Newcomer Questions

[jas135]

Hello my name is Julie and I am new to FAA. I started one week ago and am having a fair amount of success. Having to tweak some teas that I was drinking and some other things but the food plan and planning my meals has been a tremendous help. The other major factor is turning to God for the courage to walk away from foods that are not on the plan. He is good and faithful!

My first question has to do with meal spacing and the MA at the end of the day.
I usually eat breakfast between 7:30 and 8:30 then lunch is at 11:30 and dinner should be at 4:30 - this is not what happens for me - dinner is usually at 6. I have always been the hungriest from 3 until 6 pm this is when i have the hardest time with wanting to eat things not on the plan. It also sets me up for having to have the MA at 10pm which is bedtime for me. Any suggestions?

My second question is trying to fit in phone or online meetings. The closest meeting where I live is 2 hours away - not happening! I see on the phone page to use a cell phone for the calls can cause an echo. The only time I have available to me is 5:45am which is when I would like to take a walk. How long do the meetings usually last? Does the echo affect everyone or just the person using the cell phone? I feel desperate to find a sponsor but realize I can't do that until I plug into the phone calls. I can't spend all day at work anymore browsing online help for advice and I need the accountability of committing my food.

This forum is such a supportive and accepting place to visit. It has been very encouraging and helpful in the last few days. :D

[step3]

Thanks for bringing your questions to Online Support, Julie. I'm sure there are others who have wondered the same things, especially about the spacing between meals.

The reason for the suggested spacing

Breakfast + 4 hours = Lunch + 5 hours = Dinner + 4 hours = Metabolic Adjustment

is that it helps to maintain a steady metabolism and blood sugar levels. Going too long between meals (or even missing meals) is a setup for a binge, it's been found. This spacing seems to work well and FAA members who stick to it as closely as possible seem to do the best. You may need to work with it a little, but here's just one suggestion to give you something to work with:

Breakfast 8:30am
Lunch 12:30pm
Dinner 5:30pm
MA 9:30pm

Some people aren't used to eating near bedtime and it may take a little adjusting to get used to it, but having the Metabolic Adjustment at that time helps the blood sugar levels remain relatively stable throughout the night and feeds the sleeping brain.

An echo can happen with phone meetings if someone conferences in a third party, or if they are on speaker phone. Usually when this happens, the meeting leader will say something and the person who's phone is causing the problem will take it off speakerphone. Other times, people use their speakerphone and it doesn't cause a problem with the meeting.

The meetings are all one hour except for the Sunday 8am meeting, which goes until 9:15am (Eastern Time). I've gone for walks while listening in on the meeting; I use a bluetooth earpiece and keep my cell phone in my pocket. I've even listened to meetings while driving or grocery shopping! Most times, though, I like to sit and listen to the meeting as if I'm at a face-to-face meeting. Doing that gives me a chance to give service to FAA by helping out with the readings they do at the beginning of the meetings, and I feel comfortable sharing if I'm sitting at home. Also, it gives me a chance to take down phone numbers, which are exchanged during the last five minutes of the meeting.

I found my sponsor through the phone meetings; she lives in another state and I've had the chance to meet and spend time with her a couple of times. Mostly, though, we communicate by phone. I understand your wanting to get a sponsor as soon as possible, and I commend you for that. My sponsor has been invaluable to me in my abstinence and recovery, and I wish the same for you~ to find that perfect sponsor for you!

I'm so glad you've found the forums to be welcoming, and I thank you for expressing that. We're sure glad you're here, Julie. Keep coming back!

Warmly,
step3

[jas135]

Thanks step3! The schedule suggestion looks do-able I will give it a whirl.

It just so happens that I have a blue-tooth device so that solution is an answer to prayer as well...
I will def be back!

[step3]

That's great, Julie... good for you!

Smiles,
step3

P.S. A brand new forum has been set up in FAA Online Support called, "Newly Recovering in FAA". If you'd like, you could post your experience/strength/hope as you embark on your journey of recovery from food addiction in FAA there. An idea... :P