Does anyone else find this exhausting?

angelicasmommy

I have struggled with my weight all my life, and now for about 3 years now I have been trying to watch what I eat and make healthier choices, and even in the last year and a half struggling with binge eating. I just feel like constantly thinking about food (planning healthy options, cravings for sugary foods, grocery lists etc. I'm tired and frustrated with it. I just want to be like normal people who don't have to think about food all the time ugh. OK I'm done whining.

Anna800

I know skinny people who write out a meal plan for the whole week on Sunday! Every meal and snack is laid out and they go to the grocery store with that list. I know for me I was eating randomly for dinner even though I could plan breakfast, lunch and snacks. So a few weeks ago I went out and stocked up on frozen meals, haven't done that in years, but it just made my life so much easier and healthier. I found low cal sugary snacks like vitatops and weight watchers ice cream bars.

psuLemon

I found that after I went 30days without a certain food, that once I started to eat it again, it made me sick. So take things slow and see how long you can go without a particular food. Maybe try to substitute something with more veggies. If you need something sweet, get some fruit and water and see if the craving goes away.

kacarter1017

I understand where you're coming from and at times I've felt that way as well. But, you would feel just as frustrated and exhausted if you weren't doing anything to work on your weight. And whining every now and then can help off load the frustration, but stay focused and know that in the end you will be healthier and appreciate the work!

bcattoes

Meal planning and grocery shopping are just part of being an adult for many people that don't have servants to do it for us. Healthy or unhealthy you have to eat something.

As for craving sweets the only advice I have is what worked for me. Give them up cold turkey for a while (several weeks). When you eat them again you'll find that they taste so sweet you can't eat too many. Unless it's TOM and then it's best to just not have them around. I don't know if that will work for you, but it did for me.

MinnieInMaine

I like the idea of planning as much as you can for the week too - takes a little extra time on the weekends but then you dont have to think too much about it the rest of the week. Also, once I got a routine of certain meals/recipes that I know will fit nicely into my calories, I just kept rotating those every week or two. And if you get bored, go to skinngirl.com or myrecipes.com and you can find something new pretty easily.

Something I noticed a year or so ago is that the skinnier/healthier people I know don't eat clean 100% of the time. They do as well as they can most of the time then they don't have to worry when they go out to eat or go to happy hour (as long as it's not a daily occurrance). It was such an aha! moment for me! I used to think they were so lucky because when I saw them at functions they'd be trying a bit of everything and drinking and not worrying about a thing, meanwhile I'm wondering how many calories are in this mini eclair and how much will it make my hips expand?! LOL!

Just knowing it wasn't impossible took a lot of pressure off for me. I knew as long as I did well with eating and exercising 80-90% of the time, it might take longer but I'd get there and it wouldn't be so hard. And it hasn't been. I still eat the foods I love, just in slightly healthier versions and in healthy portions - or I work my *kitten* off in the gym so I can "afford" the extra calories. Sure I go over once in a while (like today) but I'm still losing so why stress about it?

Tallblondechick

The only thing exhausting for me is carrying the extra weight. I want to feel light again.

QueenGorgo

Gosh I would never want to be normal..

But seriously..the people that never pay attention to what they eat and just blindly shove gthe nearest food into their mouths are either fat, skinny fat or will be one of those two in the furture..and a lot of people feel guilt about how they eat and feel but don't have the will to change and they secretly look at people like you with a lot of respect cause you're doing something they couldn't do..

I mean you could always just stop and let the chips fall where they may.. least then you'd be normal right?

cubizzle

The only thing exhausting for me is carrying the extra weight. I want to feel light again.

:flowerforyou:

carld256

I'll take tired, frustrated, and thin over fat, diabetic, and dead.

pattyblair51

It looks like you are doing great through all the frustration. It really is difficult since we are a food oriented society. All the commercials and food shows. It has been difficult for me with the grandkids here for the summer. I have managed to stay on track most of the time. If I have a sugar cookie that we have just baked I count the calories and try to eat healthier. I have added protein smoothies with fruit to my menu. That satisfies my sweet tooth most of the time.

kiminikimkim

When my friends see me, they assume I am a normal person eating what ever I like.

What they don't know is that I constantly track my food everyday and exercise vigorously 2 - 3 times a week. It's a lifetime commitment.

Children become a lifetime commitment as well. Your health is no different.

angelicasmommy

I already do grocery lists and meal planning every 2 weeks usually. I find though, that if I plan out what I will eat every meal/snack, I don't feel like eating it on that day and I go off track. So I'm trying doing it every week so I can get a bit more change when I get tired of it.
I think what's most frustrating is that I am thinking about food seriously, 24/7. I lay in bed thinking about it as soon as my head hits the pillow (thinking about healthy food choices for my next grocery list, I usually change my mind and write 10 lists throughout the list by the time grocery shopping day comes) I am on my computer or writing in my notebook to look for new recipes, or on these message boards. That's what is exhausting. I just don't want to think about food anymore!

Kebby83

I am exhausted. Still have that 200+lb thinking about food.

bcattoes

I already do grocery lists and meal planning every 2 weeks usually. I find though, that if I plan out what I will eat every meal/snack, I don't feel like eating it on that day and I go off track. So I'm trying doing it every week so I can get a bit more change when I get tired of it.
I think what's most frustrating is that I am thinking about food seriously, 24/7. I lay in bed thinking about it as soon as my head hits the pillow (thinking about healthy food choices for my next grocery list, I usually change my mind and write 10 lists throughout the list by the time grocery shopping day comes) I am on my computer or writing in my notebook to look for new recipes, or on these message boards. That's what is exhausting. I just don't want to think about food anymore!

Is there a reason you have to plan everything so strictly. I can't imagine planning my meals in advance. It's 3:45 p.m. and I don't know what I'm going to fix for dinner. I keep a well stocked pantry, fridge and freezer, so I have several options at home to work with, or I may stop at the store on the way home from work and get something to prepare.

The only meal I usually plan in advance is lunch, which I pack in the morning before work. Otherwise i just decide what I want when meal time rolls around.

angelicasmommy

2 reasons 1) If I don't plan, I will be starving and eat something I shouldn't. "If you fail to plan, you plan to fail" comes to mind. Obviously this doesn't apply to everyone, because it seems to be working for you not to plan everything
2) I'm on a budget, so it's cheaper to write out a meal plan, and buy just those items on my list.

Almost every afternoon, the cravings for junk hits and I am thinking about food again. I go through the battles with myself about weather or not I should eat something, and almost always lose and eat way too much junk. I've tried strict planning, I've tried not planning, I've tried calorie counting and only allowing 1200 calories, I've tried calorie counting and allowing 1600-200 calories and I''ve tried not counting at all. I just feel like I am OBSESSED with food

anna0478

Nothing tastes as good to me as the thought of being thin feels!

If planning is a problem, there are a couple of sites you can try that will assist with the planning/grocery lists:

www.emeals.com is a pay per use service, you select the type of meals you would like, low carb, clean, family dinners and weekly you log on and your new menu and list is right there. Not only that, it will add new recipes to your repertoire in case you're tired of the same old stuff.

If you're into free, and have the time to pour over recipes and find ones you like, go to ziplist.com. You can add items to your grocery list based on the recipes you select and you can make a meal plan for those recipes as well.

Also, I've found that if I keep healthy snacks available all throughout the day, I'm less likely to binge on crap...namely the three bowls of various chocolate and other candies we keep in my office for the general population

anna0478

Also, are you drinking enough water? Sometimes the cravings will go away if you drink a glass or two. It helps to make you feel full.

MissNordicLight

I know what you mean, I feel exactly the same. When I eat one meal, I already thinking about my next. It's the first thing I think about when I wake up and the last before I fall asleep. I plan my food, my drinks, my free meals, my exercise. Everything, all the time. And I agree, it's SO tiring ....

I want to live life and I want food to be a natural part of it, but I don't and it's not. I'm currently seeing a life-coach, she is helping me to start living again. Focus on the now, do things that I love etc. It's helping a little bit, but I'm still obsessed. It's like if I obsess about my weight I don't have to deal with my REAL problems (for example that I'm lonely or that I don't like my job).

Even though I'm constantly thinking about food and exercise, my weight loss is very slow. I started last January and have lost 15 kg so far, that's less than 2 lbs PER MONTH. And so many times I have asked myself, what's the point? So much effort, so little payoff. But then again, what is the alternative?

neverstray

Remember this: Success always looks so easy once it's achieved. When you look at anyone who has achieved any dream no matter what it is, it looks so natural and like it was meant to be. But, it wasn't. It was forced, took lots of hard difficult sacrifice, and it continues to be that way to stay there. Success is never easy, simple, or unplanned, I mean, there are a few trust fund babies, or people who win the lottery. But, geez, that so few in the world that you really can't worry about it. Most people had to earn it. And, it is very difficult for all of them. Even if you look at the big trainers, think Jillian Michaels, she struggles everyday, but she tackles it and addresses it, and works through it. It's not easy for anyone. Just remember that. It looks like it, but it's not.

3foldchord

Meal planning and grocery shopping are just part of being an adult for many people that don't have servants to do it for us. Healthy or unhealthy you have to eat something.

While true-- for some of us it is a bit more taxing on the brain cells (well, for me anyway with my old brain cells)....

There is [1] the normal eating plans in general (for those who don't have servants to do it for them) [2] maintaining the proper mix of protein and sugars eaten at the right time intervals (all day every day) to control hypoglycemia (then hope it doesn't somehow mess with my migraines) [3] 3 kids with different food allergies... (and add in counting calories and logging them)..some weeks I with they had a pill for nutrients and I could stop thinking about food!

wewon

I have struggled with my weight all my life, and now for about 3 years now I have been trying to watch what I eat and make healthier choices, and even in the last year and a half struggling with binge eating. I just feel like constantly thinking about food (planning healthy options, cravings for sugary foods, grocery lists etc. I'm tired and frustrated with it. I just want to be like normal people who don't have to think about food all the time ugh. OK I'm done whining.

Actually, I don't consider this to be "whining" at all. Its a very legitimate concern and one that most people deal with and one of the reasons that people 'fall off the wagon'.

How we eat is very much about habits and routines and one of the goals of your journey should be to not only log foods and lose weight, but to develop sustainable strategies for dealing with food. Otherwise, your left with a bunch of short term tactics.

I have 'rules of thumb' for myself, that I could do easily if I never logged into MFP again still lose weight, but I do log on here everyday mostly to try to ingrain the habits.

Things like making sure that I eat at least 3 fruits a day, no limit on veggies, 10 glasses of water, no sugar without fiber it comes with. I generally can only eat so much fat and protein before I'm too full, so I don't worry about the quantities of those.

You also need to find your weak areas and learn out to mitigate them.

buzzcogs

Someday it will be a lot easier but you are in the process of undoing bad habits and replacing them with good habits..this is an exhausting process. Every time you get sick and tired of doing this, just think about the good you are doing for yourself and also your family (healthier mom = good thing!)
God Bless and good luck you have a whole lot of MFP'rs rooting for you!

katicasi82

I know skinny people who write out a meal plan for the whole week on Sunday! Every meal and snack is laid out and they go to the grocery store with that list. I know for me I was eating randomly for dinner even though I could plan breakfast, lunch and snacks. So a few weeks ago I went out and stocked up on frozen meals, haven't done that in years, but it just made my life so much easier and healthier. I found low cal sugary snacks like vitatops and weight watchers ice cream bars.

I pretty much do this - except once a week I make 10-15 portions of a meal I like and freeze them - I like to know EXACTLY what's in my food and to be honest frozen meals are not my thing well done though, bit of planning goes a long way!

kao708

It will be hard not to be obsessed with it but I don't think about food all the time. When I'm hungry, then I think about what I want to eat that is good for me and within my calorie goals.

Planning ahead doesn't work for me because if I'm craving something in particular, I want to have it. This doesn't work for everyone but I like to have the flexibility of making choices at the time that I'm hungry. You'll eventually train your brain not to think about it so much.

Good luck!

GaidenJade

I understand where you're coming from and at times I've felt that way as well. But, you would feel just as frustrated and exhausted if you weren't doing anything to work on your weight. And whining every now and then can help off load the frustration, but stay focused and know that in the end you will be healthier and appreciate the work!

^^^^ This.

Relax, this too shall pass. And when you push through this momentary weakness, you'll feel ten times stronger because you KNOW you are doing what is best for your health. It's okay to release frustration, just as long as you don't give in to it.

moseler

I don't know any of these "normal" people you are referring to. Even my thin friends THINK about what they are eating. It's the responsible thing to do for EVERYONE. I feel your frustration, believe me... I have been there many, many times. But, this is not just about losing weight, it's about changing your lifestyle and making choices that in the long run will help you feel better about yourself... feel stronger, more in control and eventually, healthier. This is HARD... I get it... but it is SOOOOO worth it. And so are you. Stick with it... it really does get easier along the way, you stop obsessing about food and start making good choices based on your body's needs rather than wants. You can still have the foods you love... just in moderation. That's the trick.

3foldchord

Angelica- I am still at the "This is a LOT of WORK" stage, too. Just hoping it will become 2nd nature one day... soon.

Kudos for being here and sticking to it!

ZugTheMegasaurus

It sounds like you're overwhelming yourself with details. Rather than preplanning each and every meal weeks in advance, you might try simply buying healthful ingredients and just making stuff on the fly. I precook a lot of stuff and just keep it in the fridge; then when I'm hungry, I can just pull out what sounds good at that time and know that no matter what I put together, it's going to be healthy and within my goals.

For example, I'll cook up several pounds of chicken breast in the oven all at once, cut into half-pound portions; when I go to make food, I know that half of a piece is a serving, and it's already ready. I also cook up large amounts of black beans and prep tubs of salsa, fruits, and vegetables. So I can make a ton of different meals out of the same items with next to no effort or planning. I know I go crazy when I have things planned ahead of time because I get anxious about waiting for it to happen, so this works extremely well for me.

EDesq

You don't think EVERYONE "stresses" over food? Let Me tell you, the healthiest and slimmest stress the most! The thing is, they refuse to give in to all the temptations, and when they do, they get right back on the wagon. Everyday they are making the same decisions around food as you, again, for whatever reason their Choices are different>>>and I suspect those Choices have less to do with negative feelings and suppressing stuff. For Me, wt loss and maintenance has always been Spiritual and Emotional. As My EQ has grown, so has My ability to lose wt, maintain wt loss and, get and stay healthy and fit. In other words Emotional shifts had to take place. The food was just a conduit!

moseler

I'll take tired, frustrated, and thin over fat, diabetic, and dead.

AMEN!