What do you do to avoid a fast food place?

leonm6

I always keep at least two bottles of cold water in my vehicle, and every time I pass a fast food place...or have the urge of eating at a fast food place, I drink as much water as I can, and then I am full.

What do you guys do? It would be nice to have other tricks as well ^_^

modernmom70

Thats a good tip! Keep it up. I haven't eaten fast food in a year and now the thought of it grosses me out. So keep avoiding it and eventually you won't want it at all!

leonm6

It does exactly that! It grosses me out right after I filled myself with water

kristy_estes21

I haven't eaten it in about a year or so either and it sounds disgusting to me. The only thing I do like to splurge on once in a blue moon is pizza.
I keep a snack bag of proportioned unsalted almonds in my purse and I always have a large water bottle with me. I take it everywhere. My husband even does it now too.

LorinaLynn

The only time I have any kind of urge for fast food is when we're on the road for hours, like driving 200 miles to visit the inlaws. So we pack our own drinks and snacks for the trip. Usually granola bars, but sometimes a DYI Chex Mix.

1234lbsgone

Watch Fast Food Nation, Supersize Me, and stay up to date in the anti-crap food movement. That oughta do it. If I do wind up in one of those places, I don't beat myself up. I just accept responsibility for my choice, don't beat myself up, and move along in life.

McFatterton

Watch Fast Food Nation, Supersize Me, and stay up to date in the anti-crap food movement. That oughta do it.

Exactly.

Just think about what goes on behind the scenes and what's in the crap that you're eating. That *should* do it.

want2walknotwaddle

i take a packed lunch as i work at macdonalds, and before i go in every shift i go and pick up a size 14 top that i hope to get into and remind myself that if i not sensible i will never be wearing it ......... its enough to put me off

MyNameIsNotBob

I just avoid the areas with those places. There aren't any in my neighborhood or near work, so it's pretty easy.

l3ugjuice

I keep Cliff Bars in my desk drawer, and protein shakes in the refrigerator at work...which is generally all I do for lunch and breakfast. On weekends I do what I can to try to think ahead so the need for fast food never arises.

Of course, inevitably I'll end up in one at some point... maybe once or twice a month or so due to travel, work, etc. In which case, I dont really sweat it too much and only try to pick something remotely sensible, log the calories and try to make up for it later. It's a lifestyle change more than a diet, so so the way I look at it as long as deviations are kept to a minimum they are fine.

MY problem is my wife and I REALLY like to go out and eat.... I mean, REALLY like it, it's pretty much our favorite hobby. I shudder to think how much money we spend in restaurants monthly, probably enough to pay another mortgage. A couple of nights a week, easily. What's difficult for me is trying to keep doing that with my wife and daughter, because we all enjoy it and it works out to be good time spent together for all of us, but NOT break my diet beyond recognition. Saying no to the heavy cream based soups, bread & butter, creme brulee and tiramisu etc is just...tough =/.

ablueskier

I walk in, look at the calories listed on the menu next to the items (California now has these listed right on the menu) and this quickly freaks me out and I leave. My husband likes fast food still and there are times I'll go there to get him something and not feel the least bit sad about not getting myself something because of the calorie counts.

baisleac

I drive by because I have no money.

Being poor-ish and spending most of our free money on healthy food leaves nothing left to spend on fast food. Though we did get pizza when we got our tax refund. :bigsmile:

FitToFab

avoid passing by there if possible....

BigBoneSista

Thats a good tip! Keep it up. I haven't eaten fast food in a year and now the thought of it grosses me out. So keep avoiding it and eventually you won't want it at all!

Exactly.

Rurouni_Kou

I worked at a fast food place at one point in my life. That completely cured any and all interest in eating fast food. Working there disgusted me so badly it's no longer even minutely appetising and I don't even consider it food but a "food like substance" (a la Michael Pollan).

bigmamma56

I always think having extra money to spend is a big motivator. The money I might have spent on fast food goes into my 'willpower kitty'......it's amazing how quickly the funds mount up and I can then reward myself by spending the money on something nice instead.... So when you get the urge for a chinese take away or whatever...talk yourself out of it and put the money aside for something else you would much rather have....then go home and have something nice and healthy to eat in the knowledge that you will soon be in possession of that nice treat you are saving for.

dad106

I used to work at Culvers, so now I have no real desire to ever eat at a McDonalds or anything like that.

If I want to go to a sit down restaurant then I do so like once a week and plan it in on MFP. I feel that a reward is needed every now and then as long as its planned for and you don't go overboard.

JayClitherow

If I want to go to a sit down restaurant then I do so like once a week and plan it in on MFP. I feel that a reward is needed every now and then as long as its planned for and you don't go overboard.

You hit the nail on the head there for me, I love eating out in resteraunts with friends, and my partner, so I just try to plan ahead for it will be even eaiser now I am on here tho, as I can actually see whats going on.

MyNameIsNotBob

MY problem is my wife and I REALLY like to go out and eat.... I mean, REALLY like it, it's pretty much our favorite hobby. I shudder to think how much money we spend in restaurants monthly, probably enough to pay another mortgage. A couple of nights a week, easily. What's difficult for me is trying to keep doing that with my wife and daughter, because we all enjoy it and it works out to be good time spent together for all of us, but NOT break my diet beyond recognition. Saying no to the heavy cream based soups, bread & butter, creme brulee and tiramisu etc is just...tough =/.

Me, too! My hubby works in the food & wine industry, so eating out is one of our main sources of entertainment. We're just trying to change our lifestyles so that we're more active and can continue to have eating out as a hobby without gaining weight / becoming unhealthy. It's tough to make good choices at restaurants, but it feels soooo good.

shreddingit

lol well i dont have a car so i dont see them much:noway: . at first wen i would go out with my hubby i would take a magazine to read or keep buzy on my phone so i wouldnt see them....now im cool I dont need FF....just my mcd's iced coffee!!:drinker:

l3ugjuice

Me, too! My hubby works in the food & wine industry, so eating out is one of our main sources of entertainment. We're just trying to change our lifestyles so that we're more active and can continue to have eating out as a hobby without gaining weight / becoming unhealthy. It's tough to make good choices at restaurants, but it feels soooo good.

Yep, it's something I work at a few times a week. I've been able to get by for the last few months with a combination of ordering some off menu, some more sensible choices (going with a fish entree rather than a steak, or something)...and even a night every now and again where I just throw caution to the wind and eat whatever the heck I want but try to be careful with the portions. So far it's working out pretty well, but there are some things I've just had to give up completely.

Mainly I just make sure to not skip a workout, and if I want to eat more I try to work out more to make up for it.

treadingpurple

If I go somewhere where I'd be tempted with fast food, I try and bring enough money just for the items I am going to buy at the stores I was planning on visiting, like the craft store or Goodwill store. This way, I don't have enough money to spend on fast food. I also bring other snacks with me like string cheese, cut up apples, granola bars, and baby carrots. Like everyone else, I too make sure I have lots of water to keep me full and hydrated while I am out and about.

crythreetears

I just think about how bad it is and the calories are ridiculous!

elliecolorado

Don't have to worry about it! I live in a town where the only fast food for 30+ miles in any directions is subway.

noltes2

I literally have to drive by a McDonald's and Burger King every single day (they are 1/2 mile from my house)!

I haven't quite figured out a "trick", but when I drive by it I usually say to myself "McDonald's is horrible!" and I remember the last time I ate it and how awful I felt afterwards, lethargic and bloated. Just remember your goals and that fast food will not benefit you in any way!

Shortyburb

The only fast food Ill eat now is Subway. Ill do others every now and then but not often. I just think of the money I can save at home. Also I think about how much of my food is fresher at home verses fast food. I love having someone make my food for me so it really does appeal to me. Mcdonalds has disgusted me for years and years now. Maybe once a year Ill do there breakfast.

I think Supersize me is a joke since I recently watched Fat Head. To avoid fast food I think of the calories and carbs now.

jeyoung03

They are all over were I live. I just make sure to tell myself that I am saving money, and a lot of my calories. Most of the items I used to get at fast food places were about 500 calories, for one item! This is a good topic I was wondering how other people handled it as well!

Nigel99

I don't have any tricks. I just have better things at home, and decide to eat that. I haven't really had any cravings for it at all.