how do you say no to bad food?

Say NO, with great meaning behind it. Do it out loud if you have to. But do it. Then prove to yourself that you can eat something healthy instead and do that. Accomplish it this one them, feel great about it and then do it again! You can do it

Wait a few minutes... realize after those few minute that if you'd eaten that food, it would already be gone and you'd be feeling guilty. Pretend you already ate it and you're done.

Walk away feeling un-guilty.

I don't consider any food bad. Everything in moderation! I look at something and think about how many calories it will have and how many minutes I will have to spend on the treadmill and bike to burn that many calories. Most days I don't have an extra hour or two to exercise so that keeps me from eating something really high in calories. IF I DO, I either cut calories somewhere else in my day or make myself to exercise more!

So - when you eat the "bad food" you end up feeling bad... right? Sounds like a food allergy to me - just convince yourself that you are allergic to junk food. I have been known to tell people that I am allergic to chocolate - because people are MUCH more understanding of that than me sayin, "Oh no - thanks, I'm trying to watch what I'm eating".

Another thing I do is: I don't eat anything without FIRST logging it into MFP. So - if you're trying to decide whether or not to eat it- go add it to your food diary and see how it sits with you... if you decide not to eat it... delete it from your food diary and congratulate yourself on a good decision! If you do decide to eat it - well, at least you've made an informed decision.

I know will power is always a problem for me, so before I go out with friends or do anything, I pick one person who I trust and say, "No matter what don't let me eat any crap today!". And then when I'm tempted and they tell me I can't, I don't. Sometimes I might try and rationalize to them why it's okay, but then I hear how desperate I sound and I still don't. If I really wanna try something, I just ask for a bite of someone else's.

You have to decide who or what is bigger - you or the cookie. Happy dieting and just say no:)

Say NO, with great meaning behind it. Do it out loud if you have to. But do it. Then prove to yourself that you can eat something healthy instead and do that. Accomplish it this one them, feel great about it and then do it again! You can do it

I do the same thing...even if I'm st athe grocery store eyeing a box of cookies...I'll tell myself out loud, "No! You like oatmeal just as much so snack on oatmeal instead!" People probably think I'm nuts, but what do I care? :laugh:

Also, after a while, I've found that saying no to the food that others offer you really gets to be a habit after a while. I work in a pizza restaurant, and temptation is always around! So I've just gotten in the habit of thinking and saying "No, I don't eat that." And also, the people offering food have gotten the point, and even marvel about how good I am at saying no.

I also try to imagine all the work I'm going to have to do to undo the damage done by that bad food.

Willpower is a huge part of being committed to a diet plan, easier said than done, I know. I pretty much lived on junk food, having 3 kids, it was pretty much grab & go for me. So it was very hard for me just to break that, it was like an addiction. In the beginning I got really irritable because I couldn't have my junk, because I completely cut it out. But I learned learned moderation. I don't eat junk food every day, usually a healthier alternative. The 100 calorie packs are great, or fruit for a sweet tooth. Then for those salty days, instead of a bag of chips, pretzels or popcorn are a better choice. I do my best to stick to this, but trust me if there is a day i want a Tastykake candy cake, I eat it. I make sure it fits into my day, or put that extra few minutes in at the gym. You shouldn't be miserable on a diet, you are doing it to better yourself!

I saw this on someones profile...."I would rather be skinny than eat _____." (fill in the blank) That line runs through my head when I'm considering something I really don't need. :blushing:

one thing i just did was spend 3 days eating nothing that was processed... just fruits and veggies (and peanuts for protein...) (i am vegan so it wasn't as hard as it sounds...) during this time, i have a house full of girl scout cookies (leader of 2 troops) and worked a bake sale at a 6th grade fundraiser and attended a 50th b-day party for my boss. can you say 'too many temptations??" wow - that was tough!! but i knew i was at a plateau and wanted to break through it so i kept it safe. during the bake sale/bingo night, my friends (who are also dieting and working out) kept eating brownies and cookies and cupcakes but i just kept telling myself how hard i was working to get to my ultimate goal and that kept me motivated.
hang in there, KNOW you can do it... and just remember the ultimate goal. have faith in yourself and that will help you to say no!
good luck! )

I LOVE THIS!!! Just tell yourself you are "allergic". I think I'll try this, I am now allergic to pizza, chips, etc. Thanks!

Great thread, great answers, love it.

Well get somethings to keep around you so if your friends and/or coworkers want chocolate you can too! I love the new 90 calorie Fiber One Peanut Butter and Chocolate Bars. Or you could get the 60 Cal Sugar Free Jello Pudding Snacks, there are ALOT of good flavors to those! I know it is hard bc my fiance eats like a lil pig and CAN, so I just keep weight watchers or skinny cow ice cream snacks and things like that so when he gets his ice cream snickers I get my skinny cow ice cream sandwhich, that way you get something sweet too:)

Find yourself a chocolate protein bar that you like and keep fruit around so when you are offered those snacks or you have a craving, you have your treats on hand that you know are good for you.

I try to input junk into MFP first to see the cals and then I decide it's just not worth it.