Can't stop eating

Captain_Ali
Captain_Ali Posts: 6 Member
in Health and Weight Loss
Does anyone else have days where they just can't stop eating? Like, it doesn't even matter what it is, but every time you turn around you want to put something else in your mouth?
How do you deal with days like that? Go with it and make up for it on another day when you're not as hungry, or fight yourself and restrict intake?
Ack!

Replies

  • robosurgmd
    robosurgmd Posts: 2 Member
    If you go with it, make healthy choices. When I get that feeling I eat fruits. If you want to fight it, chew gum and hit the gym.
  • tayloryay
    tayloryay Posts: 378 Member
    It's called reactive eating, it's your body's way of trying to get the nutrients it wants/needs. Make sure you aren't being too restrictive or aggressive with your calorie goal. Other than that, it's just one day, just move on and go back to your regular diet/eating the next day. Don't compensate by eating even less or you may just end up trapped in an endless cycle of overeating and compensating.
  • jkal1979
    jkal1979 Posts: 1,896 Member
    When I have days like that it's usually because I'm bored. On those days I will find something to do that will occupy my mind. I'll read a book, go for a walk, find something to work on that will keep me from the mindless eating.
  • Sharon_C
    Sharon_C Posts: 2,132 Member
    Listen to your body. I had a day like that the other day. I really thought about what it was my body was telling me. Do I want to eat because I'm bored? Because I'm emotional about something? Or am I truly hungry? Turns out I was truly hungry and so I ate what I wanted (choosing healthy foods). My body simply needed those calories that day. But some days I want to eat for all the other reasons and on those days I distract myself with other things (usually the gym or a walk with my dogs in the park).
  • Apocalypz
    Apocalypz Posts: 155 Member
    But you CAN eat all day as long as you either exercise it away or make choices of food which come within your calorie intake. For example, I've tucked into 8 "meals" today, most of which were small and nutritious. Because I'm eating all day, then I never feel hungry. Have you given this a go?
  • DivineChoices
    DivineChoices Posts: 193 Member
    I have days like that. My diet isn't restrictive AT ALL, and I'm pretty sure it's because I'm bored. I keep a huge glass of water and try to drink anytime I feel hungry. I also get low-cal, high volume foods to occupy me when the feeling strikes. Grapes are a godsend for myself.
  • DucklingtoSwan
    DucklingtoSwan Posts: 169 Member
    I do have those days but thankfully not as often lately, and when I do I still attempt to log everything, even if the final numbers make me cringe. I had a day where MFP predicted I would be 4 pounds heavier in the next five weeks if every day were like that... thankfully it of course won't be, but boy did I shudder at the thought. Logging it and owning up to it helps me get right back on track the next day, whereas in the past I would have just pretended it didn't happen, that denial is what helped me to eat my way to 275 pounds. The awareness is what is helping me to lose the weight.
  • mblair1968
    mblair1968 Posts: 323 Member
    When I have days like that it's usually because I'm bored. On those days I will find something to do that will occupy my mind. I'll read a book, go for a walk, find something to work on that will keep me from the mindless eating.

    This. Or I go to bed. I usually find it is boredom as well.
  • AllOutof_Bubblegum
    AllOutof_Bubblegum Posts: 3,646 Member
    You CAN stop eating. Just because you WANT to eat something, doesn't mean you lack the discipline to not do it. So sorry, no sympathy here. We all have those days, and we all have to deal with it. Go for a walk, make something to keep your hands busy.

    Find a favorite low-calorie snack, I like sugar free Popsicles or jello cups, or sometimes I'll make a frozen strawberry slushie made with diet ginger ale. All well under 100 calories. It all just boils down to whether you want to reach your goals bad enough or not.
  • Captain_Ali
    Captain_Ali Posts: 6 Member
    Thanks everyone! I will definitely try to figure out the source of my snacking. Hopefully it's just because my body is reacting to exercising more and needs a little extra fuel today, if it happens again I'll make sure I'm not just bored. Really appreciate the feedback.
  • gertudejekyl
    gertudejekyl Posts: 386 Member
    many ....many.....:indifferent:
  • MismatchedAlmonds
    MismatchedAlmonds Posts: 90 Member
    You CAN stop eating. Just because you WANT to eat something, doesn't mean you lack the discipline to not do it. So sorry, no sympathy here.

    How charming of you. When you lost your weight did part of it come from your soul?
  • Flutterloo
    Flutterloo Posts: 122 Member
    I drink a lot of water and I am very mindful of WHY I am wanting to eat. I have actually said out loud to myself "No stop, why are you doing that" when reaching into the fridge. I got a very odd look from my husband, Lmao.
  • gotolam
    gotolam Posts: 262 Member
    You CAN stop eating. Just because you WANT to eat something, doesn't mean you lack the discipline to not do it. So sorry, no sympathy here.

    How charming of you. When you lost your weight did part of it come from your soul?

    WTF?

    She's absolutely right. What are we supposed to say to OP? There, there...go ahead and eat whatever you want when you're hungry...."listen to your body"?

    Following that mentality is what got you here in the first place. Eat the calories you're supposed to eat. Stop eating when you reach that limit. Hunger is not an emergency. Get disciplined or get (stay) fat. It's as simple as that.
  • TheIrish1981
    TheIrish1981 Posts: 35 Member
    Special K has been a life saver to me. They have so many filling products that are low cal. I would suggest getting their egg and cheese flat breads. They are very filling and at 150 calories you could eat 1, 2, or hell....even 3 and then you can show your body who is boss =)

    I am fairly new to all this but i've dropped 9 pounds in 10 days and it has all come from making healthier choices when I feel super hungry.
  • SLLRunner
    SLLRunner Posts: 12,942 Member
    You CAN stop eating. Just because you WANT to eat something, doesn't mean you lack the discipline to not do it. So sorry, no sympathy here.

    How charming of you. When you lost your weight did part of it come from your soul?
    Hey, you're missing the point.

    We have control over food, if does not control us.

    Telling a truth means one DOES have plenty of soul.
  • RHachicho
    RHachicho Posts: 1,115 Member
    You CAN stop eating. Just because you WANT to eat something, doesn't mean you lack the discipline to not do it. So sorry, no sympathy here.

    How charming of you. When you lost your weight did part of it come from your soul?

    Yeah I don't really see a problem with what she said. But I can understand your point that if your body is screaming for food you probably aught to give it some. The trick is not over compensating and stuffing your face.
  • Branstin
    Branstin Posts: 2,320 Member
    I drink 64oz. of water a day to offset those type of days.
  • yopeeps025
    yopeeps025 Posts: 8,680 Member
    You got to fight those urges to eat. Drink water when you are hungry and wait around 15 minutes to see if you are still hungry.
  • yopeeps025
    yopeeps025 Posts: 8,680 Member
    I drink 64oz. of water a day to offset those type of days.

    I drink around 12-16 cups of water a day.
  • mncdk
    mncdk Posts: 30 Member
    If you have near-uncontrollable snacking issues, you should make sure you are getting sufficient dietary fats.
  • SkimFlatWhite68
    SkimFlatWhite68 Posts: 1,254 Member
    I think we all have days like that but prevention is always better than cure.

    Make sure you are having enough protein and fat at every meal and bulk up with non starchy vegetables. It's hard to keep eating when you have had 200g chicken and 300g green veggies!

    If I do overeat, I normally cut back a bit the next day to balance it out over the week. It's the average that counts.
  • mncdk
    mncdk Posts: 30 Member
    If I do overeat, I normally cut back a bit the next day to balance it out.
    Just be careful, as this sort of behavior can lead to an ED.
  • Sharon_C
    Sharon_C Posts: 2,132 Member
    If I do overeat, I normally cut back a bit the next day to balance it out.
    Just be careful, as this sort of behavior can lead to an ED.

    I disagree. Maybe for a very select few people it can lead to an ED. I log my calories daily but its my weekly caloric intake that I concentrate the most on. If I overeat one day, I balance it out by watching what I eat the next few days. That's not an ED. That's watching what I eat and not beating myself up over indulging.
  • SLLRunner
    SLLRunner Posts: 12,942 Member
    If I do overeat, I normally cut back a bit the next day to balance it out.
    Just be careful, as this sort of behavior can lead to an ED.
    Oh brother, this is silly. That's now how eating disorders are born, They start with the psyche, and then the restriction is a symptom that follows. I know, i had an eating disorder when I was younger.
  • Jclifford253
    Jclifford253 Posts: 18
    I LOVE to snack. Thats why I started getting things like broccoli, carrots, greek yogurt, green beans, pineapple, apples. My fridge and lunchbox are filled with these that way I can eat all day long and not worry about it.
  • rrlwelter
    rrlwelter Posts: 40 Member
    Listen to your body. I had a day like that the other day. I really thought about what it was my body was telling me. Do I want to eat because I'm bored? Because I'm emotional about something? Or am I truly hungry? Turns out I was truly hungry and so I ate what I wanted (choosing healthy foods). My body simply needed those calories that day. But some days I want to eat for all the other reasons and on those days I distract myself with other things (usually the gym or a walk with my dogs in the park).

    This.

    I've found that, for me at this point, it's more useful to consider my weekly calorie goal/deficit. Some days I wind up 100 -150 below my goal (got more exercise than I planned, stomach was NOT interested or accepting of food I cooked), and it seems that on weekends, after sleeping in a bit, my body simply says "whew!" and wants a bit more in the way of food than I typically get on week days. So I make sure I eat healthy foods, and don't sweat if I go 100-150 over the daily goal as long as my weekly consumption is still at or just under my goal. So far so good. (and yes, for those who will track, I only wanted to lose about 15 pounds when I came here, have lost most of them, but have lost 134 in the past and then stupidly put 20 back on by being careless. So I know what to do, and am working at NOT putting it all back this time)

    Now, I do find that at work when I'm frustrated with people who are being passive aggressive to get me to do their job on top of my own, I have LOTS of cravings for inappropriate carbs (Reeses PB cups are top of the craving list for me!), but that I do say "no" to. Instead, I'll go walk the halls for 5-10 minutes, refill my water bottle, or call my partner for a rant-fest. And when those things are done, the RPBC craving usually is as well.

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