Any tips for still indulging just a little?

I let myself have some chocolate or candy or other desserts in moderation every day. If I didn't, I would not be able to keep from eating way too many once I start. That's been where mfp has helped me start losing weight. I was eating way too much candy so being on here helps me see how much is ok. It was very hard to stick to just a little every day at first, but I'm getting much better now that I've been on here for almost 2 months

I try not to deprive myself....if I did I would never stick with this. Its just that I have changed my habits enough so that what I want is no longer really bad for me. Anything is ok in moderation....I still have ice cream, I just get the low fat kind and eat a small bowl instead of a huge one....but if I REALLY wanted a huge one, I would have it and just make up for it later. Its a give and take and I don't feel like I'm cheating, but I dont feel cheated either.

I usually eat what I want, when it comes to "yummy goodness." I just do not eat as much as I used to or I have 1 serving and keep it within the calories for 1 serving... I cannot deprive myself or I would go crazy

Good Luck on your journey!!

Michelle

A couple of ideas. First, I recently read that imagining eating something gives the brain the same pleasure as actually eating it. I don't know whether it would work for a serious craving or not, but it does seem to work for me when I'm hemming and hawing about whether to eat something. (Even if it's just all in my head, if it works, that's what counts)

Another trick I use is to look up the calories and go exercise to burn off those calories BEFORE I eat it. It motivates me to exercise, I don't feel guilty about the treat, and half the time the craving or desire is gone by the time I'm done exercising. [Waste all that exercise I just did by eating the candy bar? Not worth it!]

Third: get it out of your house! I have the advantage of 2 teenage boys. I eat one cookie, and they hoover up the rest of them. Great for controlling my eating! (not so great for their eating . . . but they're willing to "sacrifice" themselves for Mom. - that's true love!)

Keep at it!

You can add extra exercise to make up for it. I like to do small portions, and very small bites, and chew them for a while. But I find that if I get the taste of what i'm craving, i don't need to binge on it. Can also substitute. Eg. If you want cake, try a slice of angel food cake or bar, with a small amount of 95% fat free cool whip and some sliced strawberries. I also used to add some cocoa to yogurt, and mix it all in. Then i'd have a strawberry chocolate yogurt, which was nice and chocolatey but wasn't a chocolate bar. It really depends on what your cravings are. Or if i'm DYING for a chocolate bar, I'll get a treat size, or go for something like a Three Musketeer's Truffle crisp- 2 bars, 160 cal total, and nice and chocolatey. (just discovered those, and am a little bit enamoured of them for out of control chocolate cravings)

But my advice isn't to deprive yourself. That's how I get into trouble too... I deny myself, then i can't take it any longer, and eat 3 or 5 times what I should, where if i'd just had a small bit, I would have been fine and moved on. And my philosophy is that you have to be able to live and enjoy your life!

Also lots of lo-cal recips online if you cook or bake.

Good luck!