe after trying that for a few days you'll be able to slow down without counting.

The counting will also help you be mindful as you count!

Pounds lost: 63.0

0 40.25 80.5 120.75

161

SparkPoints: (69,759)
Fitness Minutes: (83,470)
Posts: 10,089
5/23/11 6:24 A

This is still very difficult. After eating super fast it does not seem like slowing down will ever happen.

Posts: 6,895
5/16/11 5:28 P

Even though I am eating with no distractions, I still find myself rushing. My fork is reaching for the next bite before I'm finished chewing. Where am I rushing to? I don't work, I have no pressing engagements, no one clamoring for my attention. Then I try to bring my focus back by setting my fork down and taking a sip of water. It's amazing to me how often I wander while eating. I really get impatient trying to take longer to eat mindfully. How ingrained our bad habits are!

Posts: 1,660
5/3/11 10:27 P

It is so odd to realize how unaware I can be, of the eating experience. I am very aware of the cooking part!

Pounds lost: 2.0

0 6.25 12.5 18.75

25

SparkPoints: (37,657)
Fitness Minutes: (30,098)
Posts: 4,022
5/2/11 10:35 P

I have to say that really slowing down and thinking about what I am eating...taking time to really enjoy it...well, it does have me looking at food a little differently. IT is a good thing to do! Have a joy filled day....Karen

Pounds lost: 12.0

0 17 34 51

68

Posts: 43
5/2/11 6:20 P

Thanks for making me aware that I am on the computer or watching t.v. when eating. I did that today for lunch. For supper I will not watch T.V. Supper is going to be boring and challenging I think.

current weight: 122.8

137 131.5 126 120.5

115

Posts: 33
5/2/11 1:47 P

Here is where we can discuss how things are going with the first week. How are things going? Is your awareness increasing?

Pounds lost: 63.0

0 40.25 80.5 120.75

161