I think about food ALL the time.

BrendaRey74

So I've lost 115lbs so far. *yeah me*
I have 60-70lbs more to go. *sigh*

I think about food every moment of the day. It is unrelenting. I am making sane life long changes but food is literally on my brain 24/7. How do I get it to stop?

janejellyroll

Are you thinking about food because you're hungry? Because you are craving specific foods that you aren't allowing yourself to have?

try2again

janejellyroll wrote: »

Are you thinking about food because you're hungry? Because you are craving specific foods that you aren't allowing yourself to have?

I don't think it's like that. Some of us just really like food, and when we're not eating, we're thinking about the next meal. My MIL was especially like that- all of her conversations seemed to come back to food eventually. I certainly don't know the cure, except to possibly find things in life that are equally absorbing to you.

try2again

And congratulations on the weight loss! Good habits will save us from ourselves

janejellyroll

try2again wrote: »

janejellyroll wrote: »

Are you thinking about food because you're hungry? Because you are craving specific foods that you aren't allowing yourself to have?

I don't think it's like that. Some of us just really like food, and when we're not eating, we're thinking about the next meal. My MIL was especially like that- all of her conversations seemed to come back to food eventually. I certainly don't know the cure, except to possibly find things in life that are equally absorbing to you.

I didn't mean to suggest those were the only two reasons why one would think of food frequently, so I apologize if it came across that way. I was just curious to know if those *were* the reasons.

BrendaRey74

I never let myself get hungry or then I binge on tons of processed "food". I don't really ban any foods. If I want chips I'll get a little lunch serving but I don't buy it for the house. If I want pizza, I'll go to the place that sells by the slice.

I think about what I'll eat next. I'll think about what I'll eat tomorrow. I think about what I'm choosing not to eat today. I think about something I already ate at breakfast. It's just doesn't turn off.

I've seen at the same weight for 6 months so I dropped my calories and I think 1200 is just too low for me. Body is fighting back hard. ;-)

jemhh

Have you been thinking about food the whole time you've lost the weight or is it a recent thing that has started? If it is the latter, I would suggest taking a bit of a maintenance break.

Great job on the loss, btw. That is some serious dedication. Kudos to you

Tobin1972

My wife is like that and she has obsessive-compulsive disorder. She will be thinking about her next meal before she's finished eating the one in front of her. Have you ever been diagnosed as having that disorder? Counseling might help.

Francl27

I've been on MFP for 3.5 years and been maintaining for 2 and I still think about food all the time (ok maybe not every day but at least 90% of the time).

You just got to get used to it, and use that to plan your next meals.

kendahlj

Congrats on the weight loss. 115 pounds is a huge accomplishment. You need to find a hobby to get your mind off food. And if you can, change how you view food. Maybe see a counselor.

CattOfTheGarage

I'm obsessed with food, but I have been since childhood, it's just the way I'm wired. Many of my memories are framed in terms of food, and I start planning dinner at least at breakfast, if not the night before. Cookery is a major hobby of mine and I know more than most about food cultures and history. It doesn't interfere with my life, except insofar as it plays a big part in my excess weight - I just love food! But I don't see it as a problem, any more than I think my brother's consuming passion for musical instruments is a problem. It brings me joy, not anxiety.

Perhaps you are like me? In which case, embrace it. But if this is a new thing that has only happened since you reduced your calories, in which case it suggests your calorie goal is too low, as food obsession can be a symptom of undereating.

Mentali

I'm the same way - I think about food almost all the time. This is part of why I learned to cook; the food 'lasts' for several hours of cooking then. I also made it a point to make sure my food is always "set up" correctly - I'll make a conscious decision whether I should eat it at the dining room table or the patio or as a picnic or on the couch, always on a real plate, always with real thought towards the presentation. All that extra work stretches the food 'experience'.

try2again

janejellyroll wrote: »

try2again wrote: »

janejellyroll wrote: »

Are you thinking about food because you're hungry? Because you are craving specific foods that you aren't allowing yourself to have?

I don't think it's like that. Some of us just really like food, and when we're not eating, we're thinking about the next meal. My MIL was especially like that- all of her conversations seemed to come back to food eventually. I certainly don't know the cure, except to possibly find things in life that are equally absorbing to you.

I didn't mean to suggest those were the only two reasons why one would think of food frequently, so I apologize if it came across that way. I was just curious to know if those *were* the reasons.

Sorry- wasn't trying to be critical of your comment! For some reason, her post just struck me as more of a personality thing than a technical issue. I could have taken it the wrong way too.

Osprey10

See if these articles resonate for you. When i follow these plans I think about food a lot less. http://wellnessmama.com/5356/fix-your-leptin/ and https://www.jackkruse.com/my-leptin-prescription/ obviously not for everyone but it works for me.

kshama2001

BrendaRey74 wrote: »

I never let myself get hungry or then I binge on tons of processed "food". I don't really ban any foods. If I want chips I'll get a little lunch serving but I don't buy it for the house. If I want pizza, I'll go to the place that sells by the slice.

I think about what I'll eat next. I'll think about what I'll eat tomorrow. I think about what I'm choosing not to eat today. I think about something I already ate at breakfast. It's just doesn't turn off.

I've seen at the same weight for 6 months so I dropped my calories and I think 1200 is just too low for me. Body is fighting back hard. ;-)

How tall are you? With 60-70 pounds yet to lose, unless you are very short, 1200 calories could indeed be too little for you.

Before you dropped your calories was food on your mind all the time the way it is now?

kmsnyg

I am the same way, thinking about food all of the time, even when I'm not hungry. One thing that has helped me is that I've stopped snacking during the day. I just eat breakfast, lunch, dinner plus some fruit. 3 meals a day. While I do get hungry in between meals, I'm not constantly thinking about food. When I ate 6 meals a day (3 meals, 3 snacks), I was always thinking about my next meal or snack. I'd sit at work and think, "I can eat my snack in two hours." All day long. Now I know I'm not eating until lunch or dinner, so I think about food way less.

alohajls

I hear you! I've lost 110 in the past year, and still have about 50 to go--good for us both.

What has helped me not think about food quite as much is to pre-log my meals and snacks for the day. This eliminates choice--I don't have to think about whether I want a salad, or soup or a piece of fruit or cheese or popcorn or...you get the idea. Mapping out my meals is kind of like writing down my 'to do' list, it calms my brain a little.

Asher_Ethan

Ugh I can't get it to stop either. I think about food constantly as well. I've found developing different hobbies to keep my mind occupied helps.

BigTandthesquatters

Some people are food addicts. I am not saying you are. I consider myself one. So i am going to speak from that position, and maybe you can find some crossover. In the past when I thought about food i acted on it negatively. Now I act on it, but in a better way. I plan healthy meals, I look up different foods on the internet and try new recipes. I even volunteered at the local food bank to teach kids healthy cooking. Also when I think about food now I quickly remind myself of positive food encounters Like I look back at my diary and notice the healthy breakfast I made. Don't fight it, use your knowledge of food to make better choices. Any way I hope that helps a little bit.

Christine_72

I'm the same. I've just finished lunch and snacks and am already thinking about dinner, i just love food!

The only time i wasn't like this is when i did low carb. Food was an afterthought and cravings were non existent. To say this was a freeing and non stressful time is an understatement!! If it wasn't for a certain side effect i would still be doing it, and i would have effortlessly breezed into maintenance months ago, instead of dealing with counting down the minutes until my next "feeding" lol

Even more annoying is that I've always had a large appetite, but only started putting on weight in the last 4 or so years.

hapa11

I think all the planning that goes in to meals plays a big part. When I'm limiting calories I'm so focused on it and it's so hard that I am always thinking/deciding something regarding food.

kommodevaran

The thoughts obviously bother you. But are they positive or negative in their nature? Are you looking forward to eating, or dreading it? Maybe you've just got yourself a new hobby It should be quite normal to be occupied with something that is important, and food and eating is important.

Make sure 1200 is right for you.

LivingtheLeanDream

It sounds like you need to get busy doing other things so you don't think about food as much....

snowflake930

I too think about food all the time. Planning what I am going to eat next. I love food, plain and simple. I love shopping for it, preparing it and consuming it. Just the way it is, and I accept it and really don't consider it a problem any longer. Label reading and shopping for and preparing healthier foods has become my new way of obsessing about food.
I have lost over 1/2 of my current body weight and have kept it off for over 2 1/2 years now. The big difference now is that I have learned moderation and portion control and staying with in my calorie allotment. Before, I would eat what I wanted, pretty much all day long and hence the reason I was morbidly obese. I know now that I will never be mindlessly eating again, if I want to stay a healthy weight, which I plan on doing.

AJF230

kendahlj wrote: »

Congrats on the weight loss. 115 pounds is a huge accomplishment. You need to find a hobby to get your mind off food. And if you can, change how you view food. Maybe see a counselor.

^^this.
you have to retrain your mind some. whatever you're doing so far is working. now you need to work on your mind so that you can hit, and more importantly, keep your goal.

We were a the beach and Dunkin Donuts was right across the street. We'd go over there and they'd get a box of 8 or 9 donuts. I would just sip my coffee. I told myself "I don't have to never eat donuts again, I just need to pass up one this morning." Know what? I never did have a donut. And I don't miss them at all. I don't know whether its good or bad, but I've gotten to the point I don't even want things like that anymore, like, I don't feel deprived because I simply *don't want to consume them*.

BoxerBrawler

Congratulations on the weight loss!
Oddly enough I lost all of my weight before joining MFP. Being here has been excellent because I have learned so much... but at the same time, being here makes me think about food all the time. Tracking and logging my next meal, pre logging my dinner, looking at my numbers, thinking about what I can eat next or what else I can fit in, etc, etc...

Philtex

Congratulations on the 115 pounds Brenda. If you are thinking about food all the time use that to stay focused on your plan to lose even more. Plan you next meal and how you are going to control your portion sizes. You can do this!

Caitlinbc

Maybe try to find something to distract your mind like a hobby or listen to music.

kthompson601

First: Congrats on your weight loss! You have done so well, and you should be so proud.

Second: I hear you. I think about food CONSTANTLY. I've lost 130 with another 35 to go, and I think about food all the time. It's very difficult. I'm always thinking about what I'm going to eat next, and what I'll cook. In some ways that's great, because it makes me a good meal planner, and I have healthy low-cal food ready throughout the week. Also, I live in DC, so if I plan to do something like visit a museum or see a show, I will also plan out where I'll eat, and what, and when--even if the event is months away. It's been difficult.

Hobbies help a little, as does meditation. But I get you, I think about food nonstop it seems like. And that scares me, because I'll worry I'll backslide and gain.

So, nothing really useful to share, just--you are not alone!

OhMsDiva

I have lost 140 lbs and I would like to lose about 50 more. I think about food from the time I wake up until I go to bed. I know I am not hungry and I eat enough to not be hungry. If I think about a donut or ice cream, I just think about it and I move on. If I really want something I will have it, which after doing so, the thought is usually better than the actual food. I don't stress about it though

novio50

you have to replace a pattern with a pattern. Try thinking of something else...I mean...I'm the same way about weights...and a few other things...but I control my thoughts. I don't (always) let my mind wander. You have the same ability too, "think about what you think about!"