I exercise! I also overeat

kathheen

Im just looking for inspiration and really want to get down to calorie deficit everyday not just some days . Im in my 40's i run 4/5 times week and gym 3/4 times a week. Im also a secret pocket muncher...haribos are my weakness, along with any chew sweets, chocolate, biscuits, cake, heck just anything sweet and i love you!
Most days i can control it....ive gone slightly rougue over the last 2 weeks - when my husband comes home it tends to happen, he works 4 on 4 off...plays havoc with my diet....he loves a munch and i love to join in.
Thats me! Anyone want to join/help me in the struggle please add me

lorrpb

The Success Stories forum here on MFP has tons of inspiring stories! Check it out.

HilltopperCanDoIt

Oh man, I just posted a similar situation. I workout religiously but I haven't been able to string along a long period of time to accomplish my goal. What would you say are the obstacles besides the days your husband is home and the secret pocket munching?

whmscll

I can’t address the urge to munch, but from what you are munching, it sounds like you also have a sweet tooth. What’s helped my sweet tooth is flavored Greek yogurt with Stevia, and chocolate protein shakes. The brand of protein powder I use (PEScience) is very sweet and truly tastes like a chocolate milkshake.

whmscll

Also, it sounds like joint munching with your husband is a way you reconnect after he’s been gone. What about looking into some other activities you both enjoy that don’t involve food? He will still munch and you will still be tempted to do it with him, but perhaps this will help.

cmriverside

I think having a sweet tooth is a pretty common problem. I would love to be able to eat all the sweets I want - but it took me a lot of work and sacrificing some things in order to get to my healthy weight. Eating sweets leaves me wanting more and then I end up way over my calorie goal.

The reality is I cannot eat everything I want and maintain this weight. (22 BMI)

Until and unless you accept that one simple truth you won't do the work to figure this out.

busyPK

Maybe pre-logging your food and snacks in the morning or night before may help. It lets you see what you can eat throughout the day and still be in a deficit. You can also share it with your husband and let him know that is your goal for the day. Or if you'd rather you can share it on MFP for more accountability.

erinelizabeth882

I have a very strong sweet tooth! If I could eat sweets everyday all day, I would! I just finished two weeks of no added sugar and I do really feel like it’s helped me to not crave sweets as much. I am trying to go longer with no sweets (but adding back in like the salad dressing that has sugar in it) to keep it up.

kathheen

[quote="What would you say are the obstacles besides the days your husband is home and the secret pocket munching? [/quote]
Its most definitely wanting to join him while he eats a whole tub of ben and jerrys or cheese and crackers - this is after dinner. I dont eat till around 7pm sometimes later so im not hungry in anyway its pure greed!! I infuriate myself with it

vollkornbloedchen

I suppose it is time for two basic rules:

1. Rome wasn't built in 1 day:
Accept that it takes time to reach your goal. This is usually achieved by one small step after the other.
Learn that the occasional fail-day isn't a personal defeat, but the chance to learn something about yourself.

2. Excuses come cheaper by the dozen, reasons for success there is usually only one:
I WANTED it! ...

kathheen

Thanks folks my husband just can eat when he wants - thing is he rarely buys it, its me that buys it when hes home so i need to stop that i only have myself to blame I run most mornings at 5.30am then do a class in the evening - as they say you can never out run a bad diet. I have found it much more difficult to get this 11lbs off its like a yo yo for me but its down to bad choices i know that.
We are active snowboard in the winter and cycling in the summer, but also very partial to a few ciders in the sun and cheese, wine and movies when its a rainy day.....life just gets in the way of my goal sometimes

neugebauer52

Happened to me a few years ago - lost about 45 kg (100 pounds) but didn't think of adjusting my daily calories. Continued to eat as usual and did my usual exercise. After 6 months on a "plateau" I finally gave up and all the weight came back again. I have joined MFP a year ago and have learned so much from them and all the supportive members. So far I have lost just over 30 kg and my daily TDEE has dropped some 400 calories. I need to adjust my daily meal plan and calories to accommodate those changes. It will take longer to get to my goal weight but I continue to lose weight - all that new knowledge really helps, thank you!

cmriverside

kathheen wrote: »

Thanks folks my husband just can eat when he wants - thing is he rarely buys it, its me that buys it when hes home so i need to stop that i only have myself to blame I run most mornings at 5.30am then do a class in the evening - as they say you can never out run a bad diet. I have found it much more difficult to get this 11lbs off its like a yo yo for me but its down to bad choices i know that.
We are active snowboard in the winter and cycling in the summer, but also very partial to a few ciders in the sun and cheese, wine and movies when its a rainy day.....life just gets in the way of my goal sometimes

I had to quit drinking to keep that last 10 pounds off. Drinking continued to sabotage my weight. Could you make alcohol only a "special occasion" thing? Like one day per week? I did that for a while and in so doing decided I found no benefit in drinking so I just quit.

kbmnurse1

vollkornbloedchen wrote: »

I suppose it is time for two basic rules:

1. Rome wasn't built in 1 day:
Accept that it takes time to reach your goal. This is usually achieved by one small step after the other.
Learn that the occasional fail-day isn't a personal defeat, but the chance to learn something about yourself.

2. Excuses come cheaper by the dozen, reasons for success there is usually only one:
I WANTED it! ...

Love this, so true. Excuses, excuses.

kathheen

Thanks everyone...im on a learning curve with my calories and eating habits that will come in time and hopefully allow me to make the right choices. Oh i dont drink loads but i could help myself by not having that glass of wine with my dinner at the weekend and saving drinks for when im actually going out or have something on.
Looking forward to adding new friends and learning about my body and what it needs and doesnt need

kathheen

vollkornbloedchen wrote: »

I suppose it is time for two basic rules:

1. Rome wasn't built in 1 day:
Accept that it takes time to reach your goal. This is usually achieved by one small step after the other.
Learn that the occasional fail-day isn't a personal defeat, but the chance to learn something about yourself.

2. Excuses come cheaper by the dozen, reasons for success there is usually only one:
I WANTED it! ...

TOTALLY TRUE.....everyone loves an excuse! Im ruining my exercise by my eating habits....stupid but its life for me for now....not forever

kathheen

on the plus side because of this chat i managed to get through the whole morning without a snack ...thanks guys!

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girlwithcurls2

OP, we should be best friends
I too, am very active, but I am the one always telling myself that "you can't outrun your fork." Snacking is my downfall. I know when I first dropped a significant amount of weight, I realized that I had to lower my portion sizes (as in: to normal, not what looked delicious), and basically give up snacking. After a few months, I began allowing snacks that I had weighed. It's SO EASY to slip a few more chips in there, or grab a handful out of the bag after weighing what's in the bowl. I know all of the tricks. And I'm doing it to myself. I've recommitted. I'm choosing different snacks. I'm logging all of them.

We'll get there. It might be slower than others, but we'll get there. Also, as I have about 10-12 pounds to lose, I need a smaller deficit. The weight will come off slower, but I have read good advice here that it will better prepare me for maintenance.

JustinAnimal

Agree with Amanda. Set yourself up for success. For me, that means just not having beer / wine / liquor, chocolate, or candy generally in the house. I also have to set that damn alarm for plenty early, so there are no excuses not to work out (I understand you work out already; just intended as an example).

DancingMoosie

Cutting out the wine and snacks and replacing them with protein shake/fluff helps me with my night time munchies. I use a scoop of protein, 7 ice cubes, a 1/2-1cup water and some xanthan gum to make a thick creamy treat. You can make it extra creamy with 1/4 cup milk or yogurt added or some frozen banana.

kathheen

DancingMoosie wrote: »

Cutting out the wine and snacks and replacing them with protein shake/fluff helps me with my night time munchies. I use a scoop of protein, 7 ice cubes, a 1/2-1cup water and some xanthan gum to make a thick creamy treat. You can make it extra creamy with 1/4 cup milk or yogurt added or some frozen banana.

Ive never heard of xanthan gum? This sounds good though i will google see if its available in the UK. Thanks

DancingMoosie

Xanthan gum is a thickener that helps the smoothie or shake stay blended and thick instead of separating quickly. I think I ordered mine from vitacost or Amazon, "Now" brand I think.

SeattleBebop1

What if you got something fun and sweet, like cherry tomatoes or strawberries for the munchie moods? 7 tomatoes is only like 15 calories, and they are sweet and easy to eat. Most berries are also low calorie.

CherylMarieJenkinson

I feel your pain, my partner does 4 on 4 off alternating days to nights so when we have time together it’s filled with binge eating or go out which triggers all other cravings.

I’m like you, relatively fit but can’t get a hold on food intake and the right nutrition, I’ve tried everything from dieting to cutting out foods and has ended up with me eating less than required, then leading to binge eating again. This is 2nd attempt on here.

One this that helps me cut out eating lots of sweets, cakes, takeaways etc... is to ban them until special occasions birthdays, Xmas, valentines and so on.. sure it’s not stuck too but the ban in place has helped me cut a lot of this stuff out. Hope it helps you too. 🙂

Claire5520

Please can I join in on this conversation. This is totally me. It is a constant anguish and I am starting to seriously question whether I am on my way to an eating disorder. It is such a relief to see it's not just me! I just can't get a grip on it at all.

MostlyWater

It's pretty hard and as we age, it doesn't get easier. You know what gets me - everywhere I go, people are eating and drinking! Fancy lattes, snacks - even on TV and movies, people are constantly eating !!!

kathheen

Aww im so glad there are others the same as me! Its such a struggle and i could easily binge eat on those days i track to a certain point then dont - more through embarrassment of what i have eaten, dont get me wrong its not thousands of calories but it can go around 500-800 over what i should be eating. Pure greed and no need but its been a cycle ive got into. I sometimes feel im wasting my time running, crossfitting and cycling because im eating crap. If i eat too many snacks my exercise suffers, i really struggle and i know its because of what im eating!
Thankfully im not a big takeaway fan but im a snacker which can pile on the calories i sicken myself sometimes.

bross57

Who does the grocery shopping? If it’s you, then stop buying any and all empty-calorie sweets. If your husband puts them on the grocery list, he can buy his own. Just get into the mental habit of taking control of what you bring into the house and put into your body.

kathheen

I normally do it as he works away, if he comes with me when hes home we get to the checkout and all these treats appear temptation is sometimes hard to resist. I am going to make a much better effort to avoid this and to make better choices, thankyou

rosiorama

I am a sugar monster. I eat gummy bears and chocolate every day... but I only eat 2-4 gummy bears a day, and/or one square (Lindt, 50 cal/square) a day. I eat them really slowly. I usually have a small piece of cake with my lunch.

If I can eat a little of the things I love on a daily or almost daily basis, I don’t feel like I need to eat a lot. I go through weeks where I don’t eat either the chocolate or the bears, but I make them fit when I want them.

Knowing that I can have a little every day makes me okay with always having them in the house. From what I’ve read here, this doesn’t work for a lot of people... but having a little every day has changed me from being the person who could eat a whole family pack of smarties and a bag of chips in one sitting.

Don’t know if this helps you; it’s what works for me.