Need Suggestions

I need to lose weight for my health and so I can feel good again, but I cannot seem to get past the cravings. I have tried chewing gum, mints, brushing my teeth, but I always seem to give in.

Please help me with suggestions to get past the cravings so I can stay on goal.

They are always sweet cravings like chocolate, cookies, etc.

Replies

  • Fitfully_me
    Fitfully_me Posts: 647 Member
    I need to lose weight for my health and so I can feel good again, but I cannot seem to get past the cravings. I have tried chewing gum, mints, brushing my teeth, but I always seem to give in.

    Please help me with suggestions to get past the cravings so I can stay on goal.

    They are always sweet cravings like chocolate, cookies, etc.

    It takes time to stop craving those things. For the time being, don't have that stuff readily available. As in don't buy it, and keep it in the house. Can't eat it if you don't have it.
  • It takes time to stop craving those things. For the time being, don't have that stuff readily available. As in don't buy it, and keep it in the house. Can't eat it if you don't have it.
    [/quote]


    I had a serious addiction to drinking coke, and just like what was said above, don't keep it in the house then you can't have it, working for me
  • dth256
    dth256 Posts: 15 Member
    I agree - don't buy the stuff you crave. Or buy small individual sized portions to help with calories.
    I am not a big sweet eater, much prefer salty, but my favorite sweet is Heath bars. I keep a bag of Heath mini's in my work food stash - and eat one each day. JUST ONE. It satisfies my "sweet" need, but doesn't over do it.

    I will confess however I don't keep chips in my drawer as I don't trust my self control where salty foods are concerned!!!!
  • TeaBea
    TeaBea Posts: 14,517 Member
    There are 2 mindsets .....1. cut it out completly .... or 2. learn to manage it.

    1. Cut it out completely works for a "diet." When you are starting a new diet and want to stick to it; zero is a good strategy.

    2. Learn to manage it works for a lifestyle change. My goal is not "to be chocolate free" for the rest of my life. So, I'm trying to manage it.

    I save some calories in my day for a chocolate something. Even a small something. I use Ghiradelli dark chocolate squares. They come individually wrapped. Normally I would eat milk chocolate, but the dark chocolate gives me more chocolate & less sugar if that makes sense. These do the trick for me....so far. Freezing them makes me eat them slower.
  • howardheilweil
    howardheilweil Posts: 604 Member
    There are 2 mindsets .....1. cut it out completly .... or 2. learn to manage it.

    1. Cut it out comepletly works for a "diet." When you are starting a new diet and want to stick to it; zero is a good strategy.

    2. Learn to manage it works for a lifestyle change. My goal is not "to be chocolate free" for the rest of my life. So, I'm trying to manage it.

    I save some calories in my day for a chocolate something. Even a small something. I use Ghiradelli dark chocolate squares. They come individually wrapped. Normally I would eat milk chocolate, but the dark chocolate gives me more chocolate & less sugar if that makes sense. These do the trick for me....so far. Freezing them makes me eat them slower.
    This is solid advice ^^

    You should definitely allocate some "extra" calories for snacks to satisfy your cravings.
  • Thanks everyone. How do you find the will power to not grab the cookies from the work stash in the kitchen, or the donuts on the counter by accounting. I cannot find the will power to stop myself from taking it. I know after a couple of weeks it will get easier, but I just cannot seem to get past day 1.
  • Lizzy622
    Lizzy622 Posts: 3,705 Member
    Plan a healthy snack so if you do grab a cookie or donut you will be full and not grab another.
  • TeaBea
    TeaBea Posts: 14,517 Member
    Thanks everyone. How do you find the will power to not grab the cookies from the work stash in the kitchen, or the donuts on the counter by accounting. I cannot find the will power to stop myself from taking it. I know after a couple of weeks it will get easier, but I just cannot seem to get past day 1.

    Food at work .... I hate that. The office next to mine has chocolate ....constantly.

    Try to hold out until later in the day..... and then think to yourself ...."I wonder how many people have touched those donuts" ......."did they wash their hands." Wait until you can't wait anymore ..... look up the calories in MFP...... do you want a cookie OR 1/2 of a donut. Find the "price tag" ..... then decide. But LOG IT.
  • Desterknee
    Desterknee Posts: 1,056 Member
    Make sure you have your calorie goals set to a realistic, sustainable amount.

    Drink some plain green tea.
    Drink some water.
    Have a small piece of extra dark chocolate.
    Allow yourself one serving of whatever you crave- make room for it in your calories.

    You will have to practice restraint, and self control. If you do not learn these skills you will always have this problem.
  • Fitfully_me
    Fitfully_me Posts: 647 Member
    Thanks everyone. How do you find the will power to not grab the cookies from the work stash in the kitchen, or the donuts on the counter by accounting.
    <SNIP>

    I think about all the hands that may have touched them, and question how "clean" they were. :noway: