No fast food challenge - May

Starting May 1 we will not eat any fast food. That's me and you! :) Come and join me! Enthusiastic? Here's what I need to know:

1. Which foods are in the fast food category for you, which ones do you eat regularly that you want to avoid now?
2. Your motivation. Why do you think this is helpful for you?
3. Update at least at the end of the month.
4. Decide what you'll do if you do eat fast food this month.

For me:
1. I will not eat any pizza, kebab, french fries or hamburgers for the next 31 days.
2. I've already avoided fast food for two weeks and I see that it helps me to lose weight, get rid of the habit to eat unhealthy food and learn to eat more healthy food. I don't miss it, so why not do another month? I will keep doing this for several months until I feel a strong preference for healthy food and no strong attraction to fast food.
3. Check. You'll hear from me. Also I'll respond to everyone who'll join!
4. If I fail I will not give up, but continue to avoid fast food. It'll then be the month of only 1x fast food, which is still pretty awesome! :)

Of course you're free to start the challenge right now, or you can choose to eat lot's of fast food before you start: your choice! ;)
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Replies

  • Goliath1357
    Goliath1357 Posts: 65 Member
    1. I am preparing my own meals so I don't plan to purchase meals from any fast food restaurants.
    2. I really want to lose weight to be more confident. I feel like my weight has kept me from accomplishing a lot of my goals and has caused me to miss many opportunities. I think I will do so much more once lose weight and improve my self-esteem.
    3. Update at least at the end of the month. I plan to.
    4. If I get into position where I have to eat fast food or slip up, I will walk an extra 1,000 steps.
  • Dagnova
    Dagnova Posts: 68
    Hi Goliath!

    Great that you join! I like your plans - it's good to cook your own meals; healthier and potentially cheaper! Avoiding fast food will help you lose weight! :) While I believe that self esteem shouldn't be completely dependent on looks, I can say that losing weight did help me improve my confidence. Hope the same will happen to you. Self esteem is really useful you know! ;)

    A fine strategy for handling accidental fast food! Hope you won't need it! Good luck!

    Kind regards,
    Jasper
  • Clovergirl82
    Clovergirl82 Posts: 13 Member
    I'd love to join this challenge. My husband and I love to cheat every now and then when I get to lazy to cook, but it's defiantly something I want to give up. I passed up fast food yesterday, thinking it might make me gain a pound rather then my home cooked meal at home would.
  • messy_Missy16
    messy_Missy16 Posts: 349 Member
    lol i started this today & i'm dying. Didn't realize i'm an addict.
  • MadDogManor
    MadDogManor Posts: 1,541 Member
    I'd love to try this challenge!

    1. Pizza will be my target fast food this month.
    2. Binge eating pizza for years has not done me any favors. I cannot eat just one slice - one whole pie or two, no problem. I have no self control or willpower, and the binging is the worst with pizza. If I eliminate pizza for a month, then I may know what willpower really is. To know I might be able to have a normal relationship someday towards a certain food will be refreshing.
    3. Planning on checking in often - I need all the support I can get!
    4. If I do eat pizza, it won't be the end of the world. I'll just try again the next day. This is the same strategy I've been using for awhile now.

    Good luck to all
  • Sinisterly
    Sinisterly Posts: 10,913 Member
    1. Papa John's pizza. It is my downfall. 7-11 pizza I can handle just fine, as I only get one slice and eat the toppings off it, throw the rest away. Papa Johns pizza.. They must put something in that, it's highly addictive.
    2. Because I lost a lot of weight and I don't want to ruin all the hard work that I've done.
    3. Ok o.o
    4. I hope this means the pizza from Papa John's only, as I will probably still grab a 7-11 slice here and there, as I don't eat the entire thing either way. That's my fuel when I get up and grab a coffee.
  • Dagnova
    Dagnova Posts: 68
    @Clovergirl82 - Cool that you want to join, good luck with the challenge!

    @MessyMissy - Many substances can be addicting, including foods - this has been proven many times in scientific studies. Here's an interesting article about that: http://drhyman.com/blog/2011/02/04/food-addiction-could-it-explain-why-70-percent-of-america-is-fat/#close.
    So if you find yourself addicted, like many people are, you have an important reason to avoiding fast foods altogether for a good amount of time during which you can restore a healthy relationship with food. Good luck with this challenge, you can do it! :D

    @MadDogManor - Hi and welcome! :) Pizza is also my main enemy! ;) Let's do this!

    @Sinisterly - Good that you join too! If 7-11 pizza is not as addictive for you I would also avoid that one, albeit for the challenge. Part of the challenge is also to find other foods to replace the fast foods. What about taking food with you, you know, healthy food - but also food that you (can grow to) like. But anyways good luck, hope this challenge will help you!
  • Goliath1357
    Goliath1357 Posts: 65 Member
    My 3rd day without fast food, I actually don't eat much fast food much anymore but my family does everyday (mother, father, brother). I grew up eating just fast food and simple food (turkey sandwiches, ramen, mac & cheese, canned tuna) because both of my parents were extremely busy. I am actually changing a lifetime of eating habits which has been hard especially since I am addicted to carbs (bread, pasta). Starting my new meal plan of healthy and simple foods (because I can't cook to save my life) has already been beneficial. It is still hard to pass up the enticing fast food and restaurant carry out my family indulges in but I am committed to changing my body this year.
  • Dagnova
    Dagnova Posts: 68
    My 3rd day without fast food, I actually don't eat much fast food much anymore but my family does everyday (mother, father, brother). I grew up eating just fast food and simple food (turkey sandwiches, ramen, mac & cheese, canned tuna) because both of my parents were extremely busy. I am actually changing a lifetime of eating habits which has been hard especially since I am addicted to carbs (bread, pasta). Starting my new meal plan of healthy and simple foods (because I can't cook to save my life) has already been beneficial. It is still hard to pass up the enticing fast food and restaurant carry out my family indulges in but I am committed to changing my body this year.

    Wow fast food every day? What a big change you are making now! :) I am sure you'll benefit a lot from this! You'll lose weight and become more healthy because you'll get a lot more vitamins and nutrients. Learning to cook takes time, good to start with easy meals! My friends and housemates often make fun of my habit to put all food in only one pan! And that I make strange dishes in this way. But I like them, and they also like them when they taste 'em! Or they are very polite ;)
  • fatalis_vox
    fatalis_vox Posts: 106 Member
    1. Which foods are in the fast food category for you, which ones do you eat regularly that you want to avoid now?
    2. Your motivation. Why do you think this is helpful for you?
    3. Update at least at the end of the month.
    4. Decide what you'll do if you do eat fast food this month.

    I don't eat a ton of fast food, but less is always better! I'll give it a shot!

    1. When I eat fast food, I usually eat Burger King chicken sandwiches, or McDonald's double cheeseburgers. So let's get rid of those places!
    2. I'm having difficulty making healthy decisions in my life the last several months because of an episode of major depression. The more healthy decisions I make, the better I can feel about my life.
    3. Check.
    4. If I do eat fast food, I'll drink only water, coffee, and unsweetened iced tea for the rest of the week to make up the extra calories. No juice, soda(which is already minimal), or alcohol.

    Let's do this!
  • AliMac2040
    AliMac2040 Posts: 1 Member
    I won't eat any place with a drive through. If at a sit down place, I'll order healthy salad with dressing on side or grilled fish.
    I am obese and have high blood pressure. I want to be a healthy mom!!!
    I'll check in during month of May.
    I will be very disappointed if I cave in- I will donate a weekend picking up trash (and burning calories) if I give in- which would mean missing my boys' baseball tourneys which are each weekend in May.
  • Goliath1357
    Goliath1357 Posts: 65 Member
    4 days without fast food and doing fine, no cravings. I do have to go to a graduation out-of-town on Saturday so I may have to eat out but I will walk extra steps when I get back.
  • MadDogManor
    MadDogManor Posts: 1,541 Member
    No pizza yet :-)
  • Dagnova
    Dagnova Posts: 68
    First, about me: it's going great! No temptations, no fast food. I am learning to cook again, a habit that I lost throughout the years. I love it! :)

    @MadDogManor - You're doing great! :)

    @Golliath - Super! I'm curious, what did you eat when you went out of town yesterday? Did you manage to resist the fast food?

    @Allimac - Good that you're in! You sound very dedicated! Go for it! :)

    @Fatalis - Welcome! I hope it's going well for you! About the depression thing, I've been there. It was also very bad for my health - I smoked for 3 years and gained quite some weight. Now I quit smoking and lost a lot and my health has been improving so much through the last year. It's so great that I keep challenging myself, living healthier and healthier. So the positive cycle that you describe is actually possible. Of course you also have to tackle the deeper reasons for a depression, physical or mental, but getting healthier is a very big step forwards! In addition to healthy eating I also recommend exercise. Physical activity has a strong positive effect on not only physical, but also mental health. You can (strongly) lower stress and depression and boost your willpower and ability to focus. I started walking a few times per week and gradually went exercising more and now I do it 5-8 times per week, and I love it!
    I hope this challenge will be good for you! :)
  • fatalis_vox
    fatalis_vox Posts: 106 Member
    So far so good! I did order a pizza on Friday night, but I don't do pizza very often at all, it was cheat day, and I worked it off this weekend through incredible amounts of house-cleaning.

    Today I'm having an urge to eat all my feelings in the form of chicken strips and honey mustard sauce, but I'm resisting so far. Mondays are high-calorie days for me, because I have dinner at a friend's house (It's game night, and the host LOVES to cook.) so I really can't afford to waste the calories ANYWAY.

    So there's that.
  • fatalis_vox
    fatalis_vox Posts: 106 Member
    Also, @Dagnova: Thank you so much for your support and kind words! I am also in therapy working on it, and taking medication to correct the neurological problem.
  • Goliath1357
    Goliath1357 Posts: 65 Member
    @Dagnova, I ended up not going because of car issues so no resistance was needed :)

    Still going strong
  • MadDogManor
    MadDogManor Posts: 1,541 Member
    Well, I made it seven days without pizza. Today is start-over day :-)
  • randomtai
    randomtai Posts: 9,003 Member
    How about moderation? Just a thought. :huh:
  • iPlatano
    iPlatano Posts: 487 Member
    Why not if its working for me? :grumble:
  • shunggie
    shunggie Posts: 1,036 Member
    1. My fast food habit is a McDonald's sausage biscuit once or twice a week. I will go the rest of the month without and try to curb going forward.
    2. My motivation is the fact that i'm trying to stay within the calorie and fat suggested on MFP and those 430 calores and 27 grams of fat are making it a challange. I this will make me more conscience of what i'm doing.
    3. I will update weekly.
    4. I will poke myself with a sharp stick if I fail to go three weeks without a sausage biscuit.
  • fatalis_vox
    fatalis_vox Posts: 106 Member
    So far I've been doing really well. But today I've done a lot of physical labor so far, and all I want is to get a giant burger and a pile of french fries.

    Instead, I'm having salmon and green beans and brown rice. But man. It's hard.
  • MadDogManor
    MadDogManor Posts: 1,541 Member
    How about moderation? Just a thought. :huh:

    The reason I'm trying this challenge is because I have binge eating issues, mostly with pizza and carbs and salty foods. Maybe one day I can enjoy a slice of pizza with a salad and a big glass of sparkling water, instead of gorping half a pizza in 10 minutes like I usually do, but that day is not today. I keep trying my best, and I log most of my food, and I've found my TDEE by accident (same weight since Nov). Now, I'd like to start losing weight again, and maybe trying to control one thing (pizza consumption), I will start losing again. Good luck to everybody!
  • fatalis_vox
    fatalis_vox Posts: 106 Member
    I think I'm about to cheat.

    Yesterday I was HUGELY active, mostly because of work, but I wound up with a net of less than three hundred calories, giving me about 1200 that I could eat while still hitting my target deficit.

    I just couldn't eat that much yesterday because I was so exhausted. But today I am SO HUNGRY, it's cheat day anyway, and all I want is chicken strips, honey mustard sauce, a pile of chili cheese fries, and a piece of cheesecake.

    I'm trying willpower, but if this is the only time this month that I actually go for fast food, it'll still be an improvement over the rest of the time.

    WHAT DO I DOOOOOOO?
  • Dagnova
    Dagnova Posts: 68
    Fatalis, you are free to choose what to do. It's ok if you eat fast food for one day, indeed only eating ff once in a month is already a great improvement! :) And if that avoids a lot of frustration it can be a smart thing to do.

    But it's also nice to do the challenge 100% and go for no ff. It just matters what you find more important.

    Though it may be too late, there's also a third option: make your own healthy food - for example you could make your own chicken, baked potatoes (with vegetables, like onion/mushroom/peppers/broccoli/etc) and perhaps a nice salad. It takes some work, but you'll have the food that you want but then homemade and with a lot of healthy vegetables.

    Good luck! :)
  • Dagnova
    Dagnova Posts: 68
    1. My fast food habit is a McDonald's sausage biscuit once or twice a week. I will go the rest of the month without and try to curb going forward.
    2. My motivation is the fact that i'm trying to stay within the calorie and fat suggested on MFP and those 430 calores and 27 grams of fat are making it a challange. I this will make me more conscience of what i'm doing.
    3. I will update weekly.
    4. I will poke myself with a sharp stick if I fail to go three weeks without a sausage biscuit.

    Welcome shunggie! Good that you join! I don't know what the sausage biscuit is, but it's good to avoid McDonald's! I wonder, what will you eat instead?
  • Dagnova
    Dagnova Posts: 68
    How about moderation? Just a thought. :huh:

    The reason I'm trying this challenge is because I have binge eating issues, mostly with pizza and carbs and salty foods. Maybe one day I can enjoy a slice of pizza with a salad and a big glass of sparkling water, instead of gorping half a pizza in 10 minutes like I usually do, but that day is not today. I keep trying my best, and I log most of my food, and I've found my TDEE by accident (same weight since Nov). Now, I'd like to start losing weight again, and maybe trying to control one thing (pizza consumption), I will start losing again. Good luck to everybody!

    Indeed moderation is always the best way to change a habit. Fast food is actually addictive (the fats/sugars) and I personally think the most effective way to break addiction is not moderation but to avoid the substance altogether - at least for a while until you have the addiction out of your system. I am not sure how long I will take this challenge, it may be many months, but I am sure that eventually I will occasionally eat fast food again and it will be no problem - because it will be just once a month or so - not 2-3 times per week like I used to do.

    MadDogManor, good that you keep going. Let me tell you, I started losing again since I took this challenge so I think you could start losing as well. I think it's because I cut out calorie rich foods and I started to eat a lot more vegetables and fruits (which you know fill your stomach without containing too many calories). In fact I lost 3 kgs in the 3 weeks that I've been in this challenge! :)

    So I hope that this will also happen for you! Good luck sticking with this! :)
  • Tic150
    Tic150 Posts: 23 Member
    I used to eat from McDonald's. I really liked Cheeseburgers.
    It's been two years since I haven't eaten any Burgers.
    I never buy Fries, but I cook them myself sometimes.
    I eat pizza. Not too often, maybe once (and rarely twice) a month. There are months when I don't eat any.
    I don't feel the need to eat Fast food anymore. Once you stop eating it, you'll crave it less and less. And it won't even look/smell that good anymore.
    I'll stop eating French fries as well.
  • Dagnova
    Dagnova Posts: 68
    I used to eat from McDonald's. I really liked Cheeseburgers.
    It's been two years since I haven't eaten any Burgers.
    I never buy Fries, but I cook them myself sometimes.
    I eat pizza. Not too often, maybe once (and rarely twice) a month. There are months when I don't eat any.
    I don't feel the need to eat Fast food anymore. Once you stop eating it, you'll crave it less and less. And it won't even look/smell that good anymore.
    I'll stop eating French fries as well.

    Thanks Taniac for sharing your experience - good to know that it's really possible to get rid of the cravings! This encourages me greatly! :)
  • randomtai
    randomtai Posts: 9,003 Member
    How about moderation? Just a thought. :huh:

    The reason I'm trying this challenge is because I have binge eating issues, mostly with pizza and carbs and salty foods. Maybe one day I can enjoy a slice of pizza with a salad and a big glass of sparkling water, instead of gorping half a pizza in 10 minutes like I usually do, but that day is not today. I keep trying my best, and I log most of my food, and I've found my TDEE by accident (same weight since Nov). Now, I'd like to start losing weight again, and maybe trying to control one thing (pizza consumption), I will start losing again. Good luck to everybody!

    Indeed moderation is always the best way to change a habit. Fast food is actually addictive (the fats/sugars) and I personally think the most effective way to break addiction is not moderation but to avoid the substance altogether - at least for a while until you have the addiction out of your system. I am not sure how long I will take this challenge, it may be many months, but I am sure that eventually I will occasionally eat fast food again and it will be no problem - because it will be just once a month or so - not 2-3 times per week like I used to do.

    MadDogManor, good that you keep going. Let me tell you, I started losing again since I took this challenge so I think you could start losing as well. I think it's because I cut out calorie rich foods and I started to eat a lot more vegetables and fruits (which you know fill your stomach without containing too many calories). In fact I lost 3 kgs in the 3 weeks that I've been in this challenge! :)

    So I hope that this will also happen for you! Good luck sticking with this! :)

    Yah ok :laugh: addictive :laugh: