Afraid to have a "cheat" day.

ketoambahh
ketoambahh Posts: 67
in Motivation and Support
The last time I gave myself one (I had chinese takeout), a switch in my brain went off and the addiction started where I'd eat some sort of takeout almost every day.

I just got over this about a week ago (where I don't miss it at all). My Mom ordered pizza a few days ago. I had half a slice (from an 18" pie). Immediately wanted more. However I did stop myself from try to grab the other half for if I did I'd probably wouldn't be on this site today.

I'm just afraid that if I even eat any of those types of food again I will go back to a fast food binge fest. Avoiding these foods altogether is simple...when you're not out with friends or family for a special occasion.

I have a really bad addiction with these foods. I just recently got off diet soda and that craving is still there. I don't really know what to do half the time. It takes a lot of willpower to just sit there in the same room as someone eating a basket of hot wings or french fries.

Is there like a certain point in time where I should just stick to my plan 100% (I'm enjoying what I'm eating, I just get food envy), or am I doomed to not eat food from a restaurant again?

It's extremely frustrating.

Replies

  • trackmyday1973
    trackmyday1973 Posts: 393 Member
    for me....sometimes the actual word "cheat" would get me to be out of control....not the food.... more of a mentality thing for me
  • thepetiterunner
    thepetiterunner Posts: 1,238 Member
    It's hard making a lifestyle switch, and you will have withdrawls, especially if you have just recently given them up (which it sounds like you have).

    Simply put, you have to decide how bad you want to lose the weight and get healthy. Having said that, I am always a bit wary of making changes that you will not be able to sustain over the long run. Perhaps you don't need a total cheat "day", maybe just try a meal or having something small every day (i.e. a hershey kiss, peanut butter, whatever it is you like or want as a "treat") or work it into your calories and exercise it off. I think once you realize you have to run "X" number of miles to work off those fries, you might be less inclined in the future.

    Other strategies are to simply HAVE a strategy! Have a plan when you know you may be in a situation to face your cravings. Take a walk instead. Drink more water. Post pictures of what you want to look like, write yourself reminders that you are on a path to a healthy lifestyle. Ask yourself if you're going to feel better (emotionally, psychologically and physically) after you eat this.

    But in the end, it comes down to how badly you want it. If you want it enough, you will find a way. Plain and simple.
  • Jalvare4
    Jalvare4 Posts: 22 Member
    I saw a pretty cool motivational quote on Facebook and it said something like "Let a cheat day be a choice" but basically it is exactly like the person above me said. It is about how strong your will power to avoid the temptation and how bad you want to lose it.
  • lady6starlight
    lady6starlight Posts: 127 Member
    I think you should indulge yourself, so you won't feel that instant urge to eat more. For example, eating one whole slice of pizza is way more satisfying then just a half.
  • ketoambahh
    ketoambahh Posts: 67
    Yeah it's been three weeks without anything but that half a slice of pizza (which was quite large even for half a slice). The rest of my household doesn't follow a plan like I do but they're slowly getting influenced by me.

    I know that it doesn't make me feel good in the long run, and I've been trying to make my own at home (I make mini whole wheat pita pizzas and they're delicious), but sometimes you think that it isn't the same as just going to get it.

    Last time I tried doing this I fell off at about this much time in (e.g. 3 weeks). My willpower is getting much stronger and if I REALLY need something fast Subway is always there. :)

    Thanks for the input though. It's nice to hear from people who are going through the same things I'm going through.
  • xxhieixx
    xxhieixx Posts: 89 Member
    If you just started dieting it'll take awhile before you can control yourself. I was the same way when I first started and I completely stayed away from junk food and chocolate. Now I'm at the point where I can just have one candy bar or one slice of pizza. It took at least two months of dieting before I ate any junk food.
    Also, someone mentioned going out for a walk which I used to do if I had really bad cravings. I like to drink tea as well, that seems to make my cravings go away.
  • MoreBean13
    MoreBean13 Posts: 8,701 Member
    If you have binge tendencies, a "cheat" day probably isn't a good approach for you.

    But, you should feel like you can have treat foods once in a while. There's nothing wrong with pizza. I don't have a binge problem, and if I tried to restrict myself to half a slice, I would want the other half too. If you want pizza, just plan for it, make room in your calorie budget, and have a whole slice of pizza. You can even have 2 if you have the calories for it. There's nothing inherently wrong with bread and marinara and cheese.

    Allow yourself a little more freedom. If you restrict yourself totally, you're always going to have these overwhelming emotions about the food you want. Just relax the reigns a little, and it will help quell the cravings so they won't feel so daunting.

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