I can't stop eating bad foods! Help!

frankenstein89
frankenstein89 Posts: 15
edited January 4 in Motivation and Support
I am a vegetarian, and I will start eating right but will slip by the weekend. My family tends to buy unhealthy food sometimes and I cannot afford to buy my own groceries sometimes. I lack motivation in exercising and dieting. I just want to stick to a healthy lifestyle and I'm tired of letting my stomach run me! I really need some support.

Replies

  • CrazyCatLadylovescats
    CrazyCatLadylovescats Posts: 107 Member
    I am doing a Primal/Paleo style of eating. Which means I don't worry about fat at all, but do worry sugars and carbs. I cut out almost all the grains, and after a week of feeling crappy (that got better with multivitamins) I found that my craving for carbs was pretty much gone. For me the trick was eating lots of fat from dairy, animals and nuts. For you, coconut oil, avocados may be a better choice. Do you eat eggs or dairy? Cheese can be fairly cheap, eggs are a good source of protein and fats.

    For me, being hungry just didn't work at all. I couldn't do it at all and gave in. I also got shaky in the afternoons unless I had some crackers. Since doing this I don't have that anymore, and can mostly pass things up even if they are in the house. And I am not hungry. But, I am here because I was eating large portions out of habit, and needed to get that under control. Now that I am tracking, I am back to loosing weight, and still am not hungry.
  • frankenstein89
    frankenstein89 Posts: 15
    I do eat eggs and dairy...coconut oil? what would i eat that with? That is my exact problem, I'm hungry so I binge on sugar and carbs after a while. That's what I hate, I eat fruit and stuff and I'm starving. So just cut bread out completely?
  • thelovelyLIZ
    thelovelyLIZ Posts: 1,227 Member
    Only you can motivate yourself.

    Find some sort of accountability program that works for you and stick with it.
  • nancycaregiver
    nancycaregiver Posts: 812 Member
    I can offer support but you have to make the decision to make changes. You have to get to a certain point in your life before your attitude can be right. And you are the only one who can get you there. I am on a diet that I intend to be on the rest of my life. I yoyo dieted for years because I never had the right attitude...till now. I used to think about all the foods that were off limits. Now, I understand that I do not eat certain things because I made a choice not to. When someone offers me something off limits, I don't say, "I can't have that." Instead I say "I don't eat that anymore". And I say it proudly! Because this is what I chose!! :smile:

    I've been where you are. You have to stop obsessing about all the unhealthy things out there that you are missing out on and start living! I have found very healthy recipes of foods that I love that are not on my diet. When I am fixing my tray at lunch at school, I will only eat the healthy options but I might get 1 French fry one day or those scrumptious strawberry/banana gooey stuff...I will get a small strawberry. That way I get a taste of it to satisfy my craving without going crazy.

    Time for you to do some serious soul searching and figure out what you really want for your life. I'm not talking about what you want by Christmas or New Years...but much further down the road, the rest of your life. You can do it. You just have to believe in yourself!
  • thelovelyLIZ
    thelovelyLIZ Posts: 1,227 Member
    I'm hungry so I binge on sugar and carbs after a while. That's what I hate, I eat fruit and stuff and I'm starving.

    Well, there's your problem. Don't starve yourself. Bump your caloric intake if you're still hungry. You won't gain a million pounds, I promise. And yes, you can still eat bread.
  • kenazfehu
    kenazfehu Posts: 1,188 Member
    Unless someone is tying you down and force feeding you, you are in control. It's in your power, so step up to the plate.
  • windycitycupcake
    windycitycupcake Posts: 516 Member
    i do really well until i am in a household with tons of bad food. maybe you could try talking to your family about shopping healthier or keeping the really 'bad' foods somewhere that you aren't constantly seeing them? binging is very visual for me, i see it i want it. out of sight out of mind.
  • frankenstein89
    frankenstein89 Posts: 15
    Thanks for the replies! I appreciate it! I have to stop thinking about how the bad foods taste and instead how they will make me feel. I would like to be able to run a marathon and be towards the front and not dead last. I have always been tired, lazy, or not feeling like moving around. I will motivate myself. But quick question, I work a job where we can't take lunch breaks unless we are working more than 7.5 hours. What do I do to get through and not binge when i get home?
  • SherryTeach
    SherryTeach Posts: 2,836 Member
    I have two rules for my food plan:
    1. Never, ever allow myself to be hungry.
    2. Look forward to and enjoy everything that goes in my mouth.

    It is working very well.
  • nancycaregiver
    nancycaregiver Posts: 812 Member
    I am doing a Primal/Paleo style of eating. Which means I don't worry about fat at all, but do worry sugars and carbs. I cut out almost all the grains, and after a week of feeling crappy (that got better with multivitamins) I found that my craving for carbs was pretty much gone. For me the trick was eating lots of fat from dairy, animals and nuts. For you, coconut oil, avocados may be a better choice. Do you eat eggs or dairy? Cheese can be fairly cheap, eggs are a good source of protein and fats.

    For me, being hungry just didn't work at all. I couldn't do it at all and gave in. I also got shaky in the afternoons unless I had some crackers. Since doing this I don't have that anymore, and can mostly pass things up even if they are in the house. And I am not hungry. But, I am here because I was eating large portions out of habit, and needed to get that under control. Now that I am tracking, I am back to loosing weight, and still am not hungry.


    I am doing Atkins, too! I found this to be so easy to stick to. I know it is not for everyone but I love it! I eat a lot of nuts, green veggies, meat, eggs and cheese. Drinks lots of water, decaf tea, and a few caffeine free diet drinks. I don't get hungry. I do not get overly concerned about calories because that is not what we focus on. But I am usually under 1200. And I've lost 61 pounds!!
  • katy84o
    katy84o Posts: 744 Member
    It's not your stomach running you. Feeling the need to eat bad food is all in your head. And I agree it's tough to get over, but think before you eat. Before you put any junk food in your mouth, drink a glass of water or plain tea and wait 15-20mins. If you still want to eat it then have half of whatever you want to eat. See if you feel guilty about caving, if so, log it and realize how much healthy food you could have eaten. If you do not feel guilty, still log it and remember each time you are craving "bad" foods to wait a while before you indulge. It's tough, this is what I'm doing now. I am getting to the point where I can overcome the "need" to eat those high calorie not very satisfying foods, and it's taken me 11 months on MFP. I've found that the wait period really works for me. But all of this is trial and error. I tried cutting myself off completely and that didn't work. This way I feel is building self discipline. I hope you are able to find something that works for you.
  • frankenstein89
    frankenstein89 Posts: 15
    I'm hungry so I binge on sugar and carbs after a while. That's what I hate, I eat fruit and stuff and I'm starving.

    Well, there's your problem. Don't starve yourself. Bump your caloric intake if you're still hungry. You won't gain a million pounds, I promise. And yes, you can still eat bread.

    Lol yeah I do tend to think eating a lot of anything means you gain weight. But definitely going to eat more!
  • frankenstein89
    frankenstein89 Posts: 15
    It's not your stomach running you. Feeling the need to eat bad food is all in your head. And I agree it's tough to get over, but think before you eat. Before you put any junk food in your mouth, drink a glass of water or plain tea and wait 15-20mins. If you still want to eat it then have half of whatever you want to eat. See if you feel guilty about caving, if so, log it and realize how much healthy food you could have eaten. If you do not feel guilty, still log it and remember each time you are craving "bad" foods to wait a while before you indulge. It's tough, this is what I'm doing now. I am getting to the point where I can overcome the "need" to eat those high calorie not very satisfying foods, and it's taken me 11 months on MFP. I've found that the wait period really works for me. But all of this is trial and error. I tried cutting myself off completely and that didn't work. This way I feel is building self discipline. I hope you are able to find something that works for you.
    Interesting, drink water or tea. I don't think before I eat and that seems to be the problem. It's like I'm hungry and I want it now. Maybe meditation and drinking tea would help..
  • katy84o
    katy84o Posts: 744 Member
    What do I do to get through and not binge when i get home?

    Can you not eat a snack at your desk while you are working? Something easy that would keep you working is celery sticks dipped in hummus OR peanut butter. The hummus or peanut butter will help to fill you up and the celery takes a while to chew and eat. So it'll be a snack that you can munch on while you work, for half hour. Also, if you can't have any break unless you work over 7.5hrs (that seems crazy strict to me) Maybe plan on eating a huge breakfast. A veggie filled egg omelet with some cheese or meat and some oatmeal. Or a protein shake with a muffin. Fill your belly up before you leave, then maybe an apple while you are working and then a nice balanced dinner when you get home
  • dellalyn
    dellalyn Posts: 41
    I have to stop thinking about how the bad foods taste and instead how they will make me feel. I would like to be able to run a marathon and be towards the front and not dead last. I have always been tired, lazy, or not feeling like moving around. I will motivate myself.

    I understand that fast/bad foods taste good -i miss the occasional filet o'fish - but you have to decide it it is worth it.
    If yes, then that is your choice. If no - you choose. There is no magic plan or idea.
    I would also love to be at front in a marathon but I can't run much more than about 6 or 8 blocks right now without being tired and winded. I think in another month or so I'll be able do to more but I know it takes work. and it's kinda embarrassing but it does.
    I think you WANT to do things the "right" way but need some ideas on how to do it. I suggest checking out the forums. You will find lots of great ideas and support.
    Best of luck!
  • frankenstein89
    frankenstein89 Posts: 15
    What do I do to get through and not binge when i get home?

    Can you not eat a snack at your desk while you are working? Something easy that would keep you working is celery sticks dipped in hummus OR peanut butter. The hummus or peanut butter will help to fill you up and the celery takes a while to chew and eat. So it'll be a snack that you can munch on while you work, for half hour. Also, if you can't have any break unless you work over 7.5hrs (that seems crazy strict to me) Maybe plan on eating a huge breakfast. A veggie filled egg omelet with some cheese or meat and some oatmeal. Or a protein shake with a muffin. Fill your belly up before you leave, then maybe an apple while you are working and then a nice balanced dinner when you get home
    Yeah I work retail so they are strict! Bringing an apple would work. i do notice they fill you quickly, and are yummy. I do love peanut butter as well so the celery can work too!
  • frankenstein89
    frankenstein89 Posts: 15
    I have to stop thinking about how the bad foods taste and instead how they will make me feel. I would like to be able to run a marathon and be towards the front and not dead last. I have always been tired, lazy, or not feeling like moving around. I will motivate myself.

    I understand that fast/bad foods taste good -i miss the occasional filet o'fish - but you have to decide it it is worth it.
    If yes, then that is your choice. If no - you choose. There is no magic plan or idea.
    I would also love to be at front in a marathon but I can't run much more than about 6 or 8 blocks right now without being tired and winded. I think in another month or so I'll be able do to more but I know it takes work. and it's kinda embarrassing but it does.
    I think you WANT to do things the "right" way but need some ideas on how to do it. I suggest checking out the forums. You will find lots of great ideas and support.
    Best of luck!

    I was just like you when I began running now I'm at 4 miles in 55 minutes. Slow, but I'm getting there. And exactly I just needed some ideas on how to stop binging and eat right. Its all mental I guess.
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