Discouraged and disgusted

Gallen88
Gallen88 Posts: 171 Member
in Health and Weight Loss
I am having an issue.. this whole eating right thing...in new orleans... next to impossible. I have meal prepd before but my diet is getting SOOOOOOO boring and I'm returning to the horrible stuff (2 orders of beignets O__O) . I know i can do better but the will power.. the will power is just not there man. I'm doing low-carb but i know this weight isn' coming off without proper eating. So..help a sista out

Replies

  • SherryTeach
    SherryTeach Posts: 2,836 Member
    What is next to impossible? The Internet is full of websites of healthy food ideas of all kinds. Maybe it's time to create a list of easy to prepare meals that will perk you up and make you look forward to your food. You don't have to get by on boring, tasteless food. Do your homework.
  • Will_Thrust_For_Candy
    Will_Thrust_For_Candy Posts: 6,109 Member
    You also don't have to do low carb! Just count your calories, pay attention to your macros and eat the things you love!
  • SapiensPisces
    SapiensPisces Posts: 992 Member
    I've found that one of the reasons many people fail at weight loss is trying to do too much too soon. Make small positive changes like exercising portion control and getting in some exercise for now. Work on just keeping it within your calorie budget. After a few weeks or a month, start worrying about improving your food quality. Go slow and make the changes more a lifestyle change than a "diet".

    As long as you're at a calorie deficit (you're eating less than you burn by just living + exercise), you'll lose weight.
  • kristenholt73
    kristenholt73 Posts: 1
    If you already lost 29 lbs, that is fantastic! Celebrate that! And those beignets - so good, I can understand not being able to resist. The only recommendation I have is trying to cut out sugar (obviously that would cut the beignets :-(
    I am finding if I can cut sugar (unnatural, fruit is fine), that it makes all the other cravings easier. But once I have sugar, all the will power goes out the window. Sorry, nothing new there, but just trying to encourage you. And, when the sugar craving hits, have an apple. I know it isn't what you want, but it will help pass the craving. Oh, also, try a cup of tea, with skim milk and truvia. That can also help get those the craving. I have never replied to one of these things, but I don't like to see someone discouraged and disgusted! Hang in there!!
  • ndj1979
    ndj1979 Posts: 29,136 Member
    1. ditch low carb
    2. create a 500 calorie per day deficit
    3. eat pretty much what you want as long as you stay in said deficit
    4. work out.move more
  • DamePiglet
    DamePiglet Posts: 3,730 Member
    1. ditch low carb
    2. create a 500 calorie per day deficit
    3. eat pretty much what you want as long as you stay in said deficit
    4. work out.move more

    QFT

    That way you can work in a couple of beignets without feeling guilty or deprived.

    Btw...WHO DAT!!!
  • luckydays27
    luckydays27 Posts: 552 Member
    I know i can do better but the will power.. the will power is just not there man.

    Thats your problem right there. You have to have the will power to avoid the extra goodies, BUT ONLY IF you dont have the calories for them.

    Follow what ndj1979 too. Thats how I lost 62 lbs so far.
  • miriamgreeneyes
    miriamgreeneyes Posts: 5
    your not alone.. its not easy, that's for sure.. I have been on this for over a week, my thing is this.. FLAVOR... as long as it taste good.. Im a Mikey.. I can eat it.. If you cook you should already have your seasoning packed down, have you tried that Wishbone Asian Light Sesame Salad dressing girl it is so tastful.. I'm a diabetic.. and I look forward to eating it cuase it just taste so good.. the trick is recreating your cooking ideas.. do veggie soups, just make sure you eat and use the right veggies, salads.. salads are good.. its the dressings you have to watch for.. unless you do your own.. olive oil, vinegar a little bit of salt.. trust me.. now I like salads.. my problem is Im a diabetic and my cholesterol is way high.. so my choices are cut very thin.. but I had me some awesome spagetti today.. shocked even me.. I experimented.. just take chefs hat honey and say... "I can do this" if you want a buddy just friend me... one day at a time missy.. rome was not built in a day! lol
  • Will_Thrust_For_Candy
    Will_Thrust_For_Candy Posts: 6,109 Member
    1. ditch low carb
    2. create a 500 calorie per day deficit
    3. eat pretty much what you want as long as you stay in said deficit
    4. work out.move more

    QFT

    That way you can work in a couple of beignets without feeling guilty or deprived.

    Btw...WHO DAT!!!

    Have I told you lately that I :heart: you Piglet? Also, AGREED!!! :love:


    Oh yeah, and all that advice on top of my own, OP :smile:
  • meshashesha2012
    meshashesha2012 Posts: 8,329 Member
    yeah i just came back from a trip to NOLA and i have NO IDEA how everyone down there isn't 200 pounds overweight and honestly coming from cali, i was really disappointed in the quality of the produce in the grocery store i ended up having to go to since i ended up using my hotel's kitchenette for the most part


    and yes OMG beignets :cry: i knew as soon as the hot and fresh beignets from cafe du monde touched my lips i couldnt return there again until my next trip otherwise i'd be there 6 times a day :laugh:
    i think a lot of time when people start losing weight they assume they have to eat like they're in a prison camp. there really isnt a reason to do low carb unless you have medical reasons like epilepsy or diabetes. just eat whatever you want and as long as you stay under a calorie deficit you'll lose weight. IF you start regularly exercising and pushing you fitness then you'll find that you naturally will start cleaning up any food issues since you'll find certain foods help you through a workout and recovery better.


    i pretty much eat the same things every week : eggs, avocadoes, baby spinach, chicken thighs, ground turkey, fresh kale, sweet potatoes, purple cabbage, full fat or 2% greek yogurt, gluten free bread, smoked salmon, cucumbers, havarti cheese, etc.

    and will just combine them in different ways. my suggestion would be to get some cookbooks to get some ideas of things to eat. take your favorite recipes and work out ways to make them less calorie in order to fit them into your menu
  • SoDamnHungry
    SoDamnHungry Posts: 6,998 Member
    How about starting with one order of beignets?
  • crazybookworm
    crazybookworm Posts: 779 Member
    Portion control, Moderation, Substitution and exercise. Those are the 4 main things you should follow.

    Exercise at least 3 times a week. Find(or create) a program that you love and stick to you! Also, try to revamp your routine every 4-5 workouts. It's good to keep things fresh so your body doesn't fall into a routine and you don't get bored!

    Portion Control: Watch it. Make sure you are measuring your serving sizes properly. You'd be shocked at the size of a real serving. Average people eat at least 2 servings of cereal for example.

    Moderation: You are absolutely able to still eat some of your much loved food! Just moderate how often you have it, and again, watch your portion size.

    Substitution: Take some of your guilty pleasures and sub it for some healthier choices. For example, if you are a rice lover for your dinner sides, try swapping the rice for some steamed veggies. Or if you love ice cream, try subbing with some greek Yogurt. I love taking a scoop of Greek Yogurt and adding some mixed berries. Even better, you can pop it in the freezer for 10 minutes and have your very own frozen yogurt!

    I hope this helps!

    All the best!:flowerforyou:
  • chezjuan
    chezjuan Posts: 747 Member
    I've found that one of the reasons many people fail at weight loss is trying to do too much too soon. Make small positive changes like exercising portion control and getting in some exercise for now. Work on just keeping it within your calorie budget. After a few weeks or a month, start worrying about improving your food quality. Go slow and make the changes more a lifestyle change than a "diet".

    As long as you're at a calorie deficit (you're eating less than you burn by just living + exercise), you'll lose weight.

    This is what I did when I started on MFP. I decide to start by not worrying about anything but staying under my calories and getting my exercise in. As I progressed, I started watching my macros in addition to calorie counting. Coincidentally, I started getting really serious about getting fit after I returned from a trip to NOLA... and I'm convinced that this whole weight loss thing would be much more difficult if I lived there - the food is wonderful.
  • skinnybythanksgiving
    skinnybythanksgiving Posts: 159 Member
    Ok. You are almost half way there. And suddenly you come to a standstill. Is it possible you are afraid of actually succeeding?
    Obviously you can do this. I've had those Sunday morning donuts in N.O. Have you ever noticed- they taste the same every time. So does everything else. Food has no power over you. It's just food. It's there to nourish and sustain you. So you can live life.

    Just get back on track right now. Don't overeat or under eat. Just take care of yourself, give your body the food it needs in the amount it needs to weigh what you want to weigh. Track your cals. You'll lose it.
  • Gallen88
    Gallen88 Posts: 171 Member
    1. ditch low carb
    2. create a 500 calorie per day deficit
    3. eat pretty much what you want as long as you stay in said deficit
    4. work out.move more

    QFT

    That way you can work in a couple of beignets without feeling guilty or deprived.

    Btw...WHO DAT!!!

    WHODAT!
  • Snow__White
    Snow__White Posts: 1,650 Member
    I've found that one of the reasons many people fail at weight loss is trying to do too much too soon. Make small positive changes like exercising portion control and getting in some exercise for now. Work on just keeping it within your calorie budget. After a few weeks or a month, start worrying about improving your food quality. Go slow and make the changes more a lifestyle change than a "diet".

    As long as you're at a calorie deficit (you're eating less than you burn by just living + exercise), you'll lose weight.
    ^^ yes this
  • Gallen88
    Gallen88 Posts: 171 Member
    Ok. You are almost half way there. And suddenly you come to a standstill. Is it possible you are afraid of actually succeeding?
    Obviously you can do this. I've had those Sunday morning donuts in N.O. Have you ever noticed- they taste the same every time. So does everything else. Food has no power over you. It's just food. It's there to nourish and sustain you. So you can live life.

    Just get back on track right now. Don't overeat or under eat. Just take care of yourself, give your body the food it needs in the amount it needs to weigh what you want to weigh. Track your cals. You'll lose it.

    I have been wondering about this myself.. if im actually afraid to succeed at this.. i have been asking myself that over and over again
  • jennbreaux
    jennbreaux Posts: 5
    Ha ha I'm the same way, plus it's king cake time and they are everywhere! No diet books have anything close to what we eat here so I'm having trouble eating healthy because it's foods I've never heard of, where's the rice and gravy lol
  • NRSPAM
    NRSPAM Posts: 961 Member
    1. ditch low carb
    2. create a 500 calorie per day deficit
    3. eat pretty much what you want as long as you stay in said deficit
    4. work out.move more

    QFT

    That way you can work in a couple of beignets without feeling guilty or deprived.

    Btw...WHO DAT!!!

    ^^^This! :)))
  • Kevalicious99
    Kevalicious99 Posts: 1,131 Member
    1. ditch low carb
    2. create a 500 calorie per day deficit
    3. eat pretty much what you want as long as you stay in said deficit
    4. work out.move more

    This is the answer. Low carb ... not the right answer.
  • MadCat
    MadCat Posts: 16
    And maybe look at a makeover of a healthy version of the foods you love.
  • jennifer_417
    jennifer_417 Posts: 12,344 Member
    1. ditch low carb
    2. create a 500 calorie per day deficit
    3. eat pretty much what you want as long as you stay in said deficit
    4. work out.move more

    +1
  • NRSPAM
    NRSPAM Posts: 961 Member
    Ok. You are almost half way there. And suddenly you come to a standstill. Is it possible you are afraid of actually succeeding?
    Obviously you can do this. I've had those Sunday morning donuts in N.O. Have you ever noticed- they taste the same every time. So does everything else. Food has no power over you. It's just food. It's there to nourish and sustain you. So you can live life.

    Just get back on track right now. Don't overeat or under eat. Just take care of yourself, give your body the food it needs in the amount it needs to weigh what you want to weigh. Track your cals. You'll lose it.

    I have been wondering about this myself.. if im actually afraid to succeed at this.. i have been asking myself that over and over again

    I've had to ask myself that question at some point myself. I finally answered it! I'm GOING to succeed at this!!! Right now I'm so close I can taste it, but you know what??? I don't really care. I'm finally to the point where I'm not in a race. I feel good about myself, I have energy, and I'm starting to learn to love how I look, (although it's tough at times). This is my life. Nothing will change once I've reached my goals. I'm going to keep working hard, exercising, and eating right no matter what my weight is! Another thing. We have to be honest with ourselves. We eat for all sorts of reasons. Once we realize what those reasons are, it makes it a little easier to figure out how to stop eating for the wrong reasons. Our culture is highly centered around food. We eat to celebrate, like at birthday parties and holidays. We see commercials for fast food every step, which gets our minds going, and our stomachs churning, making us hungry. I am a highly emotional eater. I used to eat when I was sad, happy, bored, nervous, stressed, and as a reward. Once I realized that, I was able to make some changes. The biggest thing for me was to stop that mindless eating! The point is, you can't go on thinking that cake or chips, or anything is evil. They are a part of life. we have to include them in our life, and make room for them in our calorie goals. The more often you do this, the less it will taste SOOOO good, making it nearly impossible to stop when you should. If you can't eat like this the rest of your life, then it is not a lifestyle change, it's just a diet. Best of luck to you!!!
  • Slrajr
    Slrajr Posts: 438 Member
    How about starting with one order of beignets?


    "Enjoy yourself. It's later than you think." (Old Chinese Proverb)
  • djxil
    djxil Posts: 357
    You must have done something right to lose 29 lbs so far (which is exactly what I have lost). I only cut out completely, three things, fast food, soda and candy. I slowly added exercise and have been walking quite a bit. Where I feel most accomplished is how I eat. I have fallen in love with cooking, homemade everything, Salsa, Chili, Curry Shrimp, Stuffed Pork Chops, Baked Zucchini... I could go on and on. I am buying more organic and have just about cut out all processed-type food.

    My point is that you do not need to give up the tasty food, you just have to look for new ways to prepare it in a healthy way. Case in point, I found a recipe for Baked Chicken Fingers, the recipe weirded me out but I went with it and added sesame seeds, dear lord, these things were awesome - nearly as good as deep friend sesame chicken.
  • djxil
    djxil Posts: 357
    I read some of the other posts which mentioned fear of success, I have a little theory on this, it may or may not make sense but here goes...

    When we become comfortable, complacent, vulnerable, when things are going really well, you let your guard down. Think of your journey so far. You have come this far, you feel good about what you have accomplished, thinking to yourself, "this is getting easier, I got this". That's when we hear the little voice inside of all of us that seems to howl that you are a failure, that you shouldn't try, that you will fail and provides ample means for you to fail, tempting you to break your habits. But, we hear it wrong, we have been trained and conditioned to hear it wrong. That little voice helped us when we were cave men and women, when complacency and comfort meant death, that little voice pushed them to go further, follow the food, find protection, survive. Over the millennia, that voice, which should drive us to succeed still wants us to succeed, like a drill sergeant of coach rides you to achieve the impossible - some hear them just scream, beating you down and some answer the call.

    This voice is trying to de-rail you to build you up for the next challenge, it knows that losing weight is hard and gets harder as we lose it, it's trying to prepare you for what's ahead (to fight) or forces you to step back into your old habits to protect you from not being ready for the challenge (flight).

    So, will the voice harden your convictions to achieve the seemingly impossible or will you whither and shrink back to a safe haven. The voice does not care which path you choose, the one you know or the one you don't, it just wants you to survive, even if it means short term success of going backwards or long term success with getting healthy.

    I just wrote this, train of thought, and I have only begun to understand the words that I have written but I really hope that it makes sense to you and it helps you achieve your goals.
  • GiGiBeans
    GiGiBeans Posts: 1,062 Member
    . Have you ever noticed- they taste the same every time. So does everything else. Food has no power over you. It's just food. It's there to nourish and sustain you. So you can live life.

    This was exactly what I told myself while losing weight and it worked.

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