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Are You a Moderator or an Abstainer?

Lisa Eirene

About Lisa Eirene Lisa lost 110 pounds through calorie counting and exercise. She swims, bikes, runs, hikes and is enjoying life in Portland, Oregon. Her weight loss story has been featured in First Magazine, Yahoo Health, Woman's Day and Glamour.com.

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16 Comments

  1. Lisa @ I'm an Okie

    I’m definitely a moderator, although I used to be an abstainer. I used to be scared of eating something in fear I’d go overboard. Now that ive given myself mental permission to eat it, I usually dont go overboard and just enjoy it from time to time.

    1. Lisa Eirene

      That’s a great way to put it. I was scared I’d go overboard too.

  2. Kristina @ spabettie

    great article!

    I am a moderator… I cannot be an abstainer or whatever craving just gets bigger, THEN I would go nuts.

    Moderating really does help me enjoy an indulgence now and then… in moderation! 🙂

  3. Becky

    Moderator! However, I definitely know some of the items that I just can’t stop once I start and I don’t keep those around. So, I guess I am a combination!

  4. Beth @ Beth's Journey to Thin

    I’m a combination of the two like you… If I put something off limits, I definitely do get tempted by it, but I also have trouble stopping once I get started with certain things. I do find that occasional indulgences are necessary and help to keep me on track. Great article!

  5. Lisa (bakebikeblog)

    I think I would have to be a moderator!

  6. Lori (Finding Radiance)

    I am both. Some things I just do better abstaining from (mini reeses cups). Other things I am better if I let myself have them periodically.

  7. Carbzilla

    Yeah, I think I’m a combo. Definitely could be a little more determined right now.

    Sometimes I just have food plan amnesia and eat as if I’ve never had a weight problem. I can usually get away with it for a couple of days until the scale bounces up and then I’m like, “Oh yeah, I need to be watching it.”

    1. Lisa Eirene

      LOL Food amnesia…I had that for a few months. I packed on 15 pounds. 😉

  8. Tina @ Faith Fitness Fun

    I’m definitely a moderator now. I think my previous tendency was more towards abstainer, but in a negative way where it was more about depriving myself. Now, I’m all about moderation, but the abstainer side still peeks out now and again.

    1. Lisa Eirene

      Tina-I think I fall into that category too. When I was an abstainer to lose the weight at first, it was a positive thing. Then it got a little obsessive and negative. Now I need that balance.

  9. @irun2befit

    I can relate to you, a combo of both. I’ll splurge a bit on the weekend, but all week long I’m a nazi about my health/fitness.
    Interesting post, and I must say, that pic of the sundae looks GOOD!@

    1. Lisa Eirene

      All I can say is that I am really glad there’s no ice cream in the house. 😉

  10. Nathan

    In every weight loss attempts I have done up until now, I was a moderator. This time around, I’m definitely an abstainer and that’s why I know it’s going to work this time. I actually covered this yesterday in my blog (that wasn’t a shameless plug I promise!) because someone said that I shouldn’t deprive myself of foods I want but my concern is that if I give an inch it will become a foot and then I’m back to square one. Since I’ve started, I have also avoided trigger foods because it is dangerous. I think if you are worried about losing out on eating something, you just have to give it time and eventually you will just stop caring about the importance of missing out and you focus on the goal. Great blog.

  11. blackhuff

    At this moment I’m a Abstainer to help me loose weight. Pizza is also a big no-no to me so I’m avoiding that completely.

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