Attempting to “moderate” via calorie counting after steady BLE weight loss … led me to a 25 pound weight gain. After 6 months of hopeless binging on sweets, bread and pasta .. I finally regained my wits. I am an Abstainer! It’s just easier for my brain. Sugar, flour and alcohol don’t fuel my body properly and act as toxic agents that buckle me into a very unpleasant rollercoaster. Freedom is abstinence for me, for sure. Great video.
Thank you! I've been feeling like a failure cuz just can't do all of it all at once. I now have permission to go at my own pace, which motivates me to keep going!
Thank you so much for this vlog. I've always wondered why Overeaters Anonymous didn't seem to work for me. Now I know why. Certain "leaders" really pounded the idea of 3 meals a day, with nothing in between, starting NOW! I simply couldn't just "jump all in" like that. That has never been my style. Just getting off of sugar is a big enough challenge for me. One step at a time is the best way for people like me. Thanks again!
This is interesting. I have tried to figure out whether I'm a moderator or an abstainer, but the division, or the way I'm able to understand the division, isn't helpful and relevant to me. You mention having clients that embrace no sugar, no flour, but not meal times and portions; for me, the opposite is what makes sense. Setting boundaries around when and how much to eat, provides me with freedom to enjoy whatever I like, and it reduces the mental load of decision making to almost nothing. I never feel like a failure (at least when it comes to food, lol) anymore. But I also don't subscribe to the idea of food addiction anymore - we become obsessed with food when the gap between needs and wants becomes too big. We need proper nutrition, but we also need pleasure from food, and to feel safe around food. Making some foods the big bad wolf only turns said food into forbidden fruit, and the eater into a hopeless victim. Learning to "feed oneself like an adult" is empowering and liberating. That's my view and experience anyway.
Watching a video Gretchen Rubin did regarding abstainers vs. moderators when I was trying and failing to limit myself to five sweets a week was one of the events that led me to believe that, despite being a healthy BMI, BLE might be right for me.
My sister and I were just talking a few weeks ago about the way we like to get in the water when it's cold -- she likes to get in bit by bit, I like to just jump in and get it over with! Yeah, guess who the Moderator is and who the Abstainer is! It's funny that she's the one who actually turned me on to Bright Line, and I've done really well with it -- as you say, I love the clarity and simplicity of it, it works for me!
I think it also depends on the results you want to achieve. Being an abstainer guarantees results on the programme. The alternative only gives moderate results too. It's just how the programme is designed... any tweaking causes problems.
Moderating in terms of sugar and flour is what always appealed to me with other "diets". I still had the noise in my head, the saving up of points for treat day, etc etc and the weight always crept back in worse than before. Although I am technically a moderator because since arriving at maintenance I started and get away with exceptions for my weekly Sabbath, if those were to extend into general practice, I would be done for. As it stands now, I am totally neutral even when surrounded by sugar and flour! Nothing less than JFTFP could have got me here!
The think I didn’t fully realize until BLE was that for ME to be successful, I need to be an abstainer when it comes to S/F. A little bit can make me crazy and the only relief ultimately is “more” and the “more” of course, has dire consequences. I seem unable to do moderation even though I would prefer it. I’ve found that I CAN, however, do “none” At this point, I have Fear of a bite, lick or taste for where it’s led me so many times.
Interesting! I wonder if maybe there is another vlog here? I would like to hear your thoughts, dear Susan, from the point of view of susceptibility. After 3.5 years of back-to-back abstinence in Food Addicts in Recovery Anonymous, I decided that that level of rigidity (with excellent serenity around food admittedly) no longer suited me. I joined BLE immediately upon its creation. Being a 4-5-or so on your Susceptibility Scale, I see why I preferred to make exceptions to the bright lines. Yikes, though, I can get into trouble. Having you remind us moderators of all the tools, in one vlog, that we can turn to to dial back in could be super useful to me and others! Loving regards.
Yes!! I was just thinking that when I saw your title! It’s easier for me to just eliminate it altogether than try to just eat a little bit!! (Translate into FAIL 😝) Thanks so much!!
I am totally an abstainer. I love having a plan that tells me exactly what to eat when and how much. Left to my own vices I am a complete failure. This makes me feel I'm in control of my eating!
Hello! There's a relatively new YT Creator, Beatrice Caruso. Her Jan 7th vid made me immediately think that her weightless goals research is directing her towards your program. Please have someone check out her June 7th vid and I believe you'll see a possible collaboration.
Wow, now I understand my approach as a moderator, thank you !
Love the way you clarify!
Attempting to “moderate” via calorie counting after steady BLE weight loss … led me to a 25 pound weight gain. After 6 months of hopeless binging on sweets, bread and pasta .. I finally regained my wits. I am an Abstainer! It’s just easier for my brain. Sugar, flour and alcohol don’t fuel my body properly and act as toxic agents that buckle me into a very unpleasant rollercoaster. Freedom is abstinence for me, for sure. Great video.
Thank you! I've been feeling like a failure cuz just can't do all of it all at once. I now have permission to go at my own pace, which motivates me to keep going!
Thank you so much for this vlog. I've always wondered why Overeaters Anonymous didn't seem to work for me. Now I know why. Certain "leaders" really pounded the idea of 3 meals a day, with nothing in between, starting NOW! I simply couldn't just "jump all in" like that. That has never been my style. Just getting off of sugar is a big enough challenge for me. One step at a time is the best way for people like me. Thanks again!
❤
That is so helpful. Reflecting on my journey and difficulty with my bright lines, I can see that I'm obviously a moderator.
This is interesting. I have tried to figure out whether I'm a moderator or an abstainer, but the division, or the way I'm able to understand the division, isn't helpful and relevant to me. You mention having clients that embrace no sugar, no flour, but not meal times and portions; for me, the opposite is what makes sense. Setting boundaries around when and how much to eat, provides me with freedom to enjoy whatever I like, and it reduces the mental load of decision making to almost nothing. I never feel like a failure (at least when it comes to food, lol) anymore. But I also don't subscribe to the idea of food addiction anymore - we become obsessed with food when the gap between needs and wants becomes too big. We need proper nutrition, but we also need pleasure from food, and to feel safe around food. Making some foods the big bad wolf only turns said food into forbidden fruit, and the eater into a hopeless victim. Learning to "feed oneself like an adult" is empowering and liberating. That's my view and experience anyway.
Watching a video Gretchen Rubin did regarding abstainers vs. moderators when I was trying and failing to limit myself to five sweets a week was one of the events that led me to believe that, despite being a healthy BMI, BLE might be right for me.
My sister and I were just talking a few weeks ago about the way we like to get in the water when it's cold -- she likes to get in bit by bit, I like to just jump in and get it over with! Yeah, guess who the Moderator is and who the Abstainer is! It's funny that she's the one who actually turned me on to Bright Line, and I've done really well with it -- as you say, I love the clarity and simplicity of it, it works for me!
I think it also depends on the results you want to achieve. Being an abstainer guarantees results on the programme. The alternative only gives moderate results too. It's just how the programme is designed... any tweaking causes problems.
Yes! Moderator here.
Moderating in terms of sugar and flour is what always appealed to me with other "diets". I still had the noise in my head, the saving up of points for treat day, etc etc and the weight always crept back in worse than before. Although I am technically a moderator because since arriving at maintenance I started and get away with exceptions for my weekly Sabbath, if those were to extend into general practice, I would be done for. As it stands now, I am totally neutral even when surrounded by sugar and flour! Nothing less than JFTFP could have got me here!
The think I didn’t fully realize until BLE was that for ME to be successful, I need to be an abstainer when it comes to S/F. A little bit can make me crazy and the only relief ultimately is “more” and the “more” of course, has dire consequences. I seem unable to do moderation even though I would prefer it. I’ve found that I CAN, however, do “none” At this point, I have Fear of a bite, lick or taste for where it’s led me so many times.
Interesting! I wonder if maybe there is another vlog here? I would like to hear your thoughts, dear Susan, from the point of view of susceptibility. After 3.5 years of back-to-back abstinence in Food Addicts in Recovery Anonymous, I decided that that level of rigidity (with excellent serenity around food admittedly) no longer suited me. I joined BLE immediately upon its creation. Being a 4-5-or so on your Susceptibility Scale, I see why I preferred to make exceptions to the bright lines. Yikes, though, I can get into trouble. Having you remind us moderators of all the tools, in one vlog, that we can turn to to dial back in could be super useful to me and others! Loving regards.
Yes!! I was just thinking that when I saw your title! It’s easier for me to just eliminate it altogether than try to just eat a little bit!! (Translate into FAIL 😝) Thanks so much!!
You're welcome, Lil Crafty Nook! Thanks for watching! 🧡
I am totally an abstainer. I love having a plan that tells me exactly what to eat when and how much. Left to my own vices I am a complete failure. This makes me feel I'm in control of my eating!
Hello! There's a relatively new YT Creator, Beatrice Caruso. Her Jan 7th vid made me immediately think that her weightless goals research is directing her towards your program. Please have someone check out her June 7th vid and I believe you'll see a possible collaboration.
Funny, I say everyone is a turkey or a weaner:) I am definitely a turkey. If I could moderate I wouldn't have a weight problem.