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How to stop thinking about food?

nherberg
nherberg Posts: 3
edited January 5 in Health and Weight Loss
I have this problem, when I get the picture or think of food I HAVE to eat!! Even if I just ate. Food pops in the head and have to eat again! Any help/ideas?

I have tried the drink more water and it just makes me more hungry. I try doing the 3-5 meals/snack but still I see that tv commercial or think of food and still hungry.

Replies

  • alaskaang
    alaskaang Posts: 493 Member
    Watch lots and lots of Food Network. I know it sounds the opposite, but after awhile, you become immune to it! :) I even watch it while I'm on the treadmill at the gym. This morning was Tyler's Ultimate.
  • cebreisch
    cebreisch Posts: 1,341 Member
    Ugh - I HATE THAT!!! A co-worker and I used to call that getting a case of the "eats".

    Try to realize what's triggering you to want that food...is it an emotional thing? A stress thing? or a huge craving? If it's stress or emotionally triggered, try to find a different way to deal with it than food. BUT sometimes the body wants what it wants without rhyme or reason.

    A weight watcher leader I used to go to said best to just go have some and get it out of your system, otherwise you'll eat the house down trying to compensate.

    I would have some sort of healthy, lean protein (like yogurt, light string cheese, hard boiled egg) and a glass of water first though - try to put something in our stomach to try to lessen the potential damage of the badness.

    For what it's worth....
  • nherberg
    nherberg Posts: 3
    I am going to try the food network thing... see what happens :) Thanks for the suggestions :) Trying gum as well. There is some tasty gum out now days.
  • WendyTerry420
    WendyTerry420 Posts: 13,274 Member
    I have this problem, when I get the picture or think of food I HAVE to eat!! Even if I just ate. Food pops in the head and have to eat again! Any help/ideas?

    I have tried the drink more water and it just makes me more hungry. I try doing the 3-5 meals/snack but still I see that tv commercial or think of food and still hungry.

    Maybe try thinking about sex instead?
  • rjcelmer
    rjcelmer Posts: 431 Member
    It takes a lot of determination and self-control. I am addicted to food. That's how I got to be one Big Mac shy of 300lbs. I love the look of it, the smell of it, and the taste of it and I know that will always be inside me. However, I have learned (for the most part) to curb the WANT and focus on the NEED.

    You can't stop loving food but you CAN learn to not make it your entire life.
  • lvtruu1
    lvtruu1 Posts: 211 Member
    What was that test??

    Think about a big juicy steak. If you are really hungry it will be appealing. If not you are probably just thirsty. Drink more water. If you think your hungry try drinking a few glasses of water first.
  • Game8
    Game8 Posts: 442
    Don't try NOT to think about food. This won't help.

    Just when a thought comes, be aware of it. Don't fight against it. Let it be there. Just like it came on its own, it'll leave on its own. You don't have to do anything, just don't cooperate with it. Don't be for it, don't be against it. Try to be indifferent. If you can do this, you'll be surprised how the thought leaves you on its own without your efforts.
  • MissJanet55
    MissJanet55 Posts: 457 Member
    For me, it helps if I can step back from my desire to eat and recognize that it is just a thought and I can control my thoughts. Thoughts also fade away if you don't follow them along, if that makes any sense. Instead of seizing on the thought of food, just notice you're having it and let it go, and move on to the next, non-food related thought.

    It's quite a common meditation technique, and it works if you apply it. But it does take some discipline.

    That, and I find after about 3 days of eating cleanly the junk food cravings diminish dramatically. You know you can tough it out for 3 days! Then it gets easier.
  • tomomatic
    tomomatic Posts: 1,794 Member
    Have you tried the cinnamon challenge?

    anigif_enhanced-buzz-28926-1354297872-1.gif

    Seriously, I chew gum. Lots of sugar free gum.
  • cmriverside
    cmriverside Posts: 34,497 Member
    Maybe you aren't eating enough in general. I see you've lost about half the weight you are trying to lose. It may be time to change your intake.

    Have you figured out your TDEE? Do that, and see if you are eating enough.

    http://www.myfitnesspal.com/groups/home/3817-eat-more-to-weigh-less
    http://www.myfitnesspal.com/groups/home/8017-in-place-of-a-road-map
  • jacksonpt
    jacksonpt Posts: 10,413 Member
    Keep yourself busy... give yourself something else to think about. It's one of the keys for me. If I don't keep busy, it's inevitable that I'll end up eating. Usually large amounts of things that don't fit in my macros.

    Aside from that, it really comes down to self control and discipline. For many of us, lack of control/discipline is why we are on this site, and until we learn how to control ourselves, we are going to be fighting an uphill battle.

    .
  • EmilyOfTheSun
    EmilyOfTheSun Posts: 1,548 Member
    snack on celery. it's disgusting and low calorie. You'll want to stop eating it real fast.
  • plynn54
    plynn54 Posts: 912 Member
    I brush my teeth. watch man vs food, the amount he eats will make you sick lol
  • cbrrabbit25
    cbrrabbit25 Posts: 384 Member
    I find this is the case with me when i am at ANY type of calorie deficit-even a small one. I try to stay active and that helps a lot! I think boredom makes it so much worse.
  • monicalosesweight
    monicalosesweight Posts: 1,173 Member
    I've verify that you're eating enough for your activity level. Also, increase your intake of proteins. That tends to make me less hungry. You may be eating too many carbs and not enough protein. Also, if you insert exercise, are you eating your exercise calories? If not, start eating them. That will make a big difference. You'll still lose weight, but at least you won't be dying of hunger. I know I've been losing weight and that made a difference.

    I also got myself a Fitbit. I have it synced so I can see my real activity level. I discovered I walk more than I thought and many days I get extra calories to eat and I do eat them and I still lose weight. I agree with a previous poster, you may not be eating enough. Also, the quality of the foods makes a difference.

    Monica
  • Ewaldt
    Ewaldt Posts: 106 Member
    Chew gum, drink water, keep yourself full with green veggies and fiber, do something involving (reading, sports, go for a walk), and honestly, the 'think about sex instead' idea is not a bad one! :drinker:
  • d_Mode
    d_Mode Posts: 880 Member
    Start thinkng about sex...or how much sex you'll be having once you reach your goal, or if you're really bold...you can think about food and sex :)
  • nherberg
    nherberg Posts: 3
    Thank you everyone! I love this site!
  • MED2012COLORADO
    MED2012COLORADO Posts: 238
    It cant be done i tell ya! It just cant !:sad:
  • schondell
    schondell Posts: 556 Member
    Eating 3 meals and 2 snacks is only going to make you hungrier. Just eat 3 well balanced meals throughout the day when you are truly HUNGRY. Snacking only enables lack of self control and keeps the mind thinking about food throughout the day.
This discussion has been closed.

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