gastropod's Journal, 17 August 2021

Apparently I was unknowingly channeling SK17 yesterday when I made this spicy cabbage slaw as the side for these open face smoked salmon sandwiches.

As I do this week after week and month after month, I am seeing how other FS member's posts work their way into my subconscious mind, influencing the choices I make and how I think and act. Its a powerful thing and something so totally unexpected. For years I used this app for tracking only, completely ignoring "the community". When I started this adventure last October, I opted for "private mode" but began looking through all the posts of other members every day, basically stalking all of you. I immediately recognized the value in looking for folks who are having success, scrutinizing their journal posts and food diaries, and then emulating what they were doing. Wow!

In truth, I didn't have the courage to go public with my stuff until I reached my first loss goal of 100 lbs. It was only then that I felt I had anything worthy of sharing. Like many of you, I've done an innumerable number of other programs including, WW, Free to be Thin, the Weigh Down Workshop (Gwen Shamblin, oh my!) and an almost 3-yr stint with Overeaters Anonymous. I lost weight with a number of those but eventually fell away. But, all those programs showed me the value of community. There's not only an accountability factor but also an acquired herd knowledge that are both very important to those seeking to make a successful lifestyle change.

From OA I also assimilated two other important lessons about community. First, not everything shared by everyone will be applicable to me. Perusing the posts here, its easy to see that many member's WOEs are absolutely contradictory to each other and that's OK. OA teaches that when you come to a meeting you should take what you want and leave the rest. There's great wisdom in that. Second, I see the value in the 12th step of carrying the message to those in recovery and continuing to practice the principles in all of my affairs. That's their recipe for maintenance: now that you've got it, carry the message to others so you never forget. That has merit and this site provides a vehicle for doing it.

As I approached my 2nd loss goal over the last 2 months, I've grown more reflective about having a long term plan. I'm becoming ever more convinced that daily logging is something I can never set aside. Similarly, a regular plan with concrete goals for exercise and activity is not optional for me. And the newest revelation is that I need to have regular quantifiable digital (yes/no) type tests to prove that I'm maintaining. These need to be beyond the scale, for example, melissatwa's annual ritual of trying on her wedding dress to assure it still fits. That struck me as sheer genius. I don't have a wedding dress but I'm sure I'll think of something. Thanks for listening FS family. Make it, log it, eat it.

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1326 kcal

Fat: 35.20g | Prot: 61.08g | Carb: 203.81g.   Breakfast: Trader Joe's Brown Cage Free Eggs (Large), Cooked Pinto, Calico or Red Beans (Fat Not Added in Cooking). Lunch: Sesame Oil , Corn Oil, Kane Masa Mild Shiro Miso Soy Bean Paste, Publix Red Bell Pepper, Carrots, Zucchini , Trader Joe's Shredded Green Cabbage, Cooked Pinto, Calico or Red Beans (Fat Not Added in Cooking). Dinner: Mushrooms , Cooked Pinto, Calico or Red Beans (Fat Not Added in Cooking), Del Monte Diced Tomatoes, Sam's Club Orange Bell Pepper, Ground Beef (80% Lean / 20% Fat), Zucchini , Onions , Garlic , Celery , Prego Traditional Spaghetti Sauce, Del Monte Diced Tomatoes, Sam's Club Orange Bell Pepper, Ground Beef (80% Lean / 20% Fat), Zucchini , Onions , Garlic , Celery , Prego Traditional Spaghetti Sauce. Snacks/Other: Peach, Bananas , Fig Newtons Fig Newtons (Pack). more...

4026 kcal

Activities & Exercise: Fitbit - 24 hours. more...