h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

Hi Ben. You mentioned Gillian Riley, so I looked her up and bought "Eating Less". Months ago. I skimmed it and set it aside. Then you recently mentioned her again, so I thought it was time I hunted up the book and gave it a serious read. She makes a lot of sense. I recognize myself over and over in the book.

It finally dawned on me why I was so much more content when I was following Judddd closely. It went beyond the physical relief at finally losing weight. For those 3 days a week, I was controlling my addictive behavior and was subconsciously proud of myself for keeping my eating under control at least on down days. Course I had some genuine blow-outs on up days, which now makes sense to me, too. I was eating addictively on up days. But since on Judddd we can eat what we want on up days, I didn't feel as guilty about it. That was another plus.

I'm back on Judddd. This time I'll try to control my addictive eating on up days. And make healthier food choices. I'm feeling a lot more in control and am sure I'll get into my clothes again. Right. I know that losing weight isn't supposed to be a goal anymore, but it is going to take me a while to stop thinking in terms of weight. I'm trying, but am not succeeding so far.

Anyway, thanks for mentioning Gillian Riley. I really needed to read her book.

I actually get to speak to GIllian tomorrow I've given up and paid for telephone counselling. I'm rather nervous actually.

She's great, and I am absolutely sure she's right in her approach.

You are right, it is very hard to break away from losing weight as being the goal (particularly when your fiancé is shrinking before your eyes) but it's a really profound shift.

I was shocked by how voluminous I was in my wedding photographs, and though I've lost 20lbs or so by not eating addictively (or not eating so addictively, anyway) I'm feeling impatient, so as I mentioned in the Atelier, I am thinking of doing the same diet that Z did to achieve real weight-loss at speed. But your post has slightly undermined my resolve with that approach.

Hmmmm.

I do at least know I can eat sanely though, which is in itself a huge gift.

The other thing I like about Gillian Riley is that it's a good approach to go back to. I first read her book a couple of years ago, and 'did well' and then lapsed and then went on one of her weekends last summer, and kept it together for a while and then lapsed again. I picked it up again earlier this year. I stopped smoking in much the same way, and although lapsing's not good, there's no shame and something of a sense of relief in starting again.

Z has something to say about her too....

Oh - he's already said it!

That's exciting! Z, please post how it goes.

Interesting.


I think I realised a lot of things. One about 'owning choices' ie - it's me that's taking the responsiblity about food. The other was abou really really dealing with the addictive hunger - and that Times and Plans were just a tool.

Also that I tend to use a very very agressive laugage about food. Fighting, conqouring, etc.

>> Also that I tend to use a very very agressive laugage about food. Fighting, conqouring, etc

You use a very aggressive language about most bodily functions though, so food is just one example.

Interesting though.

Owning our own choices is a tricky one. I tend to look for excuses to eat. Also, recognizing true hunger is hard for me.

Agressive language is bad, then? Isn't it positive reinforcement as much as anything? I'm going to conquer or defeat my bad habits. That sort of thing.