Took a break, gained some weight, and now I'm back.

walktalkdog

Hello all:
This scenario is nothing new and has been discussed on here many times and many ways. I'm just using this tool to put on paper (as it were) as self therapy to get me back on track. I've been logging on here for years, and it really does help keep one accountable, and I've been able to maintain my weight fairly well, but my experience over the past two weeks reinforces to me that I must hold myself accountable all of the time.

Starting July 26 I had family visiting for my daughter's wedding, and I took time away from checking in to MFP just to enjoy the visit, etc. while being somewhat mindful of what I was eating but not stressing over. My exercise took a hit, though, which again I didn't stress over.

Then my mother passed away, which was not unexpected, but again, I didn't want to stress over food and weight.

Today I'm ready to move forward. I have not weighed myself; I don't need to! I know by my belly that I've gained; that's where it shows first.

My biggest challenges are:
1) Overcoming the feeling of hunger and making good choices to tide me over
2) The afternoon cravings for anything sweet and filling - like cake! or candy!

Any tips that have worked for others for these particular challenges?

MsCzar

I'm very sorry for your loss. You have a lot to deal with, so please be very kind to yourself just now. A few weeks, especially when you are very aware of your situation, is likely a momentary blip on a lifelong journey to healthy eating.

I struggle with special (or not so special) events, house guests, and other disruptions to my diet and exercise regimen. During those times, I continue to faithfully - if sometimes a little fancifully- log at MFP. I am curious as to why you are hungry? I don't know what your schedule is like, but when I am at home, I eat quite frequently. Away from home, I have a filling snack at hand - nuts, fruit or veg, etc. I avoid protein bars since sugar always makes me want more sugar.

When I feel like a sweet, I can usually manage a little bit of chocolate. Sometimes, a dessert-y thing replaces a meal. This morning for breakfast I made a delicious apple crisp topped with fresh homemade yogurt for under 400 calories. Other sweet treats I turn to are watermelon and the 'ice cream' I make with my Yonanas machine. Using berries and substituting frozen summer squash for some of the banana yields a yummy frozen dessert the satisfies my ice cream cravings for fewer than 200 calories a bowl.

With my garden in full swing, I find that eating a tomato or chewing a few fresh picked basil leaves quells my desire for sugar. This time of year, I also stay full by eating huge mixing bowls of fresh garden goodies or making a mug of hot or cold spicy tomato basil broth.

walktalkdog

MsCzar wrote: »

I'm very sorry for your loss. You have a lot to deal with, so please be very kind to yourself just now. A few weeks, especially when you are very aware of your situation, is likely a momentary blip on a lifelong journey to healthy eating.

I struggle with special (or not so special) events, house guests, and other disruptions to my diet and exercise regimen. During those times, I continue to faithfully - if sometimes a little fancifully- log at MFP. I am curious as to why you are hungry? I don't know what your schedule is like, but when I am at home, I eat quite frequently. Away from home, I have a filling snack at hand - nuts, fruit or veg, etc. I avoid protein bars since sugar always makes me want more sugar.

When I feel like a sweet, I can usually manage a little bit of chocolate. Sometimes, a dessert-y thing replaces a meal. This morning for breakfast I made a delicious apple crisp topped with fresh homemade yogurt for under 400 calories. Other sweet treats I turn to are watermelon and the 'ice cream' I make with my Yonanas machine. Using berries and substituting frozen summer squash for some of the banana yields a yummy frozen dessert the satisfies my ice cream cravings for fewer than 200 calories a bowl.

With my garden in full swing, I find that eating a tomato or chewing a few fresh picked basil leaves quells my desire for sugar. This time of year, I also stay full by eating huge mixing bowls of fresh garden goodies or making a mug of hot or cold spicy tomato basil broth.

Thank you for your reply and your kind words. I like your suggestions for sweet replacements.

I'm not sure why I'm so hungry. It seems that at my age - 63 - even if I exercise, the number of calories I can eat to sustain my weight are lower than my body (or mind) wants! Another problem I have is that if I eat, say, one square of chocolate, if I know there are more I have a very hard time not eating all of them! I have to hide things from myself at times. This sounds like more of a mindset issue.

I find I eat better when I'm at work, since I bring only the food I'm going to eat in controlled portions and don't have access to the kitchen. There are vending machines right outside my door that I manage to avoid, so I'll give myself a little credit for that.

Again, thank you.