Moderation DOES NOT WORK for me
Replies
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You are 18. I am going to suggest to you what I wish someone had suggested to me when I was 18 (I bet I wouldn't have listened, but maybe you'll be smarter than I ever was!).
Forget ordering pizza or eating whatever they family brings home. Learn two things: Nutrition and cooking. Then combine them.
Along with learning about what foods provide the most nutrition for the least amount of calories, find all the foods that fill you up, give you energy, help you reach or maintain a healthy weight, and make you happy and mentally sharp. Eat those foods daily. Stop regularly eating any food that makes you hungry after you eat them, sluggish, fat, sad, and foggy-headed.
The only downside is it the cost. Healthy foods are more expensive. But you can still work with staples like dried beans. And if you can afford to order a pizza, you can afford to go to the grocery store and spend money in the produce section, then come home and make your own pizza.0 -
Two pieces of bread turn into one, a piece of cake is now a sliver, one piece of pizza (depending on how large) is just one piece not two or more.
A Big Mac is now just a Big Mac without the fries, Sodas are now diet soda, etc, etc. etc.
And that sounds abysmal to me. That kind of moderation holds no appeal.
I think it's important for people around here struggling with this kind of moderation to realize that there are indeed other ways to moderate.
Personally instead of looking at the "all or nothing" approach as a bad thing, I embrace it. I'm going to have as much cake or ice cream as I want. I'm just going to limit how often I have it. Not everyone is interested in a "sliver of a treat a day". I almost never eat pizza or fast food, because I just don't crave it, but if I do I'm going to eat as much (or as little) as I like. That's my moderation.
I've seen others who prefer to be very strict with their diet during the week, while having a lot more freedom during the weekend. Some have a free meal.
OP, find YOUR moderation.0 -
There was a week where I ordered pizza delivery every day that week.
I
Pizza. Dieting and the pursuit of weight loss was greatly hindered by my love for pizza and the thought of giving it up FOREVER seriously made me cringe and throw my hands up in disgust. No way can I give up pizza for forever. It wasn't pizza that made me fat. It was eating a whole pie daily for a week that made me fat.
Earlier this year, I gave up pizza for 90 days (and all fast food). It was an attempt to break a dependence. For the pizza, I promised myself I would get REALLY GOOD pizza (no pizza hut or dominos) for making it those 90 days. I made it through, got my pizza, and only ate (and thoroughly enjoyed) two pieces.
I ordered a dominos pizza last week and I still have 2 pieces sitting in my fridge that my daughter and I will split tomorrow (today, I need more fiber).
I struggle more with cravings than appetite. I frankly am not hungry very often... probably because of the pizza a day thing... but cravings get in my head and I feel like there's nothing I can do to get rid of them. With pizza, I started eating mozzarella cubes combined with cherry tomatoes - thoroughly healthy snack that satisfied my need for cheesy, saucy goodness. Also, I would slice fresh tomatoes, sprinkle with oregano & basil, sprinkle some shredded mozz on it and stick in the oven for a couple minutes (those were good, too).
It takes a lot of will power, but also learning what motivates you and working around the cravings. I thought it was impossible for me to find moderation, but I did.0 -
This sounds a bit like there's only ONE healthy relationship with food.Try changing your view of food. No food is bad or good for fat loss or weight maintenance.. you just eat less of it. Which is what moderation is all about - it requires a healthy attitude towards food.
Unless you plan on NEVER eating junk food once you are done losing weight, then you need to learn how to fit food you love into your macros/calories for the day. I eat junk daily usually. Still get all my protein in.0 -
So just because someone can't eliminate a whole bunch of foods it's an eating disorder. Lol. Yea, that makes sense.If you want to stop eating that stuff, just stop. Tell yourself, "No." Like some else said, self-control.
If you cannot stop, see if you can find a therapist who specializes in eating disorders. They can help you figure out if you have one or not. They can also help you and work through why you want that stuff so much.
Who says we can't eat something that tastes good and be healthy/fit? It's not one or the the other.Things don't work for you- you work for them. We all have to make sacrifices. The benefits of eating well and getting fit are much more abundant than something that tastes good for 5 minutes.
Of course......but her whole problem is that she can't do that. Some people need to go cold turkey. Most alcoholics never drink again. It's a real thing.0 -
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This sounds a bit like there's only ONE healthy relationship with food.Try changing your view of food. No food is bad or good for fat loss or weight maintenance.. you just eat less of it. Which is what moderation is all about - it requires a healthy attitude towards food.
Unless you plan on NEVER eating junk food once you are done losing weight, then you need to learn how to fit food you love into your macros/calories for the day. I eat junk daily usually. Still get all my protein in.
I guess there is, and that would be "don't demonize food or label things as 'good' or 'bad,' simply eat for enjoyment and eat to satisfy yourself mentally/emotionally/physically."
For some, that might mean that they wind up eating junk food daily or most days (like me), or it might mean that they eat junk food every now and then without assuming it will ruin their progress/results. In another thread about diet foods in the recipes section, most of us replied with a similar answer, that food is not to be judged and is simply to be enjoyed in portions that can be worked into our day's needs.
Someone can eat very "clean" most of the time, and that's fine, if they are eating that way because it provides them with joy and they are happy eating this way. But a lot of people who eat clean (myself once upon a time) can often become very... obsessed with it. Overthinking everything they eat, maybe resulting in binging because htey just could no longer handle not eating the "bad" food they've been craving... that's no way to live.0 -
Two pieces of bread turn into one, a piece of cake is now a sliver, one piece of pizza (depending on how large) is just one piece not two or more.
A Big Mac is now just a Big Mac without the fries, Sodas are now diet soda, etc, etc. etc.
And that sounds abysmal to me. That kind of moderation holds no appeal.
I think it's important for people around here struggling with this kind of moderation to realize that there are indeed other ways to moderate.
Personally instead of looking at the "all or nothing" approach as a bad thing, I embrace it. I'm going to have as much cake or ice cream as I want. I'm just going to limit how often I have it. Not everyone is interested in a "sliver of a treat a day". I almost never eat pizza or fast food, because I just don't crave it, but if I do I'm going to eat as much (or as little) as I like. That's my moderation.
I've seen others who prefer to be very strict with their diet during the week, while having a lot more freedom during the weekend. Some have a free meal.
OP, find YOUR moderation.
I too am not a "sliver" person. For higher calorie foods I do one of these, depending on situation:
1. If it's a leftover or I want it but not enough to allocate too many calories, I eat a slice or a sliver or whatever after a big low calorie meal.
2. If I want it and can allocate calories I eat a moderate amount (2 slices for example) within my calorie budget.
3. If I feel like gorging I eat a bit less of the other stuff and/or exercise more and have the amount I want.
4. If I have a night out or a party or simply don't feel like restricting my calories that day I eat at maintenance and exercise a bit more and have an "all you can eat" day (within my maintenance calories).0 -
I became a binge eater when I was living with my parents. I remained a binge eater when I moved tomy own place. It has nothing to do with temptation. It is about self-control. At the moment I am losing weight in a house full of my husband's crisps, and I bake almost every day for my children.
Could you try to go cold turkey on sugar for 3 days? It really helped me when I was stuck in binge eating. Sure, the three days were very hard, but I kept telling myself that it was only 3 days. After 3 days without sugar the physical cravings all but disappeared.0 -
Again, that sounds like there's just ONE way to be.
This sounds a bit like there's only ONE healthy relationship with food.Try changing your view of food. No food is bad or good for fat loss or weight maintenance.. you just eat less of it. Which is what moderation is all about - it requires a healthy attitude towards food.
Unless you plan on NEVER eating junk food once you are done losing weight, then you need to learn how to fit food you love into your macros/calories for the day. I eat junk daily usually. Still get all my protein in.
I guess there is, and that would be "don't demonize food or label things as 'good' or 'bad,' simply eat for enjoyment and eat to satisfy yourself mentally/emotionally/physically."
For some, that might mean that they wind up eating junk food daily or most days (like me), or it might mean that they eat junk food every now and then without assuming it will ruin their progress/results. In another thread about diet foods in the recipes section, most of us replied with a similar answer, that food is not to be judged and is simply to be enjoyed in portions that can be worked into our day's needs.
Someone can eat very "clean" most of the time, and that's fine, if they are eating that way because it provides them with joy and they are happy eating this way. But a lot of people who eat clean (myself once upon a time) can often become very... obsessed with it. Overthinking everything they eat, maybe resulting in binging because htey just could no longer handle not eating the "bad" food they've been craving... that's no way to live.0 -
You DO NOT WORK for Moderation!0
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Everyone is different...I cut out the sweets and fried food completely because I cant have just a tiny piece of cake or one scoop of icecream. Staying away altogether is much easier for me besides the very very occasional treat. Everyone is different though!0
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I don't mean this sarcastically.
Try hypnosis.0 -
Some people find that moderation is more trouble than it's worth. When it comes to sugar… my sister falls into that camp. She would rather NOT eat sugar at all than try to eat it moderately… like trying to stop at just one serving. I'm the opposite. If someone tries to tell me I can never have something again… my likely response is going to be somewhere along the lines of "Bite me!" I personally think a person can find a way to enjoy all those foods they like while still losing weight.
But, from what you've described, you sound like you fit into my the same category as my sister. Moderation is not something you are interested in. Fine. Then you've got two choices… eat it anyway and accept the consequences. Or don't eat it at all. It's your choice. Either choice is fine. But if you choose to eat it anyway… make sure you know the consequences and be ready to accept your responsibility for them. It's not your parents fault or society's fault or the fast food joint's fault. It's yours and yours alone.
If you choose to cut them out entirely… that's also your choice and you will have to accept the consequences of that choice as well.
Which consequences are you going to choose?
If you choose to cut them out entirely… you are going to have to face the fact that those foods will always be around. Even if you could remove them from your environment… they will still show up at grocery stores, in your friends houses, they will still be offered at parties. The fast food businesses are still going to be remain in business. But you CAN say no. And you can consistently say no. But you have to make the choice. You can choose "I will never eat XXX again." It is not easy. It will require self-control. But it is possible if you make the choice and DON'T CHANGE YOUR MIND! Remind yourself of why you made the choice. What are the consequences you are trying to avoid by not eating those things?
If moderation does not work for you… then don't moderate… just go cold turkey. Or continue to eat that stuff that you cannot moderate and accept the consequences. You're an adult. It's your life.0 -
Hi, Im new to this website. As you can tell from the title I don't think moderation works for me. I tried to keep moderation with unhealthy foods but I just dont like eating only 1. I have 2 problems. First I am a college student so I am still living with my parents, I would throw the food out but sadly im not the only one living here. Also I have to admit even if I did throw out the food I would order pizza hut then. I love food too much. How can I quit the junk food once and for all?
Moderation doesn't work for you because you haven't tried it.
Also, you aren't the only one with life situations that could get in the way of progress. You just don't want it bad enough yet.0 -
Moderation can be tricky at times. When I'm having a bit of a struggle, I just remind myself that I don't have to cram all my favorite foods into one day. I get to wake up tomorrow (hopefully) and eat again.0
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Hi, Im new to this website. As you can tell from the title I don't think moderation works for me. I tried to keep moderation with unhealthy foods but I just dont like eating only 1. I have 2 problems. First I am a college student so I am still living with my parents, I would throw the food out but sadly im not the only one living here. Also I have to admit even if I did throw out the food I would order pizza hut then. I love food too much. How can I quit the junk food once and for all?
Moderation doesn't work for you because you haven't tried it.
Also, you aren't the only one with life situations that could get in the way of progress. You just don't want it bad enough yet.
QFT0 -
Moderation is a skill. You've learned to do many things in your life. Probably did not master them the first time you tried. Moderation is the only way to be successful long term.
Start practicing. Keep practicing. Pretty soon you will learn to do it.
Sincerely,
A person who was convinced that she could never learn moderation either but did and lost around 100 pounds.0 -
I am the same If I could only sit down and eat one or even two servings of icecream I would keep it in the freezer. But I have proven to myself I cannot I will eat a whole container in 2 days. Some things are just better left out of my kitchen.0
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The world is full of temptations, the only thing that stands between them and you is self control.
This. The only thing in life that you really can control is yourself.0 -
JSF. You either want to lose weight or you don't. Good luck.0
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It's been well said: nutrition and cooking. Learn it, enjoy it.0
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Stop making excuses and start exercising self-control. Otherwise, you'll never stop being a slave to your impulses.0
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I am a volume eater. I can't switch from 5 slices of pizza to 2 and be satisfied with that. But if I have a big bowl of soup or salad with the pizza it feels like enough. I have been making a big pot of low calorie soup each week and having a cup before lunch and dinner. I have my regular meal with a smaller portion and try and make 1/2 the plate veggies. Focus on what you can eat a lot of (veggies) and preparing those in a delicious way. You can binge eat on well prepared veggies and have a moderate portion of the more high calorie foods.
You also have to work on your willpower. Think of it like a muscle you are training that can progressively lift more and more weight as you train it. At first make a small promise to yourself that you will be able to keep. Keep that promise for a week. Then the next week make a promise that is a little harder. The more promises you keep to yourself, the easier it will get.0 -
Just learn to control yourself. As a college student, you have a long, hard road ahead of you if you cannot control yourself around food.
Eat less, move more, adjust as necessary.0 -
Is saying: "I don't eat candy" self control?Stop making excuses and start exercising self-control. Otherwise, you'll never stop being a slave to your impulses.0 -
Stop making excuses and start exercising self-control. Otherwise, you'll never stop being a slave to your impulses.
This. Guess what mos of us who have lost weight well we ALL want to eat ALL the junk food. That's right we want pizza we want burgers. We want big greasy chips and bbq saws and currys and chinese! mm MMMM!
But we don't give in, You do.
And in the immortal words of master yoda.
That is why you fail ...0 -
Is saying: "I don't eat candy" self control?Stop making excuses and start exercising self-control. Otherwise, you'll never stop being a slave to your impulses.
It's obviously much more difficult to eat less of <insert "forbidden" food here>, than it is to avoid said food completely.
The only way we can prove to ourselves (and MFP, and the world at large) that we have achieved the highest enlightened state of self-control is to keep eating those foods.
Hope this helps.0 -
What I've found works for me is avoiding those "trigger" foods for a while as I'm getting into a pattern of focusing on healthy eating. Finding substitutes to help curb cravings when I get them. Once I feel confident in my new eating patterns, on occasion I will try the moderation thing, and I find it's much easier. One thing that can help is pre-portioning things or purchasing them already pre-portioned. For example, when I crave chocolate, I allow myself 1 dark chocolate Ghiradelli square. It's 50-70 calories (depending on what specific type I have) but it's enough to curb the craving. Or I will have 1 mini york peppermint patty. 60 calories of pure bliss, but I can stop at one.
As far as food others have in the house that aren't good for you- I think firstly explaining to your parents that you respect their rights to have whatever foods around they like but you are going to try your best to avoid eating them will help. And ask them to help you with this. Whether they keep these "trigger" foods in a place where they're not easily visible to you (out of sight out of mind) or make an effort not to indulge in front of you while you learn to build up your will power muscle. Ask them for help.
I do believe that will power is a muscle you have to exercise and build. It's not all or nothing- you have it or you don't. I don't believe that. For me, the more I exercise my will power the stronger it becomes and the easier it is to use. But at first it's really damn hard!0 -
Is saying: "I don't eat candy" self control?Stop making excuses and start exercising self-control. Otherwise, you'll never stop being a slave to your impulses.
IMO, yes, but the OP didn't say that. She said moderation doesn't work for her and also that not eating stuff doesn't work for her (as she'd order it anyway). So this thread isn't really about moderation vs. some other model. It's an "I can't" thread.
You can't if you say you can't.
Edit: obviously any diet plan that is based on using maximum willpower (white knuckling it) isn't going to work well, because willpower is a finite resource and during life stuff comes up of higher priority that requires the use of all your willpower. If I'm going to fall off the wagon any time my willpower is sapped by using it to avoid killing a co-worker or some such, then my diet plan needs work. I think it's best to come up with something that requires self control around the edges (that's life) but for the most part isn't so difficult. For me I'd say moderation generally works, but if one has trigger foods (or situations) that would be avoiding the trigger until one can manage to neutralize it. But I don't see that as what the OP's post is about at all.0
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