denial- the truth about how much I am eating

Sometimes I pretend that I have already eaten two or three helpings or an entire cake (I only eat one portion, but as I'm eating it I imagine that this is my third one). IDK if this is a healthy strategy but it helps me deal with this problem.

Your situation is different than mine. I did gain weight trying to lose it because 1) I could not find the right balance of food and how much to eat to maintain and not gain 2) Once I found the maintain I then could create a deficit (in daily calories) and eat just that amount.

Everyone has a relationship with food! Some eat really healthy, some eat crappy food (high carb/sugar), some do not eat enough (putting their body in stress) trying to loose too fast, etc... But no matter what you eat, if you eat less, you will loose. Add some movement or exercise you will lose more.

You have to find out why you are eating the way you are, and when you are ready, you will start to put your mind, body and soul to where they work together.

I wanted to lose so I had to eat less. Period. I wanted that so bad... I had to stop eating the extra 100, 200, 300 and 400 calories. This kind of eating does not equal weight loss.

Think about it... why do you eat? Find out why you may be over eating or making too many trips to the fridge or cabinets.. I found that I was mindless eating because I could and it was available not because I needed to..

OP - honestly, I am/was/still am in the exact same boat as you. It's been almost a year that I have been "logging" and "staying within my calorie goal" and only gaining weight over time. I would ask myself "why isn't this working??" I even lamented on here once. But I knew the hard truth. Because, oh that little mini chocolate bar I just ate, I don't have to log that...Or, one more glass of wine won't make a difference, I won't log that. Even worse, the 5 spoonfulls of kraft dinner I just ate while making the kids supper won't matter. And yet, the numbers on the scale kept going up, despite working out hard 5 times a week!!! Well, I finally decided to give 1 week 7-days a try of logging every single thing that went into my belly, and staying within 1500 calories. And guess what??? The first 7 days have gone by, and the number on the scale went down!!!! FINALLY!!!! So you know what this has done form me??? It has motivated me to go 7 more days, because at the end of it...It wasn't that hard to do....

All that to say OP, you got this!!! You can do it!!! Just focus on 7 days...that's all...Then go from there!!!

Good luck. I know how you feel. It is very frustrating and depressing...

I am going to add this.. because I hope that I can help trigger a thought process...

Forget math, calories counting, for a minute.

You came to MFP for a reason. It appears that you want to 1) stop over eating or stop eating more than you think you should 2) You want to see results or the truth

So, I take it that you need to find out first and foremost why do you over eat (there is no wrong answer to this question) and it could be any reason the world

You want to see the truth (or I take it as the truth to #1) so that you can begin starting to make a plan to fix what is "untrue".

You cannot create a plan until you answer Why do I over eat? How come I cannot stop? How can I stop it and make results. Your goal may not be the skinny minny... you may just want to eat better and feel better.. But you came here looking for a change...

Answer the first question, and you begin a plan then work the plan!!

Quote from a personal trainer friend of mine: "you can't outrun your mouth".

When I was exercising a lot more than I do now, I was fit but I should have been slimmer and looked a lot better given the amount of exercise I was doing. However, I was always a "little picker" (rather than a binge eater) and liked big portions and drank too much beer, so was always still a bit chubby and probably just gained and lost the same 7 pounds rather than making any real progress.

I wish I'd paid more attention to that quote at the time!

dammitjanet0161 wrote: »

Quote from a personal trainer friend of mine: "you can't outrun your mouth".

Great quote! I have something else to remember when I want to remember why I do not want to eat that or eat more of that!

Nicely said 999tigger!

I have this same problem so I TOTALLY understand what you mean. I clear 1900 calories some days. For me, it is a mental issue - not a physical issue. I workout A LOT. I love to lift so I don't gain much but I eat well over 500-700 empty, excess calories some days. I honestly believe it's a combination of poor will power and addiction.

On the the solution you asked for...lots of water before meals, gum, the word 'NO' that we have to say to OURSELVES and to others, honest logging (I hate logging my bad meals), a deep breath and a step back (this food WILL be here), a few photo reminders of your goals, and if you are a praying woman.. that helps too. Pray for strength and will power. I hope this helps and remember that there are others out here with similar issues and it's a daily struggle, but you CAN DO IT! The thing is, you're the ONLY person that can do it. Also - NEVER GIVE UP ON YOURSELF. Just keep going and keep trying! You're on the best website. Instagram fitness helps me a lot too.