Women, Food and God...

Well, I just finished reading "Women, Food, and God"... but Geneen Roth, and it was very eye-opening for me. I am started to read "When Food is Love" which is an older book of hers. I think that there's so much that I need to think more about emotional eating and eating when I'm not hungry. I feel like a different person now but old habits die hard. So I need to stay aware of what I am thinking when i choose what to eat and how much. Geneen Roth lost weight by eating less but still ate what she wanted. She claims that foods are more desirable when they are "Forbidden"... which makes sense. I mean we shouldnt eat hot fudge sundaes every day but if we were allowed after a short time... we wouldn't want them at all. I mean, it's not a treat if you get it everyday. She also claims that we don't know what we're hungry for... it may be food but it could be attention, appreciation, or anything else... emotional hunger. I know that I have eating to fill another void more than once in my life and I have to make sure I stop myself from falling into that pattern again. She has eating guidelines to follow.... 1)Eat when you are hungry...(Pretty obvious, right?) 2)Eat sitting down in a calm environment. This does not include the car. (I am working on that... It is more difficult than I thought it would be) 3)Eat without distractions, Distractions include: radio, TV, newspapers, books, intense or anxiety-producing conversations, and music.(Even tougher... way tougher. I will try...) 4)Eat only what your body wants...(huh? My body wants chocolate, cookies, cake, pie, ice cream...) 5)Eat until you are satisfied...(That's where the band comes in...) 6)Eat(with the intention of being) in full view of others... (No secret eating, check!) 7)Eat with enjoyment, gusto, and pleasure. (No fear, shame or self-loathing... what am I? an animal?) Well, I am learning... day by day. Has anybody else read any of Geneen's books?... especially Women, Food and God... it was on Oprah so my Mom had to buy it and I read it on my trip... you know airports, flights, etc! Anyway, I am so glad I read it! I will let you know what I think of the next book of hers I read. Well, tomorrow I go to the surgeon's office and I find out my loss for this month... I am worried but hopeful. Any loss is a good loss, right? I am not sure if I'll be getting another fill either... maybe, maybe not. I feel like I have alot of restriction sometimes but not enough restriction other times. I feel like my clothes are fitting better... these days. Some are too big and some are less tight. So... keep your fingers crossed! I haven't been eating perfectly healthy, you know?