Feel like giving up :(

ponycyndi

Thanks for all your help guys. I limit myself basically because I don't know what else to eat. I also hate preparing food so it makes me more inclined to just give up. I am going to give it another go. I appreciate everyone's kind words and support, you all are so great!

I am going to look on pinterest for different recipes. I just have a portion control problem. I feel like I am always hungry no matter what. Any advice for that?

Open diary friends would be helpful too

Thanks again guys!

1. Get your portions under control. Its hard at first but I promise it will get easier once you get control of your appetite.
2. WEIGH and/or MESURE everything (you would be amazed at how easy it is to overestimate things like butter, oil, steak, etc). If you eat 4 potato chips then weigh them first. Eventually you will get better at judging too.
3. Log everything, no mater what. Log through out the day....don't try to remember it all to log later as you will forget stuff. Cheating and eating a couple of chocolates or just a few chips and not logging them is only going to hurt you. You can eat some chocolate or chips, but keep it in your daily calorie limits.
4. Being hungry is okay, it is not the end or your world...............if you keep going down the path we were all headed that will end your world.
5. This is open to debate: But I say don't worry about how often you eat as long as you are eating enough (but not too much). Im not hungry in the morning so I dont' eat until I am hungry around noon. This helps me control my appetite.
6. Preparing your own food is very important. Eating out is not good at all. Decide whats more important, preparing your own food or being fat your entire life.

I know I may sound harsh but this is what works for me. I let myself go, then just accepted that i would not be an attractive guy ever again, let myself go some more before I finally woke up and realized that being Fat sucks and that I had been lazy for too long. I care about myself, I deserve to live life to the fullest, I deserve to be attractive, I deserve to live a long healthy life, I deserve to be happy and have fun every day. How do you feel about yourself? Do you feel that you are worth the hard work?

This X 1,000,000,000. You sir, are awesome.

oregonzoo

Embrace the hunger. I have to convince myself that I'm not really starving and that hunger is not an emergency.

For the portion control, use a smaller plate. It tricks your mind into feeling more satisfied with the meal.

Make "rituals" about eating. Eat without distractions. Enjoy every bite and eat slowly.

Plan ahead so that you can enjoy your favorite foods on occasion, unless they are "trigger" foods. Identify those and stay away when possible.

These are my strategies.

"embrace the hunger" has to be one of the most irresponsible things I've read on here.
If you are hungry you need to eat.

DerekVTX

Embrace the hunger. I have to convince myself that I'm not really starving and that hunger is not an emergency.

For the portion control, use a smaller plate. It tricks your mind into feeling more satisfied with the meal.

Make "rituals" about eating. Eat without distractions. Enjoy every bite and eat slowly.

Plan ahead so that you can enjoy your favorite foods on occasion, unless they are "trigger" foods. Identify those and stay away when possible.

These are my strategies.

"embrace the hunger" has to be one of the most irresponsible things I've read on here.
If you are hungry you need to eat.

This may be irrelivant but I have an old kids book from when I was a kid called "But No Elephants". Well they let that elephant in the house where he was nice and comfortable. Well that elephant....he ate, and he ate, and he ate until all the food was gone. And later that night that fat elephant crashed through the floor and got stuck. If he didn't keep feeding that hunger he wouldn't be in the predicament that he is in, same as in the real world. You need to control that hunger and fight it, you can't just keep giving in to the hunger and just becaue you are hungry doesn't mean thta you need to eat.

maillemaker

If you were/are obese, and you lose body fat, you will be hungry. It is a natural consequence of losing body fat mass. Losing body fat causes a decline in leptin levels, which in turn causes a cascade of other hormonal changes that are designed to protect your fat stores. This includes reduced metabolism and increased hunger. And these effects may be permanent.

Eating more protein can help reduce hunger.

But the reality is, you may be hungry for the rest of your life.

Iwishyouwell

Embrace the hunger. I have to convince myself that I'm not really starving and that hunger is not an emergency.

One of the best bits of advice you can ever give on weight loss/management...

And one of the best bits of advice most people will never be open to hearing.

Embrace the hunger. I have to convince myself that I'm not really starving and that hunger is not an emergency.

For the portion control, use a smaller plate. It tricks your mind into feeling more satisfied with the meal.

Make "rituals" about eating. Eat without distractions. Enjoy every bite and eat slowly.

Plan ahead so that you can enjoy your favorite foods on occasion, unless they are "trigger" foods. Identify those and stay away when possible.

These are my strategies.

"embrace the hunger" has to be one of the most irresponsible things I've read on here.
If you are hungry you need to eat.

If you are really hungry, you need to eat. Eventually.

However many, many people, especially the fat/obese, can't tell the difference between true hunger and cravings.

Becoming comfortable with the idea that hunger happens, is normal, and is almost never dire, is so very important. Human beings are suppose to experience hunger. We're not suppose to walk around in a constant state of perpetual fullness or even satiation. Hunger is normal, natural, and most overeaters need to experience it enough to lose the fear and anxiety. And to differentiate between hunger and cravings.

albayin

Embrace the hunger. I have to convince myself that I'm not really starving and that hunger is not an emergency.

One of the best bits of advice you can ever give on weight loss/management...

And one of the best bits of advice most people will never be open to hearing.

Embrace the hunger. I have to convince myself that I'm not really starving and that hunger is not an emergency.

For the portion control, use a smaller plate. It tricks your mind into feeling more satisfied with the meal.

Make "rituals" about eating. Eat without distractions. Enjoy every bite and eat slowly.

Plan ahead so that you can enjoy your favorite foods on occasion, unless they are "trigger" foods. Identify those and stay away when possible.

These are my strategies.

"embrace the hunger" has to be one of the most irresponsible things I've read on here.
If you are hungry you need to eat.

If you are really hungry, you need to eat. Eventually.

However many, many people, especially the fat/obese, can't tell the difference between true hunger and cravings.

Becoming comfortable with the idea that hunger happens, is normal, and is almost never dire, is so very important. Human beings are suppose to experience hunger. We're not suppose to walk around in a constant state of perpetual fullness or even satiation. Hunger is normal, natural, and most overeaters need to experience it enough to lose the fear and anxiety. And to differentiate between hunger and cravings.

this^^ a lot of us end up needing to control eating habit because "we just eat when we feel hungry".

tmj4477

Cooking can be overwhelming, if you don't like to do it. How about on Sunday you prep everything for the week and then it won't be as daunting for you.

ElliTree

Don't give up. Starting is the hardest part. You've already started, now, it's about putting one foot in front of the other. I am a firm believer that going hungry is the number one way to derail a diet/healthy way of eating. If you're hungry, you can hold out only for so long until the resolve will crumble. The key is finding filling, low cal alternatives and figuring out what foods will keep you full. I know, easier said than done.

Personaly, I know I have an unhealthy relationship with food. I use to eat when I was bored, I use to eat when I was upset. I use to eat because I thought I "deserved it." I also hate boiled chicken with the passion of a thousand burning suns.

I found that drinking a glass of water before a meal helps me curb a lot of the hunger. I try to stick to as much fiber/protein filled foods as I can because nothing fills you up like fiber. And a happy coincidence, fiber filled foods happen to be pretty damn low cal. I am, of course, talking about veggies. Sounds boring, but I found I love roasted Brussels sprouts with garlic and hot pepper. No salt even needed. Find the food that works for you.

I also started substituting some of my bored/reward things. I have taken up a few hobbies and now I am being more productive and eating less.

I treat my calories like I treat my finance budget. Find a system that works for you.

As a side note, the stomach muscle is incredibly adaptable. If you overeat for a long time, it will stretch and expect more food. If you, however, eat smaller portions for a while, it will shrink, and you will feel full much sooner. Also, eat slower and really enjoy your food.

PS, I wanted to add that I also can't stand cooking. My philosophy is if I can't make it in 20 min, I won't do it until the weekend. But honestly, to roast some veg in a skilled takes five minutes and tastes so darn good. Especially if you use a ton of aromatics.

I wish you all the luck int he world. Add me as a friend and you'll see my diary. Hugs.

gaxarlis08

I just want to thank everyone for all the advice, kind words, and friend requests! I am overwhelmed by how much support you have all given me. I will NOT give up and I will keep trying. I wish I could reply to each of you but I got so many responses! I am taking all the advice I have received from you all and I am happy to have gathered so much information! Thanks again everyone and I am open to friend requests Thanks again!!