OMG...it just WON'T work!!

[foxxymami]

I'm through! I don't know what else to do because everytime I try to modify my diet, I don't stick to it. I'll make a conscious effort to eat better, lighter, more nutritious (sp?)....and I'll be doing fine....next thing I know, I got a hamburger in my hand :lachen: half-way through it. And I'll think to myself, "if I can't stick to these modifications for more than 5 hours, then what hope is there for me???"

I don't know what to do because the pounds are packing on as I type and my cravings are out of control. I was telling my boyfriend that I associate almost EVERYTHING with food. Example, the other day I was mentally reminded myself to return some movies to the video rental store and mid-thought, my mind screamed POPEYES!! I WANT SOME .....and I was trying to figure out what was up with the sudden craving when I realized.............there's a Popeye's Chicken right next to the video store :ohwell: :lol:

[rozlips]

Sounds like you're being too hard on yourself. I subscribe to the 80/20 rule. I try to eat healthy eighty percent of the time. Otherwise you'll feel deprived and wind up binging. As for cravings, I've discovered that if I wait as little as 15 minutes the craving will usually pass. I'll have a cup of tea or a bottle of water. By the time I've finished it, the craving is gone.

[Browndilocks]

You may want to consider some sort of cleanse first. It can help eliminate some of the toxins that cause you to crave junk foods and give you a better jump start on your diet modifications.

[SqrpioQutie]

if you find healthier food that's just as good as the junk food, it'll be easier to resist the junk... that's what works for me... even if you're going to indulge in less nutritious food, try limiting it to food you prepare at home so at least you're not getting the fast food portions/grease...

most of all, just take it a little bit at a time... you can't expect to change all of the bad habits faster than you developed them... :grin:

[foxxymami]

Thanks! Actually I already have an appoint next week. ;) I always felt that "cleaning" your inside was a key element in developing better eating habits.

Everytime I eat something, NONE of it has been healthy lately IMO. I am pretty much on the go for an average of 16 hours a day and so I find it real easy to stop at fast food places. I guess my dilemma is in choosing something better than my norm. I'll have to try applying that 80/20 rule when making stops for lunch/dinner :)

[pmichael52172]

I agree with SqrpioQutie. Preparing food at home is a great idea that's helped me. It still may not be the healthiest way to go but at least I control what I put in it.

I made the juicest turkey burger with all the fixins, and low fat cheese, bakes one serving of fries (according the bag) and it was so good - better than the fast food. I fry fish with this batter I've found in the grocery store. It's not a thick batter doesn't use egg/flour etc, just wet the tilapia (which I always eat) roll it in the fish fry and I fry it in a few ounces of Olive Oil (which is a good oil).

Start by cooking your own guilty pleasures. Control your portions and experiement with indgredients and you'll save money and still enjoy your favorites.

Moderation is the key (and sometimes you may not stick with that but keep pushing). Do things in small incriments (sp?). Cut off your eating time (mine is 7pm) master that, then up your workout days or times, then maybe cut back severely on a bad carb or something... and so on.

[pyxis777]

Have you tried journaling?

I have this problem as well, esp in times when I've really slacked off w/ a weight loss/maintance regimine.

Write down your cravings. Write down what time you have one, what it's for, why you think you're having it, and what possible alternative you could get instead of it.

Just get a few small notebooks and a few pens and put them in areas where you have trouble staying in control. For example, my only problem is at work. So I only have one at work. I sit for looong periods of time writing programs on the computer. I get bored, so I eat... I get tired, so I eat... I make progress, so I eat in celebration... You get the picture. My binging on bad foods has gone down b/c I have plenty of healthy alternative snacks ON HAND. I also always write before I eat. And I have posted my weight goals all around my cube.

Depending on where you usually get cravings, you might try a journal for your bedroom, one for your bathroom, one in the kitchen, one at work, one in front of the tv, and one in your car. That way you won't have to waste time looking for a paper and a pen to write with.

I find that self analysis helps me stave off some of the cravings and leads me to what's causing my bad behavior.

Also, always have good for you foods that taste good on hand, that way you won't have to run out and buy some bad stuff everytime you get a craving. Make sure you have some things that are quick and easy to prepare so that you can shut your craving up PRONTO. Get one or two snacks at the health food store (try whole foods or trader joe's) and try to stick to those when the cravings come on. Also, don't get something that makes a lot of servings... I'm the type of person who will promise myself that I will just eat a few, but then I eat the whole bag...;)

HTH. It has worked wonders for me... so far...:)

Edited for wording and spelling.

[foxxymami]

Wow great ideas ladies!