Resisting Temptation

shanice_22

How do you guys resist temptation of unhealthy foods? I've been taking the approach that it's ok to see the not so healthy foods I love as long as I don't eat too much, as it's always good to have a treat and what you love in moderation, but the past few days I've gone over my calories. In particular, today I've gone WAY over my daily calorie allowance as I went to pizza hut and instead of stopping myself eating certain things, I just decided to enjoy myself, however I've gone over by SO much that I now feel really bad and realise that maybe I need a bit of help/motivation to steer me in the right direction. Weekdays I'm fine with, it's the weekend that I really struggle with as although I'm at work on weekends (apart from today) I always find that I'm craving unhealthy food when the weekend gets here - doesn't help that I work round the corner from a mcdonald's and pizza hut, and at pizza hut I get 50% off takeaway food!!

So anyone have any suggestions on how I can stop myself craving these things on the weekend, or examples of what you do to stay on track?

I know I could just "write the day off" and start again tomorrow, but I tend to feel like giving up when I eat like this.

butturfly2021

i've noticed that when i crave the unhelthy foods the most is when I am starving! So I always try to keep some wheat crackers or a banana or just something healthy around so when i do have to wait to long for my next meal i don't just go to the unhealthy stuff....the snacks make it easier for me to sit back and think about what i am doing before i do it...since i'm not so hungry......

blueeyedtraveler

If you have the ability to take your lunch to work with you, or you know what foods you're going to crave on the weekend; find a healthy version of it. Make a wheat thin crust pizza piled with veggies that you can eat instead of going to Pizza Hut.

At the beginning of the week, I make a couple of different meals to get me through the week (or more depending on how much I make). That way, I just have to heat it up or do a little preparation before I eat it. I LOVE chili from a coney island restaurant; however, it's full of sugar & such that I don't need. So, I made my own (a large pot full) and I'm putting it over some Quinoa pasta for some added protein.

Also, it helps that, when you get a craving for something, sit and think about it for about 10 minutes. Usually, the craving will pass and you can continue on your healthy way.

I hope that helps. Good luck to you

Julia_A_Williams

I resist temptation by having a cheat meal once a week where I can eat whatever I want, including dessert. That way I don't feel deprived and I don't cheat.

shanice_22

If you have the ability to take your lunch to work with you, or you know what foods you're going to crave on the weekend; find a healthy version of it. Make a wheat thin crust pizza piled with veggies that you can eat instead of going to Pizza Hut.

I do try to take my lunch to work with me but sometimes the unhealthy stuff is just too tempting lol even when I have my lunch with me sometimes. Thank you for the advice though. :-)

I suppose I just need to make the best of it that I can really.

Fit4_Life

Hi Shanice,
I have discovered a way to resist the temptation of food. My theory is, when I crave for certain things, I stop and remind myself that the food that I crave will be there when I reach my goal. The taste will not change, nor will the food that I crave disappear. So therefore, I can wait. Food is not like a clothing sale in the store. It's not a "must have or someone else will buy it". It will be available after you reach your goal. So....so far, my theory has worked for me. I have actually lost 12 pounds (not included in "myfitnesspal.com). I have 72 pounds left to go.
I hope this helps you~
Warm regards,
Lori

wildon883r

You can eat anything you want and lose weight. You don't have to give up ANYTHING. You do need to account for what you put in your mouth though meaning staying within reasonable calorie goals. Eating isn't flatline. It's not about 1200 or 3000 calories a day to be exact its about being within a range that doesn't exceed your maintenance or deficit calories LONG TERM. If i want a nice piece of cake i'm going to have it all the while knowing i'm making a sacrifice of a food choice that really offers no nutritional value and is not fillling. Always ask yourself when your about to eat something if this will benefit your body, provide good nutrition and then decide if its what you want to put into your body. Not having what you desire is a path to failure. Good Luck

yaddayaddayadda

Not sure if this is an answer to your question. Just a thought...

I recently had a medical procedure where I had to fast for 24 hours. I thought I would never make it as I have never been required to fast for such a long period of time before. I was allowed to drink clear liquids though, so I started the day with two cups of black coffee (my usual). Then I took a long walk... followed by a couple of glasses of water. Next I took a yoga class... followed by a glass of water. I had some chicken consume for lunch. For the rest of the day, I drank lots of water and ginger ale. By bed time, I was still not starving!!! Next morning, I got up to go to the hospital, and I was fine. Not hungry at all. This experience showed me that if I really want to resist temptation, I can.

I know you can't go without all food for a long period of time, but if there is something that you want to avoid, you can do it. You must just set your mind to it. Also, maybe give yourself a treat if you resist for a certain time period.

I have a serious sweet tooth, and I have been replacing the high calorie treats with Skinny Cow deserts. Works for me

Good luck!

christine24t

This is my number one problem with losing weight. I can go to the gym, and kill it there, but put a bowl of ice cream in front me and watch it be devoured. My tip to you is to make a notebook full of images of healthy women. Not the skinniest models, but healthy athletic women. Look through that when you need inspiration. My fridge has a plaque next to it that says "holy cow...are you really eating again?" sometimes, i stop and sometimes i say to it, "Yeah, I am!"
Bring one little treat in your lunch box, like a sweet granola bar or piece of candy. That way you don't feel like you are depriving yourself. Also, if your co-workers suggest lunch at Pizza Hut, and you really want to go but already brought your lunch, say, "Thanks, but I already brought myself a lunch." Maybe they will then bring it back to the office instead of eating it there, so you can still eat with them.

MissMarthaGrace

Weekends are rough for me too - I think it's because my weekends are not as structured and I'm more apt to overeat when I have nothing going on. I'm working on trying to keep my meals as structured as I can if I'm actually home. Why can't I have a bowl of soup, string cheese & a few pita crackers on a Saturday for lunch? Why do o feel like I should have something "special"? It's a constant struggle for me but I'm workin' on it. There are ALWAYS going to be temptations around - you just have to decide what's more important in the long run. It takes time - but it should become easier.

suzooz

It depends on what you're craving . . .

I had a huge sweet tooth, and was craving sugar all of the time. I had to cut carbs out for a couple of weeks, and ate mostly meat, dairy, and vegetables -- this curbed my appetite for sugar. I then re-introduced whole grains and fruit into my diet, but still pay special attention to those foods which can trigger a sugar attack.

Some days, I can substitute healthier choices for a craving: a skinny cow vs. ice cream; homemade orange chicken with couscous vs. takeout, etc. Sometimes, this works.

Other times, I need to have the real thing, and I try to fit in in my calorie limit. And even if it doesn't fit, I allow myself to have it, and then MOVE ON. Then the craving is satisfied -- sometimes, I even find that the food doesn't taste as good as I remembered!

2Bgoddess

Hi Shanice!
I totally hear you on the irresistible stuff. I am not an expert by any means, but here one new little trick that works for me, but requires some planning.
Most restaurants have "healthy choices" and some of them are even listed on their web site. I find the tastiest thing, low carbs fat etc as i can from the restaurant I will be visiting, and decide that is what I am having. I go with a friend or my husband, and they know i do this, and i get just a little bite of the "bad" stuff they are having. I find often that I enjoy my meal more that way and don't blow my calories, and don't feel deprived.

2Bgoddess

oh, and at home, living with 3 skinny boys and a hubby with their metabolism, there is always "bad" food...I really can't deprive them of it, they eat really well and then have treats...I can walk right past them in the store, but once they are in our cupboard, i swear they call my name. My new trick for that is to put my "good for you" snacks in front of it. pretzels in front of their chips. yogurt or fruit in the fridge in front of their toaster strudel. Oatmeal in front of the blasted sugared cereal they sometimes get from grandma...if I see in front what i should have, it is easier to avoid the "bad" stuff.

Shelle68

If you have the ability to take your lunch to work with you, or you know what foods you're going to crave on the weekend; find a healthy version of it. Make a wheat thin crust pizza piled with veggies that you can eat instead of going to Pizza Hut.

At the beginning of the week, I make a couple of different meals to get me through the week (or more depending on how much I make). That way, I just have to heat it up or do a little preparation before I eat it. I LOVE chili from a coney island restaurant; however, it's full of sugar & such that I don't need. So, I made my own (a large pot full) and I'm putting it over some Quinoa pasta for some added protein.

Also, it helps that, when you get a craving for something, sit and think about it for about 10 minutes. Usually, the craving will pass and you can continue on your healthy way.

I hope that helps. Good luck to you

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