Getting out of the all or nothing mindset...

I definitely lean that way, but usually always plan on starting over the next day. I blow my diet & eat something I shouldn't, & even though often it hasn't even put me over on calories *yet*, I just keep eating. But I've really tried to get into the mindset of START OVER NOW...THIS MOMENT...DON'T WAIT. So the good thing is that now I find it happening less often, & if it does happen it doesn't take me as long to get on track. Sometimes it even helps to say out loud..."STOP IT!" when you start out of control eating, or thinking that way. I had this quote on my fridge for a while...

"Every passing minute is another chance to turn it all around." --from movie "Vanilla Sky"

All the best in your battle. ;-)

It's normal but not fair to you. Unless there is food that you can't eat for medical reasons then add your snacks into your plan. This will stop you from starting over a zillion times or feeling like crap because you ate something you enjoyed.

I can relate. I agree with others that say log it, keep logging. That helps me. Pre-planning my foods for the day also helps but not always great at that.

When I feel so defeated I have a picture with this saying on it that I read: "Giving up your goal because of one set back is like slashing your other three tires because you got a flat."

For the start on Sunday thing - I used to do that too. I had other random 'rules' that allowed me to put it off or gave me a free ticket to indulge for a set amount of time. That was me making excuses to myself. I no longer do that because I really want this, I want it more than a free week. I still have issues with turning things around mid-day. A day goes wrong, it ends wrong, which is the same thing really just on a smaller scale.

Nah, whatever happens today has no affect on tomorrow in regards to my eating plan. Sometimes there is just a day where the treat may be irresistable :ohwell:

Well, I have taken control over my brain (today) and hopefully every day here on after. I actually did have a donut, I logged it and I refuse to let it control me. I still have 800 calories left, even after lunch!

Why does everything seem to be a battle!!? :grumble:

A donut is not going to blow your progress. It's all about calories in vs. calories out. If you still have calories left then you are good to go. Read this article http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/1080242-a-guide-to-get-you-started-on-your-path-to-sexypants

And whenever you have the time read this one too http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/833026-important-posts-to-read

Good luck on your journey! :flowerforyou:

ETA: I do believe that if there's a specific type of food that will lead you to binge (and go over your calories) then try to avoid it. This applies to me with ice cream, so whenever I want ice cream instead of buying a pint I buy a small one that I plan on eating that night because if I buy a pint I'll eat the whole damn container :laugh: But if you have a treat and are still under your calorie goal then you haven't ruined your day.

To me, a donut isn't a fail. It's a choice. If I make the choice to eat a donut, then I have other choices to make:
1. Do I workout more to make up the difference.
2. Do I skip some other calories to make up the difference.
3. Enjoy and just move on, knowing that in time, you can still meet your goals by making different choices in the future.
My success has been based on a combination of 1&2 in order to stay within calorie budget at least on a weekly basis. While I have used #3 sparingly for birthday, vacation, etc., to let myself off the hook in advance, I do typically still implement #1 & 2 to come pretty close to budget.

Just think of it the same way you would a financial budget. Imagine you've just charged a Final Sale/No Refunds, non-budgeted impulse-buy item on your credit card. You can't return it and get your money back (just like you can't return the donut), so you have to make some choices:
a. Do something to make some extra money to pay for it (overtime, odd job, sell something)
b. Do without something else you had money budget for
c. Pay for it over time, knowing that it may cost you a little more in the end but may lead you to consider your options BEFORE making the next impulse buy.

I used to be. I asked myself if I was going to live the rest of my without eating another donut. The answer is no. The difficult part is limiting to 1 donut (or 1 serving of food). Some days I just tell myself f**k it and have an extra donut/cookie/cheese. I feel my mental health is as important as physical health.

So, I eat a donut as a snack and my entire day is ruined. I may as well eat like crap the rest of the day and stop counting calories.

Then God forbid I begin again on any day other than a Sunday. Is that normal?? Is anyone else like this?

This was me for literally years. I don't know why this time is different other than I'm all in determined to get it right once and for all. If you mess up (and we all do), acknowledge it and move on. You can't fail if you never quit.