Please someone talk me out of grabbing a MacDonalds for dinner!?

CoconuttyMummy

Ok, so i've been dieting again for the past 5 weeks, aiming for as low-carb as possible, using Primal/Paleo ideas as a loose template. So far i have lost 8lbs in total, 3lbs of which have been in the past few days since i started tracking calories properly. So i guess thats good progress, but i cant help but feel i should be losing way more seeing as i am only 'allowed' 1,200 calories max, and ive been in deficit past few days. Only eating 1200 calories or less is so limiting and im already running out of meal ideas that fit in with the very low carb theme.

So here i am, sick with flu, tired, hungry, fed up, n no ideas for dinner other than grabbing a MacDonalds. Im reeeeeally craving a BigMac, Fries, Milkshake, the lot!.. But i know nomatter how good it tastes i will feel like total cr@p straight after finishing it, and then i'll just feel even more fat and disgusting.

Ugh. I hate these days. Ive been strong so far and genuinely preferred eating healthy nutritious food, but im seriously craving the bad stuff today. I think a lot of is because yesterday i had to go out and i knew id be drinking alcohol (i know i should have stayed off the beer but i was meeting with a close friend who was very sad and they wanted a drink with me and i didnt want to come accross unhelpful, lol, so i planned for 2 cans of strong beer and stuck to that, and i had to go without my lunch and dinner to stay within my allotted calories) so i think part of these cravings are to do with messing with my blood sugars yesterday maybe? I mean its so early in my weight-loss journey to start messing up already! If i was to give in tonight and have the blessed BigMac, what would happen the next day and the day after that if my resolve wavered? Id be off the wagon before accomplishing anything. Aaarrggghhhh! My head is in turmoil. I feel so cr@p today. What do i do?

Someone pleeeease offer me some wise advice. Even if it's just "Girl, step AWAY from the BigMac!"

StaciMarie1974

1 - why are you limited to 1200 max? That does not sound right. MFP's minimum goal intake is 1200 + exercise.

2 - you need realistic expectations on what you can realistically lose per week, on average. What is your total daily burn? Probably 4,000-5,000 calories which would make it easy to lose 3-5 pounds a week. Probably more like 2,000-3,000 depending on your stats & activity level.

3 - you can eat McDonalds, or anything else. Just be aware of the food choices you make and how they fit into your calorie budget. (Which will make more sense by thinking heavily on comments 1-2.)

Jenndynamite

Yes!! Step away. Maybe go online a read how that food is not food and all the chemicals that are in it. Or, make that meal at home, in a healthy Paleo way. You can have a wonderful juicy hamburger patty you make yourself with all the veggie fixings and baked potatoe wedges. Yum!

Gemzzz12

Sounds like you have been doing pretty well so far so don't ruin it. Also out of all the healthy foods you go for MacDonalds!? So many nicer alternatives. :P Also you dont know what they put in their burgers, probably mashed up bones and hair..
Did that work? :P Have a nice evening!

kristydi

So if i understand correctly, you havent eaten anything since breakfast yesterday? Look up MacDonald's nutrition info online and plan a meal that fits your calories and sounds yummy. Go get it and enjoy it.

DoreenaV1975

I don't think it's bad to have some guilty pleasures once in awhile... I just think you should maybe not have all 3. I vote for the Big Mac (cuz they are damn good) and nothing else or a healthy side if you need more food to fill you up... then you have a little treat that you love w/out going totally overboard! I find when I splurge just a little I feel satisfied for a long time before I need to do so again. If I splurge a lot... I just hate myself! LOL

But if you really want to be talked out of it, here goes... JUST DON'T!!!! Hahahahahaha!
Whatever you chose to do, don't beat yourself up, just make better choices next time!

wolf39us

K

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NfSTjLavkA8

lemonsnowdrop

Big Macs don't even have that many calories. Plus they're pretty nutritious, for what it's worth.

sofaking6

I will say that I think being super restrictive is a recipe for unhappiness, cravings and binging...

That said, grab yourself some ground beef and make a nice fat burger at home.

CoconuttyMummy

MrM27 wrote: »

Why should we? You're the one that wants to eat it. You either go eat it or tell yourself not to eat it. A bunch of strangers can't make decisions for you.

Its called support, love.

DoreenaV1975

Gemzzz12 wrote: »

Sounds like you have been doing pretty well so far so don't ruin it. Also out of all the healthy foods you go for MacDonalds!? So many nicer alternatives. :P Also you dont know what they put in their burgers, probably mashed up bones and hair..
Did that work? :P Have a nice evening!

If it tastes good I don't care what's in it! LOL!

Oldbitcollector

I've go no issues with eating something different every once in a while (if it fits my calories) -- but.. If you are going to treat yourself, TREAT YOURSELF to SOMETHING GOOD!! Not crappy McDonalds!

DoreenaV1975

CoconuttyMummy wrote: »

MrM27 wrote: »

Why should we? You're the one that wants to eat it. You either go eat it or tell yourself not to eat it. A bunch of strangers can't make decisions for you.

Its called support, love.

*

CoconuttyMummy

CoconuttyMummy wrote: »

MrM27 wrote: »

Why should we? You're the one that wants to eat it. You either go eat it or tell yourself not to eat it. A bunch of strangers can't make decisions for you.

Its called support, love. Isnt that the point of being part of a community? - to help each other through the journey?

wolf39us

Oldbitcollector wrote: »

I've go no issues with eating something different every once in a while (if it fits my calories) -- but.. If you are going to treat yourself, TREAT YOURSELF to SOMETHING GOOD!! Not crappy McDonalds!

Precisely my thoughts. Go get yourself some quality steak or something :-)

prettygirlstorm1

I know for me if I dont eat what i really want I end up eating a bunch of junk that I really did not want. One bad meal is not going to kill all of your hard work. Exercise a little more to burn off more calories. You could always get a cheeseburger and add the mac sauce to it!!

chubbard9

Not very helpful, but I often grab a McChicken Patty from there when I get out of work late at night. I don't get the mayo/lettuce or bun, so it only comes out to ~160cals per patty. I find it rather filling and it doesn't give me any blah feelings... There are low cal options like their grilled chicken salad, but be mindful when getting the dressing!

And as @StaciMarie1974 said, it's not very realistic to be losing 3-5lbs a week. Don't get discouraged if you don't lose right away, and don't expect to lose a lot fast! And also, if you DO exercise, up your intake a bit. You don't have to limit yourself to 1200! It's just a building block MFP has set up for you!

Narcissora

When I want something that will make me go way over my daily calories, I ask myself "is it worth it?"

"Worth it" to me can be many things - is what I want to eat worth me possibly feeling like crap after I eat it? Is what I want to eat worth me possibly gaining weight the next time I am scheduled to record my weight? Is what I want to eat worth it if it sets me back a few more days from my goals? Occasionally the answer is yes. Usually it is no. But you have to decide for yourself if it is "worth it" for you or not.

Good luck!

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heidim44444

When I go to McDonalds, I like to get the Southwest salad with grilled chicken. i like it and it isn't terrible for me. Sometimes you have to eat out if you on a road trip or something, so I like to know what is a decent choice even at fast food.

Of_Monsters_and_Meat

STOP!! DOn't go to McDonalds!!

Athos282

If you can limit yourself to one fast food outing a week, you're not going to hurt anything assuming you've stayed within your calories the rest of the week. My rule of thumb is that I have a target to meet scale wise each week. As long as I've hit that goal, I'll allow myself a little indulgence with some yummy food.

I know the anti-McDonalds zealots will try to talk you out of it, but if giving in every now and then makes it easier to stay on track the rest of the time, do it. It works for me.

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Holly_Roman_Empire

Of_Monsters_and_Meat wrote: »

STOP!! DOn't go to McDonalds!!

I lol'd.

DoreenaV1975

OMG I love "McDonalds"! Damn! What "gourmet fast food" restaurants are you all eating at! LOL! Fast Food is bad period so why is McDonalds considered more evil than the others! Although I do prefer "Carls Jrs" because their burgers are nice and hefty and "Bakers" because they have more choices, but as far as "McDonalds" goes... I think they are scrumptious as well! Best. Fries. Ever! Poor "McDonalds"!

MzManiak

Probably wasn't wise to go without food for 2 meals just because you had beer. Restricting yourself like that is bound to cause a binge. I suggest eating a snack with carbs and protein before dinner time so that you aren't craving it as badly. Plan your meals ahead of time, when you aren't hungry and having cravings.

If you do end up going to McDs.. consider getting the 6 piece kids meal. It only has 450 calories, and 70 carbs.

Katiebear_81

A side salad with half the dressing and 6 piece nuggets with no sauce rings in around 385 calories. It's low carb, has decent nutrition, and sure beats having to cook for yourself.

TimothyFish

A little bit of McDonald's won't hurt you, but if you really want to be talked out of it, just stick your head in their restroom and remember that their employees are washing their hands in there.

CoconuttyMummy

StaciMarie1974 wrote: »

1 - why are you limited to 1200 max? That does not sound right. MFP's minimum goal intake is 1200 + exercise.

2 - you need realistic expectations on what you can realistically lose per week, on average. What is your total daily burn? Probably 4,000-5,000 calories which would make it easy to lose 3-5 pounds a week. Probably more like 2,000-3,000 depending on your stats & activity level.

3 - you can eat McDonalds, or anything else. Just be aware of the food choices you make and how they fit into your calorie budget. (Which will make more sense by thinking heavily on comments 1-2.)

Thanks so much for your *helpful* response!

2> Why only 1200 calories? Because that is the figure MFP came up with, given that i am only 5ft1" tall and currently weigh 143lbs. I am not able to exercise at the moment, so my activity level is low. Im not sure what my resting metabolism is.

3> True, to be honest discussing it outloud is making me more aware of how i feel about making a bad food choice.

jaqcan

PUT THE BIG MAC DOWN!!!!!

Have a plan next time! I keep cup o noodles and cans of chili for when I need something easy and comforting.
Since you're sick and aren't likely to exercise any to "earn" the big mac. You'll have to go without. You will feel gross after having a big mac, fries, and a milkshake. But would having a small hamburger and an icecream cone calm the inner cravings?

whmscll

First, try upping your daily calories to something more realistic. 1200 sounds too low for you to stick with. Try 1400 or 1500. Next, I would go to McDonald's if your cravings are really that intense. But, maybe just have the burger and not the fries and shake. Log the burger (you should be able to find nutritional info online), don't worry about going over your calories for ONE DAY, and get back on track tomorrow. Just do not make a habit of it. Having something you crave every once in a while as a treat will help you not feel deprived and you will be more likely to stick with it in the long run.