The Fast Food Magnetic Pull
MrsBrosco
Posts: 295
WOW. I just went to the doctor's office on my lunch break for an appointment and it took every single little ounce of self control I could muster up to not stop at ANY fast food chains to get lunch. I am an addict. Bad. Bad bad addict. I'm addicted to food in general but fast food is my kryptonite. I feel ashamed that it took THAT MUCH fighting with myself to make it back to the office without stopping. Today is the FIRST DAY that I have decided to try to get back on track and to have that little of willpower on day 1 just really bothers me.
Any other fast food addicts out there that have to phystically fight themselves to not pull through the drive thru? This has been an eye opener for me, that's for sure.
Any other fast food addicts out there that have to phystically fight themselves to not pull through the drive thru? This has been an eye opener for me, that's for sure.
0
Replies
-
Its my day 1 back on track too... thankfully Ill just eat anything so its just limiting my intake. Im too busy to be bothered with STOPPING for fast food.
Its hard but its a day at a time. after a few days I always find it easier.0 -
Hi I'm a fast food addict also.Today is my 1st day and have joined here because I am addicted to takeaways and not only look bad for it but feel bad for it too! I really dont know what the answer is at the moment,maybe take one day at a time?0
-
I got over it! First I picked the healthy options... then after a while I realized I could make a better version of those at home. I've had fast food maybe twice in 6 months since.0
-
you gotta think on the + side, you didn't stop. i had a huge problem, ate fast food 2x a day usually 6 days a week. its so easy and tasty and cheap. each time you resist the magnetic pull, the pull weakens a bit. it took me nearly 2 years to fully give up fast food. i do still eat some fast food on occasion (hot dogs are just better from the dog stand then they are at home!) but i can resist so much to the point now, i don't even consider fast food an option. it does take an embarrasing amount of will power, but with time you can make it, you just have to believe in yourself, good luck!0
-
This content has been removed.
-
I'm a food addict, plain and simple! But I've learned to choose some of the better options - side salad, grilled chicken breast, unsweet tea. After a while it get a bit easier. Hang in there.0
-
Somewhat off topic, but those dang Taco Bell commercials at 10pm ALMOST make me wannt go out in -10 windchill to crush some Amerixican food. Black magic, I tell ya.0
-
Wendy's and her evil tractor beams suck me in every now and then. I don't bother resisting, but I do make her wait until after my Saturday long run for a lunch date. And I buy and even carry the tray because I'm a gentleman.0
-
I love fast food, and fit it into my day every couple of weeks. I find allowing myself to have it, guilt free, keeps me from craving or binging too badly. Also, as my body has gotten used to new habits the desire has decreased -- and some things that never bothered me before make me feel sick/sluggish/etc, which helps (sad but true). I used to LOVE candy, and now the bulk of sugar makes me feel miserable!0
-
Good for you. I find I have more success by celebrating every victory instead of being down on myself for every failure.
Any habit can be broken. Keep working on it, but don't beat yourself up. You can fit fast food into your plan. Maybe not every day, but it is possible.0 -
I can relate. It depends upon how bad your "addiction" is.
Can you go and make smart choices? Every place has good options if you look for a minute and figure out the calorie counts.
Can you go, have a little and be satisfied? Or can you go once a week and have a lot and be ok with that?
It's all about moderation. Even for fast food. The only reason I'd suggest you completely eliminate it is if you go, order way too much, and find yourself right back there the following day, repeat cycle.
Think you could try going and using some discipline? If so you're good. But if it's just too strong a temptation for you and you can't sensibly indulge I see what you're saying and I feel your pain.
Nope, it's pretty bad. I had actually quit once before a couple of years ago, I completely gave it up. Then I got pregnant again and everything flew out the window, I have not been able to real it back in since. It's almost as if once I get a craving NOTHING ELSE MATTERS. Nothing but getting that food and satisfying the craving. But then i'm back to feeling down and angry with myself the minute i'm done eating.0 -
no kidding about the taco bell commercials.
I'm a fast food addict too, but more so for the convenience than the foods. When I'm craving whatever they have I just make healthy alternatives now at home. I'm lucky though, I work from home and my wife stays home so when I'm swamped with work she can make whatever I want. If I am on the go however, I always key a low cal snack bar so that if I absolutely just have to eat something I've got it. This is kinda sad but I usually only keep 1 bar in the car to resist the temptation of eating more than one.0 -
Took me about two weeks to get over the cravings. Happy to say they don't really suck me in anymore. And now that I'm past the initial withdraw, I find I can "treat myself" to something now and then. There's an Arby's right by work. I just love that Ruben sandwich. I get it about once every two weeks and just work it into my calorie goals. I skip the potato cakes. But yeah. That first couple of weeks, that would have set me off the rails.0
-
Hi. My name is Concordancia and I haven't ordered anything with fries in 42 days.
The best solution I have found is I just don't go by myself. Pulling into Wendy's by myself is my version of hiding vodka in the desk drawer. If I let myself pull up to the drive thru, I will tell myself that fries once every couple of months won't kill me and I deserve the spicy chicken club sandwich, remember how happy those make you...Then I will probably go back the next time I am running errands, because that one meal didn't cause any damage...Then having Wendy's that often will start adding up, so I will go to McDonald's instead...
If I happen to be out and absolutely must eat, I make it a local restaurant, and I get out of the car and go in. Even if I am going to order gyro and fries at the counter, it just doesn't have the same mental effect on me. If I don't have time for that, I won't starve in an afternoon. I won't be very productive, but I won't starve.
And no, I don't deprive myself of fries: I eat my husband's.0 -
Me :sad:0
-
no kidding about the taco bell commercials.
I'm a fast food addict too, but more so for the convenience than the foods. When I'm craving whatever they have I just make healthy alternatives now at home. I'm lucky though, I work from home and my wife stays home so when I'm swamped with work she can make whatever I want. If I am on the go however, I always key a low cal snack bar so that if I absolutely just have to eat something I've got it. This is kinda sad but I usually only keep 1 bar in the car to resist the temptation of eating more than one.
See, i'm a binger as well so I do not keep ANYTHING in my car or it would all be gone on a daily basis. I've even attempted counseling for all of this and all she says is, "If you know you have a problem then fix it. It's those that don't know it's a problem that need help." I'm sorry, but that's a load of crap! The people that know what they are doing is wrong and bad and still do it anyway are the ones that have a REAL problem!0 -
Pulling into Wendy's by myself is my version of hiding vodka in the desk drawer.
lol Love that!0 -
Pulling into Wendy's by myself is my version of hiding vodka in the desk drawer.
lol Love that!
There is SO much truth to this- even the feeling ashamed afterwards.0 -
"The people that know what they are doing is wrong and bad and still do it anyway are the ones that have a REAL problem!"
The question is, what do you REALLY want? Not what do you want "right now" but what do you want in the LONG term?
I love chocolate. I love beer. I can crush an entire pizza without blinking. But each time that urge comes, I ask myself...do I want the temporary chemical release I get from indulging in these unplanned pleasures, or do I want ripped abs, great self confidence, higher energy, and to LIVE LONG so I can enjoy my life and family for as long as possible?
If the answer to that question is "Screw my future, I want what I want when I want it!", then you need to take drastic action to break those chains relative to your triggers and stimuli. If that means taking a different way home, to the store, whatever...then DO IT. We can always rationalize our decisions, but eventually you have to find a way that the excuses won't get in the way of success.
You CAN do it.0 -
If you knew the food place had cockroaches, would you still fill your "addiction" and eat there? Probably not. It's not an "addiction" it's a behavioral response to how fast food tastes. Like any other habit, you can change it.WOW. I just went to the doctor's office on my lunch break for an appointment and it took every single little ounce of self control I could muster up to not stop at ANY fast food chains to get lunch. I am an addict. Bad. Bad bad addict. I'm addicted to food in general but fast food is my kryptonite. I feel ashamed that it took THAT MUCH fighting with myself to make it back to the office without stopping. Today is the FIRST DAY that I have decided to try to get back on track and to have that little of willpower on day 1 just really bothers me.
Any other fast food addicts out there that have to phystically fight themselves to not pull through the drive thru? This has been an eye opener for me, that's for sure.
A.C.E. Certified Personal/Group FitnessTrainer
IDEA Fitness member
Kickboxing Certified Instructor
Been in fitness for 30 years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition0 -
I'm really bad too. I grew up on it and it takes a lot of effort for me to say no as well. But once you actually do you feel empowered. Like I am NOT going to let that temptation of burgers and fries get me anymore! My health is more important! But the convenience factor is what gets me. It's so easy to pick up after work or when you're out n about. That's why planning is the key to success like having healthy snacks available at all times. Also if you're craving burgers or something you can always make your own version at home. I really enjoy chicken melts so I made my own version and it's so good. It helps me stay on track without going insane lol.0
-
Congrats for resisting! it's really hard to change some of those habits, but despite huge temptation you still managed it. Well done.0
-
If you knew the food place had cockroaches, would you still fill your "addiction" and eat there? Probably not. It's not an "addiction" it's a behavioral response to how fast food tastes. Like any other habit, you can change it.WOW. I just went to the doctor's office on my lunch break for an appointment and it took every single little ounce of self control I could muster up to not stop at ANY fast food chains to get lunch. I am an addict. Bad. Bad bad addict. I'm addicted to food in general but fast food is my kryptonite. I feel ashamed that it took THAT MUCH fighting with myself to make it back to the office without stopping. Today is the FIRST DAY that I have decided to try to get back on track and to have that little of willpower on day 1 just really bothers me.
Any other fast food addicts out there that have to phystically fight themselves to not pull through the drive thru? This has been an eye opener for me, that's for sure.
A.C.E. Certified Personal/Group FitnessTrainer
IDEA Fitness member
Kickboxing Certified Instructor
Been in fitness for 30 years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition
I don't agree with this. I have quit smoking after 9 years and the cravings for nicotine do not compare to the draw that fast food has to me. I think that you can 100% be addicted to fast food/sugar/carbs, whatever your poison may be.0 -
Congrats for resisting! it's really hard to change some of those habits, but despite huge temptation you still managed it. Well done.
I loved this, thank you!0 -
You don't have to agree with it. I just asked a question. If you knew the fast food might be tainted, would you still go buy and eat it? Because true addicts will take big risks to fulfill their addictions.
If you knew the food place had cockroaches, would you still fill your "addiction" and eat there? Probably not. It's not an "addiction" it's a behavioral response to how fast food tastes. Like any other habit, you can change it.WOW. I just went to the doctor's office on my lunch break for an appointment and it took every single little ounce of self control I could muster up to not stop at ANY fast food chains to get lunch. I am an addict. Bad. Bad bad addict. I'm addicted to food in general but fast food is my kryptonite. I feel ashamed that it took THAT MUCH fighting with myself to make it back to the office without stopping. Today is the FIRST DAY that I have decided to try to get back on track and to have that little of willpower on day 1 just really bothers me.
Any other fast food addicts out there that have to phystically fight themselves to not pull through the drive thru? This has been an eye opener for me, that's for sure.
A.C.E. Certified Personal/Group FitnessTrainer
IDEA Fitness member
Kickboxing Certified Instructor
Been in fitness for 30 years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition
I don't agree with this. I have quit smoking after 9 years and the cravings for nicotine do not compare to the draw that fast food has to me. I think that you can 100% be addicted to fast food/sugar/carbs, whatever your poison may be.
A heroin addict will use a dirty needle. A cocaine addict will sniff coke off a dirty floor. Hell even a person who's need a cigarette will smoke a used butt.
Fast food is palatable no doubt. If that's been your go to food for a long time, then having to change that habit, it will feel hard. But unlike drug or alcohol addiction, you'd make it fine on other foods. You're body won't really know the difference. It's more a mental block than a physical one.
A.C.E. Certified Personal/Group FitnessTrainer
IDEA Fitness member
Kickboxing Certified Instructor
Been in fitness for 30 years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition0 -
Fast food is palatable no doubt. If that's been your go to food for a long time, then having to change that habit, it will feel hard. But unlike drug or alcohol addiction, you'd make it fine on other foods. You're body won't really know the difference. It's more a mental block than a physical one.
I kinda agree with your point.... I think. Maybe. Pretty much. But that last bit - isn't psychological addiction a "real" thing? Like that actor dude who was the assistant in the Big Lobowski. They say he was clean all those years, so it seems to me the physical addiction was long gone. But something brought him back to the drugs. Happens to alcoholics and smokers too.
Don't know. I don't have a lot of experience (fortunately) with addiction.0 -
I recently quit smoking and I got down on myself for having strong cravings. But I had an "ah ha" moment in which I realized that cravings are natural. You are going to have cravings, but what matters is that I don't smoke, or that in your case, you did not stop at a drive thru. That's what matters. Don't get down on yourself for craving. Celebrate that you resisted. It will get better. What they tell you at the quitline is to make a "quit kit" and have it on hand. So in this case, that would be healthy snacks, maybe water, some good music, things to distract yourself. You got this!0
-
You really can't give an alcoholic alcohol in moderation. Same with a cocaine or heroin addict. But it's entirely possible for someone to moderate some fast food into their diet and still have weight loss and health.Fast food is palatable no doubt. If that's been your go to food for a long time, then having to change that habit, it will feel hard. But unlike drug or alcohol addiction, you'd make it fine on other foods. You're body won't really know the difference. It's more a mental block than a physical one.
I kinda agree with your point.... I think. Maybe. Pretty much. But that last bit - isn't psychological addiction a "real" thing? Like that actor dude who was the assistant in the Big Lobowski. They say he was clean all those years, so it seems to me the physical addiction was long gone. But something brought him back to the drugs. Happens to alcoholics and smokers too.
Don't know. I don't have a lot of experience (fortunately) with addiction.
Is psychological addiction real? I think so, but I think people subjectively use the term "addiction" wrong when it comes to food. As I mentioned food that palatable and that one enjoys that now gets "taken away" from someone who's had a habit of eating it for awhile is going to make it seem like they can't do it. Not many people need an intervention because they are a little overweight, somewhat healthy and eating fast food. This is why I don't think it's an addiction.
A.C.E. Certified Personal/Group FitnessTrainer
IDEA Fitness member
Kickboxing Certified Instructor
Been in fitness for 30 years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition0 -
Dominos is my weakness - it's just so *easy* to order online, especially if I'm tired or feeling low/lazy... and then I'm suddenly eating 600, 800, 1000+ calories that I don't want or need.
Well done for resisting
All things in moderation - a bit of fast food as a treat is ok every now and then, the trick is stopping it being every nownownownownow!0 -
Dominos is also my weakness. If I don't have it for ages, then I don't want it. If I order for a treat, chances are I'll order a further few times that month. It's something that I should probably avoid as I can't seem to just have it once!0
Categories
- All Categories
- 1.4M Health, Wellness and Goals
- 393.6K Introduce Yourself
- 43.8K Getting Started
- 260.3K Health and Weight Loss
- 175.9K Food and Nutrition
- 47.5K Recipes
- 232.5K Fitness and Exercise
- 430 Sleep, Mindfulness and Overall Wellness
- 6.5K Goal: Maintaining Weight
- 8.5K Goal: Gaining Weight and Body Building
- 153K Motivation and Support
- 8K Challenges
- 1.3K Debate Club
- 96.3K Chit-Chat
- 2.5K Fun and Games
- 3.8K MyFitnessPal Information
- 24 News and Announcements
- 1.1K Feature Suggestions and Ideas
- 2.6K MyFitnessPal Tech Support Questions