I need Help

[aintnosunshine]

This is kind of an embarrasing thing to post but i want to know if anyone has any suggestions. I have been trying to lose a few pounds so I was really watching what i was eating, counting my calories and eating clean (which is usually not a problem at) but as soon as i was not allowed to even have a little cheat food that became all i wanted to eat and then i would finally let myself have one small thing and then i could not stop eating until i feel sick! its disgusting. How do i break this habit!? I know this is kinda a werid thing to ask about but its really bothing me and i just wanted someone elses opinon on this, because i still want to lose weight! and know that i have started eating everthing in sight i have even gained more to lose. Thanks so much for any advice and your time. Michelle

 

[seeking_guns]

Michelle,
Are you trying to eat totally clean - or as clean as possible? If you're striving for completely clean, then I can see how you might "lose it." Folks who can go extreme clean have my utmost respect, but I know that it would never be a realistic option for me b/c, well, I love food too much. I have started eating cleanER and I try to make healthy choices *most* of the time, but there is no food that I've "banned" forever from my diet. My approach is everything in moderation. Of course, I do slip up, and I do allow myself cheat meals, but I try to look at food as fuel for my body. If I put in junk or if I consume too few calories, my workouts & energy level suffer. It's not about a short-term diet for me - it's about longterm dietary changes. I have lost a little over 30 lbs. in the past 14 months - so, it's going sloooowly but it ain't comin' back! This is the method that works for me.

It sounds like a more moderate approach might work better for you, too, rather than severe restriction that just makes you obsessed with food. Keep doing the portion control and recording your calories. Do you use sparkpeople or fitday? Those are great tools to help you not only track the calories but set weight loss goals. Good luck! You are not alone.

~Cathy

 

[aintnosunshine]

Thanks Cathy, your comment about food as fuel for the body is something that i had forgotten about so thanks for the reminder. I am going to try your suggestion about moderation. thanks so much. Michelle

 

[shaan]

Don't be hard on yourself - proves you are direct descendent of Adam and Eve who couldn't resist forbidden anything! LOL!!

First of all, you need to clarify/elaborate "watching what I was eating". Second, I don't believe in counting calories cause there is no real way of counting how much a table spoon of salad dressing really costs in calories - if a bottle says 0 fat, it doesn't exactly mean it is 0 fat, it means there is not enough fat - so don't worry about counting calories.

You need to eat clean, and you can do that without a problem. Eat EVERYTHING - including your chocolates if that is your junk food favourite but leave that for 'cheat day' and do NOT keep it in the house no matter what!

If you want to lose weight then you can exercise twice a day on cheat day to get rid of that 300 caloric (if you care to continue to count calories) chocolate bar.

Let me tell you what I learned -
1. Workout in the morning, that sets the tone pretty much for the rest of the day. You have worked out too hard to mess it up by PAYING to get fat! Yes, the chocolate bar costs $0.69 cents in money which will end up costing you a full pound in fat if you eat every day or too much of it in a day! So why pay to get fat?

2. Drink lots of water! Promise yourself first thing in the morning - even if you have to get someone to drain it down your throat, you will drink a 500 ml bottle before breakfast. One or 2 500 ml during workouts, depending on intensity and another 500ml before lunch and last one at night with dinner.

3. Keep a picture of worms where you can see it, when you reach for the junk food - trust me, it works! You can find a really disgusting picture of worms anywhere on the Internet.

4. Keep you vision in mind always! Why do you want to lose weight? See yourself slim, create a wallpaper of your 'dream body' and a screensaver made of workout pictures (like Cathe wallpapers).

5. CHILL - you will get there if you are disciplined. As Tony Robbins said - if you fail the first time, TRY AGAIN!

And if you still don't agree with the above then get naughty. That will keep your mind off food!

 

[nancy324]

Denying yourself foods you really want is the kiss of death for staying slim. You can often find healthier versions of the foods you crave, which satisfy you and which you can work into your everyday diet. For example, if you crave ice cream, you can try fat-free frozen yogurt, which is still sweet and creamy, and may satisfy that desire. Check out your local health food store for healthier versions of the foods you crave, but don't deny yourself. Denial just doesn't work, IMHO.