All or nothing...or in moderation?

ShrinkyDinkie

ive been staying away. all or nothing for me. i feel guilty if i even have a little, so why bother.

ninerbuff

I can say that the "all or nothing" people I've trained gain the weight back.

A.C.E. Certified Personal Trainer
IDEA Fitness member
Kickboxing Certified Instructor
Been in fitness for 28+ years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition

StacySkinny

Thank goodness the human race is full of different types of people! It would be a boring world in deed if we all went about things the same way. I love our diversity!

I'm one of those people that personally can't do "all or nothing" as I end up feeling deprived and then I just want to quit. I have to allow myself a few unhealthy tasty things every once in a while to keep me on track. I've tried the "cold turkey" method but that just doesn't work for me as it just makes me obsess over what I'm not allowing myself to have. lol

lorac321

I am getting better at having things in moderation. I don't want to completely cut things out of my life so I am learning how to stop. It's hard but I am managing to do it. I just keep reminding myself what my calorie intake will look like if I keep going and it usually helps me stop at one or two.

This is exactly me. 99% of the time I actually look up the calories before I will eat something - even in moderation I can't tell you how many times that stopped me from eating something.

SabrinaJL

Definitely moderation. Every time I've tried "nothing", i've failed miserably, which is why I spent all my adult life obese. Since I found MFP and realized I can still have the things I love as long as I stay within my cals and don't overdo it, I've lost almost 58 lbs. The most I ever lost with the "nothing" diet was 20 lbs, only to fail and gain it back with some extra.

ETA: This week, I've had Burger King, Panera, Dominos and Jack in the Box (yeah, I know but it's been a busy week), and I still lost a lb.

pupcamper

I'm all or nothing too - trying really hard to be in moderation. Moderation is much better in the long run, especially when it comes to keep it off - when an all or nothing falls of the wagon they tend to do so pretty badly and the become a yo-yo dieter which isn't good for you! I'm trying to make better choices, I knew I was going out this evening so I ate lunch a little later, I had a glass of wine as 'my treat' and didn't even go near the numerous platters of food and spent my time talking to people because I thought it would be easier to have one drink than end up mindlessly grazing and I am glad I did. I find than planning ahead is helping me with the moderation, I log it in my diary and stick to it! Good luck learning your new skill!!

TheBraveryLover

When I first started, it was all or nothing. After around the 6th month of changing my eating habits, it became much easier for me to maintain moderation no matter what I eat. So in my experience, it takes time to reach the willpower stage. I'm sure for others it's different and they'll have to say no to "bad" food forever.

BobbyDaniel

"Cheat" days are what keeps me sane as one of those "all or nothing" folks. I say no more often than not due to not having the shut off, but enjoy the cheat days when I say "OK" instead!

JT1090

I am exactly the same way! I can't just have one of anything sweet or salty. It's either the whole bag or none at all. I'm way better off say no because If I say yes it turns into a binge. Every. Single. Time.

mrsdouglas1

I am the same way. Do you tell an alcoholic that "just one drink will be ok", or do you tell a recovering drug addict that "just one more hit wont hurt you"? Well, food is my addiction. Specifically sweets, pastas, breads...... carbs in general. I love fruits and veggies, I just love cookies more. I am very jealous of those who can have a little and go on about their day, but I cannot. I am a junk junkie and just have to stay away from them.

I am the same way, you have described me as well, I too have an addiction to food and carbs and sweets are my thin. Yes I love fruits and veggies but I like cake more! My name is lisa and I too am a "junk junkie"

Pebble321

I'm generally a "moderation" person. I know I'm not going to say goodbye to chocolate and cakes and alcohol and chips (fries) for the rest of my life, so I'm working on eating "just a bit" and saying no to second helpings. Sometimes its easy to do this, and other times I don't succeed, but I'm going to keep at it!
Long term success for me has to be about modifying my eating habits and this is a really important thing to master.