Do you really think the desire for JUNK ever goes away?

marydee72

FOr me, it has. I have not had chocolate, chips, etc, etc, in over a year and the obsession has left me. I don't think about it anymore, I know my trigger foods and I avoid them. Sometimes when I smell somethings it brings back a memory. BUT honestly, the way I feel NOT eating it far outweighs the need to eat it.

LuckyLeprechaun

it doesn't seem appetizing any more. Whenever I used to pass a BK, before this change, I wanted a double bacon cheeseburger badly. It didn't matter time of day, or even if I was that hungry, I just wanted it. When I started making changes and counting calories, I went through a period where I felt like I was being deprived because I couldn't afford to blow that many calories at once. But now, after making so much progress towards my goals, I can say with 100% honesty that the BK I pass by every day has NO hold on me anymore. I truly do not want to stop. It just doesn't seem appetizing anymore. I'd really rather have a nice piece of salmon or catfish filet than a greasy burger. This doesn't happen overnight, but it does happen!


And, when I overeat now, the uncomfortably full feeling is so unpleasant that I just don't want to do it anymore. I'm much more likely now to split something with hubby, or trim down my order. We used to go to luxe restaurants and go nutso: cocktails first, appetizers, salads, wine with dinner, a full entree, more alcohol/desserts after. It was our fave activity to enjoy a fine restaurant to the fullest. But now when we go somewhere nice, I am aware that if we do all of those things, I will be miserable afterwards, both physically stuffed, and emotionally unhappy that I blew so many calories.

AnnaPixie

If I go on a bender for a weekend or abroad for a week and eat whatever, I come back craving healthy food. I miss my vegetables mostly. Greasy food makes me feel ill now and as I haven't eaten milk chocolate for a while, I find that its too sweet when I do eat it. Although I'm sure it wouldnt be too difficult to get used to again! I've never given up junk completely, I still eat weight watchers cakes and icecreams or just lower cal sweet things. But I think my tastes have definitely changed for the better :bigsmile:

abyt42

Today what I craved was mandarin oranges....and fresh blueberries....and oatmeal, and not a doughnut.... I'm thrilled with some of the substitute foods I've found (popchips instead of potato chips. Raw almonds or cocoa roast almonds instead of candy. Pumpkin seeds instead of pretzels. A tablespoon of chocolate chips instead of a candy bar....) I've also found that making my own burger (or chile verde, or dessert) satisfies my craving for junk but is healthier for me.

FemininGuns

It did for me. After a while of eating healthier alternatives, indulging in "old habit" foods makes me want to eat clean again. Now I crave the better nutritional choices.

I'm the same way... Once you've been doing clean eating for a long time, the old junk doesn't satisfy you like it used to... Just like when I quit smoking... The cigarettes weren't so appealing after a while...

Cristy_AZ

NO! I love chocolate!

chocolate is not junk! It is a necessity of life!! :laugh:

Depends what you call junk. If you're talking about fast food and greasy chips and all that... YES, Absolutely does go away, just the smell of McDonald’s is gross to me, can’t eat greasy fried stuff, my stomach literally won’t take it. A slice or two of pizza or a square of chocolate, now that’s a different story!! But I think the more you clean up your diet the more your body won’t take the processed junk anymore!

ka_42

I think it gets a bit easier. I've found that I really LOVE some food that is good for you.. mostly fruit. I don't think I'll ever want taco bell again and I used to eat it daily. Sometimes twice daily. I've learned so much about things that are in the foods are bad for you it makes me not interested in them. That said... my problem with binging on sweets hasn't gone away. I don't think it ever will.

therobinator

I think it gets easier if you don't try to forever ban these foods from your life. A little bit here and there won't hurt, and in fact can help, your efforts and mentality. You just can't live off them like you used to. Everything in moderation, right?

I also agree with this totally:

Depends what you call junk. If you're talking about fast food and greasy chips and all that... YES, Absolutely does go away, just the smell of McDonald’s is gross to me, can’t eat greasy fried stuff, my stomach literally won’t take it. A slice or two of pizza or a square of chocolate, now that’s a different story!! But I think the more you clean up your diet the more your body won’t take the processed junk anymore!

CassieLEO

I dont crave it as much as I used to, but I do allow for sweets every now and then. You cant give up everything!!

yummy♥

But nothing tastes as good, as skinny feels right?!

I REALLY don't like that phrase. Something about it sounds so damn pretentious. No offense to anyone that uses it as a life motto, but it truly has this way of irking me for some reason. /wrists

seriously! if food didn't taste so darn good most of us wouldn't be here in the first place. and even when my body is as fit as can be, i still love the taste of a crumbly aged cheddar, or a rich flaky pie crust with fresh peaches ... i think if your goal is healthy (vs. just "skinny") there is still room for the pleasure of tasting the delicious foods we crave once in a while.

mommiedawn

Hey I'm not sure if this has been mentioned as I did not read every post.....but perhaps focusing on carbs in your diet would benefit you. I had to work pretty hard to get myself weaned of having carbohydrates as my main source of fuel. It's all about balance of course but some people just react to carbs differently than other people, both in the immediate responses and in the way your body deal with fat production/storage. Your struggle with 'junk' may mean you have some carb addiction issues like I did?? Just a thought!!!

Oh by the way, I'm one of those who thinks the cravings do lessen. And I really don't even want junk when it is offered anymore. I do let myself have some 'junk' but I count or weigh and then I feel pretty good about incorporating something that used to be a no no into my plan without ruining it!

hroush

It's decreased for me. I just have to be careful and not have any in the house as I will eat it.

pizzygirltx

I love my junk food too. I still eat some of it but definitely in moderation. What I am finding is that some of the junk food that I used to love just makes me fell ill when I eat it.

I am the same way. I crave junk but then I'll eat it and feel sick afterwards.

kennysrush

I was a junk food-a-holic myself and after 5-6 weeks the cravings are gone and the will power is strong. I just select one sweet that has some redeeming quality... Lucky Charms. But due to sugars, only partake 2-3 mornings/week.

I have no problems passing on chips, candy, soda, etc.

NewMeTomG

Never been a junk food junkie, but when I do occasionally indulge, I enjoy it for what it was, put it behind me and go on.

If I deny myself, I just end up wanting it more. Best to give in on occasion (and by that I men have some ice cream once a month, or pizza on a Friday).

Outside of some really nasty processed foods, I don't think there is anything wrong with just about anything you can eat - as long as it is in moderation.

My 2C
Tom

jnoegrah

not for me, i just keep it out of my house..

I miss junk food.

AngieMMc

I started really gettng serious back in January too and whle I still somewhat "crave" the junk food, candy, unhealthy treats, the few times I have indulged myself, it made me sick at my stomach. It also made me feel run down and lethargic. I don't like the way it makes me feel so while i still sometimes crave the taste, feeling "hungry" feels better to me than having a stomach ache or being so full of jumk I can hardly breath. Unfortunately for me, I have a hard time with the word "moderation" so I really just have to leave it alone all together. The cravings are getting fewer and fewer though and I've noticed that I crave fish and chicken more than I crave beef now which is a BIG step for me. So here's hoping that continues.

trishobr

A couple of weeks ago or so, I started eating icecream again after 2 months of going without. I could not believe how little self control I had. I literally ate FIVE banana splits in 2 weeks! So, as of yesterday, no more ice cream...not even "diet" ice cream. So, for me, the desire for junk always seems to be lurking... :embarassed:

gcineas

even though I crave bad food once in a while I get sick when I do eat it! I ate a slice of pizza because I though it would be a treat and now I have the worst headache in the world. Makes me double think eating junk again.

But it will get better I promise you! In the end you owe it to yourself to eat better!

YOU CAN DO IT!!!

stefraab

I think it does... I think if you wait long enough those things actually stop tasting as delicious. My body gets accustomed to not eating them.

I used to be ADDICTED to cans of coke (just cans). I went long enough without having one and now I cannot stand the taste. I used to loooooooooooooove coke. I would have 4 or 5 cans a day and I savoured every drop. Now I have zero desire for a coke, and if I ever have a sip it's really distasteful.

rachrach66

I use Eat This Not That to help me make the best choices when I must have Junk Foods. I do find it tempting from time to time to go back to my not so healthy eating habits. I junk remember all the hard work I've made and what I'm trying to accomplice. The cravings due get easier over time.

AHealthierRhonda

I have noticed that when I have too much of a bad thing, I feel sick afterwards. I cheat pretty much everyday but try to get low fat and healthier bad things to cheat with. By having a little when i want it, it stops me from over indulging. I don't track sugar for this very reason. OVer every day!!!!