I’ve decided that lunch is the hardest meal of the day. That’s because I am working at my office during the day and I have gotten a bit spoiled being at home to prepare meals fresh. Part of my weight control strategy is to maximize my enjoyment in each meal and balance that against the desire to eat a lot of food. That is, I can dramatize mealtimes so that I let myself get physically hungry (just a little), prepare just the right meal, and eat a measured amount. The first few bites are always the best, and if you eat too much you won’t enjoy your next meal to the full extent. It’s a good system but it does mean you are spending a lot of time sopping, cooking, preparing, portioning, and then cleaning the kitchen.
On the other hand, you can make wonderful food to eat.
My food intake and calorie count
Breakfast – 12oz steel cut oatmeal (320)
- 320 calories
Lunch – ham, cheese, and salami sandwich (550); chips (150)
- 700 calories
Dinner – 5oz rice (160); 12oz jambalaya (420); half sausage (140)
- 720 calories
Snacking – tea with half and half (120);
- 120 calories
Total for the day: 1860 calories (limit 1800 + 500 bonus from swimming, total 2300)
Getting there
After my bad diet day Saturday, I have been waiting for my body to get back to feeling normal. I am not quite there yet! And this is the third day after the bingeing. On the other hand, I have found it very easy to stay in my calorie limits this week so far. Getting full now feels unrewarding in almost every way. The one way overeating feels good is very immediate, and in my case has an emotional connection – emotional rather than physical hunger being satisfied.
I can see I have run out the clock again. Hopefully I will adjust to the daylight savings time soon and have more time in the evening to write. Until then, goodnight and I hope you can figure out how to separate your physical and emotional needs, because it’s no good to get those mixed up.
-The Doctor
Keep on track! We are all rooting for you!