Problem sticking with my goals while at work.

Welcome to posting at mfp Easy for topics to get lost here, there are so many! I agree it can be difficult to stick to goals sometimes, and work definitely can be one for me. First, make sure you're getting adequate nutrition and calories and aren't undercutting yourself. If you aren't undercutting yourself and are adequately nourished, then the desire to eat is probably more psychological - in my opinion. Though, just for the record, I'm not a nutritionist or anything other than a fat woman getting healthier <g>

So...my tricks for pushing through the 'mental' hunger when I know I'm adequately nourished -- I either have some spare calories so I can snag something or I get up and move around, drink some more hot tea or water, or just remind myself that I can't because my end goal is more important. By and large though, I space out my eating enough that I don't feel hungry.

My work days are 9-12 hours depending on what is going on (the joys of being salaried = stay until it's done!), and if I am in my office, not on the road, I start off with oatmeal around 9 am then an apple or other snack at 11 am then lunch at 1 pm and carrots or another light snack at 3 pm then home and the bulk of my calories will be with dinner, which can be anywhere from 6 pm to 8 pm depending on whether or not I stayed late at work, had yoga, etc. I found I got hungrier once home versus at work so saving more calories for then helped. But I make sure I have plenty of lower calorie snack foods I bring each day with me so I can adapt if I get hungry - carrots, cucumbers, radishes, spinach, etc - might as well get my vegetable servings while I work. And some fruit (bananas, apples, raspberries, grapes, oranges) too. Then whatever my lunch is - typically some cheese and lunch meat and maybe a serving of pumpkin seeds or soy nuts. Like I said - I save up most of mine for the evenings at home where I am prone to falter instead - maybe you need to have the larger meal at work?

Anyway - figured snapshot of what someone else typically does may help!

It's important to eat food that will hold you over. Things like vegetables will hold you over longer than non-complex carbohydrates like white bread.

Complex carbohydrates are things like spinach, yams, broccoli, beans, zucchini, lentils, skimmed milk, whole grains and many other leguminous plants and vegetables.

Aside from that, drink plenty of water. Staying hydrated will cut down on your food cravings.

Bring a snack that you can munch on. Things like carrot sticks, rice cakes, and pickles can be a life saver.