Hi Kelly,

I am going to respond to your post right in your note.

Hello, I first read PNP in about
: 1997. It was the first time I was
: able to understand my addictive
: relationship with food
: (sugar/carbs mainly).
: I will always be grateful for finding
: the programme but have never
: committed fully to the steps
: because I never really got past
: step one. The problem was if I
: just did Step 1 I would feel out
: of control
: with the rest of the day and I didn't
: trust myself and start to feel
: stressed. I would often try many
: steps together and feel more in
: control.

Ok, I am excited that you are back.
I think the dilemma is that you have the false belief that addiction can be "controlled".
We are trying to HEAL what causes addiction, not control the symptoms.

If you simply focus on breakfast and do one of the 4 parts at a time. You are training yourself
to not live in the terror of gaining weight. It is 23 years later. Is your way working for you?

: My question: Is there a guide to
: how long each step might take
: because if I stay on Step 1 too long
: I start to feel panicky that I can
: eat
: whatever I want the rest of the day.
: If left to my own devices my day
: become so a continuous grazing
: session. I feel very uncomfortable
: with weight gain.

Yep, that is the pattern. We all know it well. The program works, it works
beyond your wildest imagination. But it only works if you do it.

: Another reason for not progressing
: was starting to feel good from the
: steps and thinking I'd 'nailed it'
: and didn't need anyone telling me
: what to eat!!

LOL. No one is telling what to eat. You get to decide that. A lot of people follow this way.
But it doesn't sound like it worked :)

: Looking for some advice on how to
: stick with Step 1.

Join the step one list. Start with the easiest of the 4 parts. Master that, then go to the next one.
Share on the list how it is going for you. Talk about being scared of gaining weight. Listen to other people.
Let the skilled ones guide you. Let it settle in.

: Many thanks

You are most welcome,

Warmly,

Kathleen