Am i being too strict on myself?

If your calories would have allowed it, why not? You can't gain weight with a diet below maintenance. Give yourself a day where you can splurge a little. It helps not only for the mind but the body too.

um sometimes being strict with one self yields better results. those just "one day" can set you back many days if your on a mission stick with it.

I try really hard not to deprive myself too much, because cutting all the things you love out of your diet completely will make for a binge later. It's a life change, and in order to stick with it you need to allow yourself some things you enjoy. Like yesterday I wanted french fries with my george foreman grilled hamburger so I worked out so that I could have them. I worked for it, so I don't feel guilty about having it.

I give myself a craving or two but I make sure that it doesn't push me over my calorie limit. I also make sure that for the next week or 2 I stick to my plan. You did great sticking it out and protecting your goals. However, limiting & depriving yourself too much can lead to a binge of fulfilled cravings.

Find something you like and give yourself that. I love sweets but I limit it to dark chocolate or Luna bars only. Luna bars will make you think you are cheating when you really aren't.

The question to ask yourself is : is this something I'm willing to deny myself for the rest of my life?

Learning moderation in our favorite foods is probably one of the hardest - but most valuable - of lessons. That's what I'd do anyway.

I totally agree with this. Granted I do turn away from temptations on a daily basis, but I do let myself have some stuff, just in very small portions. And when I do this, I am still within my calorie limits. I've always been told that if you keep denying yourself, one day you're going to induldge too much and go overboard!

also i like to mention as a food addict i have to avoid sugar like the plague. that great for those that can do moderations but real life for me is no it can not be in the house period i will eat it two will be come three ect. so in the end it how you think if you can control yourself go for it. i dont eat bread or sugar and im not dead and it almost two years and ive kept the weight off i dont feel deprive it just one of my crosses to carry. craving is something natural your body will always do it doesn't mean you actually need chocolate it all a mind thing you will not die if you never ate chocolate again.

I think you did the right thing. It takes so much work to lose weight and get healthy. Why blow it for a pork sandwich which has nothing healthy in it.

Your dedication is paying off. Keep up the good work.

Even if i wanted a bite i knew it was a bad idea esp being so late at night and no time to get in a work out afterwards. But my calories were on at 1279 yesterday so like i said i probably could have at least had a french fry but i didn't. I am allowed 2210 calories/day. It was very hard esp sitting there watching him eat it!

wtg!

Ooh! That's rough! My dad was the kind of guy that would go out and buy junk practically the instant my mom ever uttered a syllable of the word "diet." He continued that (though always subconsciously) throughout my formative years. It took a long time to break that habit for myself; trying to eat better, but having something bad in the house anyway. If it's not there, at least for the most difficult part (the first few weeks), then it won't tempt you. I totally understand!
Even if your calories would have allowed it, it sounds like you would have beaten yourself up over having put such bad food into your body. Damned if you do, damned if you don't, it seems. But, at least not eating it will make you stronger in many ways! Being strict is important when you're trying to get you body and mind on track to a better, healthier lifestyle. That is, being strict in the sense of eating well and exercising. However, if you are throwing yourself below the "1200 or less calories" bus, then I'd say you're being too strict. If you really want that sandwich the next day, google a healthier version that you can make yourself. Same with the fries, get a medium potato, cut it up, lightly season it with a little olive oil and herbs and bake that sucker for a healthier version of french fries. You don't have to completely ignore your cravings, just try looking for a better alternative when you can't seem to shake 'em!

Good luck, chica! And tell your husband that he's sleeping on the couch the next time he brings food into the house that knows you want, but can't have! :P

This is what I do because I am not willing to never have a cheeseburger again. If your calories allow it and you really want it then go ahead. As long as you aren't over indulging and eating it all the time you will be fine. What is going to happen when you get to your goal and someone sets a pork sandwich in front of you. You met your goal you should be fine, right? You deprived yourself of that for so long, you deserve it. But you have not learned moderation so most likely you will gain back your weight faster than you lost it. I've lost 56 pounds so far with moderation and not deprivation. Go ahead and have 1 sandwich, really listen to yourself and eat it slowly. Don't eat too much. And you will find out that the healthier foods are more filling and you will prefer them over the junk. A couple times a month, as long as your calories allow it, isn't going to hurt.

The question to ask yourself is : is this something I'm willing to deny myself for the rest of my life?

Learning moderation in our favorite foods is probably one of the hardest - but most valuable - of lessons. That's what I'd do anyway.

If I really want something, I usually have it, but in moderation. I've learned thru dieting for many many years, up and down on the scale, that if I deprive myself, I just feel sorry for myself, and it makes things worse in the long run.

Saying the purpose of food is only to give our bodies energy is like saying sex is only for reproduction.

Don't be so hard on yourself, you obviously have will power, and the mindset to meet your goals. You will get there! :bigsmile:

I agree with the people who say moderation is the key. I have lost 15lbs in 2 months and I have allowed myself to eat all my favorites. The food scale is my friend, as is the walk around the block! I am much more thoughtful about what I eat and I plan for my splurges. I am developing better eating habits, not going on a diet. However, at the end of the day, you have to do what works best for YOU. I think you are being to strict and fear you will burn out, but if you need to be stronger than your cravings, then rock on!

I try to find other healthier alternatives to foods I "loved" before so that I don't feel deprived. I have even found new cravings that are healthy! For example, I got turkey at the BBQ place instead of brisket and it was really yummy. I have discovered the dark chocolate cocoa roasted almonds and they are perfect for when I crave something sweet.

I love my carbs too. For dinner I just made:
Ronzoni - Garden Delight Enriched Tomato, Carrot & Spinach Pasta Blend, 2 oz 190 calories (one full serving of veggies)
Classico - Vodka Sauce, 1/2 cup 100 calories
and it totally cured my carbo fix and the pasta tasted good too. I also added vegie meatballs and a green salad for a dinner that totalled about 400 calories. Like everyone else says, moderation, moderation, moderation. 3/4 a cup of pasta doesn't sound like a lot but it was. Good Luck!