How do you stay consistent?
kaittea
Posts: 96 Member
Hey guys!
I'm really terrible at staying consistent. I can do so good for like a week or two, and then as soon as I get a taste of something off my plan, I have a hard time getting back on board.
I've been working on making my diet more sustainable (finally incorporating carbs back into my diet) but it seems like as soon as I commit to it I start thinking about all these foods I can no longer eat, naturally making me want to eat them even more.
How do you guys stay accountable? Any tips or tricks to help keep you on track when the cravings roll around?
(no need to mention "tracking calories", that much is a given!)
I'm really terrible at staying consistent. I can do so good for like a week or two, and then as soon as I get a taste of something off my plan, I have a hard time getting back on board.
I've been working on making my diet more sustainable (finally incorporating carbs back into my diet) but it seems like as soon as I commit to it I start thinking about all these foods I can no longer eat, naturally making me want to eat them even more.
How do you guys stay accountable? Any tips or tricks to help keep you on track when the cravings roll around?
(no need to mention "tracking calories", that much is a given!)
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Replies
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What foods can't you eat? Why0
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Why are there foods you can't eat? I eat what I want and make it fit in my day, that's how I stay consistent0
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I mean, I get not having a fully loaded tub o' junk with whipped topping everyday. But, could you have a cup o'junk, or healthy choice with whipped topping, ect?0
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Don't buy/get near/put in your mouth things which are off your plan!
I don't really have this issue. Not eating out much helps. Not drinking much helps too.0 -
I stay on track by making space for a treat after dinner every night. Be it a small cookie, a nib of dark chocolate, and when I can swing it, a glass of wine or a beer.
I find that making certain things "off limits" basically ruins everything for me. I start focusing on that one thing I "can't have" and the entire day is a struggle around it.0 -
Well the basics. Icecream, pizza, etc. I understand there are healthy alternatives to these things but when I go off my diet it's usually when I'm out at dinner or my boyfriend really wants something so we get it. I have tried moderation but frankly I have a really hard time with it.0
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I found that by logging and budgeting my calories and macros I was making better choices to achieve my goals, the I can't have it attitude changed to I don't want it. Now it's just habit.0
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The game changer is realising you can eat anything. I didn't believe it either, until I tried it for one week and still lost weight.
Long story short, track your calories and eat crap when you really want it - just don't go over the calories.0 -
I don't have any foods that I stay away from. All the foods that I want, I try to make them fit into my daily calories. Just today I went Mcdonald's for some breakfast (pastries and coffee). That's what has helped me stick to losing weight this time around... I don't have that mentality that there are bad foods or good foods... although I admit, I did start out exactly that way. Just keep in mind that whatever you decide to eat, to fit it into your daily calories. :flowerforyou:0
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I've tried that mentality of just fitting it into my calories, but it's usually the unplanned "hey let's go out with the guys and grab some wings" or anything spur of the moment that I didn't plan into my day that really throws me off. I'm very "all or nothing", so when even one part of my day isn't as scheduled, it really throws me off. I definitely want to try and let go of this all or nothing attitude.0
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The game changer is realising you can eat anything. I didn't believe it either, until I tried it for one week and still lost weight.
Long story short, track your calories and eat crap when you really want it - just don't go over the calories.
This helped me tremendously! I fit in whatever I want to eat as long as it fits into my calories for the day. I don't feel "deprived" and it makes sticking to logging my food so much easier
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To be consistent you have to find something that is truly sustainable...
There are a lot of things I eat a whole lot less of than I used to, but I don't have a "can't" have it list. I eat pizza...just not all of the time. We have family pizza night every couple of weeks and I look forward to it...my wife and I order a small pie and we have a couple slices...no biggie.
When I first started I just worried about the calories and hitting those targets...I didn't worry about trying to completely change my dietary habits overnight...changing my overall dietary habits has been a long (almost 3 year) journey...if you really think you're just going to be able to flip a switch overnight, I think you're in for a rude awakening.0 -
The difference between success and failure is how you deal with the unplanned.
You can either elect to
A. Not go
B. Go and exceed your calorie goal.
C. Go and stick to your calorie goal, focus on the spending time with your friends aspect.0 -
I've tried that mentality of just fitting it into my calories, but it's usually the unplanned "hey let's go out with the guys and grab some wings" or anything spur of the moment that I didn't plan into my day that really throws me off. I'm very "all or nothing", so when even one part of my day isn't as scheduled, it really throws me off. I definitely want to try and let go of this all or nothing attitude.
You don't have to eat the same calories everyday, eat less some days, save them up for a night out. You will have to let go of it, be aware of how many calories your eating, so you don't go overboard.0 -
Have you tried tracking on a weekly basis rather than a daily one? That helps me ever so much! That way, if I go over on Tuesday, I can skim just a bit off maybe Wednesday and Friday (so I don't starve to death on Thursday!) and and it ends up evening out at the end? I know how you mean "all or nothing" - I can be that way sometimes, and my husband is that way ALL the time. It's a work in progress to not feel like you've ruined your whole life if you unexpectedly go out to eat!! Perhaps you could try getting a smaller portion while you're out or save half for the next day and get some yummy veggies to go with so you're not so hungry. There are tons of options, it's just trial and error until you find what will work for you.
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Hey guys!
I'm really terrible at staying consistent. I can do so good for like a week or two, and then as soon as I get a taste of something off my plan, I have a hard time getting back on board.
I've been working on making my diet more sustainable (finally incorporating carbs back into my diet) but it seems like as soon as I commit to it I start thinking about all these foods I can no longer eat, naturally making me want to eat them even more.
How do you guys stay accountable? Any tips or tricks to help keep you on track when the cravings roll around?
(no need to mention "tracking calories", that much is a given!)
Sometimes I feel the need for crisps. I really crave the salt in them and nothing else will do. So if I feel that way I walk to the shop (about 2k from my house) all the while thinking about my goals. You know what? Nine times out of ten I just turn right around and come home without those crisps. I feel so good then and if I do buy and eat the crisps, then at least I have had some exercise as well.
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rosehips60 wrote: »Why are there foods you can't eat? I eat what I want and make it fit in my day, that's how I stay consistent
Exactly. Had a huge korean feast planned for this past Tuesday night. Knew it was going to be about 600 calories. By 9 am I had logged it in MFP so I could look at it and crave it allll day long. I fit in my calories around it. Planned ahead baby!!! Was I hungry 2 hours after lunch???! YES. But I chugged water, had my mid afternoon snack and reminded myself I'm not gonna die .....I'm going to feast later.
I ate so fast.0 -
shrinkingletters wrote: »I find that making certain things "off limits" basically ruins everything for me. I start focusing on that one thing I "can't have" and the entire day is a struggle around it.
This was my problem too. My first time around here ended in failure because I would obsess over the things I couldn't have.
I am the only one in my family trying to lose weight, and my husband does the same thing. Every once in a while he'll want to go out to eat or have a few drinks. I look up the menu to see what will fit in my day. That way I can plan ahead. I also like to save most of my calories for dinner, so I eat lightly throughout the day and have a large portion at night. That helps for those unplanned outings.0 -
Some good ideas, thanks!! I think my problem is just lack of habit at this point. I need to really stick to something for 21 days or so and I'm sure by then I won't have nearly as much of an issue saying no to temptation.
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I stay consistent by not giving foods a back story and personality.
Broccoli isn't some doctor who volunteers for doctors with out boarders.
McDonald's isn't some leader of a rogue nation with nuclear capabilities.
Foods aren't good and bad so there aren't foods I don't eat. So I don't get to a breaking point and then snap and eat four large Easter eggs for breakfast.
If it's something you want to eat find a way to include it. Have a small portion or limit it to once a week.0 -
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You need to log the good days AS WELL AS THE BAD. For me being consistant is the only way this "diet" thing works LOL
For me its like a game to stay close to my allowed calories for the day. Then I workout and make a choice to have extra treats such as full fat ice cream, cookies or chips.
eat lots of protein it definitly has kept me full alot longer throughout the day. Also walk or do sometype of activity to get yourself consistant.
I have three kids and am a very busy mom. I leave my sneakers on every night 6-7 days a week and the second they fall alseep I workout. You can always make time if you want something bad! Good Luck!0 -
Well the basics. Icecream, pizza, etc. I understand there are healthy alternatives to these things but when I go off my diet it's usually when I'm out at dinner or my boyfriend really wants something so we get it. I have tried moderation but frankly I have a really hard time with it.
Account for it! We have pizza every Friday. I plug it in at the beginning of my day, then I make breakfast and lunch choices around the remaining calories. Ice cream is something I just can't do. I want a whole big ol' bowl. So I don't buy it.
When you go out, try to make better choices. Get the steamed veggies or side salad instead of fries. Get grilled chicken, not breaded and fried.
I had a brunch with some ladies last Saturday. What I wanted from the restaurant would have added up to almost 700 calories.
I instead ordered 1 order of banana nut pancakes, coffee, and sipped on water while we were chatting. I had just as much fun as if I had ordered the pancake/waffle with sausage and hashbrowns. It was still a high breakfast, with the syrup, but I accounted for it and moved on. 0 -
Meal prepping. I prep all my meals on Sunday's. I'm so much more consistent because:
A. I know I spent all that time prepping all those meals that will go bad if i don't eat them and
B. I've actually made it easier, faster, and more convenient to eat healthier and stay on plan.
It also takes the thinking out of it for me. I think about my meals one day a week and that's it. I know it's not for everyone, but seriously...Google it or look it up on Pinterest. It will change your life.0 -
Well the basics. Icecream, pizza, etc. I understand there are healthy alternatives to these things but when I go off my diet it's usually when I'm out at dinner or my boyfriend really wants something so we get it. I have tried moderation but frankly I have a really hard time with it.
It gets easier with practice. I had a "homemade" turkey bacon, cheddar, sauteed mushrooms & onions,100% beef burger on an actual brioche bun! I saved the majority of my calories for this and it was worth it. I haven't had real beef and real cheddar in ages, too pricey ha ha. I was under my calorie goal and totally satisfied woot woot.
I had a small snack of 1 oz cheddar and raw mushrooms earier in the day and worked out for my burger. I only ate a small % of my exercise calories to have this. My whole day ended at 1450 for the day including my coffees w/milk in the morning + multi and omega 3
Btw, those seattle brioche buns are not all 75 gms @ 200 calories per bun. Mine weighed out to 85 gms @ 230.
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Well the basics. Icecream, pizza, etc. I understand there are healthy alternatives to these things but when I go off my diet it's usually when I'm out at dinner or my boyfriend really wants something so we get it. I have tried moderation but frankly I have a really hard time with it.
It gets easier with practice. I had a "homemade" turkey bacon, cheddar, sauteed mushrooms & onions,100% beef burger on an actual brioche bun! I saved the majority of my calories for this and it was worth it. I haven't had real beef and real cheddar in ages, too pricey ha ha. I was under my calorie goal and totally satisfied woot woot.
I had a small snack of 1 oz cheddar and raw mushrooms earier in the day and worked out for my burger. I only ate a small % of my exercise calories to have this. My whole day ended at 1450 for the day including my coffees w/milk in the morning + multi and omega 3
Btw, those seattle brioche buns are not all 75 gms @ 200 calories per bun. Mine weighed out to 85 gms @ 230.
It's been almost 3 hours since I had this burger and i'm still full. Maybe the 10 oz of beef, 2 oz sharp cheddar and 1 Tbs full fat mayo did the trick! Took an hour to eat the thing. It got kinda cold, but the taste was still fantastic.0 -
Well the basics. Icecream, pizza, etc. I understand there are healthy alternatives to these things but when I go off my diet it's usually when I'm out at dinner or my boyfriend really wants something so we get it. I have tried moderation but frankly I have a really hard time with it.
It gets easier with practice. I had a "homemade" turkey bacon, cheddar, sauteed mushrooms & onions,100% beef burger on an actual brioche bun! I saved the majority of my calories for this and it was worth it. I haven't had real beef and real cheddar in ages, too pricey ha ha. I was under my calorie goal and totally satisfied woot woot.
I had a small snack of 1 oz cheddar and raw mushrooms earier in the day and worked out for my burger. I only ate a small % of my exercise calories to have this. My whole day ended at 1450 for the day including my coffees w/milk in the morning + multi and omega 3
Btw, those seattle brioche buns are not all 75 gms @ 200 calories per bun. Mine weighed out to 85 gms @ 230.
It's been almost 3 hours since I had this burger and i'm still full. Maybe the 10 oz of beef, 2 oz sharp cheddar and 1 Tbs full fat mayo did the trick! Took an hour to eat the thing. It got kinda cold, but the taste was still fantastic.
that sounds incredible! I definitely need to eat more, even if it means slowing my progress I think it would keep me more consistent overall
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I will say tell myself that today is a maintenance day. That means I can go 500 over my goal for that day (I'm set for a pound a week) and still lose weight the rest of the week, just not as much. Once I tell myself I can't have something that is all I want, so I make it work. This makes it more sustainable for me, it may make it a little slower process but it isn't a race, as long as I finish I'll be happy.0
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I have only cut out one food, and my misses bought me it during my diet and i still ate it.
If you want it, make it fit your calories. Look at making pizza rather than store bought pizza, look at eating a smaller portion etc.
I Lost 9lb last time I dieted and I cut out alcohol and fatty foods. I then put 7lb back on as I just binged!0 -
pennystaplessnyder wrote: »Meal prepping. I prep all my meals on Sunday's. I'm so much more consistent because:
A. I know I spent all that time prepping all those meals that will go bad if i don't eat them and
B. I've actually made it easier, faster, and more convenient to eat healthier and stay on plan.
It also takes the thinking out of it for me. I think about my meals one day a week and that's it. I know it's not for everyone, but seriously...Google it or look it up on Pinterest. It will change your life.
Yep! I cook ahead of time so I can just grab a healthy meal and microwave it when I'm ready. I also make sure to search for recipes that I know I want to eat and are delicious, not just foods "that are good for me." When I dive into that stuffed pepper, quiche, bowl of chili, I really enjoy eating it!0
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