Quoted from LISALEA

furthermore; not all of us feel so horrible if we slip and have a slice of pizza every once in a while ... I don't beleive in deprivation ... 'cause that just  NOT  a healthy nor realistic way to live one's life ...

I have to say, I read just not long ago, that being in a constant state of worry over our diet works against us too. It raises our cortisol level. So we either have to make our minds over we're going to be really compliant, and be compliant OR be okay w/ being the 80-85% that we 'can get away with'.  I'm not advocating eating avoids, I'm just saying being stressed over it all the time works against us and not everyone has the willpower to never eat an avoid. If we do, most of us will pay the price and hopefully that's the incentive we need not to do it next time.   Once again, individuality.

I agree with this completely Italybound!

Quoted from pkarmeier

I have to say, I read just not long ago, that being in a constant state of worry over our diet works against us too. It raises our cortisol level. So we either have to make our minds over we're going to be really compliant, and be compliant OR be okay w/ being the 80-85% that we 'can get away with'.  I'm not advocating eating avoids, I'm just saying being stressed over it all the time works against us and not everyone has the willpower to never eat an avoid. If we do, most of us will pay the price and hopefully that's the incentive we need not to do it next time.   Once again, individuality.

I could NOT have said it better myself ... GOD BLESS U GIRL !!!  

I'm with LisaLea on this one.  Hypervigilance over food does more harm than good.... Make wise choices, eat wonderful, healthy food...and enjoy life.  It's all about balance and sometimes that means enjoying an occasional piece of pizza over a glass of wine with friends, etc...

I believe Dr. D addressed this once when he talked about eating some type of beef recipe at Christmas time and how much he enjoys it.  

Balance........in mind and body.

Being a fan of the liver myself, I just wanted to say Amen.  Laura, I didn't know that root veggies helped the liver!  That's cool 'cause I usually try to avoid them just because of the starch content.  Green tea is supposed to keep el higado (the liver) in good shape too, no?  

I agree too. That is why I don't struggle with what I eat. I enjoy the foods that I should eat and keep in my house and I do not crave or struggle with wanting to eat other things. I really don't even think about the foods that I shouldn't eat. No stress here.

Quoted from pkarmeier

I have to say, I read just not long ago, that being in a constant state of worry over our diet works against us too. It raises our cortisol level. So we either have to make our minds over we're going to be really compliant, and be compliant OR be okay w/ being the 80-85% that we 'can get away with'.  I'm not advocating eating avoids, I'm just saying being stressed over it all the time works against us and not everyone has the willpower to never eat an avoid. If we do, most of us will pay the price and hopefully that's the incentive we need not to do it next time.   Once again, individuality.

Ooh.  This rang so true for me.  I am still very new to BTD, tryig to absorb as much info as possible.  And often feeling overwhelmed.  I want to be eating foods that serve my body well as fuel.  But I often find myself tremendously stressed as I obsess over details.  And frequently, the stress causes me to crave the foods that I am trying to avoid or foods that are allowed, but not beneficial (like chocolate).  And if they are anywhere accessible, I may just end up eating them.  

On the other hand, if I relax and take a more lenient approach--say 80% compliance with no higher expectations, the stress level stays within an appropriate range and I will most likely exceed the 80% simply because I am not eating/overeating foods I should not have.

Obviously, I am responsible for what I put into my own mouth, but I am a big proponent of not making things harder than they need to be.

Quoted from connect14

Balance........in mind and body.

Amen

Quoted from ironwood55

I agree too. That is why I don't struggle with what I eat. I enjoy the foods that I should eat and keep in my house and I do not crave or struggle with wanting to eat other things. I really don't even think about the foods that I shouldn't eat. No stress here.

Good for U !!!  

believe me, that what would raise my cortisol levels would be eating avoids!!!  lol

staying compliant makes me happy and balanced.......I would not wish to feel different.

I agree Lola.  I get so much stress when I eat the avoid foods, that I am able to relax and enjoy life (comparatively) when I eat compliantly...  

yeah, who needs the extra self imposed stress, from eating avoids!!
glad you have also learned your lesson!

Quoted from lola

believe me, that what would raise my cortisol levels would be eating avoids!!!  lol

staying compliant makes me happy and balanced.......I would not wish to feel different.

I feel like you and MoDon.....and the cravings are gone.

Eating compliantly makes me feel healthy and good.  

I intrinsically crave beneficial foods, so these are the type of foods that I purchase to feed my body.

Alia

Quoted from pkarmeier

Really? Why would that be? And hate to hear it as I know many of us here eat these foods.

I do not have the scientific answer for you.

I have read this on the Sensible Health website and other TCM books I have read in the past (none of which I have purchased).  

I believe it may be due to the cold foods 'shocking' the liver organ itself.

Alia

Quoted from Alia_Vo

I do not have the scientific answer for you.I believe it may be due to the cold foods 'shocking' the liver organ itself.Alia

The cold food I can kinda understand, but the citrus foods, salads/raw vegetables I don't understand. And for      why would choc, our lovely yummy choc, congest our livers?