Small meals are very confronting

[RevampedTramp]

Hello All
Week 1 day 7 and apart from a few hungry moments, things are going well. Have tried searching, but couldnt find anything similar to what i am currently feeling.
As the title of my thread suggests, the thing that I find most "disturbs" my mindframe is the size of the meals. I have noticed that I almost go into a mild panic as i am weighing and then plating this miniscule amount of food - panic that I am not going to be full, panic that i might get hungry later. I try to do things to bulk up the meals such as use a lot of celery and lettuce due to their lower weights which makes the meal appeal a reasonable size.
I understand that i obviously need to eat less than what i have previously, it is just quite stunning to see how little food is required to keep the body functioning.
And, another thing i have noticed is that even when i am starving, just a few bites and that feeling disappears. So things are obviously starting to level out in my body and it is adjusting to the smaller load.
I was just wondering was anyone else completely dumbfounded when they saw the size of their meals - and almost (as Oprah would say) lightbulb moment "okay, perhaps that is why i am overweight". Even though logically it makes sense, the emotional part of me wants to argue that I need more food!!
I am also hoping that the "hungry" feeling subsides soon - find it strikes quite a bit - but not chew your arm off hungry, just "don't put a plate of food in front of me hungry" is what i am suffering from.
Thanks in advance

[fazz]

Hi there!

I must admit, during my first couple of days, I nearly freaked at how small the meals were! But was also then surprised at how fulfilling they are. In the first 10 days I ate all my snacks and fruit, and to be honest, I still am, I just find I need them, so in between my main meals my body tells me when it needs something and I have a piece of fruit or a crispbread, then I'm ok again.

It really is amazing how little our bodies need and how much we ate before to get where we are, I'm hoping that this is a big lesson for me and that when I reach my goal I don't overindulge!

[Kirst]

Hey RT,

Welcome and don't worry I reckon EVERYONE on here felt the same when they started. You look down at this TINY amount of food on your plate and go...how the hell will that fill me up! But eventually you get to the, how the hell am I going to eat all of that I'm so full. The trick I used...to help trick my brain...was use a small plate. Get the smallest plate you can find...so that when you put food on it...and you struggle to squish the food on there...it seems bigger than it really is. Same with bowls...go get yourself a tiny bowl...it helps...A LOT!

I found the hungries lasted around 2 weeks for me...then I got them again at 4 weeks but eventually they disappear. Sometimes you are hungry hungry than other times you are full full. It will go away and get better...but I get it every now and then...I think it is just our bodies adjusting. Just drink more water or even space out your snacks through the day. I find that helps too.

Good luck...you will not regret starting this program...it is the BEST thing since sliced bread (well maybe not bread because it is EVIL...hehehe).

Kirst

[RevampedTramp]

Oh thank you both for your quick replies. It is just nice to know that I am not the only one who was shocked. I guess the other part of the equation is that it is confronting to KNOW that this is the beginning of eating smaller amounts. In a way it is like mourning the loss of a good friend (perhaps not so good). You KNOW that you wont be consuming an amount that gave you comfort - now what will give you comfort (that type of thing..) I think i may sound like a head case - but for me there is a real grieving there.
I would still like to sit on the lounge and have an entire packet of chips - perhaps some counselling is needed for that -as in why and what am i getting out of it???
Thanks for the encouragement Kirst - i really do need it today - will instigate a small plate situation - that sounds like a great idea. Annette - i imagine i will be like you needing to keep up the crackers and fruit - i am continually gobsmacked by people saying they dont need them!!
I am of course just at the start - love seeing all your losses it is very encouraging
Thanks

[lil_doll]

Hey RevampedTramp- cute name

I agree with Fazz and Kirst and also wanted to add that the smaller plate/bowl thing can also be extended to what you use to cook. I have a teeny little frypan that I use- it makes my meals look huge... and I also bought an adorable little dish to do my baking. It's all a bit of a mind game... and I totally relate to the grieving thing- and agree that perhaps counseling is needed to help with the mind aspect of losing weight.

[louise41]

I think everything has pretty much been said but I always eat my meals off a small plate so that I seem to be eating more as there is not much free space left ont he plate.
I think often we eat our of boredom or something to do and I must admit I also eat because it tastes good, but really it is that first taste that always tast the best - the chips at the end of the packet are not as delicious as the first one when you are hungry!
There is a strategy that people use when trying to give up smoking to distract them that can be quite effective if you get a craving - The 4 D
1. Delay
2. Deep Breathing
3. Drink water
4. do somthing else
I sometimes find myself heading to the fridge when I am watching TV and if I just take a few steps the other way from the fridge I have a piece of exercise equipment with a lovely view. I will sometimes realise I am heading to the fridge in boredom and detour to the exericise equipment and it only takes me a minute on that to forget about eating!

[Embee]

Hi RT, Yeap the size of the meals really does shock the first few times... but the thing that amazes me the most is how soon the hunger goes and how satisfying those small meals become... all the best with your journey

[Shorti]

Yes I was the same - one thing I have found is to use the bagged lettuce with all the different leaf varieties - it is very light so you get quite a bit. I also add half a fruit portion eg 1/2 mango with yoghurt for brekkie then the other half with either lunch or dinner.

Also drink a can of soft drink with meal helps to fill you up.

Good luck!

[Noddy]

I am also into my day 7 - and am really loving the energy that I have found in the last few days.

I use bag mixed lettuce (rocket and baby spinach) which is very light weighing, and I find that if I have 1/2 tomato it weighs the salad down, so I often don't. I have a diet coke with dinner, and find that this fills me up. I agree it is very confronting - I can't believe the size of steak I used to eat, I am ashamed!!

I am pleased with my result I have got on the scales and this morning had lost just over 5 Kg's so am looking forward to the weigh and measure tomorrow

Good luck!
let me know how you go!

[RevampedTramp]

So many wonderful replies and glad that I am not the only one - that is a measure of comfort in that within itself!
Lil Doll - great idea about the cookware - the meal looks so pathetic in a massive wok - your idea is great, thanks!
Louise- thanks for the 4 D strategy - shall write it out and maintain some consciousness when hunger strikes
Embee- that is so true about them satisfying after such a short time - it just goes to show how much of this is wrapped up in our minds
Shorti - i also do the bagged lettuce - will start with a soft drink when i feel the need!
Noddy - well, welcome on board to you also, fellow Day 7'er!! thanks for your ideas - will try soft drink with meals. I too am horrified by my previous portion sizes - but more than anything, I am amazed at how little we really require. I desperately hope that a larger quantity shall be waiting for me on maintainance - but once again, perhaps that is something that is a mind game - "why would anyone want to eat more when they dont need to?"

I will be very interested to hear about your successes and keep an eye out for my fellow Day7'er (now Day 8'er). Sounds great that you have already lost 5kg - can you notice it in the mirror or just on the scales? Did you have many detox/ adjustment isses this week?

I may sound a little strange, but doing this program I have decided to stick to it to the letter. I won't be deviating, I wont be getting on the scales everyday (because previously i would be on twice a day) - i just need to work with my addictive personality here and be kind to myself!!! So you wont hear of my weight loss until 4 weeks! I also did not measure myself, or take a before photo - I will weigh each 4 weeks and report back as i drop a dress size. So, this is how you will hear of my progress.
Let me hear about yours also - this forum offers us a great opportunity to help each other.
Thank you all for your support

[lil_doll]

So glad you're feeling more positive, RT

You get more food starting from refeed... and if you check out the refeed section on the forum, you will see that most people are astounded at how much food we are required to eat! haha.

hehe, I notice you say you have an addictive personality... I believe I do too. Once, I was telling my best friend that I had an addictive personality, and she thought I meant that I thought every one loved me and couldn't get enough of me. hahahahaha.

[RevampedTramp]

Re your friend Lil Doll, that just may be true!!!
Addictive tendencies can be very common amongst funloving, up-down personalities - that's me and I am proud of it! Besides, I am now tackling my real nemesis - thankfully drugs and alcohol and gambling are not part of my story...centre stage is food and lots of it! I notice you have lost 3.3 but you joined a while ago - is this second time around for you, if I may be so inquisitive?!?
Well done on your losses and work so far
Cheers
Donna

[lil_doll]

You may indeed be so inquisitive

I finished back in April 2010 (which is why my current diary is in the maintenance section), at first maintaining was ok but I had a few down moments and went straight back to emotional eating... I am now paying the price and trying to get back to where I was. I am using my original plan, with my fingers crossed I have success... If not, I may endure the punishment of paying for another program!

It's really important to have measures in place to cope with emotional eating- which I 'assume' is my problem... I am going to get some counseling to help with the mental side of things.

Hope today is going well for you!