I love food...how do I stop?

I don't know...I still love food intensely, I've just switched to lower calories foods instead. Sure, chips are tasty, but so are cucumber slices. I go with the latter now and I can eat all the time.

If you have a passion for something, I don't think you should stop, just incorporate more healthy foods in your lifestyle and eat less of what you love(portion control). They do say too much of a good thing can be bad (obviously as I have 116lbs to lose myself) so don't eat to just eat because you love it, eat when you're hungry. There's nothing wrong with doing small meals and snacking throughout the day, it's actually a preferred method. I don't believe in giving something up entirely if you really enjoy it, just give yourself less of it to keep yourself happy.

I am the SAME way!! For me, the trick has been changing how I think about food. I try not to see healthier options as inferior. Instead of thinking "ugh I'm going to order a salad even though I really want that alfredo!" I think, "look at these delicious salad options with so many fresh and delicious ingredients!" You probably have to fake it until you make it, but I do think that trying to change my mentality about this has helped a great deal. I still eat some rather indulgent food, but just not as frequently.

This is how I did it. That doesn't mean it will work for everyone, but this is how I did it.

Step 1- shrink stomach
This step sucks. no way around it. There is no getting around eating less than you used to. You need to shrink your stomach so you know when you are full.This should take approximately a week- a week and a half. Try using smaller plates, and know what a portion size is. Only take that. A lot of overeating is psychological.

Step 2- find substitutes
I started with low fat mayo instead of "high test", greek yogurt instead of sour cream. Carrots and cherry tomatoes instead of chips. String cheese instead of chips. If I was having mayo on a sandwich, I wouldn't have cheese, or vice versa. Wraps instead of bread.

Around now you will realize that a cookie after lunch isn't worth it every day, because that means you can't have something else, and you are sick of being hungry. You will also learn which foods are keeping you fuller longer, and you will love them.

Step 3- Start learning your triggers.
Mine was simply being bored. If I'm bored I eat. So every time I thought I was "hungry" I would have a bottle of water and take a walk around the office. If I was still hungry, I would have a healthy alternative. If I didn't want baby carrots or string cheese, it was proof I wanted to eat, not that I needed to eat. I also do this with dinner. If I eat my serving, I wait 20 minutes. If I'm still hungry, I'll have more.

Step 4- Incorporate some of those foods you cut out
This is when you've learned enough about food and substitutes that you can have a cookie every once and a while, and make it fit, make it work. You can't refuse those foods forever, but I personally believe kick starting the system is a good idea.

Message me if you need any more help. Good luck! :flowerforyou:

I am the SAME way!! For me, the trick has been changing how I think about food. I try not to see healthier options as inferior. Instead of thinking "ugh I'm going to order a salad even though I really want that alfredo!" I think, "look at these delicious salad options with so many fresh and delicious ingredients!" You probably have to fake it until you make it, but I do think that trying to change my mentality about this has helped a great deal. I still eat some rather indulgent food, but just not as frequently.

I think this is exactly the type of mindset I need!!! Unfortunately we eat out quite often (because of busy kid schedules) so if I could get myself to order salads, etc I think I'd do a whole lot better!!

I eat out a lot too...it's pretty easy to eat healthy when I cook because I am not faced with endless fatty and calorific alternatives that sound AMAZING, but eating out is definitely a challenge!

I also think that learning how to not eat the whole thing can help. I have this like compulsion to finish everything on my plate, but I've learned that I normally feel kind of gross after eating that much. Reminding myself of that feeling is also another way I help myself not eat so much.

You have to want to do it, first of all. Nobody can do it except you. If you are ready to make the commitment, then eat a MODERATE amount of what you like, then shut the mouth, put the fork down. YOU are in control.
And if you can't do that, then you aren't ready to lose weight yet.

I love food as well, I've upped my intake of water to make it where I get full on less food. I've noticed that my portions are getting smaller, and I can't eat as much as I used to. The downside is the number of times I have to jet to the restroom during the day, but I feel great & more energized when I drink tons of water.
I also replace certain foods with a lower-fat substitute, such as I'll have a whole cup full of steamed veggies with dinner. I'll get full eating more vegetables and eat less of the unhealthy junk.
Feel free to add me for more motivation!

I started by making small healthy choices each day and getting the junk out of my house. For example, I'd substitute yogurt for a cookie once a day, then eventually it became twice and grew into more and more. If it's not there I can't eat it. I also eat 6-7 times a day, I always know the next time I'm going to eat so I don't think about being hungry, if I do get hungry, I eat my next small meal or snack early. Usually by dinner time I'm not that hungry. You can never go wrong with fruits and vegetables either. Veggies are great fillers and very low in calories so you can indulge, also eating them raw can satisfy your need to crunch if you have one like I do. I also eat out a lot because of a busy lifestyle but I eat at Chipotle, Applebee's, or other places that have healthier choices and awesome salads. When I do eat out I only eat 1/2 and save the other half for later in the week. I'm not only full but it also saves money.

Finally, like others have mentioned, sit down and enjoy eating. Make eating your 'me' time. That way you're satifying two needs at once.

Good luck and keep us posted!

I know, it's hard - especially because we can't NOT eat... it's not like giving up drinking or smoking - we still gotta eat and face all of the temptations....
I try to tell myself that food is just fuel for me - I do want it to taste good, but I want it to be healthy, too. Just like I wouldn't put crappy gasoline in my car. (You know what I mean, I hope
Also, don't deprive yourself too much - my biggest problem was portion control (or, more precisely, not paying attention to the amount in a serving) I always underestimated.

Good luck - I myself have had to clamp down (I had become kind of complacent - see my blog) and I've been seeing results.

I have a food addiction too. I try the following:
- Drink a glass of water when craving foods
- Chew mint or cinnamon gum
- Brush your teeth - the taste of toothpaste often kills some food cravings
- Cucumbers with a great seasoning (like Mrs. Dash or a a garlic, pepper spice blend)
- Exercise first - even if I am in my calorie range, I will tell myself that if I really want that "not-as-healthy" item (not necessarily junk food), I must walk a mile first. Sometimes this kills the urge to eat more because I don't want to walk OR, I do the walk, but something about exercise sometimes makes me NOT crave or want food right away - other times I still want to eat and since I "earned" it, I do.
- Because I love to eat and portion control is difficult, at dinner I keep all "extra" food that hasn't been served over by the oven - NOT on the table where it looks so easy to get more. My first plate I carefully weigh/measure before sitting down and then I don't get up for more.
- Lastly, as long as I am doing great the rest of the days, I have one "cheat" day a week where I eat my entire calories allotment for the day (the maintenance level) AND all the exercise ones and sometimes up to 1,000 more calories than that.