Diet harder than exercise

moe5474

Just frustrated. Adding exercise into my daily routine has been quite easy for me to do, surprisingly. But it's the darn eating part that keeps me from reaching my goals.

I have no problem making sure to run 3 miles a day, but then I can't turn down the ice cream after dinner

I get lazy and quit logging my food and then I'm surprised when the scale doesn't move. I need to just buckle down and get it done. Lord knows I'll feel better about having done it when swimsuit season rolls around!

Schraudt814

Keep working at it!! Willpower is super hard to develop, but it really is all about changing your thinking, and the food changes will come after that. Keep treats as just that- treats. The exercise is awesome, keep that up! It sounds like you know what your big problem is, so fix it! :flowerforyou:

niftyafterfifty

I do better with the food. I really don't like exercising; I'm more motivated when the scale shows results. When it doesn't, I have to make myself do it. I need to get if over with early in the day; that way, I don't have to think about it all day long.

AlyRoseNYC

The diet and exercise is the easy part. It's the will power that matters! Just keep your eye in the prize

RGPargy

I am exactly the same!!

I go to the gym 5 times a week and have no trouble doing 9 classes during those visits. But lately i have been awful with my food. I only log on here to keep my daily log in numbers running. My head is not with it at the moment. Please someone give me some motivational food help!!!!!!

SpankyBuns

I had for a sweet snack the new Fiber One Bars Oats and Chocolate they where yummy and only 140 calories bar (and only 1 point on weight watchers) , the Special K chocolate cereal is also good for the night time sweet tooth...If it's getting to late or my points or calories are to high I just brush my teeth, the mint flavor seems to clear out cravings. Skinny Cow does make some great ice cream. There's lots of options we just have to make the right ones...Good Luck

ScottyBeBop

Yeah food use to be the hardest part for me too. Staying active is just fun and i have no problem with that. But once you start seeing results you forget about the food part pretty quick.

AllTehBeers

I do better with the food. I really don't like exercising; I'm more motivated when the scale shows results. When it doesn't, I have to make myself do it. I need to get if over with early in the day; that way, I don't have to think about it all day long.

Me too! I would rather sit on my bum and eat a celery stick then do a workout. I stuff myself with good stuff all day long so its easier for me to say no to the bad stuff. Replacing sugar with fruit and cooking my own "fast food" meals like tacos and burgers helps me get my fill for the bad stuff but keeps me on track. Good luck!

moe5474

I am exactly the same!!

I go to the gym 5 times a week and have no trouble doing 9 classes during those visits. But lately i have been awful with my food. I only log on here to keep my daily log in numbers running. My head is not with it at the moment. Please someone give me some motivational food help!!!!!!

Glad I'm not the only one! And I wish I could give you some motivation, but I need to find some myself.....sigh

lmelangley

I'm just the opposite - modifying my diet has been easy, but exercising is an issue. Here are some food suggestions:
1. Don't allow yourself to go to bed until you've finished logging for the day - even if you're way over. We all are sometimes. I found it really helpful the first few weeks to just figure out how I ate - the number of calories when, etc... I learned that, like you, I need more calories at night.
2. Start with simple things. Leave the cheese off your sandwich/burger. Try eating rolls without butter. Instead of putting dressing on your salad, put something on that's flavorful like feta or dried cranberries and see if you really need the dressing. Remember that 2tbls feta has a lot more nutrition than 2 tbls salad dressing, generally.
3. Portion control is huge. Measure everything you can, whenever you can. And, use smaller plates. Take one portion of whatever is available for the meal and then eat everything on your plate. If you're still hungry, eat more. But, make sure you're really hungry.
4. If you want ice cream, have it. BUT, one portion, only. Which is generally about 1/2 cup. And, try to plan your calories so that you have them available. This isn't about denial - it's about modifying what we eat in a way that we can live with in order to become as healthy as we can be.
5. It's been proven that thirst can mimic hunger. Drink lots of water, then drink more.
6. Think about everything you put into your mouth. The two questions are, is this healthy for me and do I really want it. Again, not about denial here. If you want to eat something that isn't healthy - although almost any real food in moderation - just own it and have it. But think about it so you don't end up blindsiding yourself.

kdeaux1959

If you are running 3 miles a day, a LITTLE ice cream is really not a bad thing. Just do it in moderation.

Dremak1

You could try eating frozen yogurt instead of ice cream or a skinny cow fudge pop. Make better choices and look at the foods you CAN have versus foods you should not have. That way you feel less deprived. You are still getting a treat just a healthier one.

missprincessgina

I agree with you. I love to work out and work out hard at that. I run, walk 3 dogs daily, work out with a trainer twice a week, do Insanity videos, etc. but giving up my DQ blizzards is so hard. I noticed that if I've gone up a pound or two I really need to look at what I've been eating. I've maintained my weight loss for over ten years now and for me diet is key. I'm really blessed in that I like to keep active so its not a chore for me.

I also noticed that I can't eat as much as I did in my 20's. I have to watch my alcohol and sugar intake a lot more now.

moe5474

I'm just the opposite - modifying my diet has been easy, but exercising is an issue. Here are some food suggestions:
1. Don't allow yourself to go to bed until you've finished logging for the day - even if you're way over. We all are sometimes. I found it really helpful the first few weeks to just figure out how I ate - the number of calories when, etc... I learned that, like you, I need more calories at night.
2. Start with simple things. Leave the cheese off your sandwich/burger. Try eating rolls without butter. Instead of putting dressing on your salad, put something on that's flavorful like feta or dried cranberries and see if you really need the dressing. Remember that 2tbls feta has a lot more nutrition than 2 tbls salad dressing, generally.
3. Portion control is huge. Measure everything you can, whenever you can. And, use smaller plates. Take one portion of whatever is available for the meal and then eat everything on your plate. If you're still hungry, eat more. But, make sure you're really hungry.
4. If you want ice cream, have it. BUT, one portion, only. Which is generally about 1/2 cup. And, try to plan your calories so that you have them available. This isn't about denial - it's about modifying what we eat in a way that we can live with in order to become as healthy as we can be.
5. It's been proven that thirst can mimic hunger. Drink lots of water, then drink more.
6. Think about everything you put into your mouth. The two questions are, is this healthy for me and do I really want it. Again, not about denial here. If you want to eat something that isn't healthy - although almost any real food in moderation - just own it and have it. But think about it so you don't end up blindsiding yourself.

Thank you so much for this! This is all stuff that I should know (and do), but I seem to throw everything by the wayside when it comes to eating

Here's to getting back on track!

moe5474

If you are running 3 miles a day, a LITTLE ice cream is really not a bad thing. Just do it in moderation.

So true. But my problem is I pull out the entire container intending to only have a spoonful or two and end up standing there at the counter eating for 10 minutes. Whoops!

Schraudt814

If you are running 3 miles a day, a LITTLE ice cream is really not a bad thing. Just do it in moderation.

So true. But my problem is I pull out the entire container intending to only have a spoonful or two and end up standing there at the counter eating for 10 minutes. Whoops!

I hope this doesnt sound rude...but why don't you portion it out into a bowl instead of eating from the carton? Obviously this isn't a perfect fix...I've gone back for a 2nd bowl more times than I care to admit. BBut portion control is super important so I would certainly recommend scooping out a bowl (with a measuring cup so you can accurately judge how much you're really eating).

tialynn1

I have the same problem, especially lately. I love to exercise in. I exercise at least every morning. On the few times I wasn't able to do it first thing in the morning. I felt like crap.
Now, eating I still struggle with. Lately, I haven't been able to feel full. I just keep exercising more.

bcattoes

I find the opposite to be true for me. I love healthy food and don't like sweets too much so eating healthy most of the time is easy. But, even though I enjoy exercising, I find it very hard to fit it into my schedule. I do it because with a desk job I know how necessary it is, but it is a constant struggle.

If you want ice cream after dinner, have you tried the Skinny Cow or Weight Watchers ice cream bars and sandwiches? They are quite tasty and most are 100 -150 calories each.

skydivelife

Usually you're hungry because your body lacks nutrients....

Don't forget, hunger is your body's survival response. Switch to high protein and fat.

Eat meat with every meal.

TONS of veggies, 1 or 2 servings of fruit a day.

Check out my blog for more info

Wellfitlife.wordpress.com

moe5474

If you are running 3 miles a day, a LITTLE ice cream is really not a bad thing. Just do it in moderation.

So true. But my problem is I pull out the entire container intending to only have a spoonful or two and end up standing there at the counter eating for 10 minutes. Whoops!

I hope this doesnt sound rude...but why don't you portion it out into a bowl instead of eating from the carton? Obviously this isn't a perfect fix...I've gone back for a 2nd bowl more times than I care to admit. BBut portion control is super important so I would certainly recommend scooping out a bowl (with a measuring cup so you can accurately judge how much you're really eating).

Well, that's my problem. I know good and well it's a horrible idea to eat from the package because you never realize just how much you're eating (whether it's chips or ice cream).

I have just been ignoring all of this knowledge lately. Here's to eating off of actual plates/bowls!

moe5474

I find the opposite to be true for me. I love healthy food and don't like sweets too much so eating healthy most of the time is easy. But, even though I enjoy exercising, I find it very hard to fit it into my schedule. I do it because with a desk job I know how necessary it is, but it is a constant struggle.

If you want ice cream after dinner, have you tried the Skinny Cow or Weight Watchers ice cream bars and sandwiches? They are quite tasty and most are 100 -150 calories each.

I"ve tried those in the past, but for me they just don't work. Any kind of "diet food" always leaves me feeling like I didn't really indulge. I think I'd rather have 1/2 a cup of the real stuff than 2 skinny cows.

But they are tasty

britexmom

If you are running 3 miles a day, a LITTLE ice cream is really not a bad thing. Just do it in moderation.

So true. But my problem is I pull out the entire container intending to only have a spoonful or two and end up standing there at the counter eating for 10 minutes. Whoops!

then buy the small one serving size or get the skinny cow or weightwatcher ice cream sandwiches or bars. you just have to switch out some products for better choices

LovingLisa2012

im going to tell ya what i have done

in November i stopped eating so much fast food (kinda had to, my transmission went out on my car)
(lost about 6 pounds between November - March )

March 2nd i joined MFP and told myself i would track my food everyday -- most days i was still eating the same amount of calories as if i was eating fast food (mostly snacking all day instead of eating meals -- i didn't really workout yet either .. just logged in every day (because i never stuck to logging, so that was goal 1)

April 1st - i knew it was time to get to working out and trying to be more carefull of calories.. its becoming easier, as i am now eating meals and not so much snacks .. i am starting to add in more veggies, drink LESS sodas and more water.. this is a work in progress

i am down 13 pounds with simple changes .. can't wait till i am 99% on track ..then the weight should come off even better



**** to wrap this up ... take baby steps
just make a point to come on every day for 1 month and track your food (it will become a habit , i promise)
slowly make changes to your eating .. there is alot of great ideas here, just make easy changes, no cheese, no mayo (or light) , add more veggies to sandwhiches , baked chips instead regular .. diet soda or water (even flavored) instead of regular soda etc.

^^ sorry so long^^

alharbour

Get some Skinny Cow ice cream treats. I eat the ice cream sandwiches, usually one every day. Also some of the weight watchers ice cream items. I just make sure it fits within my calorie alotment.

EbAbYgONhArD2013

The diet and exercise is the easy part. It's the will power that matters! Just keep your eye in the prize

TOTALLY AGREE

laurasimmons

I agree, the diet part is much harder than the exercise part. I just try to keep as many temptations out of my house as possible.

Lilith47

I'm just the opposite - modifying my diet has been easy, but exercising is an issue. Here are some food suggestions:
1. Don't allow yourself to go to bed until you've finished logging for the day - even if you're way over. We all are sometimes. I found it really helpful the first few weeks to just figure out how I ate - the number of calories when, etc... I learned that, like you, I need more calories at night.
2. Start with simple things. Leave the cheese off your sandwich/burger. Try eating rolls without butter. Instead of putting dressing on your salad, put something on that's flavorful like feta or dried cranberries and see if you really need the dressing. Remember that 2tbls feta has a lot more nutrition than 2 tbls salad dressing, generally.
3. Portion control is huge. Measure everything you can, whenever you can. And, use smaller plates. Take one portion of whatever is available for the meal and then eat everything on your plate. If you're still hungry, eat more. But, make sure you're really hungry.
4. If you want ice cream, have it. BUT, one portion, only. Which is generally about 1/2 cup. And, try to plan your calories so that you have them available. This isn't about denial - it's about modifying what we eat in a way that we can live with in order to become as healthy as we can be.
5. It's been proven that thirst can mimic hunger. Drink lots of water, then drink more.
6. Think about everything you put into your mouth. The two questions are, is this healthy for me and do I really want it. Again, not about denial here. If you want to eat something that isn't healthy - although almost any real food in moderation - just own it and have it. But think about it so you don't end up blindsiding yourself.

These are great tips! May I copy them for my blog? Of course with credit to you, and I can link to your profile (or blog if you have one!)

katysmelly

Just frustrated. Adding exercise into my daily routine has been quite easy for me to do, surprisingly. But it's the darn eating part that keeps me from reaching my goals.

I have no problem making sure to run 3 miles a day, but then I can't turn down the ice cream after dinner

I get lazy and quit logging my food and then I'm surprised when the scale doesn't move. I need to just buckle down and get it done. Lord knows I'll feel better about having done it when swimsuit season rolls around!

I know what you mean!

I started exercising when I quit smoking so that I would appreciate how hard my lungs were working and not be tempted to smoke. To my surprise, I began to gain weight! It's normal to gain weight when quitting smoking but I thought exercising every day would alleviate that. Not the case. If anything, it just made me hungrier.

I think there may be a period of adjustment where your appetite will spike in response to the sudden increase of activity.

Don't be afraid to eat some of your exercise calories back.

skydivelife

In follow up, it's less about counting calories and more about WHAT you eat. Your body gets hungry because it needs nutrients. If you feed it the right nutrients, you stop being hungry. I wrote a blog inspired by this post. Do these things and you'll be in it to win it

Wellfitlife.wordpress.com

cmayfield3

I had for a sweet snack the new Fiber One Bars Oats and Chocolate they where yummy and only 140 calories bar (and only 1 point on weight watchers)

That is not possible.

LReReed

I'm in the same boat too!! I can do cardio 5 times a week, but it's so hard to change my bad eating habits. I feel that I have to reward myself for sticking with my exercise regimen!! LOL...But what I try to do is be careful of what I buy from the grocery store. If all I have to eat is fruit, veggies, and lean meat, then I have no choice but to cook what's in stock. Now, the problem with that is that my boyfriend is trying to GAIN weight, so he has all kind sof sweets in the pantry......Guess I have to get a new boyfriend to fix that problem