ITS SO HARD!!

Evanstl

I need some advice and encouragement from some MFP buddies. I am finally doing good and staying on track with logging in daily and making sure I get my exercise in 6 days a week. But I am having a hard time with my eating habbits. It's so hard to say no to the CRAP. I know its because of many years of making bad choices and eating unhealthy stuff so it wont change overnight, but I just wish it was a little easier. At the time when I am so hungry and in a hurry, fast food sounds good, then I get it home and start eating it and it just tastes gross and I dont even finish it. So thats good my body is starting to not like the crud, but then I get so mad at myself that I just wasted my money plus my workout and discipline and I get down on myself. Any tips, help advice, sucess stories for encouragement. I will take all I can get. Thanks!

Papillon22

I think it's all about planning ahead. That way, you don't fall prey to the "I'm hungry - need to eat now!" and picking up whatever is in your way. I think it'd be different if you knew that once you got home you'll have something good waiting for you. That'd require planning ahead, maybe cooking a big batch of something and freezing it up so you can just pop it in the microwave.

Also, in order to not miss what you've been eating, you can try finding healthier alternatives of the same food. There is a lot of very creative people here who have posted in the recipes section.

Good luck!

cass89

I personally struggled the first week trying to dodge the crap food but after that and once i started seeing significant results i didnt actually want it. I started making sure i was getting up half an hour earlier to make sure i had plenty of time to put together a healthy lunch and sit down and eat brekky. also, when i feel the temptation to have something, i make a deal with myself that i can have it on the weekend...at that point i feel like i've deserved it. this also stops me from eating it now and then again on the weekend lol. i also feel for ever bit of bad food i eat, i'm just pushing myself further away from my goal. your willpower with become stronger.
The other thing i did and i was quite proud of was my parents had some M&Ms (I love chocolate!!) but to comprimise with myself I had 3 M&Ms and walked away and did something else. I got the taste for it, i enjoyed it, without the calories. I actually ended up feeling more proud of myself because I was able to stop at 3. If you feel like fast food, maybe have a healthy alternative. If you stop at McDonalds, that's fine, but rather than having coke with a fatty burger, have a ceaser wrap with water or coke zero. That way, you feel you've had the treat while cutting out calories. I hope this helps

cass89

Also, in order to not miss what you've been eating, you can try finding healthier alternatives of the same food. There is a lot of very creative people here who have posted in the recipes section.

I actually have a fish and chip recipe (granted, it's not as good as the fast food but it's pretty good). using white fish, eggs, bread crumbs and sweet potatoe in the oven. amazing and healthy! also, you could make your own burgers with some mince meat and loads of salad (lettuce beetroot tomato red onion carrot) YUM!!

helloiloveukitty

its very hard, especially at first but every day you get thru you are moving closer to healthy and then youre on a healthy streak and the crappy food temptation / power gets less and less...theres so many healthy options that are all yummy and have that same "food joy" kinda feeling as something really tasty but not good for you. I also started looking at food is fuel for my body too and not a feel good culinary delight that should be epic every single time. Kinda balancing that really helped me to eat healthy. I also peaked on my successful friends here with open diaries for meal ideas and inspiration. Also allowing myself treats that weren't necessarily food helped too.

I was a fast food nut and I still occasionally eat it but this time I make a lot better choices and practice portion control, I also learned how to make yummy stuff at home...homemade tacos instead of going to that mexican joint....turkey burgers and sweet potato fries instead of a big mac and fries and so on.

sounds like your on the right track though!

gormi

Good on you for asking for help. Many wouldn't so well done. I totally agree with the planning thing. I try and eat every two or three hours and I have the days food planned so then I know that I won't be really hungry and if i do start to get hungry I start to think "oh well, I get to eat in half an hour and I won't feel guilty". Another thing I find helps me is I have an apple or an orange after eating. I find it freshens my palate and sort of cleanses the flavours away so I can't still taste it and therefore don't think "i want more". I have breakfast, morning tea, lunch, afternoon tea, dinner and pudding. I'm not often too hungry and am not craving things too much. As soon as your blood sugar gets low your body tells you you need food quick, but because I am preventing my blood sugar from getting too low I don't have a problem.

Good luck, I hope this helps.