If their diet is as you say it is, then I can tell you it isn't easy.

I am researching Metabolic Syndrome, and insulin resistance right now. The diet you say they are following is basically a no or low carb diet. By staying away from processed carbs the body doesn't produce as much insulin. This cuts down on how much fat is stored instead of being burned for energy.

In essence we cause our bodies to behave this way by our eating habits. By changing our eating habits we can encourage our bodies to behave properly. At least that is the plan.

FAA seems to work for many people but What they are encouraging is healthy eating habits, and that is never wrong!
God Bless!

Janelle

ok, i did do it with a dr supervision for a few months. but... it took over my whole life! I had to become OCD about it to survive it!!!! I spent all my time cooking and weighing and reading the backs of things, I had to come home at 10pm at night when i got off work and cook all of my meals for the next day and have them planned out. It was ok b/c i didnt have a frickin life at the time.. but once i got a life.. well, i have gained back 30 pds.
I know it works, i have done it, but its sooo dificult. I couldnt imagine if people have kids and family and a job could possibly do it. I was just me!!

I HONESTLY think the only thing that works is watching calories and getting off our bums and working out. Thats how Ive lost weight in the past.. im just sooo lazy LOL

I admire the people that can stay restricted like that as well!

Staying away from processed carbs isn't that difficult.

You can't completely quit carbs. You do require some, but they must be good carbs. vegetables, whole wheat things like bread or pasta. But you only get a very limited amount.

In order to do this you have to put your foot down with yourself. Quit depending on having fillers like bread and pasta in your meals.

tuna, boiled egg, some fresh cut up vegs, and maybe some cheese. this is a lunch, you can have things like yogurt, but not alot of it. there's alot of sugar/carbs in yogurt and stuff like it.

This isn't real hard, even to do for a family. I have 6 adults to cook for and They haven't killed me yet!
God Bless!

Janelle

It isn't impossible.I have been happily doing it for 18 months. It is the same type of food plan that is recommended for diabetics. It is balanced and without processed food substances that spike the blood sugar and trigger off cravings. The foods are complemented in such a way to prevent an influx of insulin.

Years ago when I was introduced to the concept of weighing and measuring food I had a similiar reaction..."nah not for me". Like many food addicts I wanted to eat anything I wanted in any amounts and not suffer any consequences. Hardly realistic but such is the fantasies of addicts. The world of denial. So
I went on my unmerry way and ended up weighing 210 pounds. Chest pains. lethargic, hating myself--- all those horrible things I am sure you have read or maybe have written yourself on these pages.

Today I am down to about 150. My cholestrol went from about 250 to 130 WITHOUT the use of any medications. My doctor was astounded. Food is not the center of my universe any more! I learned I have a bio-chemical disease. Willpower has nothing to do with it. My food plan is not restrictive or limiting in any way---my life as an active food addict was.

PS I eat whole grains, potatoes,yams etc. I have no idea where this low carb notion came from.

This eating plan is a serious lifestyle change.

I so admire people who can focus and keep on such a plan.

I never said it wasn't a good plan... I just lack the tenacity to adhere to this diet.

(Color me hopeless.)

Jo :)

Tenacity has nothing to do with it. Desperation got me there originally and over time it sunk in. It is not a diet--it is a food plan! And that is not semantics. Diets are made to be cast aside at the slightest whim. That is why they are ultimately doomed.

There is nothing that says you have to be perfect from the start. On the website is information about phone meetings...why not try 6 of them. Just listen in. Hear the message of hope. You are not hopeless. You are just caught up in the power of addiction.

I've been to OA myself in the past, and trust me, I am a realist, and to me that equals deprevation and I would probably end up eating a whole box of doughnuts knowing that I'm not going to let myself have any of those. Anyway, the key for me in the past was just doing it in moderation and exercise. I plan on getting back to that because it works for me.

If I could have done moderation, I would never have been posting here in the first place. I tried and failed for years at attempts to be "moderate" If I ingested something like sugar, moderation went right out the window. Much like an alcoholic trying to moderately drink.

On the contrary I don't feel deprived at all. I feel empowered. My disease wants me to think I am missing out on something. Trust me no amount of donuts are worth going back to that miserable life. Having gone from almost double X to medium in clothes size beats any Boston cream donut any day!

I've been to OA many years ago and it did help me lose weight. However, constantly repeating that I'm a compulsive overeater just isn't what I'd do today. I truly believe that what you put into your mind is what you'll get. Why feed in the negative when you can say "I am a healthy, happy and loved person"... and instill that as you work your 'program'. I give myself positive reinforcement based on health and that works better than berating myself for eating too much.

Okay, I have a problem...I have done that type of eating plan before, and lost weight, when I was helping my mom adjust to diabetes. The problem is not just that I am accustomed to eating way more now, I remember when I cut the carbs out for a while I was much less hungry, the problem is I can't afford to eat that way anymore. When we go to the grocery it seems we have to rely on breads and pastas as that is the only way to make our food budget keep us fed. Any ideas on how to low carb without spending twice as much or more for much less food?

RRecovery I'm in the AA program and have been for 16 years. Sorry but for me I would rather have some sugar than a damn drink that would cause a lot more damage in the long haul. The FAA program may work for you, but it doesn't work for everyone. I know for me, just following one program is enough. NO more preaching please. It's getting old.

I'm with both of you...

(Slsgrl78) Eating well is VERY expensive. Most people cannot afford the foods called for on specialized plan.

(pamela64) Also, the "preaching" gets old VERY quickly, doesn't it? It's like... "Oh... if you simply avoid BAD dietary habits, then you will be eating healthier."

That isn't obvious, is it?

Then they go on and on and on about how faith, God, and prayer will cure any and every illness, addiction, injury, and depression.

I DO wish it were that simplistic.

Jo :)

I couldn't do it. Someone recently referred me to their website and I took a quick glance. I saw what you saw and realized it wasn't for me. I know I'm a food addict at heart but I went with my physician's advice instead. Good ole calorie counting carb counting (new diabetic). I eat sensible and I include things I like. I just don't eat sweets because I have a hard time controlling them and I'm afraid I'm binge. I stay away from all my binge foods. I'm doing too well on weight loss and don't want to sabotage myself. vickie

By the way I have been sober in AA for 23 years and for more than 21 of those years the AA 12 steps didn't do a darn thing to fix my food addiction. I consider myself a very blessed person to have a found a way out.

Good luck to all of you.