Addicted to fast food

sopwith8
sopwith8 Posts: 7 Member
in Motivation and Support
Even when I take the time to make breakfast at home, 9 times out of 10 I will still stop at McDonalds. Even if I have a big lunch, I will stop at Burger King on my way home and then still eat dinner as if I did not have that Whopper. How do you get past this kind of addiction??? I am not sleeping well (working with a specialist to fix this problem but not having much luck yet). It makes it even more difficult to win the battle I have in my head every morning about stopping for that bacon, egg and cheese biscuit. I drive within half a mile of 4 different McDonalds on my way to work - even if I win the battle once, twice, or even three times (rarely) I still have to fight with myself that 4th time. Any ideas to help me get over this addiction would be appriciated so much!!!

Replies

  • M_miller0507
    M_miller0507 Posts: 16 Member
    I've always heard that it takes 21 days to make a new habit (or break an old one). If you can make it just three weeks without stopping then you are on the path to not feeling the need. In fact, since you said this happens on work days, then that's only 15 days of saying no.

    I can't see your diary so I can't comment more than that. What do you have your calorie goals set to? Are you getting enough protein and fiber in your breakfasts you make? If "breakfast at home" isn't substantial enough then you're obviously still going to be hungry. If the lunch you bring isn't enough you're going to be hungry for Burger King. Just remember it's better to make yourself something good at home. Those McDonald's and Burger King trips aren't adding anything to your diet that you couldn't add in at a higher quality yourself.
  • daniellemm1
    daniellemm1 Posts: 465 Member
    Know that you are not alone. Many of us have been right where you are. I used to eat a whole pizza myself and then a whole pepperidge farm cake for dessert. When I first started my new healthy lifestyle I had been getting a quarter pounder with cheese, large fry and a large shake. I started getting a medium fry and medium shake instead. Then switched to a small fry and diet pop. Now I rarely eat at McDonalds and when I do I have chosen to share a burger with the husband and share a medium fries. Never thought I would be okay with that.

    It does take time to make something a habit. It took me three months to give up pop. Start slow by making small changes. Maybe instead of trying to cut out all the fast food at once simply decide that you will not go for one of those meals and do that for a while (weeks) and then once you are comfortable with that try to eliminate another fast food meal. Or you could try to get healthier options when you go.

    You can do this. Set small achievable goals for yourself and give it some time to become your "normal" and then make other changes.
  • Lizzy622
    Lizzy622 Posts: 3,705 Member
    Maybe try making a bacon egg and cheese at home and seeing if that helps you drive by McDonald's. Then slowly make it healthier with egg whites and/or turkey bacon or English muffin instead of biscuit. I do admit I do go to McDonald's for breakfast once in a while. The egg white egg McMuffin is only 250 calories. Maybe skip breakfast at home and do that if you can't keep yourself from stopping.
  • ChristinaD2
    ChristinaD2 Posts: 57
    I, personally, find it harder to resist fast food when I allow myself to get SUPER hungry... So, to combat this, I try to always have water with me and a healthy snack in my bag. Also, I make myself look up the nutrition info. before I order fast food ALWAYS... A few weeks ago, I stopped at Taco Bell (ravenously hungry after work) and ordered ONE item - a Crunchwrap Supreme. I went home and logged it... 540 calories! I love all of the other suggestions that have been posted. I wish you success. Please feel free to send a friend request, if you are need of supportive friends :smile:
  • Lyerin
    Lyerin Posts: 818 Member
    Maybe try making a bacon egg and cheese at home and seeing if that helps you drive by McDonald's. Then slowly make it healthier with egg whites and/or turkey bacon or English muffin instead of biscuit. I do admit I do go to McDonald's for breakfast once in a while. The egg white egg McMuffin is only 250 calories. Maybe skip breakfast at home and do that if you can't keep yourself from stopping.

    I make the 2 minute egg sandwich that someone here posted in the recipe forum. It is like an egg mcmuffin but way fewer calories (and better ingredients, less sodium). I use a whole wheat english muffin, cook two eggs in a coffee cup in the microwave and add a slice of reduced fat cheese on the top. Delicious.
  • sopwith8
    sopwith8 Posts: 7 Member
    I like all these ideas! Thank you so much for sharing!!!
  • affacat
    affacat Posts: 216 Member
    I, personally, find it harder to resist fast food when I allow myself to get SUPER hungry...


    I don't believe the OP is truly 'super hungry', and likely not even truly 'hungry'. As she mentions, this is immediately after breakfast, and even after she eats a "big lunch".

    this is food addiction, plain and simple.

    one poster had the first piece of excellent advice: patterns. if you can resist something for even a few weeks, you will train yourself out it. it doesn't take long. your body/mind will adapt to the new pattern -- we rationalize our own actions all the time, so the trick is to force yourself to stick to the actions of the 'you you want to be' for long enough for them to stick.

    imagine if, tomorrow, you broke down, turned into the drive-thru... but when you got to the intercom you said -

    "you know what? i changed my mind. i'm not going to have anything. sorry for wasting your time." and drove off?

    do you know how proud you'd be of yourself? be that person. and then just learn to drive past.

    every time it nags at your head while you're driving, bask in the joy of knowing you have will power and could resist. that way, when you get home, you're happy with yourself and proud of your willpower, and not depressed that you gave in yet again.

    if you can pull this off for even 2 or 3 weeks, you will break the cycle. you won't be completely out of the woods, but you'll be far away from the headspace you're in now.

    good luck.
  • shaleyn
    shaleyn Posts: 125 Member
    Drive home and to work via a different route? Leave your money at home? Just say no?
  • whatjesseats
    whatjesseats Posts: 228 Member
    Here are a couple of tactics I used when quitting smoking--it helped me conquer my addiction and I think could help with yours.

    Put your purse/wallet in the trunk whenever you drive, so you'll have to get out of the car to get them if you want to stop for fast food. This will make getting fast food take a little more effort, and will buy you some time to think about your action and talk yourself out of it.

    Every time you successfully avoid stopping for fast food, set aside the money you would have spent. Use that money you're saving to reward yourself. Just make sure the reward is not food-related. Get a manicure, buy a new book, something nice for yourself that you normally wouldn't do.

    I would do these both for at least 3 weeks, longer if you feel you need to.
  • sopwith8
    sopwith8 Posts: 7 Member
    [/quote]

    I don't believe the OP is truly 'super hungry', and likely not even truly 'hungry'. As she mentions, this is immediately after breakfast, and even after she eats a "big lunch".

    this is food addiction, plain and simple. [/quote]

    You have hit the nail on the head. I cannot remember the last time I was hungry. I am usually just waiting for the overly full sensation to go away so I can eat again. Thank you for your advise. There are many good ideas shared that will help, but what I truely need to change is my mind. I have a very long history of failing at this that is difficult to overcome. But I refuse to stop trying.
  • btsinmd
    btsinmd Posts: 921 Member
    I too drive by many fast food places that call to me on my morning and evening commute. What seems to have worked for me is to eat 15 to 30 minutes before the drive or to actually have the breakfast or dinner food in the car with me so that I can see it and know that I can eat it immediately when the drive is over.

    When I leave in the morning I take two hard boiled eggs and a yogurt with me to eat at my desk when I arrive. If I stop and get a breakfast sandwich I'd have to throw this food away. A waste! So I find I don't do it. Just before I start cleaning up my desk to go home I eat a small nutritious snack with protein and carbs, so by the time I'm in the car I'm not hungry in any way. This has really helped me.

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