Help! Struggling with Gillian Riley book "Eating Less"

[louby75]

Would love to hear how others are doing with this book. I don't discuss with family as per Gillian's advice in the book. I've been trying out the techniques for almost a month. I felt like after a few hiccups in the beginning I was doing ok but failed since and had a binge (not as bad as usual) tonight. Have horrid reflux now! I don't know if I'm being too strict with myself which has caused me to end up restricting and essentially not really choosing. Would like to know if anyone else has found the no wheat/high GL carbs thing easy to do as per her advice to try cutting out. I feel like I'm eating all the right things with exception of a treat here and there and excluding tonight's rebellious binge. how strict are people with this? I understand its my choice but then I think my addictive desire is ruling my choices so I end up not eating a toasted cheese and tomato sandwich (is that so bad)? and I opt for the salad/veg & lean protein instead. That's fine with me for the most part but I just fancy something else (not junk) a couple of times a week. Am I missing the point of "choosing".... Is it a matter of finding ones comfortable level with the healthy eating. Don't get me wrong I don't want excuses to eat outright junk as I do like to eat wholesome food for the most part but I have to say eating loads of salad and or veg twice a day is wearing a bit thin.... I'm so interested to hear from others and how strict they are with this... And has anyone cut down on wheat etc rather than completely cut it out completely? Would really love to hear from you! Thanks!

[ChippingInLatteLover]

Hi Louby

I tried it two, maybe 3, years ago. I loved the book, I really thought I'd found The Answer for me. I can't remember why now, but it just wasn't right for me, similar issues to you I think. I was so disappointed.

Low carb is the answer for me, once you have done the transitional phase the cravings go, the desire to snack goes and food becomes tasty fuel rather than something that's on my mind.

If you fancy giving it a go you'll find a bunch of us on BOOTCAMP week 2 in the low carb section of weightloss.

Good luck, whatever you do.

[PrincessTheresaofLiechtenstein]

I know what you mean. I have often read bits of this book late at night, felt inspired, then during the next day just been paralysed by choices/trying to work out what is my addictive eating and what isn't and ended up not eating anything until I was really hungry. And sometimes I felt happy with my choice and sometimes resentful! I have the same reaction to Paul McKenna's advice. I believe the Eating Less seminars are really good and help you work through this but haven't got time/money to do one.

My way around this is to plan and shop for meals I genuinely like in advance, and keep an eye on the nutritional content so that I feel it is reasonably balanced over the whole week. Then occasionally I will have the toastie or whatever instead but overall feel it is easier to stick to healthier choices this way.

[ChippingInLatteLover]

Following Paul McKenna did my head in. I was like the two forkful monster.

[louby75]

Thanks for your replies. Good to hear from others. Yeah it all really does my head in. I feel like I'm getting OCD about it. Then I think what's the point it's making me miserable and I end up completely obsessing and over analysing every move I make.... There has to be a happy medium. I will definitely keep up with watching the carbs though and I feel more energised not eating all the processed wheat & sugary rubbish. I do see the value in 'owning your choices' to a degree and the health & esteem being the motivation so I have definitely learned a few gems along the way. But it is hard to take the focus off weight and appearance as motivators and can understand why people would struggle with this.

[Dowser]

Can't stress too much on how good I think SW is.

Even if you just join for the books and info.

My friend who is the worst dieter in the world has managed to lose a stone from about September to now. This has included her drinking, going away etc she even lost five pound one week. Some weeks she stays the same or half pound off but I just think she's relieved she got away with it lol.

When we first met just under 20 years ago she was 12-3 and now she's 10-3.

The key here is, she enjoys her life. She doesn't make herself miserable over it and I think interestingly she has never been up to her highest point in all this time.

Books and recipes are all good because you are dealing with real food.

[isthisdirtyorclean]

Hi Louby and everyone, sorry for the very late addition to this thread! I know this might not get read by anybody. But...I was relieved to read that others have found Gillian Riley's books have messed with their heads. I've studied her theories for absolutely years, and although they seem to make sense on paper, I've never lasted longer than a couple of days with her 'don't diet, just eat less' approach. I don't understand her thing about the power of personal choice. What's the difference between that, and old fashioned willpower? And as we all know, willpower (without a really inspiring goal) is pretty useless when up against our animal drive to EAT THE CHOCOLATE! As for giving up the desire to lose weight...that makes one's willpower even more puny. She points out that weight loss is a weak motivation, because once it's been achieved, it is no longer a motivation. Well I think that 'higher brain' motivations such as gaining greater self esteem are even more fleeting and unreliable. I could go on and on about this....because I have battled with her books for years, and found that my chocolate addiction has just got worse. Yet her books gain great reviews, so this undermines my confidence in my own point of view! But I've come to suspect that a clear weight-loss goal and a good, flexible diet that's guaranteed to reduce calories (such as SW as mentioned by Dowser) is the only way ahead. Rant over! :-)