Looking for additional help getting me over the plateau...

jmyotter · March 2013

So a couple years ago at my heaviest ever (294) I decided I really didn't like that and I wanted to get back down to a fit, muscular and healthy weight for me.. (I'm a large guy with a large frame). I've lost 40 lbs, but only 16 since I restarted my goals on here. I've been hovering around 250 and I'm having trouble with nutrition. I'd like to lose roughly another 20lbs and be lean, healthy, and not crazy ripped like I used to be at 245 in college.

My weakness is sweets and snacks. I try to have healthy snacks in the house, but sometimes the cravings are just too much and I give into a sweet snack....

I've tried the drinking lots of water to fill you up...I've tried the eat a yogurt to keep you full.... but evidently it's not enough. When I used to lift a lot, I ate/ drank lots of protein (by lots, I mean, a LOT). I've always known my body to crave less food when I eat a lot of protein. I've also tried the eating a little snack like a cheese stick or almonds before I get hungry to avoid the overly hungry binge eating.

Any other tips for getting past the cravings in a healthy way....Nothing seems to be working long term for me... Any advice on eating healthy on a budget?

Whipppets · March 2013

Need to open your diary,
I know it sounds crazy but I eat a lot of russet potatoes with nothing on them. I bake
them till they are almost black like potatoe chips. They fill me up plus I love potatoes. Use sweet potatoes
and it would be even better.. I eat at least 1 everyday and I am at my lowest weight since the 80s..

LadyIntrepid · March 2013

Lower sugar protein bars (which still taste sweet) can take care of that sweet craving and also help you get your protein in, too. Or a protein shake -- even with just water - with a flavor that you like and tastes yummy. And, like the poster above, sweet potatoes are awesome! I just discovered white sweet potatoes -- I mash up a bunch and have them for breakfast with some walnuts. Seriously yummy and satisfying!

moonshadows72 · March 2013

i dont know what your doing specificaly as far as physical activity, but I got through mine when i picked up a new activity. Hiking!

if you pick up a new activity to try for a while your body will have to adjust again. so it might help you too.

jmyotter · March 2013

I workout a quite a bit....not as much as when I was in heavy triathlon training, but still a lot.

I believe my biggest issue is nutrition/ eating/ etc... I need to be able to maintain a healthy weight even when I can't workout, but when I work out a lot, I'm actually able to curb my food intake better. For whatever reason, I almost automatically get ravenously hungry when I'm not working out as much or when my workouts aren't as intense. For example, when triathlon training I was running 12 miles a week, biking 100 a week, and swimming a couple miles a week, and I wasn't as hungry as I am now with just elliptical and PS3 workouts.

So I'm pretty sure it is something to do with the types of foods in my diet or lack of that is causing my issues.

What are your favorite low fat proteins in "normal" foods? I find I really like protein bars and shakes, but they get expensive.

I will try the sweet potatoes and see if I can find some low sugar protein bars to see if that helps... I've been eating the "fit and active" bars from Aldi's lately and they make me more hungry and crave more sweets, thus amplifying the problem for me.

bubbaduts · March 2013

I know this is not what you want to hear... but i've been on this journey for 2 1/2 years now and when craving something it all comes down to willpower. No amount of new foods or exercise can do what shaking your head and saying no will do. Also i have found if i dont buy it i cant eat it. Also after being on a plateau for over a year myself let me tell you what the wonders of lifting weights 3 times a week have done!

reggiepe · March 2013

I have been working on a healthier lifestyle for almost 13 months now. Within that time period I have hit two plateaus. Both times I have eaten more for 7 days and changed the exercise routine. When I say "eaten more" I mean that I changed my pound and a half per week weight loss back to maintain and moved my cardio into something I have never done before. That seemed to have shocked the system and the weight started coming back off again. I love sweets and I love salty snack foods. I have just been able to find lower cal alternatives to these foods. I make sure that when I want those items that they fit into my calorie intake for the day. For instance..for the sweets I have found that a serving of animal crackers fulfills my morning sweet tooth after breakfast. I usually have 3 or 4 servings of fruit throughout the day (I carry a bag of about 20 - 25 grapes, a banana, an apple, and sometimes an orange in my lunch for work) Sugar free jello pudding cups are usually in the fridge and in my lunch bag as well. I was a huge potato chip fiend in the past. Now, I usually have triscuit thins for a salty snack, Special K cracker chips, or my latest food addiction...hot air popped popcorn. Good luck with your lifestyle journey. Us big guys have a large mountain to climb when it comes to reprogramming our brains.

jmyotter · March 2013

Thanks for the tips and advice... I'm thinking willpower might have something to do with it....unfortunately... Any tips on avoiding stress eating?

bubbaduts · March 2013

Unfortunately no I wish i had a fix for that myself. It's a personal struggle and when things seem to be going good in my life I tend to lose weight and when they aren't i don't. It's something as an individual you have to learn what works for you. counseling might help?

jmyotter · March 2013

Ditto on that @bubbaduts.

Thanks....Personal growth right!

Looking for additional help getting me over the plateau...

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