How do you get through the first few days?

The only thing that has ever worked for me is just not keeping it in the house. If I have to go out and buy it, it's usually enough of a deterrent to just do something else until I don't feel the need to eat anymore. I know it sounds corny, but have you ever tried taking up a hobby that will re-focus you? Knitting keeps me very zen.

Lots of cups of tea. Every time I would reach for a snack, I would make myself a cup of tea instead.

I just have a small piece of chocolate. Trying to deny myself sweets completely always backfires, so I just have one fun-size and make it last.

Drinking flavored sparkling water really helped me. I always hated the stuff, but started drinking it randomly at the same time I started losing weight. I found I really liked the orange flavor at Trader Joe's. I drink it with my meals to make sure I feel full, and also taking sips of it between every few bites helps me eat slower. I also drink it between meals when I start to crave food.

Stenobun wrote: »

The only thing that has ever worked for me is just not keeping it in the house. If I have to go out and buy it, it's usually enough of a deterrent to just do something else until I don't feel the need to eat anymore.

The funny thing about this for me is that it has the opposite effect. If I don't have what I'm craving on-hand, then I'll definitely run off to the store to get it. But once I'm in the store... Heaven couldn't stop me! I find all kinds of things I decide that I *also* "need".

If there's chocolate at my house I can eat 1oz of semi sweet dark chocolate morsels, then it's all good and I'm satisfied. But if I have NO chocolate available, then I'm off to the store and I come home with a piece of pie, two candy bars, soda, etc.

@snowy_sk‌ - I was having the same problem with starting, then binging, then starting, then binging. The only thing that really helped me was easing into it slowly. I started off by eating smaller portions, or eating less bread on my sandwiches. I was basically just taking small steps toward self-control. I didn't lose any weight the first month because I wasn't tracking anything and I was likely eating those calories in other places without realizing it. But the following two months I lost a little bit of weight each month. Then I began calorie counting on the fourth month.

I could never "dive right into it" because it was like being thrown into a pool of ice water. I had to wade into it slowly and acclimate myself to it.

Eat half an hour after you wake up [have fruit] and eat every 3 hours after that.
Having fruit throughout the day is going to keep your sugar cravings down so that they're manageable, until you don't have any anymore.

Just take each day at a time. I don't deny myself the odd treat now and again cos I'd go mad otherwise! I now find going to the gym helps too, especially if I am feeling frustrated.

I find it gets easier the longer you do it; if you can make it past the first 3 days without breaking you've a fighting chance!

Also try to remind yourself why you're doing it, and more importantly what you'll think about yourself tomorrow if you break today (you'll enjoy that cake now but tomorrow when those cravings are gone you'll hate yourself a lot more!)

How aggressive are your goals?

I'm about 2.5 weeks into a cut after having maintained for 1.5 years and then went on a bulk cycle for 4 months...this cut was not something I was looking forward to.

For me, it helped to end my bulk and just go to maintenance for about 1 month or so and from there I just kind of started cutting back on things here and there slowly until I was in a good deficit. I didn't just jump into a 500 calorie deficit from my surplus...I don't think I could have done that.

Hey, im looking for friends to help keep me motivated with positive encouragement- all friend requests accepted! And motivation shared back too ☺️