Am I obssessed?!!!

Rosette

Today, supposedly is the day for one cheat meal :drinker: So, I went shopping, having in mind to buy chocolate, my favorite sweet corn and brownies. But once I am actually in the supermarket, I just couldn't come near any of them (subconciously), and i kept shopping for fruits, low fat yogurt, no fructose no sugar jam and reduced fat peanut butter... and that is for my CHEAT MEAL... Of course I wanted to eat totally different sugar loaded stuff... but I didn't dare...

So, I somewhat feel obsessed.. because this is supposed to be the meal that satisfies all cravings.. :sad: :mad:

Rosette

Today, supposedly is the day for one cheat meal :drinker: So, I went shopping, having in mind to buy chocolate, my favorite sweet corn and brownies. But once I am actually in the supermarket, I just couldn't come near any of them (subconciously), and i kept shopping for fruits, low fat yogurt, no fructose no sugar jam and reduced fat peanut butter... and that is for my CHEAT MEAL... Of course I wanted to eat totally different sugar loaded stuff... but I didn't dare...

So, I somewhat feel obsessed.. because this is supposed to be the meal that satisfies all cravings.. :sad: :mad:

littlespoon

Today, supposedly is the day for one cheat meal :drinker: So, I went shopping, having in mind to buy chocolate, my favorite sweet corn and brownies. But once I am actually in the supermarket, I just couldn't come near any of them (subconciously), and i kept shopping for fruits, low fat yogurt, no fructose no sugar jam and reduced fat peanut butter... and that is for my CHEAT MEAL... Of course I wanted to eat totally different sugar loaded stuff... but I didn't dare...

So, I somewhat feel obsessed.. because this is supposed to be the meal that satisfies all cravings.. :sad: :mad:

Just a thought for you: If you make a particular day for a cheat meal and try and make yourself have it when you dont want it, isnt that the same thing as denying yourself something completely when you want it? Maybe instead of making a day, let that day happen when you actually feel like having it.

The other thing is: Its natural to feel like you dont want to chance putting on weight (or not losing as much for the week) when you have worked so hard. Once you have your cheat meal and realise that its fine, you'll be fine.

Rosette

Actually that is a very good idea.. Thanks :flowerforyou:

littlespoon

You are welcome :happy:

ConnieLynn

Hi there,

I feel obssessed as well. I went to the grocery store too and only purchased healthy stuff. I also find I am spending less on groceries and it seems like the house is full of plenty of food.

I didn't plan on eating healthy, but that is all I crave now. When I go to reach for a cheat food now, I don't want it anymore. My body now craves the healthy stuff instead of the bad stuff and that is only after a week or so of changing my habits.

I still have a "fun" food on occasion, but in a small portion. I usually crave sweets after I eat and I find 1 small piece will satisfy me.

As a friend of mine said, this is a great obssession to have!

Connie Lynn

zenmama

my obsession is exercise I know my body should have one day of rest but I rarely do it....as for food I don't buy the "junk" iused to and even the kids snacks I can stay away from them.....so far LOL

dd

seamsso1

Don't look at it as being obsessed- look at it as a change of attitude. My big downfall is Coke. Classic coke at that. I used to drink as much as a two liter bottle a day-easy. For the past 3 weeks I haven't had one-none. I switched to water. A change for me that had always failed. This time for some unknown reason-it's working. I decided to have a coke with dinner one night. I got up and went in to the kitchen with the express intent of coming back with a coke. When I picked up the glass to take a drink- I realized I had come back with ---WATER. The funny thing was that I wasn't disappointed and it never occured to me to go back and change it. I guess after a while what we think of as some kind of deprivation somehow becomes the treat in itself! Enjoy it and when you do indulge in the "forbidden" it will be o.k

rebasmart

I don't do a cheat day, I am afraid something like that will throw me off my routine. Is that something a lot of people are doing? Just curious?

dawnmsimpson

I gave myself a cheat day yesterday and ate out at my favorite restaurant. Of course, 1 of their meals counts as 2 meals for me, so I ate half for lunch and half for dinner. Afterward, I felt guilty because I had eaten it. So I worked out twice yesterday to burn some of those extra calories.
I'm in the same boat as zenmama, I know my body needs rest from working out, but that is a very rare occasion that I take the day off from it. I feel like, if I don't work out, then I'll get out of the habit and will put it off like I have before. Working out is my obsession, or should I say addiction.... seeing how many calories I burned in one workout... feels great.

ConnieLynn

Hi rebasmart and everyone,

I don't do a cheat day or meal. I haven't really felt the need to. I ate all those bad foods for so long that I am really enjoying eating the good stuff.

On the other hand, if I want something, I don't deny myself as I think that is one of the main reasons people fall off of their diet plans. If you deny yourself, then you may want it more. Even though I don't crave certain foods anymore, if I want something, I have it, just in smaller portions than I use to eat.

I haven't been obsessed with exercise. I found since I am eating less, sometimes I don't feel like I have enough food in me to do the exercise. I usually still work out 3-4 times a week, but only when I've felt sustained enough to do the work out. I was getting light headed when I first started and so I gave my body some time to adjust.

Anyone else working out less because of our reduction in calorie intake?

Connie Lynn

carajo

I gave myself a cheat day yesterday and ate out at my favorite restaurant. Of course, 1 of their meals counts as 2 meals for me, so I ate half for lunch and half for dinner. Afterward, I felt guilty because I had eaten it. So I worked out twice yesterday to burn some of those extra calories.
I'm in the same boat as zenmama, I know my body needs rest from working out, but that is a very rare occasion that I take the day off from it. I feel like, if I don't work out, then I'll get out of the habit and will put it off like I have before. Working out is my obsession, or should I say addiction.... seeing how many calories I burned in one workout... feels great.

I do the same thing!!! I rarely give myself a day off becuse i love the feeling of entering the workout and calories burnt on this site!!!! I do enjoy a good meal too!! It feels good knowing you have all those extra calories to spare! I am an exercise addict too....something to be proud of!!!

songbyrdsweet

The need for cheat days is really just psychological, so if you don't want one, don't bother. I haven't had one since December. In time your cravings become few and far between...I don't even think of junk food at all anymore.

Connie lynn, I do adjust my caloric intake with my activity. If I am feeling really crummy, I'll have a higher-calorie day or two. I generally eat enough to recover from workouts well, but many times a change in my lifting program will cause some extra fatigue and soreness (like this week :sick: ). And sometimes I'll take it easier with the cardio if I'm hungry during my workout, that's pretty much the worst feeling ever!

One of my favorite quotes..."Obsessed is a word the lazy use to describe the dedicated."

Rosette

Well.. I have a stubborn body... if I lose weight with 1200 calorie per day in one week, I won't lose one oz the seond.. so I have to go over my calorie intake with 1000 calorie. This is my cheat meal.. but now I use increased portions of healthy food.. I no longer have urgent cravings for junk food or sweets :happy:

As for working out... Actually I go 5 days per week at least, if not 7. I just adore jogging and knowing how many calories i've just burnt!:bigsmile:

ConnieLynn

Hi Songbrydsweet,

You are right about adjusting your calorie intake with activity. I find that I have to eat more the night before if I am going to work out the next morning.

You are right about the cheat days being psychological becasue I haven't had cravings either since I really started watching what I eat.

Even though I don't exercise at the fitness center everyday, I do enjoy it more than I ever have and I love how my body is changing in just in a few short weeks.

My face is thinner, my waist is smaller and I love eating good food and exercising. I also have inspired my husband to get in shape. Who new how many wonderful side benefits there were going to be when just counting your calories and logging your exercise everyday!

Happy Saturday,

Connie Lynn

NurseBarb

I totally understand what you're feeling. All week we have been planning on going over to a friend's house to have pizza tonight. And I was just going to enjoy it and make it my cheat meal. I started feeling a litlte trepidation yesterday and looked on Pizza Hut's website and found they had some "lite" pizza so that made me feel a little better, and then I got up this morning and was down another pound and couldn't stop thinking about the pizza and how much I didn't want to eat it now!!!
I think songbird is right it's just psychological. And while I understand the need to not feel deprived in order for a diet to be successful, I don't feel deprived. So if I have another day in a few more days or so that feels right to eat something off plan then I will! And you should too! But our tastes have and will change just from eating right. Our bodies stop craving all that crap we used to feed it. Think of bad food like drugs. Once you break the habit your not a slave to that addiction anymore!!!

mbaker1169

I still do my cheat day once a week, but like songbird says I think it is psychological. Last night was my "big night" to eat out. Funny thing was I could barely eat half of what I used to eat, and my stomach actually cramped up from all the grease. In the beginning, my cheat day was the day I looked forward too all week, now it is more like a self check that I am actually changing my eating habits and becoming more healthy.

createsure

Songbyrdsweet is totally right, that it is psychological.
(Notice I omitted the "just" because it can be so powerful!!)

Like quitting drugs, changing your eating habits is very hard to do. You have to overcome psychological cravings... it may be the toughest thing you ever do.

What makes it even harder is the fact that unlike drugs, you can't just quit food cold turkey. It's quite literally being addicted to something you need to consume to survive. What a double-edged sword! I think the key is mindset: you're not withholding from yourself, you're changing habits and training yourself to not even want those nasty foods. From the posts I've read, that seems to be happening to a lot of you. We find that we don't even want a lot of those foods that were originally our downfall.

jhacker

I'm hoping to have an obsession like that! I am still fighting against some of the unhealthier choices. I am a lot more self- conscious about what I eat now though. I hope to get to that point of not even wanting to eat the "cheat" foods.
Keep obsessing! I bet you are having success!!!:drinker:

Nich0le

I don't believe in a cheat day, to me it's like whats the point I worked hard all week so I can go ape *kitten* for a day???

Instead I try to plan ahead for the week and then if I really want an ice cream cone or something I will edit my plan for the day and make room for that ice cream or whatever. I do limit it, no ice cream everyday or anything like that but if once or twice a week I want a little treat then I have it.

It's actually kind of a good thing that your "cheat day" came and you were self aware enough to not load up on crap, eventually your body will rebel against such a shock and your tummy will get back at you, if you know what I mean...:laugh:

Not obsessed just aware.

rhondababy

I don't believe in a cheat day, to me it's like whats the point I worked hard all week so I can go ape *kitten* for a day???

Instead I try to plan ahead for the week and then if I really want an ice cream cone or something I will edit my plan for the day and make room for that ice cream or whatever. I do limit it, no ice cream everyday or anything like that but if once or twice a week I want a little treat then I have it.

It's actually kind of a good thing that your "cheat day" came and you were self aware enough to not load up on crap, eventually your body will rebel against such a shock and your tummy will get back at you, if you know what I mean...:laugh:

Not obsessed just aware.

This sounds like such good advise! I had my "cheat" day yesterday, and unlike most of you, I ate too much! I don't tend to crave really bad junk food, but I certainly ate too much of several things that have sugar in them.....tummy ache this morning, and I woke up craving more sugar. Is it possible that because I ate sugar in excess yesterday that my body wants more today?

Thoughts?

sharondaley

I don't do a cheat day, I am afraid something like that will throw me off my routine. Is that something a lot of people are doing? Just curious?

I feel the same as you.
I just want to get used to the changes that Im making with my diet.

NurseBarb

This sounds like such good advise! I had my "cheat" day yesterday, and unlike most of you, I ate too much! I don't tend to crave really bad junk food, but I certainly ate too much of several things that have sugar in them.....tummy ache this morning, and I woke up craving more sugar. Is it possible that because I ate sugar in excess yesterday that my body wants more today?

Thoughts?

Sugar is definitely like drugs! When a get a chance grab the book "Sugar Blues" you would be amazed at the crap sugar does!!!

ConnieLynn

"Sugar is definitely like drugs! When a get a chance grab the book "Sugar Blues" you would be amazed at the crap sugar does!!!" Casta34

Thanks Casta34,

I just order the Sugar Blues book from Amazon. Even though I have stopped eating as much sugar, educating myself on it will help me stay away from it as well as help my kids kick the habit. I will have to help them w/o them knowing, otherwise I know they would rebel and eat more!!!!

Happy Saturday,

Connie Lynn

rhondababy

[quote

Sugar is definitely like drugs! When a get a chance grab the book "Sugar Blues" you would be amazed at the crap sugar does!!!
[/quote]

Thanks so much Casta! I have felt that was probably the case and have even read a bit about it, but I haven't met anybody yet that seems to have the same problem with sugar actually setting up cravings for more sugar. Often one little "cheat" is what de-rails me- a piece of cake is never enough; it always turns into days of cravings.

-Rhonda

ohthatbambi

I am an exercise junkie as well and I do have to eat more when I exercise. I am training for a triathlon in June and I will go out on my bike for two hours and then run a few miles when I am done. I am about to add swimming in there as well. I always feel great for about an hour after I am done and then I CRASH! I am trying to figure out the right foods to eat before I and after to reduce the "crash" feeling when the high wears off.

I am "iffy" on the cheat day. When I first changed my eating habits I would just pig out on my cheat day and then I would feel awful the next day so it really affected two days of my week. I have decided that it is not worth feeling so crummy the next day, plus the guilt that comes with it. I now save so called cheat days for things like eating out or parties or something. And even then I try to make good choices and not make a pig of myself.

briblue72

I'm not going to do "cheat days." Like a few of you have already mentioned, food (to me) is an addiction. I say IS instead of WAS b/c I'm only 2 weeks into this and I'm by no means over it. Last year I quit smoking and I didn't give myself a "cheat day" because I knew that it would lead to a pack of cheat days. Instead, I do lottts of portion control. If I want pizza, I'll have it. But I'll have only one slice (or even 1/2 a slice if they're big) and then a nice veggie salad. If I want cake, I'll eat a small piece of low-fat cake with a piece of fruit.

I went out to dinner the other night and had "cheat food" but I didn't over-do it. What threw me off were the drinks! But I made up for it the next day by working out twice as long and eating great food. I consider this journey I've started to be a rehab for the poor eating lifestyle i had for years. They don't let heroin addicts have a cheat day....

flachix

no cheat days here. but there are days where the choices are harder. like when the boss buys lunch for the office. great. and its mexican. shucks. another hard one. but I order the taco salad with chicken, toss the shell, scrape off the green paste (ugh) toss the sour cream. ok, now I am having a small salad with less than 1 oz of cheese, 2oz of meat and slasa. whew. came home drank a protein drink, ate an apple and went to bed.

I am like an alcoholic with food, I can not have a cheat day. the sugar would just about undo everything I have managed to accomplished and the salty foods would take away the rest. I ate at Denny's this morning and had half a heartland scramble.....1194 calories for a whole one. my God that's an entire days food. in one meal. nope, ate half and came home to ride the bike for 45 mins. constant vigilance will get me though my 100 days, nothing less. :indifferent:

lotusfromthemud

I have a day every few weeks where I intentionally go over my calories, but normally just eat more food that I would normally choose.

Today I had a chocolate bar. This was a mistake. I feel like I might hurl. (at least I won't want another one anytime soon. . .)

I find my "cheat days" (I've always had more like one a month) were initially crazy, out of control days. But now, I have one time a week where I allow myself something I would not normally eat. I spend a lot of time thinking about what I want more than anything else, then I eat it. (in a sensible portion) Sometimes, it's a small serving of ice cream. Last week it was a litre of OJ.

I'm trying to avoid emotional good vs. bad names when it comes to food, but "cheat day" seems to be the term.