I can feel myself slipping back into old habits and idk what to do

Backstory:
I reached my highest weight in middle school but lost a bunch (went from obese to overweight) of weight before my sophomore year of high school.

During hs i kept losing and gaining
Sometimes healthy sometimes severely restricting calories

My freshman year of college i gained a lot of weight because who wants to eat salad everyday??? Salad imo is like the worst food. Its disgusting and only tastes good with a *kitten* ton of dressing. Anyway so because those were basically the only healthy options besides i guess a turkey sandwich which is agony to eat daily and keeps me feeling hungry, i ended up gaining a ton of weight. So all my 4 years of uni i kept trying to lose. I only lost successfuly when at home. While at school nope! My appetite is huge so at home i make meals that are healthy and go along way, but i also snack a lot to but i try to extend things ( so for me, even though i love nuts, theyre a horrible snack cause ill need to eat like 20 servings to feel full)

Flash forward to the summer before my 4th year. I was trying to lose weight during the spring semester since i was studying abroad in asia the next year. I lost some in school by basically being hungry all the time but i slipped up so much i didnt lose that much in those 3 months so i had to step it up during the summer and lost the majority of my 60 pounds during the summer.

In asia i maintained. Which was sad cause i assumed id lose weight there but at least i maintained. I was def more active there cause there were things to do and see. My school here is in some boring suburban town. The cafeteria sucked there so i ended up eating out a lot. Honestly im shocked i didnt gain weight cause all i ate was white rice, noodles, fried chicken, ramen, fried rice, like most of what i ate wasnt healthy but i guess because i bought my food and the cafeterias arent like American ones (as in theres only one meal option or you can only order one meal) i wasnt able to eat how i eat here.

I did get really hungry there sometimes and would buy like ramen pastries candy and chips and binge but i still maintain

But once i got back to the States i started gaining (i was only at home for 2 days then went to school)

I lost 2 pounds last week and gained 3 pounds this week.

Because the food here i guess just isnt filling and im constantly hungry

Idk what to do? How do i stop feeling so hungry

It makes me miserable and makes me gain weight

Replies

  • crazyjerseygirl
    crazyjerseygirl Posts: 1,252 Member
    A few posts up from yours is the perfect response by @Caitwin about relapsing habits. I suggest reading it and moving forward, heaven knows I need to! good luck!
  • Francl27
    Francl27 Posts: 26,371 Member
    Eat a lot of veggies, fruit, protein and fat.

    But the fact that you lost 'the majority of 60 pounds' just during the Summer is a huge red flag that you don't know how to lose weight properly. You're hungry because you're setting your goal too low.
  • vivmom2014
    vivmom2014 Posts: 1,649 Member
    It sounds like you have a lot of contempt toward food. Rethink it. Food is a GIFT.

    And there's no need to eat food you despise (salad or turkey sandwich, anyone?) in order to lose weight. You need to choose a reasonable calorie goal and stay at or just under it. Eat food that you love. Eat a variety. Vegetables are beautiful, delicious and they all work well together. Ethnic cuisines are fabulous. You can have it all - just stay under your goal. If you desire more calories per day, add some exercise.

  • kshama2001
    kshama2001 Posts: 28,052 Member
    A few posts up from yours is the perfect response by @Caitwin about relapsing habits. I suggest reading it and moving forward, heaven knows I need to! good luck!

    Ya, here's the link: http://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/discussion/10268474/habit-relapse-what-to-do-if-you-fall-from-your-diet-or-good-habits#latest
  • kshama2001
    kshama2001 Posts: 28,052 Member
    I lost 2 pounds last week and gained 3 pounds this week.

    Because the food here i guess just isnt filling and im constantly hungry

    Idk what to do? How do i stop feeling so hungry

    It makes me miserable and makes me gain weight

    If you change your diary sharing settings to Public, we can take a look and give you more meaningful feedback. http://www.myfitnesspal.com/account/diary_settings
  • goldthistime
    goldthistime Posts: 3,213 Member
    Francl27 wrote: »
    Eat a lot of veggies, fruit, protein and fat.

    But the fact that you lost 'the majority of 60 pounds' just during the Summer is a huge red flag that you don't know how to lose weight properly. You're hungry because you're setting your goal too low.

    I agree with this. Sounds like you lost weight too quickly. And yes to veggies fruit protein and fat to keep you feeling full. (Plus some carbs to keep you happy :smile: )

  • rankinsect
    rankinsect Posts: 2,238 Member
    It sounds like you haven't ever built good habits while losing weight.

    Repeat after me: You don't gain weight from bad foods. You gain weight from bad portions. You don't need to eat "healthy" to lose or maintain loss, you need to eat in proper amounts. You could lose weight just eating pizza, chips, and ice cream if you really wanted.

    Don't give up any food you won't give up for your whole life. Eat what you like, in properly controlled portions. Your maintenance plan is basically the same thing - eat in controlled portions.
  • Weightever
    Weightever Posts: 13 Member
    I so disagree with rankinsect. In order to lose weight you really should focus on eating healthy, that's the sustainable way to lose weight. If you simply cut your portion sizes and eat crap, you'll just be hungry. There's no way you can stay on a diet very long feeling hungry. In fact I think that's the reason most diets fail.
  • Francl27
    Francl27 Posts: 26,371 Member
    Weightever wrote: »
    I so disagree with rankinsect. In order to lose weight you really should focus on eating healthy, that's the sustainable way to lose weight. If you simply cut your portion sizes and eat crap, you'll just be hungry. There's no way you can stay on a diet very long feeling hungry. In fact I think that's the reason most diets fail.

    The problem is that everyone's definition of 'healthy' varies. But I agree with you, I just don't think you have to cut all the 'unhealthy' stuff to lose... just not eat too much of it because it typically doesn't fill you up.
  • Need2Exerc1se
    Need2Exerc1se Posts: 13,575 Member
    The only thing to do is decide. Do you want to overeat or do you want to control your weight?

    Stop blaming the food or the country and realize that it's you. If the food you are eating is leaving you hungry then eat something else. That is your choice. Choose wisely. It's all about YOU and YOUR choices
  • goldthistime
    goldthistime Posts: 3,213 Member
    Weightever wrote: »
    I so disagree with rankinsect. In order to lose weight you really should focus on eating healthy, that's the sustainable way to lose weight. If you simply cut your portion sizes and eat crap, you'll just be hungry. There's no way you can stay on a diet very long feeling hungry. In fact I think that's the reason most diets fail.

    Initially I had a hard time adjusting to the notion that you should include some "crap" in your diet even while trying to lose weight, but that's because I was always too aggressive in my weight loss goals. I was in the mode that every calorie had to be jam packed with nutrients (because I was eating so few). Now that I am only aiming for .5lb/week, there's room for a daily treat. But a diet FILLED with crap is a not only a bad choice but likely doomed to failure. That I agree with.
  • Jruzer
    Jruzer Posts: 3,501 Member
    Who is eating crap, and why? Or are we denigrating perfectly good food again by calling it something it is not?
  • goldthistime
    goldthistime Posts: 3,213 Member
    Jruzer wrote: »
    Who is eating crap, and why? Or are we denigrating perfectly good food again by calling it something it is not?

    Calorie dense, nutrient sparse food = crap.

  • Jruzer
    Jruzer Posts: 3,501 Member
    Jruzer wrote: »
    Who is eating crap, and why? Or are we denigrating perfectly good food again by calling it something it is not?

    Calorie dense, nutrient sparse food = crap.

    Poor delicious food, being called names. That's a fairly impoverished view of food IMO.
  • goldthistime
    goldthistime Posts: 3,213 Member
    Jruzer wrote: »
    Jruzer wrote: »
    Who is eating crap, and why? Or are we denigrating perfectly good food again by calling it something it is not?

    Calorie dense, nutrient sparse food = crap.

    Poor delicious food, being called names. That's a fairly impoverished view of food IMO.

    Meh. It's just a word. Usually I use the word "treat". Like that better?

  • amyb12015
    amyb12015 Posts: 25 Member
    Same here, I try eatig healthy but I always end up eating junk and it's hard to control myself and I'm scared that I'll gain weight:(( it's really stressing me out and I keep worrying and regretting it to be honest idek what to do :/ help me too
  • rankinsect
    rankinsect Posts: 2,238 Member
    Weightever wrote: »
    I so disagree with rankinsect. In order to lose weight you really should focus on eating healthy, that's the sustainable way to lose weight. If you simply cut your portion sizes and eat crap, you'll just be hungry. There's no way you can stay on a diet very long feeling hungry. In fact I think that's the reason most diets fail.

    There are "healthy" foods that aren't very filling, and "unhealthy" foods that are. A fast food burger and fries is a lot more filling than the same number of calories of bananas and yogurt, for example. Potato chips are more filling than the same calories of peanuts, and popcorn is more filling than the same calories of eggs.

    It's true that foods high in sugar tend to not be very filling, but something like pizza is actually fairly filling for the calories.

    And the real problem with most diets at sensible rates isn't actually hunger, but cravings, and cravings get worse when you eat food you don't like. I changed very little about my diet except portion sizes and I've lost about a third of my weight so far (about 45 pounds of 150), at quite a rapid rate, and I'm not really very hungry at all, except just before dinner.
  • MarcyKirkton
    MarcyKirkton Posts: 507 Member
    rankinsect wrote: »
    Weightever wrote: »
    I so disagree with rankinsect. In order to lose weight you really should focus on eating healthy, that's the sustainable way to lose weight. If you simply cut your portion sizes and eat crap, you'll just be hungry. There's no way you can stay on a diet very long feeling hungry. In fact I think that's the reason most diets fail.

    There are "healthy" foods that aren't very filling, and "unhealthy" foods that are. A fast food burger and fries is a lot more filling than the same number of calories of bananas and yogurt, for example. Potato chips are more filling than the same calories of peanuts, and popcorn is more filling than the same calories of eggs.

    It's true that foods high in sugar tend to not be very filling, but something like pizza is actually fairly filling for the calories.

    And the real problem with most diets at sensible rates isn't actually hunger, but cravings, and cravings get worse when you eat food you don't like. I changed very little about my diet except portion sizes and I've lost about a third of my weight so far (about 45 pounds of 150), at quite a rapid rate, and I'm not really very hungry at all, except just before dinner.

    Makes sense. I find when I eat foods I really am craving, though, portion size is the issue. Hard to stop. I can't picture eating just one piece of pizza. Just wouldn't cut it for me.

    So for now, pizza is off my list.
  • Jruzer
    Jruzer Posts: 3,501 Member
    Jruzer wrote: »
    Jruzer wrote: »
    Who is eating crap, and why? Or are we denigrating perfectly good food again by calling it something it is not?

    Calorie dense, nutrient sparse food = crap.

    Poor delicious food, being called names. That's a fairly impoverished view of food IMO.

    Meh. It's just a word. Usually I use the word "treat". Like that better?

    Yes. I really don't care what you eat, and I wish you nothing but success in your efforts. This has just been a hobby horse of mine lately.
  • goldthistime
    goldthistime Posts: 3,213 Member
    rankinsect wrote: »
    Weightever wrote: »
    I so disagree with rankinsect. In order to lose weight you really should focus on eating healthy, that's the sustainable way to lose weight. If you simply cut your portion sizes and eat crap, you'll just be hungry. There's no way you can stay on a diet very long feeling hungry. In fact I think that's the reason most diets fail.

    There are "healthy" foods that aren't very filling, and "unhealthy" foods that are. A fast food burger and fries is a lot more filling than the same number of calories of bananas and yogurt, for example. Potato chips are more filling than the same calories of peanuts, and popcorn is more filling than the same calories of eggs.

    It's true that foods high in sugar tend to not be very filling, but something like pizza is actually fairly filling for the calories.

    And the real problem with most diets at sensible rates isn't actually hunger, but cravings, and cravings get worse when you eat food you don't like. I changed very little about my diet except portion sizes and I've lost about a third of my weight so far (about 45 pounds of 150), at quite a rapid rate, and I'm not really very hungry at all, except just before dinner.

    I mostly agree. Protein and fibre have been shown to be the most satiating. So in your example, a burger definitely beats out bananas and yogurt. The Satiety Index (link below) puts popcorn very slightly ahead of eggs, but they are roughly equal.

    Cravings, for me, get worse when I am not getting enough protein, and when I am trying to lose weight too quickly. I DO think it's a good idea to include small amounts of treats. It's a long road we're on, with no real endpoint if you look at maintenance as an extension of your diet (but with extra calories).

    http://www.mendosa.com/satiety.htm
    http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0924224414002386



  • azulvioleta6
    azulvioleta6 Posts: 4,195 Member
    A turkey sandwich is agony? You seem to have some complex attitudes about food, and I wonder if you might need to talk this through with a professional. If you are still a college student, take full advantage of your university's health/counseling center--they are often great resources.

    It wouldn't hurt to take nutrition or cooking classes either. It sounds like cooking for yourself might be part of the solution. If those aren't available/feasible as part of your university plan, look into what might be available through local community colleges.

    There is no reason why cold salad has to be part of your diet--it's entirely possible to get enough veggies in cooked dishes. Generally, the things that will help you feel full are:

    -hydration (if you are active or have a bigger frame size, 8 glasses of water a day might not be enough)
    -fiber (increase your fruits/veggies; throw a teaspoon of flax or chia on top of your meals)
    -protein (make sure you are meeting your MFP-generated minimums)
    -fat (see above)
  • leslielosesit
    leslielosesit Posts: 9 Member
    edited October 2015
    The only thing to do is decide. Do you want to overeat or do you want to control your weight?

    Stop blaming the food or the country and realize that it's you. If the food you are eating is leaving you hungry then eat something else. That is your choice. Choose wisely. It's all about YOU and YOUR choices

    I'm not blaming food or the country (clearly you didn't read correctly - it says i lost my weight here, in America, the country I'm living - I didn't lose weight outside of the country though I hoped to)

    So are you saying I should be hungry and lose weight, or be full and gain/maintain? Not sure at all what you're saying.

    Anyway, you shouldn't answer people's questions if you're not going to give real advice - cause this surely wasn't it.
  • leslielosesit
    leslielosesit Posts: 9 Member
    Francl27 wrote: »
    Eat a lot of veggies, fruit, protein and fat.

    But the fact that you lost 'the majority of 60 pounds' just during the Summer is a huge red flag that you don't know how to lose weight properly. You're hungry because you're setting your goal too low.

    Is 10 pounds per month that much? Even so, imo it's better to lose that much than lose like 5... I'd hardly stay motivated.
  • leslielosesit
    leslielosesit Posts: 9 Member
    rankinsect wrote: »
    It sounds like you haven't ever built good habits while losing weight.

    Repeat after me: You don't gain weight from bad foods. You gain weight from bad portions. You don't need to eat "healthy" to lose or maintain loss, you need to eat in proper amounts. You could lose weight just eating pizza, chips, and ice cream if you really wanted.

    Don't give up any food you won't give up for your whole life. Eat what you like, in properly controlled portions. Your maintenance plan is basically the same thing - eat in controlled portions.

    If I lost weight eating pizza, chips, and ice cream, I'd have to eat very very small portions. I'd be so hungry all the time. There's no way I could eat filling portions and lose weight. Maybe maintain, but not lose weight.

  • leslielosesit
    leslielosesit Posts: 9 Member
    A turkey sandwich is agony? You seem to have some complex attitudes about food, and I wonder if you might need to talk this through with a professional. If you are still a college student, take full advantage of your university's health/counseling center--they are often great resources.

    It wouldn't hurt to take nutrition or cooking classes either. It sounds like cooking for yourself might be part of the solution. If those aren't available/feasible as part of your university plan, look into what might be available through local community colleges.

    There is no reason why cold salad has to be part of your diet--it's entirely possible to get enough veggies in cooked dishes. Generally, the things that will help you feel full are:

    -hydration (if you are active or have a bigger frame size, 8 glasses of water a day might not be enough)
    -fiber (increase your fruits/veggies; throw a teaspoon of flax or chia on top of your meals)
    -protein (make sure you are meeting your MFP-generated minimums)
    -fat (see above)

    A turkey sandwich everyday isn't agony to you?

    I've tried talking to my university's health center. It didn't help at all. She just told me to count calories which I usually do, when not at school, cause here it's almost impossible to do so. I'd be guessing half the time, and then I'd have to decline every thing I cannot count, which is just absurd.

    I can't cook. Not sure how a community college could help me? And I don't have the money to even buy food or travel 40+ minutes to a community college just to eat everyday.

    I actually did use to eat flax with everything, it didn't make me fuller. Fiber doesn't really help with keeping me full at all. When at home it's easier to eat a lot of fiber since I make my own food at home.
  • leslielosesit
    leslielosesit Posts: 9 Member
    amyb12015 wrote: »
    Same here, I try eatig healthy but I always end up eating junk and it's hard to control myself and I'm scared that I'll gain weight:(( it's really stressing me out and I keep worrying and regretting it to be honest idek what to do :/ help me too

    I find it so much easier to control my self at home. I get to make my food. I get to control what I eat. It's when I'm at university where I feel out of control. I have no control here, and the food here doesn't satisfy my appetite.

    So basically like you I need to find some self control. I need to find away to eat what I know will help me lose weight despite it making me hungry again in 2-4 hours.

    Like I could get a turkey sandwich and some gross cooked vegetables (I love vegetables!!! like they're so good to me, but somehow my school cafeteria manages to make them taste like crap) everyday, and be hungry.

    Like what I don't understand is why my skinny (as in normal on the bmi) friends, can eat a sandwich at 12pm and at 7pm they're still not really that hungry... like why can't I be like them? Like one sandwich is a meal to them that keeps them full for 7 hours!! how????

  • leslielosesit
    leslielosesit Posts: 9 Member
    Since no one gave me any legit advice,

    I was thinking that I'll choose one thing good, and not necessarily healthy like 2 slices of pizza (cause one isn't going to do anything) and eat it with a lot of vegetables. And try to make baby steps that way??? And see if I lose weight.

    How about this?
  • milocamolly
    milocamolly Posts: 91 Member
    Are you unhappy at school? Could it be emotional eating? It sounds like being at your school is making you want to eat more. Is there no grocery stores close by that you can't get to? I'm sorry but it just seems like there is an emotional thing going on rather that the cafeteria not having low cal options. Maybe exercise some more, that may help also.