stop eating when i'm full

I seem to be getting a good grasp on not getting too stuffed lately :) I rarely eat full meals; it’s more like snacking all day, and that keeps me comfortable. Cereal for breakfast, some carrots a couple hours later, a little bit of pasta and an apple with peanut butter, and when I’m hungry again later today I plan to eat the other half of my pasta and some vegetables, either broccoli or green beans. It feels so much better not to be stuffed!

I did really well today! Raisin Bran for breakfast. Peanut butter sandwich and a nectarine for lunch. An apple and yogurt for a snack. Two tamales and coleslaw for dinner. Dessert was licking the bowl after making my dad’s birthday cake :) And lots of water (one of my goals also).

Well, today I did a great job of not getting super full. The only trouble is, I wonder if, nutrient-wise, I ate enough. For breakfast I served a bowl of cereal and was full after only eating half of it. Normally I would have continued eating, but not today. Then my grandma bought food from Pick Up Stix and I was full after half of my teriyaki chicken bowl. I ate the other half when I got home from work and half a glass of milk. About a half hour ago I ate an orange. So, today:

1/2 bowl cereal
Teriyaki chicken bowl
Orange
1 cup of coffee (with breakfast)

What do you think?

I really hope that I can address this in therapy. I had a bad night tonight, eating-wise, and I’m just tired of this cycle of over-eating and over-exercising.

I just ate a totally unnecessary dessert after dinner. I wasn’t even hungry, or particularly craving it. I just seemed like a thing to do. No more of this!

I’ve gotten into the awful habit of eating everything on my plate. Afterwards I feel terrible and it’s the reason for the little bit of baby weight that’s still sticking to me. I don’t think I need to lose weight, just tone up. So this goal is not meant for losing weight, but rather to be more healthy. Diet affects everything. mood, energy, skin tone—the list goes on and on.

I used to eat slower and I listened to my body when it said stop. I want to go back to doing that.

Luckily I’ve simply lost the urge to eat to excess. Obviously every now and then there’s something incredible on offer that I indulge in, but on the whole I’m pretty good. A little bit of awareness seems to go a long way.

Today, I cooked a pound of pasta, a pound of beef, mixed in a bottle of sauce and a bag of mushrooms.

I think this serves 6-8 people. Anyways, I had the discipline to eat only 2 people’s servings. A little bit more than full, but not bloated.

I then started to nibble on dried mangoes and drink Guinness, but that counts as dessert so no worries :)

Yes it is hard as long as I can’t think of something else and get the thought of eating something out of my head. Once its gone, I feel not only relieved but also proud that I was able to control my urge. Being in control of my mind is not always easy but it feels great when I do succeed:)

The subconscious visual reminder on my 43T list helped, I think.

I am much more aware of this now – when I eat at home, I put half the food in storage containers for the fridge straight away (I cook for myself and often make a bit too much). Then if I want more,I can have it, but sometimes don’t.

That way I have something easy for lunch the next day too!