Guilt???

fearmyclarinet

How do I overcome these guilty feelings??? I'm normally under my calorie goal. In fact, I have never gone over my goal. However, when I do decide to have that one hamburger, or one cookie, I feel so guilty afterwards and instantly feel the need to burn off those extra calories. Any advise?

artgeek09

I don't have overwhelming guilt, and hopefully someone who is a little more experienced with the topic will be able to come by and comment, but I do feel a little guilty.

A few years ago I would feel so guilty because I felt the need to hide the food I ate from others because I just knew they were judging me and thinking to themselves "that's why she's overweight." I didn't have the motivation to work things off, but I knew that I should have been, and felt guilty because my lack of motivation. This may be completely different from you situation, because you certainly sound like you've got the motivation to keep you on track.

One thing I might suggest is to enjoy little cheating moments with family, so you're mind is more focused on the family than your own internal feelings. Also, have those cheating moments during especially, so you can justify going a little over your calorie goal for those few occasions (and I do use the word goal instead of limit, it's a little more forgiving and I don't stress so much on restriction). Life can be too good to go day to day fretting over calories, especially when you've established a healthy lifestyle.

I look forward to seeing others comments on the subject, and good luck on your journey to healthy living!

lizard053

I totally know what you mean! BUT, if you're doing good 80-90% of the time, and it's just a little treat once in a while, there is no reason to feel guilty. For me, if I have a sweet treat, I backslide horribly. I'd love to cheat like people say, but I really can't.

If you're gonna have a treat, make it a good one! Enjoy every single morsel as long as you can, and be proud of the accomplishments you've made so far! I love me a good burger, and I make sure they are as good for me as I can. I prefer to make my own over going out. Load it up with a few pickles, onion, lettuce, tomato... Yum. An I REALLY enjoy it when I have it. One of my few "cheats" is a lean burger.

Don't dwell on the calories. The guilt is worse than the treat! Remind yourself that you are doing a great job and a once in a while treat is allowed!

Caged_Heat

It's a pretty natural reaction when you are so intensely aware of what you are eating. The fear of backsliding with food is not different than anything else. I was at Paradise Bakery the other day and after eating my sandwich, I looked up CC cookies on my phone. My wife just rolled her eyes because she knows how compulsive I get when I start "another diet." I ended up splitting it with her so I felt better about eating only half - and still enjoyed eating it. (Hey wait. Maybe she rolled her eyes so I WOULD split it with her!)

Anyway, just do your best to enjoy something once in a while. LET yourself enjoy it.


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brandirobin

I just started counting calories. I've always had the mentality that I can eat whatever I want if I just work out a little more. Well....I'm cutting that thought process out of my life!!! However, I do give myself a splurge day. One day a week, I eat whatever I want and drink whatever I want GUILT FREE!!! .
I've found though that the healthier I eat, the healthier I WANT to eat. So even when that one splurge day comes, I usually only eat bad at dinner time, and even then I'm conscious of how heavy and gross I'll feel if I eat something horrible. My personal opinion, don't beat yourself up over one feel good snack! It sounds like you're doing everything else right the rest of the time!