Cravings for loooots of "bad" food

dperret1975
dperret1975 Posts: 21 Member
in Health and Weight Loss
Hi guys,

I am currently trying to lose weight (fat). I have not much to lose, in fact most people would say I have nothing to lose. I am 5"6.5 and weigh 135 lbs with a FBI of 23%. My goal weight is 126 lbs or 18%. The "extra" weight is due to years of binging. I am the perfect example of a jojo dieter :-(.
Now I am trying it differently by eating a smaller deficit ( MFP is set on 1 lbs loss a week). I guess a lot people would say that even this deficit is too high with the little weight I am trying to lose but psychologically it is hard to suddenly eat "that much". (I used to eat an average of 1000-1200 cal net on "diet days").
What I am also trying to do is to incorporate some "forbidden foods". Food that I would normally never allow myself to eat on a diet. The thing is though that I don't like the small quantities of this. 1 or 2 candies/cookies doesn't do anything for me. I like the whole bags...... My guess is that this is due to almost 18 years of only eating these foods in big quantities. In all my adult life I have very very rarely eaten candies/cookies/chocolat in reasonable amounts. If I ate it I ate it all...... and more...... So now, my question is; will that need/want ever go away? Is it a matter of teaching my brain, trying to form new habits? Or could it just be that my deficit is too high and I am just really hungry?

Replies

  • SezxyStef
    SezxyStef Posts: 15,267 Member
    In all honesty it requires you to say no to yourself.

    and with 5kg to lose 1/2lb a week is a good rate.
  • psuLemon
    psuLemon Posts: 38,431 MFP Moderator
    Instead of restricting foods you love, which for me has always been a recipe for disaster, why not fit them into your calorie goal. Fitness isn't about eliminating or restricting foods, it's about finding a balance of diet and exercise to include foods you love.

    On a side note, if you star to increase your proteins and fats and replace your very carb heavy diet, then some cravings might go away.
  • TavistockToad
    TavistockToad Posts: 35,719 Member
    your deficit is too large, but you also can learn moderation and portion control, if you really want to.
  • Squamation
    Squamation Posts: 522 Member
    You have to figure out if your cravings are emotional or physical.

    Google craving list to find out what your body might actually be needing when you get your "bad" food cravings. Or just go here:

    http://media-cache-ec0.pinimg.com/originals/c9/ae/7f/c9ae7fcd74d70077b4a954bd697b7c2a.jpg

    Maybe have a serving of the craving food, and a serving of the healthy food will satisfy both your emotional and physical needs.

    Good luck!
  • healthygreek
    healthygreek Posts: 2,137 Member
    I believe it is possible to form new habits as I myself have done it as well as others here on MFP.
    You can do it!
    Just make sure you're eating enough of the other foods. That will go a long way to help you stop the bingeing.
  • dperret1975
    dperret1975 Posts: 21 Member
    Yes SezxyStef. You have got a real good point there. That is in general my problem, I have a hard time being tuff on myself. A good kick in the b.... is certainly something I could use:flowerforyou:

    I know I should include some goodies and be less restrictive, that's what I am trying but it's one of my weak points. First because I do not seems to get any satisfaction from limited/reasonable (less than a container of something good and sweet) quantities and second it seems that my brain, after so many years of binge episodes, is wired towards excess as soon as I put something "forbidden" in my mouth. I know it may seem weird but after reading a lot on binging it seems to be a common problem (the "I have eaten this now so since I screwed up I might as well.......). I am working on it.:smile:

    I think indeed the deficit is too large but as I just started (I am into my second week) I am still in the process of finding my TDEE so to eat on -/- 10% instead of -/- 20% seems so scary.... what if my TDEE is a lot lower. My plan is to go like this for about 6 weeks than recalculate my TDEE based on the stats and continue with -/-10%. What do you think, sounds reasonable right?

    Yeah, I think a part of it is emotional because its sometimes so good and relaxing to sit on the couch, watch tv and eat cookies and smarties :blushing: :blushing: . I need to find other things that can relax me but easily said than done:smile:

    Thanks Healthygreek, I believe a big part of it is reshaping my habits. It takes time though. After eating like I have for so long I realise its not a 1 week or even a 1 month process. But the proof that it can be done is out there :happy:

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