1. Happy (with my body) April 20, 2015 at 1:19 pm

   Hi Laurie! Thanks for yet another interesting episode. I liked your “list” at the end of the show. The list of four different reasons we might be on this journey of dealing with food- and weight issues. Like you, I have a little bit of each “piece of the pie”. Right now, however, I am mainly working with the techniques from Kathryns book. My number one priority is to become/stay bingefree. I beleive that would render me a sense of pride, dignity, self worth and peace of mind. And those things go a long way, at least for me. Now, do I think being bingefree will automatically solve my problems with perfectionism, people-pleasing and low self esteem? No! But truth be told, those are things I might have to work on throughout my entire life. And I don’t want to have to wait that long to quit bingeing. So: one step at a time. That is how I have decided to play this one out. Different ideas work for different people. As the show continues, I am curious to learn more about the different paths of you and the other brave companions. No matter what, I wish all of you the best in your individual pursuits.

   Reply ↓
   1. Carol April 20, 2015 at 2:04 pm

      I agree with Happy, the list at the end of the show was very helpful. I think my little mix is mostly the ED right now.

      1) Health – 20%
      2) Changing shape or body size – 20%
      3) Develop good life coping skills – 20%
      4) Removing the disrupting eating disordered parts – binge behavior, obsessive thoughts – 40%

      This was a very thought provoking topic you brought to the table. The obsessive thoughts are really really bothersome to me. Laurie – I did start a personal blog for myself online (not quite ready to share that yet) but one of my ah-ha moments was when I wrote the following:

      “Food is my drug of choice and every day it is a challenge for me. There isn’t a single day where I’m not thinking about food, making food, eating food, playing with food, using food for comfort, watching food on TV, looking up new recipes, Pinteresting about food, planning my food, counting my food… it’s literally on my mind ALL-THE-TIME! It haunts me.”

      Yup, that sums it up. I’m completely obsessed. Maybe my #4 should be more like 50% or something but regardless, again Laurie, great show!!

      Reply ↓
      1. Laurie@CompulsiveOvereatingDiary Post authorApril 21, 2015 at 7:26 am

         Hi Carol, this struck me.

         Yup, that sums it up. I’m completely obsessed. Maybe my #4 should be more like 50% or something but regardless, again

         My little list (and most likely not complete) is a moving target as WE change as time and chance moves on. One thing I was trying to get across is that the priorities of our ‘problem’ issues can and do change. I think that is one reason why approaches can stop feeling like a good fit, even if they worked at one time.

         For example, the first time I did WW, I got to goal in about a year. I felt my ENTIRE problem was body size/shape. So I did what it took (restrictive diet and exercise) to get thin. Being under 30, the weight came off pretty well – I think it was 54 to 55 pounds that time. BUT that entire year I avoided any and all social occasions, I damaged my main relationship with my food compulsion – ranting and tossing out food that ‘didn’t fit my plan’ and acting, pretty much, like a self-involved bitch. I then went nutso with fashion and spending once I fit into size 6. Then since my goal was to hit a number on the scale and get thin, not to change my life at all, the weight came back within two years and then a few years after that flew up to the 300 range that was my highest.

         Sigh

         That’s why I think now about my priorities when I want to immediately change my shape. Which I do. Especially when stressed. But mostly, for me right now, I have zero interest in quick fixes. I do not want to ride that roller coaster any longer – even if the price is to stay this larger size. I truly do value the people in my life now more than food, and more than what I weigh. I also value my ability to focus on things other than food and weight. HUGE change. For me, it’s also part of my age. Cheryl said it, I think, that we learn to accept better at our age as we enter or get close to our senior years. Time is the coin of life, and we can never get it back. So I ponder now on just HOW I want to spend that time. And for me, it’s not on making menus and counting points or calories or forgoing ‘forever’ foods I love and enjoy – and hence obsessing about them and resenting the people who do ‘get’ to eat them. Nor exercising when I don’t feel well, nor giving up plans with friends so I can run or lift or get my planned work outs in. If I were a fitness competitor, those things would align with my goals. BUT Since I am a semi-retired, 50 something lady who wants other things, my approach reflects that. Everybody IS different. And I think we benefit when we check in with ourselves about what we want and then find ways to fit in with those dreams. xoxoxoxoxxo

         Reply ↓
         1. Dawny April 21, 2015 at 6:34 pm

            WOWSA!! Laurie, I so could’ve.. okay.. I have written this same story.! you brought the tears out of me with this one.. SCARAZY!

            Reply ↓
            1. Laurie@CompulsiveOvereatingDiary Post authorApril 22, 2015 at 6:16 am

               Hugs Dawny! I know we have some similarities, but you have an important difference from this one, I think. This story was my first round with WW and I gained it all back and more, because I hadn’t a clue about my emotional eating triggers and causes. I also thought being thin would fix all that was not working that life (it didn’t). YOUR story is playing out with awareness right now. You are taking care of YOU and building a life as you go. But I AM glad that you understand me, and I can view that experience as a learning tool vs. complete and utter waste of my time. So much regret some days for my young foolishness, anguish and dashed hopes. I’ll never be a ballerina en pointe now, but I CAN be a voice actor 🙂 And if we hadn’t shared these challenges, I wouldn’t have met YOU dear Dawny, so I have to be happy that my life took the turns it did. xoxoxoxox
            2. Dawny April 22, 2015 at 5:56 pm

               yay for me meeting YOU Laurie the GREEEEAAAT! =-)
            3. Laurie@CompulsiveOvereatingDiary Post authorApril 23, 2015 at 5:06 am

               xoxoxoxox
   2. Laurie@CompulsiveOvereatingDiary Post authorApril 21, 2015 at 7:10 am

      Hi Happy, I’m glad you enjoyed that segment inspired by you! It is exactly that thought of us all being different in our needs and wants that made me think about WHY is it some approaches fit some people better than others, and indeed, some approaches fit US at different times better than others? But honestly, I was SO tired and worn out by the time I got to recording it, I wondered if I shouldn’t just cut the entire segment as I felt inside as if I were babbling (English for talking on and on without real thought). However, non-perfectionist me, said “Let it go”, and other BCs have enjoyed that segment too. So thanks for the food for thought and keep us posted on what you learn! xoxoxoxox

      Reply ↓
2. Dawny April 20, 2015 at 4:04 pm

   Another stellar episode! Thanks for the adventures Laurie! So glad that your reaping benefits towards the show $ from the bc’s!!! Also really cool we have more bc’s among us!

   Yay for gradually getting back to health Laurie!!! I’m not a HUGE mashed potato fan buuuuuut after listening to this I’m like hmmmm. Mashed potatoes don’t sound half bad. Ha!

   And…. For the record. I never have doubted the ‘reality’ of the show silly! Was just funning with you because you made it seem as if someone was questioning your truths lol

   Reply ↓
   1. Laurie@CompulsiveOvereatingDiary Post authorApril 20, 2015 at 4:06 pm

      HaHa Dawny and *I* was funning YOU because you have proven to be an EXCELLENT foolish fun companion! Those potatoes DID taste great, and the white rice too. But I’m glad I’m back to eating colored foods again. xoxoxox

      Reply ↓

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.