Not wanting to track ''bad food''
xstephnz
Posts: 278 Member
Over the last few days, I have been eating really badly.
When I know something is really bad like KFC or Burger King, I want to eat what I would usually eat there, and I know that will set me over my allowed calories for the day. It would probably be ok if it was only once a week or less, but my habit has been to eat fast food 4-5 times a week.
I think I have an addiction.
How can I manage this? Should I go cold turkey?
When I know something is really bad like KFC or Burger King, I want to eat what I would usually eat there, and I know that will set me over my allowed calories for the day. It would probably be ok if it was only once a week or less, but my habit has been to eat fast food 4-5 times a week.
I think I have an addiction.
How can I manage this? Should I go cold turkey?
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Replies
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I wish seeing the calories in something would stop me from eating something. I still end up wanting it though.0
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Prelog what you're going to eat so you aren't tempted. And if you do want fast food, try to find a lower calorie option on the menu and fit it into your calories.0
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herrspoons wrote: »
You don't think you can be addicted to food? I have tried using the will power thing, and have tried waiting it out, but I am obsessed with those places for days after not going.0 -
What do want more: another piece of fried chicken or to get healthy? If that chicken or burger is going to put you over the limit, then you have to be able to not eat it.0
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Yep, be obsessed, just don't go..... If I really crave something I'll think about it for weeks before I give in, then I eat it, feel crud and don't do it again for a few weeks
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moglovesshoez wrote: »Yep, be obsessed, just don't go..... If I really crave something I'll think about it for weeks before I give in, then I eat it, feel crud and don't do it again for a few weeks
Wow, this may sound pathetic, but you are a real inspiration. Hmm, I wonder if I could go a few weeks without it? (I mean, I *could* but if I could get the willpower)0 -
Lets say you do have an addiction to food... There's nothing that any of us can do to make you stop. You still need to make the decision that you value being healthy more than the fast food, and you still need to exercise the willpower to not give in.0
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It's probably best to go cold turkey.
But if you're really craving fast food learn how to make your own that you can cook from fresh at home which will be far healthier and lower in calories.0 -
Track all the foods. You can't just track the stuff you deem worthy enough to record. If you like fast food, find a way to fit it into your day, or you will get frustrated and binge.0
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herrspoons wrote: »
You don't think you can be addicted to food? I have tried using the will power thing, and have tried waiting it out, but I am obsessed with those places for days after not going.
No, you aren't addicted. Will power takes constant use to build up. But as you said you want it more after not going, and from the title of your thread labeling it bad food, I'm going to assume that you try to cut it out completely.
Stop calling it good or bad, it's food. Stop telling yourself you can't eat it. I know for myself the minute I say I can't have this, I want it that much more. You can include fast food and anything else you want into your flexible diet, track it and make it fit into your day.0 -
A few good bits of advice
my version goes along the likes of try to pre log. When it's an impromptu purchase, order the smaller version like whopper Jr or small/med fries (vs large) and to watch the condimens. I like my sandwich wet so I'll ask for no mayo and extra ketsup. Do what you need to do to be ok with the splurge.
I'm track it anyway. Yes, others may see when you go over but it's not about them. You need the data to remember when is the last time you splurged without bothering to stay on calories budget. Keep an eye on the record like 4 times a week vs 1.. and slowly work on tapering down to better choices or less frequency.
Personally, I allow myself a splurge day every 10lbs or 2 months. Those days are anything goes so long as I don't pig out. Those days are guilt free as reward for being good about my logging and staying on track. The unspoken idea is that some day I'd like to make those sort of choices by default instead of some method to keep under control. Splurge days are practice with a little bit of concious naughty.0 -
BruceHedtke wrote: »What do want more: another piece of fried chicken or to get healthy? If that chicken or burger is going to put you over the limit, then you have to be able to not eat it.
This!
I used to be the same with fast food. I then started asking myself if I would rather have the KFC and stay overweight and unhealthy, or if I would rather lose weigh and be healthier. The answer was lose weight every time. I do allow myself to go to KFC/BK/MacDonalds ect as a treat every now and again. And when I go I chose something thats less calories than I used to, and I make sure it fits in my calorie budget as I call it.0 -
If you want it then plan ahead for it. There's nothing inherently bad about fast-food.
Pre log it and work it into your daily calorie goal.0 -
I think cold turkey is definitely a good idea. It is low in fat, high in protein and can be used in a huge variety of meals, think sandwiches, wraps, salads, soups, to name just a few. And before you know it, your cravings for beef will cease :-)
P.S. For more variation, you could try hot Turkey too - I heard it's lovely there in the spring.0 -
There's a lot of good advice here, but I'll put my two cents in anyway. Although cold turkey is probably wiser, I love my indulgences and have never wanted to completely give them up. (For me, it's pizza and pasta.) My solution has been to have a cheat day once a week if I've made my goal weight loss (1lb/week.) And on that cheat day, I can eat whatever I want, however much. Even my appetite has its limits, so my cheat day, even if I eat out for every meal, can only be so bad. The next day, I'm back at it and still have to lose a pound to earn the next cheat day.
On the rest of the days, I try not to let myself get too hungry--hunger is the surefire way that I get tripped up and wind up ordering and eating half a pizza.
Take this with a grain of salt, as I've had some success with weight loss, but not like some folks here. 0 -
One thing that may help is stop thinking of food in good/bad or healthy/unhealthy terms. There are no bad foods. You didn't get fat eating bad food, you got fat eating too much food. Eat foods you love in smaller portions with an eye towards balance. Don't over think it.0
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You kinda have to want to be successful MORE than you want Extra Krispy KFC with the BK fries, right?
At this time, you don't want it more, so it's not gonna happen.
When you do want it more, it will happen Easy Peasy ... but we can't get you there in terms of wanting it. That's all you.0 -
Make a choice.0
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Just log it.
Yea, it sucks to look at some of the choices you make in the week however that is all in the mind of the person logging.
While FF is not a great choice, neither is buying chips and twinkies and eating them at home. Plus you can have FF. You just have to figure out how to budget it in your calories.
The first step is to recognize your habits. Logging is a great way to see your calories, patterns, etc.
Now in order to combat this you have to menu plan every week. Not easy for me either. So we do get FF on those days that you have not planned, don't feel like cooking, etc...
You can get better at your choices of FF. Example, we skip the fries and soda. At KFC, you could get grilled chicken and their veggie choices. Skip the biscuits. If you order the extra crispy, tear off the skin and throw away. All the bad stuff is there for the most part.
It is doable. So log and tweak. It takes time.0 -
BruceHedtke wrote: »What do want more: another piece of fried chicken or to get healthy? If that chicken or burger is going to put you over the limit, then you have to be able to not eat it.
^^ this - nothing wrong with the odd KFC, say once a week. The sodium and not to mention fat in fast food is ridiculous.0 -
Having been down this exact road, I think you are actually craving, not addicted to, the taste of sodium/fat that is present in most fast foods. I could probably guess you aren't ordering the salads/wraps/grilled chx, etc. type of foods. You are probably going for the grease and salt.
As far as the will power thing, your problem may be spiritual, so to speak. It's unhealthy for anyone to overindulge in any of our base needs, such as food, water, sex, sleep, need to connect through relationships, etc. But nobody on earth, but you, can decide and make yourself not go and eat those things. Your mind play tricks on you and tells you that "just one won't hurt", or my favorite, "tomorrow is a new day". That kind of stuff you just need to be aware of and nip it in the bud. How much water do you drink in cups/ounces per day?0 -
jessieandcharlotte78 wrote: »Having been down this exact road, I think you are actually craving, not addicted to, the taste of sodium/fat that is present in most fast foods. I could probably guess you aren't ordering the salads/wraps/grilled chx, etc. type of foods. You are probably going for the grease and salt.
I usually order a 2-3 piece quarter pack, which has a bread bun, a regular potato and gravy, chips with chicken salt, 2-3 pieces of original recipe chicken and a pepsi max.jessieandcharlotte78 wrote: »How much water do you drink in cups/ounces per day?
I just drink when I'm thirsty, so probably not enough. I do drink a lot of tea though.0 -
Don't eat it and you don't have to.0
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And all the "just want it more than you want fatty foods" comments ring true. That's the reality of this whole weight loss thing. I wish I could tell you how to flip that switch, for most of us it's viewing a picture of us (we look different in a mirror) or trying to fit into some old piece of clothing. If you have been big your whole life, like me, it comes with medical/health issues, self inflicted health problems that SUCK *kitten*. EVERY JOURNEY BEGINS WITH ONE STEP! You think you can't stay away from the bk, for one day, UNTIL YOU DO!0
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Log everything. Even the bad stuff. Are you still going to eat it whether you log it or not? Probably. So might as well be truthful with yourself and log it. Maybe over time, when you see what you are eating, it will make help you to stop eating it. Prelogging a day of good food might help you to stop also. If you take some time to do food prep the night before, you are more likely to eat all of that because you took all that time to prepare and log it. At least that's what helps me.0
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Per logging helps me- I will plan that "bad" food. Often I end up not ordering a full meal. I don't like fries and don't need a huge soda (just drink a small can when I get home). I usually get them just because it is a "value" meal. Now I just get what I want. I love KFC, but I just get a small meal. It is prelogged so no worries. You are putting these items or the forbidden list which makes it even more desired.
also, try making similar items at home. A good burger is a great meal and you have control over what is in it.0 -
I also like the BK Hawaiian Chicken burger, which has bacon, chicken, cheese, pineapple and lettuce (I think). I tried making it at home, but it tasted nothing like the real thing
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GiveMeCoffee wrote: »herrspoons wrote: »
You don't think you can be addicted to food? I have tried using the will power thing, and have tried waiting it out, but I am obsessed with those places for days after not going.
No, you aren't addicted. Will power takes constant use to build up. But as you said you want it more after not going, and from the title of your thread labeling it bad food, I'm going to assume that you try to cut it out completely.
Stop calling it good or bad, it's food. Stop telling yourself you can't eat it. I know for myself the minute I say I can't have this, I want it that much more. You can include fast food and anything else you want into your flexible diet, track it and make it fit into your day.
^This.
Eat it, log it, make it fit into your day. Even if it's all you eat that day. Eventually, you will want to be able to eat more food, which will push you to make different decisions regarding meal choices, food volume and so on.
For example, I'm a sucker for a Capriott's Bobbi. I eat it, and it's a whole day's worth of calories. Which means that's all I eat for the day. Boring...and not sustainable over time. A treat every once in a while (like when I'm hungover)? Sure. But most days I prefer to eat 3-4 meals.0 -
Am I right in assuming you will go eat it and then not log it out of fear? In that case my advice would be – force yourself to log it!
I tend to do the same. It is much easier to ignore the huge calorie intake from "bad" foods when you just don't log it.
I would find myself craving for fries with all kind of sauces, and then would chicken out when it came to logging them, and it would just slip by. Last time I finally forced myself to do it and remained aghast at the huge number that came out. Basically if I had wanted to stay within my calorie goal for the week I would have had to skip dinner and eat only 600 calories the next day.
Now I think twice before getting fries. They are yummy and I will never fully give them up… but at the moment I care more about getting fit and looking better.
So go log all the "bad" food you eat! Make yourself accountable for it!0 -
moglovesshoez wrote: »Yep, be obsessed, just don't go..... If I really crave something I'll think about it for weeks before I give in, then I eat it, feel crud and don't do it again for a few weeks
THIS!!!!!!!!!!!!!0
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