impulse control

I am so like this, same with when I'm making lunches after supper for the kids, I've had supper, know I am full & eat, & eat. Wish I had some suggestions. Drink water, I know it doesn't cut it but it's a start.? I love chocolate, well anytime but, especially in the afternoon at work, & there is always some around...

ER,

I have lost 44 pounds and I sometimes still like to taste food while I'm cooking, but I don't do it to the extent that I used to before. If I make peanut butter, I love to taste that. I weigh it out and it eat.

What is wrong with Greek yogurt?

In your perception, what are "healthy" snacks?

I love chocolate. I have a box of See's candies from Christmas in the cabinet and two boxes of Irish candies (from when I went to Ireland last September) for a rainy day. I weigh out the piece, log it, and enjoy every single bite.

What worked for me is moderation in all foods. It took awhile for me to realize that a portion is satisfying, and that I never have to eat the whole bag of anything. However, the bottom line is you need to figure out what works for you.

I understand what you mean, and unfortunately I don't have any advice for you. Right now my desire to lose this weight is what is controlling those urges. Also, progress is a good motivator. If you do have your treats make sure you log them.
Maybe if you would rather have the chocolate, just have it. Fit it into your day. I wouldn't force myself to eat food that wasn't appealing to me just because it's 'healthy'

Don't feel guilty about it!

Your mind and body are used to eating during those times. So you have to break the habit. You literally have to just stop doing it. Different things work for different people. But it all comes down to mental grit and how bad you want to lose weight and get healthy. That's it. No excuses. No quick fixes. You just have to do it.

Here are 101 things you can do instead of binge eating: http://bingeeatingtherapy.com/2011/02/101-things-to-do-instead-of-binge-eating/

In the end...you have to make the decision to not grab that food and put it in your mouth.

I have the same problem. Sometimes I'm like a vacuum when I get home, sucking up anything that is easy to get to. Chips are the worst/best.
On the days that I don't succumb it is usually because I was too busy to stop and snack. I just didn't think about it. If I get home after work and have nothing to do, that is when I think "maybe just a quick bite".
I haven't figured out how to intentionaly not think about snacking though. Self imposed mind hacks rarely work for me.

Some kind of routine is my answer. Still working on it.

er03bald wrote: »

Does anyone else have issues with impulse control? I can be well aware that I shouldn't be eating something and yet I still will eat it... and a lot of it. For instance: While making dinner I will eat, and eat and eat, and then eat dinner when it's ready. I know I shouldn't be doing it and yet I still do. Idk what my issue is. I plan out and bring healthy lunches & snacks with me to work yet instead of having the Greek Yogurt I brought for an "in case I get hungry" situation I'll eat Chocolate if it's around. This is killing me and Idk how to train my self control. Any Tips or Suggestions?

So, normally, for someone who says they eat without thinking, I'd suggest actually being more mindful, making VERY conscious choices about your intake. However, as bolded in your original quote, it sounds like you know exactly what you're doing and choosing to make decisions that go against your goal.

My suggestion is that you log, with calories, EVERYTHING you consume, and I do mean EV.ER.Y.THING! You will see in cold, hard data how you're sabotaging your own goals. Eventually, something will click in your head that says, "Ok, I'm ready to get serious about this," or "You know, I'm just fooling myself. I'm going to eat whatever I want and hope the weight comes off magically."

I know that may sound harsh, but weight loss and getting fit is around 80% food intake and 20% exercise, but it is definitely 100% mental. Only you can decide when you're really serious. In the meantime, employ some of these common-sense tips you can find on MFP, and good luck! You can do this!!

er03bald wrote: »

Thanks everyone. There are some real good suggestions. But you're all right I need to just cut the crap and break the habit.

Yep! You're on the right track!

Yes... just go one entire day without giving in. The next day will be easier, the next day will be easier and pretty soon you'll be creating a new habit. There is a big difference between being hungry and having a craving. If it's a craving do anything you can do to fight it. Distract yourself, walk, chew gum, brush your teeth, go to bed early, etc... I am all for healthy substitutions as well but don't you want to break the habit first instead of just replacing it? Either you want to do it or you don't. Once you break free from the cravings you learn that things in moderation are OK.

Here is what I have found in a few months of doing this. You can track all you want and plan all you want but you have to assign a value to the calories. A personal value. You have to define the value to you. This is where the exercise part comes in for me. I explain it to my friends that the exercise gives value to the diet and vice versa. If you know that you have to walk 1 mile to get back 100 calories, 100 calories starts to take on a new meaning. Visualize that 1 mile in your neighborhood that you have walked. Assign this to grabbing those little 'in betweens'. Here's the kicker. You earn additional calories from the exercise. If anything, just go out and walk a mile so you can apply this hack.

BONUS HACK: Never insult a person unless you have walked a mile in their shoes. When you do, you will be a mile away and you will have their shoes.

This used to be me too. I went to my doctor and got one month worth of Adipex so that I could get the control needed to retrain myself and reduce my feelings of hunger. By the time the month of it was up, I had my habits and hunger feelings under control and was able to taper off the prescription.

Wow! Thx to all of u. I guess I binged this past Saturday. I allowed it to be my cheat day and I definitely cheated. On days like this, i wld not log my food but this time I did. I figured I needed to be honest about it otherwise I am only hurting myself. I did ok yesterday, but its really cold and rainy here. Plus, I didnt get enough sleep so I am tired and I soooo want to stop and get candy or some kind of 'hunker down' food. I am in a 12 step program for another addiction so I keep trying to apply the tools I've learned to this situation. It is hard tho. I like the idea of drinking more water and maybe a cup of warm tea. Normally i would get a couple of dozen donuts! Thx for everyone's input!