Help me save me from myself!

TavistockToad is right - mind over matter! Which isn't easy, I know - sometimes I think controlling the mind is harder than watching what you eat.

You have to commit to the changes - mind and body, and accept that as part of your daily life. It will not start out easily, but if you persist, you *can* break through.

I have always been very similar.

I think my downfall is that as soon as i have started going on a 'diet' i cut out chocolate/crisps/pizza/wine and all those treats.

What i am doing this time is different. First of all, i see this as a lifestyle change, which means its life long. Can i give up pizza/chocolate/wine forever? NO WAY! So i make sure that i incorporate it into my eating habits.

Whenever i plan to eat/not eat something,or change my habits in any way, i think to myself "can i really do this for the rest of my life", and if not, i dont do it. Thge reasoning behind this, is that if i lose the weight but dont keep the same habits that i use to lose the weight, i'll just put on weight again and be in the same situation in a few years!

So, my advice, dont deprive yourself of ANYTHING!

I could have written that post myself. I recently started seeing a therapist for other reasons, but I have found out the reasons I overeat and obsess about food. I overeat due to stress, anxiety, and depression. Talking about my issues has led to a huge epiphany, and I am learning to stop the obsessing and control my anxiety. When I start craving food or reaching for food out of boredom or depression, I ask myself if I am really hungry or if there is another reason I want to eat. I find if I journal for 20 minutes, I am usually able to push past those negative feelings and they go away.

Since starting therapy, I have gone from 213 pounds to 188 pounds. I am continuing my weight loss journey wiser than I was when I began. Perhaps you should go to the doc and find out if there is a biological reason you are having trouble. Perhaps you could talk to a therapsit yourself. I don't know if those things would help you personally, but I know they helped me.

Whenever i plan to eat/not eat something,or change my habits in any way, i think to myself "can i really do this for the rest of my life", and if not, i dont do it. Thge reasoning behind this, is that if i lose the weight but dont keep the same habits that i use to lose the weight, i'll just put on weight again and be in the same situation in a few years!

So, my advice, dont deprive yourself of ANYTHING!

Totally agree with this poster, and just because you eat bite or two or something, does NOT mean you have to eat the whole amount or serving. Be sensible and mindful. And write it down. Keeping track of every bite, lick and taste has made all the difference for me. Again, I say good luck.

Here is another tip, eat a lot of volumetric foods (large mass foods with lower calories).

Don't know what to tell you about the thoughts. I think everyone struggles in that area from time to time. I would suggest that you start a training program that will last 12-16 weeks such as 5k or 10K or completed a circuit dvd such as Jillian Michael's 30 Day Shred. This will put your focus on something else and off of food.

Yup. As soon as I would get serious about exercising, I felt ready to eat the fridge.

Try cutting one treat out for a month and replace it with a healthy food you like. I decided to go off desserts for a month just to see if I could do it. Try going off chocolate for a month, and at the end, buy a small dark chocolate bar or some really good quality chocolate. Eat a little, put the rest in the freezer. You'll probably find that you can't stomach so much sweet at one time.

Decide to cut out soda for a month, and chances are that at the end, you can only stomach half a can.

Or allow for one small treat a day at the time of day you normally really crave one.

After your workout, treat your body to healthy food to refuel it and reward it for its hard work. Think about healthy meals you love, and have those ingredients on hand. You can make restaurant style indulgent tasting meals without overloading calories.

One of my favorites is ginger, marmalade, and garlic glazed salmon or other fish or chicken (baked or grilled), whole wheat pasta with a creamy lemon dill sauce (Google for recipe). I substitute almond milk for the milk/cream to reduce calories. Add a big salad with your favorite veggies, top the salad with a sprinkle of balsamic vinegar and a shake or two of parmesan. So good!

Sounds like you do pretty good, when you're not thinking about it. So stop thinking of it as a diet. Think of it as making a healthier meal or just taking a little smaller of a portion. Maybe that will help. Good luck.

I think of it as a game. I try not to get to 0 on my calorie counter.

It gets me excited. I compete with my coworkers to see who has more points left at the end of the day, etc.

Get some friends together and get competitive.

I notice that when I think, "Okay, I'm going to eat healthier and record calories" etc, I find I am always wanting junk and always hungry. I record my food (took a break from recording calories) and I just eat normally. I find that on a normal basis without adding the stress of health and whatnot, I am fairly healthy. I think it's just a mind thing.

First, you need something that truly motivates you to stay on this weight loss plan. Secondly, Clean house of all unhealthy food or snacks you don't want to eat. This happens to me all the time. You might want to change your environment because it sounds like your getting triggered all the time. I get triggered by what I see and I want to eat it; I have even stopped watching commercial. If its out of sight then it's out if mind. Also keep yourself busy with anything, work or exercising classes. When I'm sitting at home and I start to crave something unhealthy I'll go to the gym.
I hope this help.

Are you ready to get down to it and lose the weight, or just telling yourself you need to but aren't motivated enough? How much do you need to lose?

Ditch the shakes and eat proper food!

It's mind over matter, you control what goes into your mouth, no one else!

Perfect advice!!!! Those shakes are nasty! Real food is where it's at!

It really is a mind over matter. A lot of people have posted great tips. I may have overlooked this one, but next time you crave something, have a glass or two of water prior to any eating. It will help you feel a bit fuller, plus helps get in those 8 a day!

If that doesn't help, try adding what you are thinking about eating to your calorie counter prior to indulging. It will give you visibility and may make you think twice about how many calories for the day are wrapped up in these cravings. (And if you still can't resist, it may help you plan accordingly for the rest of the day. It's how I handle my "treat of the week" (normally pizza)).

The cravings are hard, but if you stick with it long enough they will not be as strong or common. Your body will adjust, as this should be a life change and not a short-term fad, and you will start to actually crave healthier foods.

Stick with it and good luck!