Moderation shmoderation
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KeepItSimpleGirl wrote: »Anyone else out there wonder how it is that people can say, "it's ok to have sweets, just so long as it's in moderation."? What?! If I have a doughnut, I want 2. If I grab an m&m from the candy bowl once, you can bet I'll be back around for a 2nd, 3rd and let's be honest, 4th, 5th and 6th. If anyone out there has struggled with this same problem and figured out a cure to this, please please enlighten me. I can't imagine depriving myself of deliciousness forever but I also don't want to go to bed hating myself for one small bite that turned into a weekend long binge. Sincerely, CadburyEgg SugarComa
Yep, that's me.
Basically I just don't start when the supply is unlimited, bowls of candy, packages of donuts, tubs of ice cream etc. I also avoid candy machines since, while they sell single servings, there's a ton in there!
If I'm wanting a treat I go out and buy a single serving ONLY. One small packet of candy, an ice cream cone etc.
Good luck!0 -
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I would much rather have and make room for chocolate, than deprive myself. I'm all in for moderation!0
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Counting calories has helped me stop some weekend long binges. Now it is only a meal or two.0
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It's easier for me to stop at one serving than it is to think I can never have chocolate, brownies, donuts, ice cream, etc. again.0
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I used to have that problem. No doubt it will rear its ugly head again and I'll have a bad day at some point. For now though I want the weight gone more than I want the extra food. Everything I eat gets logged, before I eat it. That makes me think more carefully about just how badly I want that extra pop tart.
Last night was a tougher one for me and I did indeed eat the extra pop tart....and the some Italian sausage and bread. Yeah it was one of those days. It meant dipping into my exercise calories, which I try not to eat back unless the workout is more intense than my usual. Even though that was not such a bad thing I still felt a bit disappointed that I gave in. Oh well. That's life. I logged it and today will be a different day.
meanwhile there is a half bag of chips and most of a bag of Reeses minis in my kitchen that have so far lasted several weeks. Not long ago those would have been gone in a day or two.0 -
I'm one of those people that can eat all the chocolate ever and just eat, eat, eat it. It's just so yummy!
I was eating it with/in all my meals & snacks, so when I finally dedicated myself to losing weight, I cut back the chocolate consumption to JUST desserts. No more chocolate cereal, granola bars, etc., in the beginning.
That gave me the opportunity to explore other food options. Almonds instead of a chocolate & peanut butter protein bar, eggs & sausage instead of chocolatey granola, and a whole slew of other things.
There are 3 things that I can - and will - just eat with no regard for serving sizes. Pringles, Milano cookies & Girl Scout Thin Mints.
And since I know my willpower with these things is effectively non-existent, I keep them out of the house most of the time. Girl Scout cookies are only available once a year, so I figure over-indulging once a year won't be the end of the world.
You have to find what works best for YOU and just go with it.
Good luck!
~Lyssa0 -
I have mentioned this on the boards before:
I love chocolate and never thought I'd be able to stop at one piece. I have a friend who had one piece of chocolate a day. No more. I thought she was some sort of anomaly; who can stop at once piece of chocolate?
But once I got serious about losing weight, and realized that I didn't want to give up chocolate completely, I knew I had to find a way to work it in. I bought a bag of chocolate squares and gave it to my daughter to hold. Every night after dinner she'd dole out one square. Of course in the beginning I wanted more than the one square, but over time I learned to savor it and appreciate it. The bag is no longer hidden. I'm looking at it right now.
You can do it! It'll take time and effort and maybe someone with the cojones to look at your pleading face and say, "Nope. You've already had your square". But it can be done.0 -
This may sound silly, but I practice moderation. I keep tempting foods around to practice avoiding them. I have white chocolate Reese's miniature in my pantry... and now that I mention it, I want to go eat the rest of the bag, but I will not!0
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My daughter constantly amazes me... She can open up a pack of peanut m&m's (her favorite) eat two or three of them, and then neatly fold the top to save the rest for later. She eats everything, all the time...just not all of it at one time.
While I am pretty good at portion control, and stopping when Ive had enough, I still have a long way to go. She really keeps me in check...when Im eating something I love and Im full, but dont want to stop because its sooo good, watching as she gets up to pack the rest for later because shes had enough for now makes me second guess why I HAVE to eat it all RIGHT NOW even though Im full and forcing food into my mouth, all for the sake of "but it tastes good!!!"
You said it yourself though, its about what you want..I WANT to have two, I WANT to have the whole package! But...do you need it? Its going to taste just as good later as it does now...actually, youll still have some for later if you dont eat it all now. So why not? Like I said, while Im pretty good at it, I still struggle with it. Having kiddo around to make me hyper aware of the difference between what I want to do, and what I need not do helps tremendously.
Because, there *is* a difference. Understanding that, and learning new habits / developing a healthier view towards food goes a long way towards being able to eat in moderation without it being a painful experience.
My daughter is 18 btw...not a lil tyke with a little appetite...!0 -
My daughter constantly amazes me... She can open up a pack of peanut m&m's (her favorite) eat two or three of them, and then neatly fold the top to save the rest for later. She eats everything, all the time...just not all of it at one time.
My daughter is like that too! I don't know where she got it from, but not from me! She went away to college this year and I wasn't too concerned about the "Freshman 15" because she's good at policing herself. The school year is almost over and it turns out I was right not to worry.
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When I first started my journey I cut out all sugar, literally no sugar. Except from fruits and veggies. After 3 months I slowly added some back in. I made it a goal no sugar because I was an addict. I may still have a hard time every once in a while but compared to what I was it's a miracle. I just don't crave in anymore.0
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For me it depends on context. I have bad habits that are engrained around the candy bowl or snacking at work, and I frankly don't find the snacks in question (M&Ms or the like) that special anyway, so for me it's easier not to consider those a possibility, and I try to avoid just taking a bit, since I do end up eating more too often.
But if I include a sweet treat as a planned indulgence in a serving size that I measure out, I'll normally stick with that. Ice cream in the evening immediately after dinner works for me, but I can also plan to have a treat if we are going out somewhere or at my book club (where one of the members brings amazing baked goods) or if I happen to bake something to have at home or if I decide to go to lunch at this place that has lots of small sized high quality chocolates.
IMO, if you eat out of an unlimited supply (like the bag or a big bowl) or just graze all day, lots of us will overeat (not everyone). For me, though, moderation can be facilitated by being somewhat rigid about when I eat and in what form. (And also by having my rule be that I can have it IF, but only if, I don't go over my calories--again, that means it has to be planned in.)
You need to figure out what works for you.0 -
KeepItSimpleGirl wrote: »Anyone else out there wonder how it is that people can say, "it's ok to have sweets, just so long as it's in moderation."? What?! If I have a doughnut, I want 2. If I grab an m&m from the candy bowl once, you can bet I'll be back around for a 2nd, 3rd and let's be honest, 4th, 5th and 6th. If anyone out there has struggled with this same problem and figured out a cure to this, please please enlighten me. I can't imagine depriving myself of deliciousness forever but I also don't want to go to bed hating myself for one small bite that turned into a weekend long binge. Sincerely, CadburyEgg SugarComa
I used to think about this and its like a mantra/ brainwashing. eating as much as you wnat is nice, but unlimited amounts is nicer. Unfortunately it has consequences. Id rather lose weight. In those circumstances the straegy of not denying and moderating so you cna eat a small amount makes more sense and is a more liveable compromise than going on restriction which cna often break down. Lots of people who have lost and maintain do moderate and really mean it becayse they have mastered porion conrol so its a way of life.
Exercise is a good bit of insurance. Once you start getting results, then that seems like a better option than the 2nd , 3td or 4th doughnut.0 -
It depends what it is for me. Ice cream I won't be satisfied with less than two servings (thanks food scale for letting me know how small a serving is) so I won't eat it unless I have the calories for two servings. Other things I'm ok with just having one and letting it be. Although to be honest, I generally take many trips to the kitchen where I open the cabinet or fridge and have to talk myself out of having more. This is getting easier the more I do it, and I rarely talk myself into extras that I don't have the calories for, but it's a process and I try not to let the small setbacks turn into week long binges the way I would do before.0
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Lolz. Yes. Something similar to this goes through my head daily. I think the answer is something called "self-control" or "integrity".... whatever that is!!!!!
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I remember those days, but they are long gone. I had cut out certain foods for many years until I figured out this thing about moderation. I take package out, weigh portion, log it, put package away, and eat. If I can do it, anyone can.KeepItSimpleGirl wrote: »Anyone else out there wonder how it is that people can say, "it's ok to have sweets, just so long as it's in moderation."? What?! If I have a doughnut, I want 2. If I grab an m&m from the candy bowl once, you can bet I'll be back around for a 2nd, 3rd and let's be honest, 4th, 5th and 6th. If anyone out there has struggled with this same problem and figured out a cure to this, please please enlighten me. I can't imagine depriving myself of deliciousness forever but I also don't want to go to bed hating myself for one small bite that turned into a weekend long binge. Sincerely, CadburyEgg SugarComa
I am successful about 90% of the time, which works just fine for me.
This is my story as well. I gave up all my problem foods for a long time. It seemed to reset my taste buds and thinking.
I've recently reintroduced my two worst trigger foods without going back for seconds, thirds... the whole container... like I used to.
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lilaclovebird wrote: »"I punish my body outdoors to atone for my atrocities indoors."-The Oatmeal
I either can force myself to have just one or I force myself to run. I exercise to be able to treat myself to the goodies.
http://theoatmeal.com/comics/running
Read it. It's funny.
I agree, read it, laugh out loud funny in a couple of spots0 -
It's not just sweets for me. It's just one more helping of dinner, one more piece of fruit, just a bit more this or that. I had to learn portion control and practice a lot of willpower. It takes time but you will get there.0
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Ziploc bags, snack size.
Inaccessibility. For instance, top back shelf or bottom of freezer.
Mindful eating on occasion.
My daughter and I were out on the town last night as only geeks will, and the night included sparkling non-alcoholic wine, good fair trade chocolate, and non-gmo potato chips. I admit some of the chocolate was wolfed down, but I also demonstrated mindfulness (which my daughter thought was hopelessly hippy). I can still recall that melt-in-your-mouth square. The wolfed chocolate not so much. There was no time for it to melt.
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I am doing forced moderation. If I want a sweet, I buy one. I spend extra to get a single serving pack of something or I go to the bakery and buy one cookie or cupcake or doughnut. I do not have them in the house because I still have not learned how to control my impulses to where I can take 2 Oreos out of a package and leave the rest alone. Portioning and bagging up single portions also does not work. I will go and grab a couple of bags.
Part of the secret is being honest with yourself. If you know you have poor impulse control, keep yourself in a position where you just don't have access. Nothing wrong with admitting where you are not perfect.0 -
I am doing forced moderation. If I want a sweet, I buy one. I spend extra to get a single serving pack of something or I go to the bakery and buy one cookie or cupcake or doughnut. I do not have them in the house because I still have not learned how to control my impulses to where I can take 2 Oreos out of a package and leave the rest alone. Portioning and bagging up single portions also does not work. I will go and grab a couple of bags.
Part of the secret is being honest with yourself. If you know you have poor impulse control, keep yourself in a position where you just don't have access. Nothing wrong with admitting where you are not perfect.
Yep. It may be temporary, it may be permanent. But you'll lose weight while figuring it out
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When it comes to eating, it's basically habitual. Most people eat the same way they have for a long time and now they are changing it. So the same goes with candy, chocolate, etc. You still apply the same strategy for portion control. It may be harder with those because they are so palatable, but CONTINUED portion control will help to create a new habit.
Can everyone do it? No. Like everything else in life, some will fight harder and focus more for something than others would. Some will take the candy and treats over losing a few pounds. And vice versa. This basically applies to just about anything. Dance, working out, going to school, etc.
A.C.E. Certified Personal and Group Fitness Trainer
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I'm often in a battle with myself - one part of me wants, one part doesn't. I often have a lust for, but I seldom really want to, eat unplanned higher-calorie/lower-nutrient foods. Sometimes I give in, but most of the times I don't. It gets easier with practice and habits, good nutrition overall, knowing and accepting how my brain works, and by not leaving temptations around. Oh, important... when I do give in, I make noe fuss about it, except for the fact that I call it "giving in".0
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Yup. And often, it's not worth it. I very often choose not to eat some of those foods. (For me it's mostly salt chips and what not, these days, my craving for sweets went away after I went cold turkey off sweets for a few weeks many many years ago).
NOT doing moderation (as defined by MFP users) is a totally valid choice.0 -
Log it Consider what other food you will have to give up that dayif you log that extra doughnut what will your next meal be like, is it worth it
There's your answer ...is it worth itHappyCampr1 wrote: »This is me. My calorie goal is a given. How to stay under it is up to me. Is it worth it, considering you'll have to get rid of something else you were planning on having? That's the real question that leads to learning moderation.
And when you're able to do that consistently, you're in your MFP happy place
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I am doing forced moderation. If I want a sweet, I buy one. I spend extra to get a single serving pack of something or I go to the bakery and buy one cookie or cupcake or doughnut. I do not have them in the house because I still have not learned how to control my impulses to where I can take 2 Oreos out of a package and leave the rest alone. Portioning and bagging up single portions also does not work. I will go and grab a couple of bags.
Part of the secret is being honest with yourself. If you know you have poor impulse control, keep yourself in a position where you just don't have access. Nothing wrong with admitting where you are not perfect.
Yep. It may be temporary, it may be permanent. But you'll lose weight while figuring it out
There are a few things I am better at. I now am able to keep peanut butter and almonds in my car. They are there when I need or really want them, but not available for the mindless eating I have been known to do, especially at night. I live on the second floor and park in underground parking. I am not going to run down 2 flights of stairs in my pj's to get the bag of almonds. Eventually I hope to be able to keep them in the house. Baby steps.
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Heh. I'll have to remember that next winter and store icecream in the car overnight haha.I am doing forced moderation. If I want a sweet, I buy one. I spend extra to get a single serving pack of something or I go to the bakery and buy one cookie or cupcake or doughnut. I do not have them in the house because I still have not learned how to control my impulses to where I can take 2 Oreos out of a package and leave the rest alone. Portioning and bagging up single portions also does not work. I will go and grab a couple of bags.
Part of the secret is being honest with yourself. If you know you have poor impulse control, keep yourself in a position where you just don't have access. Nothing wrong with admitting where you are not perfect.
Yep. It may be temporary, it may be permanent. But you'll lose weight while figuring it out
There are a few things I am better at. I now am able to keep peanut butter and almonds in my car. They are there when I need or really want them, but not available for the mindless eating I have been known to do, especially at night. I live on the second floor and park in underground parking. I am not going to run down 2 flights of stairs in my pj's to get the bag of almonds. Eventually I hope to be able to keep them in the house. Baby steps.
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I'm a moderation fan but I've had issues in the past. If you look at my diary, you can see that I still occasionally struggle. It's okay to struggle and fail from time to time. It's the quitting, the throwing in the towel and proclaiming, "It's just too hard!" that I will never do.
Maybe try to adopt a mindset similar to that and it will all seem less daunting.0 -
When I get a sweet tooth I eat some sugar free gum to fight it, at times this doesn't work so I eat some fruit and I'm good. Or I just have a small piece of candy just to satisfy my sweet tooth.
@KeepItSimpleGirl GO HAWKS! Lol!
-galvin
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