HELP...Craveings are killing me..

I craving things that are way harder to get than food.

Allow yourself a small treat everyday. When you "know" that treat is going to be part of your day, it gets a little easier.

The trick is to keep that treat from sabotaging your efforts. When I want chocolate, I have a Ghiradelli square. These are individually wrapped. I go for the dark chocolate because it feels like it is more satisfying.

100 calorie snack packs are another idea....save one for late in the day.

I don't know your stats and can't see your diary so I'll just give this advice:

1) make sure your goals are realistic. It looks like you have about 20 pounds to lose so 1/2-1 pound per week is reasonable - any more than that and your deficit will be too high and your daily goal will be too restrictive. Don't try to eat under your daily goal, the deficit is already included.

2) if you exercise, eat back at least half of earned calories. This helps give a little wiggle room, especially if you have a low daily calorie goal.

3) Instead of cutting out all so-called "bad" foods, find a way to make them part of your eating plan. I know if I say I won't eat pizza, that's all I want. So instead, I have pizza once a week and make it work by eating less and having only veg toppings.

4) Alternatives can help. If you really like sweet stuff, some of those low cal snack bars (like Fiber One or Special K) are pretty good. Have light butter popcorn instead of the movie theater style. It may sound cliche but sometimes eating fruit takes care of my treat craving - especially berries as they're very sweet.

5) Be more mindful of the reasons. Do you actually want to eat something or are you just stressed, bored, sad, etc. Maybe you just need a distraction instead of a snack? Do you just want to eat because it's 2pm and that's always been snack time? Habits can be hard to break but it CAN be done. Get up and go for a walk or something to distract yourself.

Good luck!

I think that one of the best ways to combat cravings is to understand whether your body needs fuel or you want a treat. I have acquired that skill - and think it is built into our bodies/brains - but it takes some people more time to figure it out.

In the meantime, give your body more fuel with fewer calories - go more whole with your diet. I eat a pound (yes a pound) of salad / spinach and about 4 oz. of lean protein for lunch. One it takes more time to eat this than a diet food / bar / whatever. Two it requires the body to actually digest and process the nutrients. I also think it helps to avoid simple sugar, and when you eat your carbs have them come from green veggies that have a ton more density / water / fibre.

You also need to respect your hunger cues - the longer you go without eating - the harder it is to not overdo it when you eat. Some people do small meals, some are eating every x hours a certain # of calories period. Whatever works.

If you feel confident that your body is fed (even at a low calorie diet, I'm probably getting more nutrients than most people get with 3-4x the caloric intake) then it is all about your will power. I am on a mission to get healthy, and because of some medications I have now accepted that my metabolism is going to be very very low for the rest of my life. That means I don't need as many calories to power my body - which I'm now considering efficient as opposed to a curse (being positive).

Remember that the theory of dieting is super duper simple - but the execution is the challenge.

If I'm craving something I either will try to fit it in my daily calories or try to find a healthier version. Pizza is not a problem for me I make a whole wheat pita veggie that's pretty low cal. Wanted some cheese cake the other week with lots of chocolate so ate a weight watchers smart ones dessert instead.
Started adding some boco veggie crumbles in with my taco meat so they are more filling.

I literally just died laughing reading this! I do the same thing! lol