Anyone else going down the 'eating less' route?

[Tabby1963]

Started a few weeks ago now, eating similar foods to the rest of the family, but less on the plate. I have agreed with myself that I can have more once I finish my meal if I'm still hungry, and so far I have not needed to go back for seconds.

Also, we eat out a couple of times a week with friends and I have been taking a plastic container with me in my cavernous handbag. Last night I got fish and chips (with peas). I asked to swap the chips for salad and when it arrived cut the fish (a large one) into thirds and put the end thirds in the container with the peas (for DHs lunch next day). The meal was still enough and I had four chips from DHs plate.

I just find it very difficult to leave food on the plate. I have tried but it seems (a) disrespectful to the restaurant that have cooked it to leave so much and (b) goes against my upbringing. At least if I take a good portion back home with me and it is used the next day there is no waste, that is a win win situation.

A colleague had a birthday this week and I took a very small piece of the cake she brought in at morning tea break, and didn't have another piece at lunchtime , though I could have if I wanted to.

I have bought a second-hand vibrating machine and do ten minute session early each morning. I use that time to focus on the day ahead and plan.

The benefits I have seen over the four weeks have been 1. breathing has improved (not laboured when going up stairs) 2. Walking up stairs quicker now, and don't need to hold on the rails to pull myself up all the time 3. Clothes fit more comfortably and trousers getting loose (I can pull them on without undoing button/zip) 3. Walking more quickly, able to stride out a bit and am increasing the opportunities to walk as I feel fitter. 4. No feeling of fullness and bloatedness. 5. No diet mentality thoughts and fears.

I don't weigh myself because I then get obsessed with the scales and numbers and lose the plot so I don't know how much I have 'lost' (don't know how much I weigh either), but the whole point of doing this is to become healthier and fitter rather than losing 'pounds'. As a serial failed dieter I know that dieting does not work for me and I refuse to do it again.

I know that there will be other MNers out there who have made changes similar to this, what's your experience?

[ArgyMargy]

Congratulations Tabby! Although I haven't been through this I've had my own food issues when I was young and strongly believe that normalising your eating is the only way to succeed long term. It sounds like you have absolutely got the right idea. Best of luck.

[Tabby1963]

Argy, normalising describes it right. I'm a great believer in lasting change coming from changing my responses to triggers, and paying attention, being vigilant.