THIS is why I can't lose weight
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I've been doing some soul searching to try to figure out why I've been having such a hard time losing weight the last few years. I only have 10-20 pounds to lose but it's frustrating being "so close yet so far away." My clothes have been fitting a little tighter in the last couple weeks and I can't afford a new wardrobe so I've decided I need to do something about this and the sooner the better. Anyway, I've narrowed down the reasons why I'm having trouble to the following:
- Getting older (I'm 39)
- Snacking while cooking dinner. It's truly incessant - by the time I'm done cooking I am usually not that hungry, but I end up eating dinner anyway.
- Impulse-buying candy - especially chocolate-y candy - that happens to be on sale. The combination of chocolate and a good bargain are extremely hard to resist.
Getting older is something I'm gonna have to learn to deal with. Anyone have any tips on how to put an end to the other two? One thing I'm trying beginning today is to write down every time I avoid the temptation to engage in these behaviors. The idea is that writing it down is an act of recognition and reward for myself to help make up for the loss of enjoyment of the snack. We'll see how it goes.
Also, what is stopping YOU from losing weight?
Sounds like this can all be summed up as willpower. Good luck getting it under control. Wish ya the best.0 -
Everyone can say it's just willpower that you need but that's easier said than done. To me that's like telling someone who is depressed to just 'get over it'.
Brush your teeth before you start dinner, then chew Orbit bubblemint gum while fixing dinner.
Use your crockpot. I don't think I'd be tempted to eat any raw food I was tossing in it.
Tell yourself you CAN have a treat once a week. Make it on whatever day you're most likely to encounter chocolate.
Maybe you wont crave it as much if you know you can have it in a few days.
The next time you eat something that's high in calories and not so good for you, burn the calories. If it's a 250 calorie candy bar, you'd have to walk at least a 2 1/2 miles to burn it off. It's a lot easier to lose weight if you look at the WORK you have to do to not add 250 cals of fat to your tummy, butt, whatever.
Getting older does make it a little harder to lose weight. I know, I'm 52. But.. we usually burn less because we dont move as much when we get older. Due to my age, and petite size, my maint. cals will be right UNDER 1200. If I don't exercise, I guess I wont be eating. lol
You can do this, you recognized what you're doing wrong. Make a list of WHY you don't want to eat the extra calories, why you want to be healthier, etc. and put it in your kitchen, car, or wherever you'll see it when you're tempted.
Good luck!0 -
Laziness. Since I started working out about 5 months ago, I have become less lazy...but I have also slacked off from my original burst of energy. The weekends are the worst because I don't feel like driving out to the gym when I'm already home, and I don't feel like working out at home because my family is there or there are other things to do or I want to relax. I need to push myself! Most days, I do pretty good though I just know I'd see better results if I were more consistent. 0
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What you all cooking that you eat while preparing it? Last night my supper was brussels sprouts, rice and fish fillets. Can't imagine snacking on any of that raw!
I snack on any veggie I am chopping, even onions (and carrots, beets, sweet potatoes and onions are the biggest problem since they are high in carbs and I can't afford it), and I have no problem snacking on raw meat or fish. Raw liver is to die for.
Often, I have meat from the broth that I need to process (strip off the bone/chop) when i cook, or the meat that is stir-fried separately from the veggies, first. Plus, when you get that roasted anything from the oven, salmon, chicken, pork roast mmgh, GOOD and it has to rest!0 -
beer.
and I'm not willing to give it up, yet0 -
Log every single thing that you put in your mouth. If you don't think you'll be able to accurately log something because it's too little food or whatever then don't eat it, it adds up. Burn more than you're eating and you will lose weight. If you don't, you won't.0
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The snacking whilst making dinner thing I have conquered by having a glass of diet coke. I know it's not the best health wise but it's the only one I have a day and it stops me from scouring the cupboards. Don't buy chocolate. Take healthy snacks out with you to have instead. I usually carry an emergency apple in my bag in case I get peckish.0
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Candy buying ? STOP IT. Just stop it. Candy isn't a necessity and if it's a trigger food - make up your mind that you are not going to buy it. ME - I keep dark chocolate at the house - 70% or greater. One or two squares completely satisfies that choc craving. In fact, I have a dark chocolate macro that I maintain : )
Snacking while cooking. Again, make up your mind to quit doing that. WHAT are you snacking on while cooking? I guess I don't understand this. When I'm cooking, I"m cooking. Might taste something thats going into the pot or taste while cooking to see if it's all melding together. Since you KNOW it's an issue - concentrate on changing the habit. If you are hungry and that is driving it, have a protein rich snack before you start cooking - such as a cheese stick. Protein with a bit of fat .. BAM!
AGE. Sorry. Age just IS. And absolutely positively don't use it as an EXCUSE. Don't even get hung up on that.
To lose weight - the first battle is being READY to do it. If you aren't READY to commit to the permanent lifestyle changes then it is probably going to be a fail. You don't have to jump in all at once with a lot of changes, or even big changes. Small steps. Small changes. Small changes morph into permanent changes.
Perhaps for you, the first small changes is to get your candy addiction under control : )
Good luck !0 -
Re: chocolate. I usually only buy the Dove promises chocolate to keep at home. It is decent quality and individually wrapped. I'll have anywhere from 1-3 pieces and that doesn't wreck my diet. And it's too expensive (on my budget) to go crazy and buy lots of it.
Snacking while cooking...I have the same problem. I think that's common. One thing is you may be letting yourself get too hungry by the time your next meal rolls around so the temptation is that much stronger.0 -
Perhaps you can snack on healthy things. Cut up some fresh veggies and put them in the fridge...measure out a certain amount of crackers to have handy. I assume if you snack before dinner, you are hungry? Maybe eat a little earlier before you are really hungry.
As for impulse shopping, that for me is all will power. I see things I want, but I know in the end if I buy them I will eat them. Maybe just get a tiny size if you want some type of reward after a week or two of not eating sweets.0 -
It starts in your head and your approach to things. These aren't reasons you CAN'T lose weight. They're reasons you DON'T lose weight.
As for the chocolate, start buying the dark stuff. and then send it to me.0 -
This is self-sabotage. There is an underlying issue. Try to figure out what it is.0
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I've been catching myself tasting while cooking lately. It's almost unconscious; suddenly I have someting in my mouth. I have to break this!
One thing that has helped in the past is to suck on a mentholyptus cough drop (and log it) while cooking. Everything tastes nasty on top of one of those. And/or having a cup of warm/hot tea to sip instead.0 -
Age doesn't make you gain weight, but it does make you lose muscle mass. Muscle is the fountain of youth, get more and you'll burn calories like a teenager. This is Chalean Johnson's theory, I think it makes a lot of sense.0
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Nothing is stopping me from losing weight. Nothing is stopping you from losing weight. Age is irrelevant. The only thing that is relevant is medical conditions, and even most of those can be worked around or overcome.
PS - I am 41 years old0 -
The only thing that is keeping me from losing weight is ME.
but I do have to blame sciatica and Patello femoral syndrom :S0 -
The only idea I have for you is to fully commit to yourself and your health... write down the reason you want to lose the weight and keep it at bay...
NO CANDY TASTE BETTER THAN ME FEELING/BEING _________________ -- keep that in mind (has worked for my hands to stay out of the candy jar for the last few days
Drink water while you cook instead of snacking...0 -
Right now, a plateau.
I think it is linked to increased stress levels from constant lack of sleep. So, for a week and a half I have been getting significantly more rest and been avoiding going out to clubs and bars since alcohol affects the body's ability to enter REM sleep.
The plateau has started to crack some, as my weight started to move a tiny bit downwards again, but has again stopped. Really hard to tell for sure given only 10 days.0 -
It starts in your head and your approach to things. These aren't reasons you CAN'T lose weight. They're reasons you DON'T lose weight.
As for the chocolate, start buying the dark stuff. and then send it to me.
Agreed! And if you get tired of sending it to him you can send it to me.
I agree with the people saying that it is a willpower problem. I have the same problem. Just try taking it one meal at a time or one choice at a time. When you go to buy that chocolate, ask yourself, do you really need to buy that chocolate? What is it going to do to all your work?0 -
I love the gum idea while cooking! Who wants to throw a bite in if you are chewing gum? If I had this habit, I think it would help me. Love the idea!!
As for the age thing? Im 38. I can only afford to work out at the Y, not some big new fancy gym with the younger crowd. You know what? I find the older people not only friendlier, but an inspiration and MOTIVATION. If the 60 year old guy next to me can jog for 20 minutes, then you know what? That is proof to me that evenutally I will be able to too!!!!!! :-)0 -
None of that is what's keeping you from losing weight. You are. Stop it.0
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This is why I WASN't (not can't) losing weight:
I was eating too much. Of everything.
I ate candy like it was going out of style.
I don't know how to have a serving of crackers, chips, etc. If it's all in one bag, it's basically a serving, right? (NOT!)
I know it's been said repeatedly, but LOG EVERYTHING. It's much easier to make healthy decisions when you can make informed decisions (how many calories have you already eaten today, how many left to your goal amount, what do I have to do to earn enough calories to have an extra snack here or there, etc.). And let your friends on MFP have access to your diary for a little accountability. Yes, it's hard to open the door to our dark secrets (eating habits) but nobody on here is going to judge you for them.
For me, I had to go cold turkey on candy and crackers/chips for a little while. This is temporary. But I'm reading a book that said something that really hit me. You crave what you eat. So eating candy perpetuates the craving for me. Not really sure how that works, but it's also why experts say to stay away from diet soda because the artificial sweetener still tastes sweet to us and perpetuates that craving for sweets (I'm sure there are also experts who say this is a load of crap, so decide for yourself on that). So until I feel I can have a healthy relationship with candy and crackers/chips, I've stayed away from them, with rare exception.0 -
I used to have the same problem with snacking while cooking - I'd leave work at 5 after having lunch at 1:30 and by the time I got home by 6:30 I'd be starving and just couldn't wait.
Now I make myself a bowl of fruit to eat at around 4:30, so by the time I get home I'm not hungry and I don't feel the urge to snack.
As for buying chocolate, not much we can say will stop you doing that, but one thing I have learnt is never to shop when you are hungry.0 -
Hi. I don't think you lack willpower, and I think your post was very candid. Just make sure that you have some fresh chopped veggies on hand while you are cooking. If you enjoy munching while you cook, munch on some raw veg, and get your intake of veggies for the day this way. In addition, I am a sucker for cheap chocolate too, and I don't really feel all that bad about it. My meals are all very low in calories, and high in nutrients, so I have chocolate every other day. I have lost almost 70 lbs this way too so, I dunno. I am 35 and have had two kiddos in the last three years, so I know that it does get harder to lose weight, but certainly not impossible.0
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Snacking before and during cooking time is a problem for me also. I try to make sure that I have a snack that is within my plan around that time so that I'm not hungry while I prep/cook and also have a glass of water. Water helps a lot. But, it you do screw up, log it and once you see the effects in your diary and realize that it will impact how much you are able to eat later, it'll help discourage the bahavior.
I am 38 and while I don't loose as fast as I used to, I have still lost well. You can do this if you want it badly enough.
As far as the chocolate, you'll just have to purchase something more healthy to snack on. If you like chocolate (and who doesn't), choose something more healthy like sugar free pudding snacks to stock up on. If you have real chocolate, limit your portion. If you really want something badly, have it but take stock of your goals and plans when you are making that decision to decide if you really want it or not. If you really want it, have it and then return to your healthy base line eating. You can also make up for an endulgence by adding a little extra exercise within the week or cutting back on another day.
It's all about balance, moderation and endurance. Just keep going. Don't give up because you have a weak moment.0 -
- Getting older (I'm 39) - Well I'm nearly 44 and my recent weight losses have been very good so you can do it if you want to.
- Snacking while cooking dinner. It's truly incessant - by the time I'm done cooking I am usually not that hungry, but I end up eating dinner anyway. - When I cook, I like to use carrots within my meals and I prep these first and snack on carrots - maybe have something very low to hand to snack on?
- Impulse-buying candy - especially chocolate-y candy - that happens to be on sale. The combination of chocolate and a good bargain are extremely hard to resist. - The only thing you can do here is walk right past it! Do not be drawn to it. If you don't even look then you won't be able to buy. Don't have choc in the house and you won't eat it!
The only real thing stopping you losing weight is YOU!!! If you really want to then you will. So focus and go for it.
Good luck - h x0 -
Good for you for recognizing your personal struggles.
I am almost 41 and have not found age to bea factor for me.
Have veggie sticks or gum to chew while you prepare dinner...log them. Log everything.
As For the impulse candy buying, if you can't stop from buying, just take those candies to a daycare or church or throw them away.
Maybe shop with a list and write NO CANDY throughout your list. Shop with a friend and have her keep you accountable.
Good Luck...
Log everything you eat and only log "on purpose" exercise.. Not housework, cleaning, cooking....0 -
Age - Compared to me you are still a youngster, I'm 58 - LOL - But you CAN lose weight, even if it is slower the older you get . That is where commitment and dedication come in and be ready for the long haul (the rest of your life).
Tasting/Snacking While Cooking - Log it! Every bite counts. Are you tasting what you are cooking or eating different snacks altogether? Either way it counts. But I personally dont snack on the side but if I'm tasting something I'm preparing, it gets counted
Chocolate/Candy - Awwww the curse of it all! You CAN have it, but you have to have self-control and willpower. If you cant stop at just one piece, you have to stop buying it. I eat a 50 calorie tootsie roll or a 50 calorie chocolate mint every day, but I can stop at one.
You can eat anything you want, as long as you log every single bite. You'll see a lot of people talk about pizza as a weakness (definitely one of mine) but instead of eating the whole medium pizza like I used to do, I only eat what fits into my calorie allowance.0 -
I do ok except when I have to drive long distances. No matter how much coffee/diet coke I drink, I have the worst time staying awake. So I snack. I try to snack healthy, but no matter what I eat - it's still way more than I should. Does anyone have any really good stay-awake tips for driving?0
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I am 10 years older than you. I fell into that lie that weight gain is just something that happens when you get older, so just accept it. No. I no longer accept that. I do not have to be frumpy and fifty. I am going to have more of a smokin' hot bod than I did in my 20's. When you make up your mind, and you put in the dedication and work required to get there, then you will succeed. Eat less and move more.0
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