Hi guys! Well, with the holiday goodies around, I was curious as to how you all deal with cravings. Snack foods and cakes and cookies and candy are not a part of my regular diet, and I am usually very good about having willpower to keep from eating them. However, I am 21, a college student living at home, and as the oldest of 6 kids you can imagine how many snacks and junk kiddie foods are around me on a regular basis, especially this time of year! I try to kill a sweet craving with bluebunny frozen yogurt bars, no sugar added... one has 60-80 cals and no fat. This thanksgiving and Christmas, as well as last year, I totally went all out and practically ended up eating everything in sight, really to the point of sickness. I think that depriving myself for so long leads to this inevitable splurging. Fortunately it only happens very rarely and I always continue my exercise routine and get back to healthy eating right away. I just wanted to hear anyone else's thoughts on this. I am not overweight, I have recovered from orthorexia/anorexia and could still stand to gain a few more pounds. But I am healthy and pride myself on clean eating. I just want to hear about anyone else's battles with cravings and willpower and giving or not giving into temptation. Thanks for sharing!
cravings
- Thread starter saralh
- Start date
I am in the same boat that you are. I am visiting my parents for the holidays, and I can't stop eating the cookies and drinking the wine, etc. I brought my Xpress set and IMax with me to use, but I have only used them a few times. I keep telling myself that this is not the way I normally eat, and like you, I will go back to normalcy when I return home.
I just graduated college so I know how it is. At school, I eat okay(not clean though), but at home, I eat lots more. I think it equals out because I drink a lot of beer at school but not at home.
Anyway, it is tough at home because family members who aren't watching their weight bring in yummy junk food. Last week, I chose not to exercise once (I'm a consistent exerciser though), and ate anything and everything I wanted. This week, I'm exercising again and slowly eating healthier. I think the key is to keep exercising because you won't gain much weight, it's healthy, and you'll feel better about yourself (even if you pigged out). Don't worry- you're body will even itself out. Just keep moving! It's the holidays, so relax! It should get easier after the new year.
Good Luck!
Anyway, it is tough at home because family members who aren't watching their weight bring in yummy junk food. Last week, I chose not to exercise once (I'm a consistent exerciser though), and ate anything and everything I wanted. This week, I'm exercising again and slowly eating healthier. I think the key is to keep exercising because you won't gain much weight, it's healthy, and you'll feel better about yourself (even if you pigged out). Don't worry- you're body will even itself out. Just keep moving! It's the holidays, so relax! It should get easier after the new year.
Good Luck!
LaBelleRebelle
Active Member
I unfortunately haven't been able to control my cravings. I've gained 10 pounds and 2" on both my waist and hips (and 1 1/2" on each thigh) this month... I feel like a cow...
Bobbi
Cathlete
There are lots of tricks. By being aware and making a plan to deal with the temptation, you take on step one!
Two is to eat lots of whole grains and fruits and veggies. When you're full, those goodies aren't as tempting.
Three is never say never! It's ok to indulge. Keep it moderate and don't beat yourself up over it.
Four can be a moderate increase in your exercise.
Finally, remember, the holidays are passing and it'll be back to less tempting junk soon! I find that I feel awful if I overindulge with food. So I try to keep in touch with those feelings when I am facing some tempting food. A moment on the lips, forever on the hips. Is it worth it to pig out? No way! So, I grab a big glass of water and look for healthier alternatives or walk away from the food. Sometimes it's the eye that is really engaged. After the first bite, too much fat and sugar is really kind of icky. And it goes straight to my stomach so I think of my stomach and how I hate that roll of fat. The fat on the plate may look more temptining but it's not pretty on my abs!
Have a Splendid New Year!
Bobbi
Two is to eat lots of whole grains and fruits and veggies. When you're full, those goodies aren't as tempting.
Three is never say never! It's ok to indulge. Keep it moderate and don't beat yourself up over it.
Four can be a moderate increase in your exercise.
Finally, remember, the holidays are passing and it'll be back to less tempting junk soon! I find that I feel awful if I overindulge with food. So I try to keep in touch with those feelings when I am facing some tempting food. A moment on the lips, forever on the hips. Is it worth it to pig out? No way! So, I grab a big glass of water and look for healthier alternatives or walk away from the food. Sometimes it's the eye that is really engaged. After the first bite, too much fat and sugar is really kind of icky. And it goes straight to my stomach so I think of my stomach and how I hate that roll of fat. The fat on the plate may look more temptining but it's not pretty on my abs!
Have a Splendid New Year!
Bobbi
jgoycoolea
Cathlete
I also try and think about how terrible I will feel after the eating. 30 minutes of enjoyable eating vs hours of feeling bad. Is it really worth it?
I think about how many calories are in a few cookies and how long it takes to work them off.
I think about the fact that in the next day or two I will have to go back to work--where I can't wear my sweatpants! Back to pants with non-stretchy waist bands and buttons!
I think about how it will mess with keeping blood sugar levels stable.
FInally, I will try a piece of hard candy instead of a cookie. (20 calories vs. 80-100). Now double that (40 vs. 200). It adds up.
I think about how many calories are in a few cookies and how long it takes to work them off.
I think about the fact that in the next day or two I will have to go back to work--where I can't wear my sweatpants! Back to pants with non-stretchy waist bands and buttons!
I think about how it will mess with keeping blood sugar levels stable.
FInally, I will try a piece of hard candy instead of a cookie. (20 calories vs. 80-100). Now double that (40 vs. 200). It adds up.
Connie1
Cathlete
Yet a few more tricks
[font size="1" color="#FF0000"]LAST EDITED ON Dec-29-01 AT 07:51PM (Est)[/font][p][font size="1" color="#FF0000"]LAST EDITED ON Dec-28-01 AT 05:10 PM (Est)[/font]
Try this: each time you have a snack, make sure there's some protein in it. Now also make sure that the snack will not make your blood sugar soar and crash.
The more times you do soar and crash, the more vulnerable to cravings you become, even in a day or two, So, instead of having 6 Christmas cookies, have 3 along with an apple with a bit of peanut butter on it (cut up, 1 tablespoon of PB total). Or 3 big whole wheat crackers, lowfat cottage cheese on each one, a quarter to a half cup of cottage cheese total, and right after that have the 3 cookies.
You still enjoy the cookies but you avoid becoming their slave. Also you reinforce behavior that prevents developing type 2 diabetes which is usually preventable.
Peanut butter, tuna (mixed w lowfat mayo), low fat cot. cheese, and other protein sources don't taste too bad. I could never get into nonfat though. Taste is very important to me.
-Connie
[font size="1" color="#FF0000"]LAST EDITED ON Dec-29-01 AT 07:51PM (Est)[/font][p][font size="1" color="#FF0000"]LAST EDITED ON Dec-28-01 AT 05:10 PM (Est)[/font]
Try this: each time you have a snack, make sure there's some protein in it. Now also make sure that the snack will not make your blood sugar soar and crash.
The more times you do soar and crash, the more vulnerable to cravings you become, even in a day or two, So, instead of having 6 Christmas cookies, have 3 along with an apple with a bit of peanut butter on it (cut up, 1 tablespoon of PB total). Or 3 big whole wheat crackers, lowfat cottage cheese on each one, a quarter to a half cup of cottage cheese total, and right after that have the 3 cookies.
You still enjoy the cookies but you avoid becoming their slave. Also you reinforce behavior that prevents developing type 2 diabetes which is usually preventable.
Peanut butter, tuna (mixed w lowfat mayo), low fat cot. cheese, and other protein sources don't taste too bad. I could never get into nonfat though. Taste is very important to me.
-Connie