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Readers Respond: How do You Avoid All or Nothing Thinking?

Responses: 5

From , former About.com Guide

Updated August 10, 2009

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All or nothing thinking can cause you to fail in your weight-loss efforts. For example, I used to believe if I overate at one meal, I might as well overeat the rest of the day. I now realize if I had only compensated by eating lighter the rest of the day, the scale would have kept heading in the right direction! Has all or nothing thinking affected your weight-loss efforts? If so, how do you beat this self-defeating habit?

Move Foward

At one time I weighed 300 pounds. The best way to lose weight is prayer, calories and exercise. And always move foward -- for me, I set three-week goals and it works. I have kept the weight off by God helping me and hard work. When I eat a wrong choice - and I do - I just keep going on. Let's face it I can't always say no to chocolate ... nope, just can't always do it. So I have my chocolate, get over it and move on. I am just a human being and I have those moments and bet you do too. So hang in there. Short-term goals work best for me and exercise is great. Have a healthy attitude and be real ... just keep moving foward.
—Guest Dee

No One is Perfect

I am so thankful to read the forgive yourself message, because I am that person..everything has to be perfectly everyday, PERIOD, and I forget to realize that to succeed a little rain must fall.
—cjwinger

All or Nothing Thinking

Thanks! This article was just what I needed to get back on track. I have lot 45 lbs and was feeling a little blah with my new eating and exercise plan. I am ready to tackle those last 15 lbs to reach my goal by year end. Thanks again for the boost.
—Karen7Woods

WHY DO WE BELIEVE IN ALL OR NOTHING?

MAYBE IT IS THE EASY WAY TO QUIT. I DON'T KNOW, BUT I ALSO READ THAT CERTAIN FOODS ARE TRIGGER FOODS AND CAN START US ON A BINGE. I DIDN'T SUCCEED UNTIL I LEARNED SUBSTITUTION. WHEN I FIND THAT A FOOD SETS ME OFF ON A BINGE,I TRY TO FIND SOMETHING I CAN ENJOY IN PLACE OF IT. THE EAT A LITTLE BIT JUST DOES NOT WORK FOR ME. SINCE I STARTED DOING THIS, I FIND STICKING TO A GOOD ,HEALTHY EATING PLAN A LOT EASIER. I REALLY LIKE MANY OF THE FOODS I USED AS SUBSTITUTES FOR HIGH CALORIE TREATS. I HAVE NOT GAINED BACK ANY OF THE 109LBS I LOST OVER A YEAR AND A HALF AGO. I FEEL SATISFIED AND HAPPY WITH WHAT I EAT NOW. I DID MAKE LIFE STYLE CHANGES AND NOT JUST DIET.
—MARJEANNE

I needed this article!

So far I have lost over 50 lbs my goal is another 15. The last 15 lbs has been tough, I can't seen to stay on track and have fallen into the "all or nothing". This article reminded me it is okay to make a mistake you still have time in the day to get it right and start over tomorrow. Thank! I am continuing on to the finish!
—pmcintosh58

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