Is it CHEATING or is it a CHOICE?

[LivingFree! 478]

@@LipstickLady, it's hard to identify BEST post ever--there are so many! But this is right up there in the top 10!

When I sit in my support groups and so often hear people talking about "cheating", or "cheat days" etc,

I mostly just feel sad for them that they have not made the connection to liberate themselves from their lifelong dysfunctional relationship with food. And, of course, along with that goes the lifelong battle with having to worry about a number on the scale.

One of the most awesome benefits about doing all the hard work required of WLS (in that first year of changing old eating habits and making new ones) is that freedom to never again have to feel like I'm cheating or feel guilty about a food choice. I am in TOTAL CONTROL of my eating habits and lifestyle now. I know that every day my eating lifestyle includes whole, fresh, nutritious food, not processed junk. I no longer use special occasions as my "excuse" or "free pass." Society is tough on us that we MUST have food to Celebrate and be happy, but it IS POSSIBLE to have just as much fun with the people you care about and love without loading up on junk.

Most definitely, it is all about CHOICE!!!

My greatest reward has been to discover that my body knows what to do with the food I feed it when that food is fuel and medicine for it. No more need to worry about what the scale says--it's always between a 5 pound range now.

[LipstickLady 25,682]

*laces up my tennis shoes*

[LipstickLady 25,682]

@@LipstickLady, it's hard to identify BEST post ever--there are so many! But this is right up there in the top 10!

... so often hear people talking about "cheating", or "cheat days" etc ..

Ah yes... the CHEAT day.

Who ya' cheating? No, really!? I had them all the time. Problem with that idea was, those cheat days bloomed me right up to 264 pounds of lovin.

[Swampdoggie 477]

Alright smart people, I am swayed by your excellent and persuasive comments that cheating is not a correct term in this context.

[LipstickLady 25,682]

Alright smart people, I am swayed by your excellent and persuasive comments that cheating is not a correct term in this context.

C'mon over to the dark side....

[Swampdoggie 477]

Can we drink six cups of wine with a bailey's chaser over here?

[ShellMilliner 233]

How about a couple shots of tequila? They're small right?

Can we drink six cups of wine with a bailey's chaser over here?

[Swampdoggie 477]

@@ShellMilliner yes, only 5 or 6 ounces, since I don't fill them to the top of my coffee cup. I mean shot glass.

[LipstickLady 25,682]

Can we drink six cups of wine with a bailey's chaser over here?

Only if we chew 40 times and add some Schnapps!

[SleevePerry 248]

I haven't even had the surgery yet and posts like the ones you mention drive me batsh*t insane. I can't imagine going through all of this prep work: the pre-op testing, the classes, the surgery, the recovery, only to throw it all to hell because it was my time of the month and those french fries were screaming my name.

Nope. I'm going to follow my diet to the letter. After I hit my goal weight, I'll allow myself the occasional treat, but not before then.

[Babbs 14,681]

@@ShellMilliner yes, only 5 or 6 ounces, since I don't fill them to the top of my coffee cup. I mean shot glass.

*Snert*

[LipstickLady 25,682]

I haven't even had the surgery yet and posts like the ones you mention drive me batsh*t insane. I can't imagine going through all of this prep work: the pre-op testing, the classes, the surgery, the recovery, only to throw it all to hell because it was my time of the month and those french fries were screaming my name.

Nope. I'm going to follow my diet to the letter. After I hit my goal weight, I'll allow myself the occasional treat, but not before then.

Honestly? That's a lot easier said than done. That said, if you CHOOSE to eat a fry or an M&M or an oreo, do so consciously, enjoy it, log it, and reflect on if it was really worth it. Some things really are, most things are not.

[jess9395 5,450]

@@LipstickLady, it's hard to identify BEST post ever--there are so many! But this is right up there in the top 10!

When I sit in my support groups and so often hear people talking about "cheating", or "cheat days" etc,

I mostly just feel sad for them that they have not made the connection to liberate themselves from their lifelong dysfunctional relationship with food. And, of course, along with that goes the lifelong battle with having to worry about a number on the scale.

One of the most awesome benefits about doing all the hard work required of WLS (in that first year of changing old eating habits and making new ones) is that freedom to never again have to feel like I'm cheating or feel guilty about a food choice. I am in TOTAL CONTROL of my eating habits and lifestyle now. I know that every day my eating lifestyle includes whole, fresh, nutritious food, not processed junk. I no longer use special occasions as my "excuse" or "free pass." Society is tough on us that we MUST have food to Celebrate and be happy, but it IS POSSIBLE to have just as much fun with the people you care about and love without loading up on junk.

Most definitely, it is all about CHOICE!!!

My greatest reward has been to discover that my body knows what to do with the food I feed it when that food is fuel and medicine for it. No more need to worry about what the scale says--it's always between a 5 pound range now.

This! Yes

[jess9395 5,450]

I haven't even had the surgery yet and posts like the ones you mention drive me batsh*t insane. I can't imagine going through all of this prep work: the pre-op testing, the classes, the surgery, the recovery, only to throw it all to hell because it was my time of the month and those french fries were screaming my name.

Nope. I'm going to follow my diet to the letter. After I hit my goal weight, I'll allow myself the occasional treat, but not before then.

Honestly? That's a lot easier said than done. That said, if you CHOOSE to eat a fry or an M&M or an oreo, do so consciously, enjoy it, log it, and reflect on if it was really worth it. Some things really are, most things are not.

Omg you said a mouthful here! It's amazing to get to that point where you do realize that! Some things ARE and some things ARENT!

[Babbs 14,681]

That said, if you CHOOSE to eat a fry or an M&M or an oreo, do so consciously, enjoy it, log it, and reflect on if it was really worth it. Some things really are, most things are not.

I vote M&M's are. Peanut M&M's.