Craving junkfood/fast food/soda and overeating after exercise?
beautifulsparkles
Posts: 314 Member
What causes this and what can I do to prevent it in the future? what does the body need after exercising?
I used to exercise a long way from home because thats where my gym and dog walks were, and I would get thirsty and cravings when I was finished, often succumbing to them on the way home, because I would pass McDonalds, KFC, Burger King etc...
I used to exercise a long way from home because thats where my gym and dog walks were, and I would get thirsty and cravings when I was finished, often succumbing to them on the way home, because I would pass McDonalds, KFC, Burger King etc...
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Replies
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Alot of water!!0
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Stop it.0
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I would be scared about the majority of food going bad in my car from the heat or getting sticky hands from something like an apple, plus, I hate apples!
I want to stop it, but I'm asking for the reasons behind this behavior and why I want to do it, and how to stop it. Maybe there is something else I genuinely need.0 -
beautifulsparkles wrote: »
I would be scared about the majority of food going bad in my car from the heat or getting sticky hands from something like an apple, plus, I hate apples!
I want to stop it, but I'm asking for the reasons behind this behavior and why I want to do it, and how to stop it. Maybe there is something else I genuinely need.
I'm going to be really blunt here. The reasons behind the behavior are possibly something you need to talk to someone about. But you don't need to know the reasons in order to change the behavior. You know you don't want to do it, so stop doing it. Get an insulated lunch bag, an ice pack and a napkin. Millions of school children around the world manage to pack a lunch and not die of food poisoning. What you genuinely need is to stop making excuses and get out there and do what you know you should be doing. (You're welcome.)
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beautifulsparkles wrote: »
I would be scared about the majority of food going bad in my car from the heat or getting sticky hands from something like an apple, plus, I hate apples!
I want to stop it, but I'm asking for the reasons behind this behavior and why I want to do it, and how to stop it. Maybe there is something else I genuinely need.
I'm going to be really blunt here. The reasons behind the behavior are possibly something you need to talk to someone about. But you don't need to know the reasons in order to change the behavior. You know you don't want to do it, so stop doing it. Get an insulated lunch bag, an ice pack and a napkin. Millions of school children around the world manage to pack a lunch and not die of food poisoning. What you genuinely need is to stop making excuses and get out there and do what you know you should be doing. (You're welcome.)
I'm trying to talk about it now. Thanks for the suggestion about getting an insulated lunchbox. What could I put in that lunchbox that would make me stop desiring the bad stuff? what is it that my body needs?
Usually when I start to feel that way, I've been working hard with my trainer for half an hour or been walking the dog outside under the hot sun for two+ hours, so I end up being thirsty and tired as well as a bit tired. Soda usually tastes really good in this situation, as well as something like hot chips with lots of salt, some fried chicken or a burger, or a combination of two of those things + a sugary drink.
We have a soda stream at home, as well as this liquid stuff that you add to water that claims to have no calories or artificial sugar- I think it might have stevia or something, so maybe I could take some of that with me, but I'm not sure if it would retain its fizziness.
Should I pack something like a chicken sandwich or some hard boiled eggs?0 -
Yeah packing food sounds good get some ice packs and idk where ur at but in cooler months u can keep in ur car w the pack and hot months ring in the gym in ur locker or next to u...those fast food chains aren't just bad for ur health they are anti American lol
happy new year!!! 0 -
Get an insulated lunch box and pack snacks. The soda stream stuff should hold its fizz for a while, or you could try buying sparkling water or similar and see if that does the trick. Gatorade or a similar sports drinks might be worth trying.
I just bring a protein bar to eat if I get hungry and have dinner planned out for when I get home. You could bring a sandwich along, eggs, or something else with protein.
There's nothing wrong with a soda, either, as long as it fits in your calories. Every once in a while, I really want a sugary drink, and I'll get a can of soda with my lunch or something to quench that. Mountain Dew KickStart is actually not that bad, calorie-wise, and it hits the spot when I want a soda - plenty of sugar and fizz
~Lyssa0 -
Because it's behavior that's habitual. Basically you work on changing your behavior. It can be done IF one is committed to it.beautifulsparkles wrote: »
I would be scared about the majority of food going bad in my car from the heat or getting sticky hands from something like an apple, plus, I hate apples!
I want to stop it, but I'm asking for the reasons behind this behavior and why I want to do it, and how to stop it. Maybe there is something else I genuinely need.
A.C.E. Certified Personal and Group Fitness Trainer
IDEA Fitness member
Kickboxing Certified Instructor
Been in fitness for 30 years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition
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Because it's behavior that's habitual. Basically you work on changing your behavior. It can be done IF one is committed to it.beautifulsparkles wrote: »
I would be scared about the majority of food going bad in my car from the heat or getting sticky hands from something like an apple, plus, I hate apples!
I want to stop it, but I'm asking for the reasons behind this behavior and why I want to do it, and how to stop it. Maybe there is something else I genuinely need.
A.C.E. Certified Personal and Group Fitness Trainer
IDEA Fitness member
Kickboxing Certified Instructor
Been in fitness for 30 years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition
So if you break the habit, does the craving go away?0 -
Drink a protein shake on your way home while driving. Just an idea.0
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There's nothing magic that you can put in a lunchbox that's going to stop you from desiring the bad stuff. But you don't have to give in to the desire. You can eat something better. Being prepared with healthy options will keep you from going to the drive-thru. Here's an incentive for you: Every time you don't stop and get fast food, put the money you didn't spend into a special fund to save up for something you really want. Even at $5/day, 3 times a week, that's almost $800 a year. At the beginning of 2017, you can be closer to (or at) your goal weight AND have $800 for something fun.beautifulsparkles wrote: »What could I put in that lunchbox that would make me stop desiring the bad stuff?
You're thirsty? Drink water. Carry a water bottle with you when you walk your dog (and always) and drink often enough so you don't even get thirsty. Keep water with you at the gym, and drink often. You're hungry? Eat something that's nutritious and satisfying. How about some low salt turkey breast on whole wheat or rye bread? You want something sweet that won't get your hands dirty? Try grapes.beautifulsparkles wrote: »what is it that my body needs?
Try it for one day. You can do it for one day, right? Yes, you can!
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beautifulsparkles wrote: »
That's the spirit! I'm cheering on!0 -
macgurlnet wrote: »
I just bring a protein bar to eat if I get hungry and have dinner planned out for when I get home. You could bring a sandwich along, eggs, or something else with protein.
~Lyssa
Bingo - have a snack ~ 30-60 mins before you leave work
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What everyone else said about snacking healthy and packing a lunch plus drinking water. I know it seems like you'll never be able to live without the junk food and soda but in about a month if you follow a good diet all of that stuff will taste terrible to you.0
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What about this: are you able to distinguish between craving, and justification? One of the habits I have had to get out of is feeling like I have 'earned' food xyz, whatever it might be, because I worked out and so I 'deserved' it. Those thoughts then quickly develop in to cravings as I start to ponder what I may be able to justify based on the workout I just did. Two things wrong here I've concluded:
1.) Using food as a reward for ANYTHING is a bad move for me - who decides when a reward is justified? Me? Hardly an objective assessment! What are the criteria? Worked out for 30 mins? Walked to the mailbox? Mowed the lawn? Had a bad day? Not a very quantitative system!
2.) Eating salt and sugar laden foods makes me crave... You guessed it! More of the same shite. Even just thinking about it makes me crave it.
So, what to do. What works for me is to time my workout so that I know I'm having a main meal afterwards. Sometimes means that I eat meals at odd times! Lunch at 3 or 4, dinner at 8 or 9, breakfast at 11 or 12, just depends on what time I want to work out. Also importantly, I already know what that meal is going to be - something pre-approved by my more rational, not-hungry brain. All I have to do is save my hunger for a few mins to half an hour till I can have whatever high protein yumminess I have at home or work. With the knowledge that it's going to be a reasonably substantial meal I can avoid mentally going through ideas of what I might want to eat.
Good luck!1 -
I just bought an insulated lunchbox It came with an icepack. $12 0
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What about this: are you able to distinguish between craving, and justification? One of the habits I have had to get out of is feeling like I have 'earned' food xyz, whatever it might be, because I worked out and so I 'deserved' it. Those thoughts then quickly develop in to cravings as I start to ponder what I may be able to justify based on the workout I just did. Two things wrong here I've concluded:
1.) Using food as a reward for ANYTHING is a bad move for me - who decides when a reward is justified? Me? Hardly an objective assessment! What are the criteria? Worked out for 30 mins? Walked to the mailbox? Mowed the lawn? Had a bad day? Not a very quantitative system!
I don't necessarily think exercise needs to be rewarded, but I find when I do cardio I tend to overeat that day? weird!0 -
The problem sounds 2-fold to me.
When I work out; I am hungrier for sure. When I used to go to the gym in the evenings after work, I would come home and immediately have frozen fruit topped with Greek yogurt and nuts and maybe even a glass of chocolate milk. I would feel like I was starving, and I know it was from the workout because on non-workout evenings, I didn't require an evening snack between dinner and bed. So prong one may be that you REALLY are hungrier.
Prong two is just a bad habit. You've been eating fast food including soda after the workout, so you're associating that "fix" with the workout. All the above suggestions about planning what to eat and bringing it with you are spot-on.
It may take a few weeks of not indulging yourself to break the habit. I've personally developed unfortunate food habits in the past that were hard to break once established--having something sweet after every meal, an afternoon Diet Coke, crackers and cheese every night. One danger of soda for me is that I associate having a Diet Coke with eating crap. It's a holdback from my college years and early twenties when I had a high activity level and metabolism and the attitude that I could eat whatever I wanted as long as a washed it down with a Diet Coke. So while an afternoon Diet Coke habit in and of itself is not that bad, the cookies, pizza, Lays potato chips, etc. that I subconsciously associate with the Diet Coke can be a real problem. And the more of that crap I eat, the more I want.
You need to have on hand healthy replacement foods that you enjoy as well as will power to avoid the crap food. Good luck!0 -
I had the same problem, and I found out that my body was highly acidic. You need to get ph strips and test your bodys alkaline amount. If you are highly acidic, try green smoothies or a green powder to get your body to an alkaline state. If made all the difference for me. I had horrible cravings after walking 5 miles in the mornings. It will take a couple of weeks to get your body straightened out, but the cravings should stop. It worked for me. I also tried to eat foods that weren't so acidic. Veggies are a big help.0
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GinnyRamsdale wrote: »I had the same problem, and I found out that my body was highly acidic. You need to get ph strips and test your bodys alkaline amount. If you are highly acidic, try green smoothies or a green powder to get your body to an alkaline state. If made all the difference for me. I had horrible cravings after walking 5 miles in the mornings. It will take a couple of weeks to get your body straightened out, but the cravings should stop. It worked for me. I also tried to eat foods that weren't so acidic. Veggies are a big help.
I don't want to be mean, but my mum is a nurse, and says your body can't get out of certain zones for acidity or you would probably die. I think you were scammed.
Its good if the green smoothies were helpful though. I'm not sure if that's something I could carry in my car.0 -
I'd go for a yummy protein shake0
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beautifulsparkles wrote: »
Because it's behavior that's habitual. Basically you work on changing your behavior. It can be done IF one is committed to it.beautifulsparkles wrote: »
I would be scared about the majority of food going bad in my car from the heat or getting sticky hands from something like an apple, plus, I hate apples!
I want to stop it, but I'm asking for the reasons behind this behavior and why I want to do it, and how to stop it. Maybe there is something else I genuinely need.
A.C.E. Certified Personal and Group Fitness Trainer
IDEA Fitness member
Kickboxing Certified Instructor
Been in fitness for 30 years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition
So if you break the habit, does the craving go away?
Yes! On long walks you could bring a CamelBak for water. On hot days, I throw several ice cubes in there to keep it cool longer. I can't handle anything sweet tasting when I am working out. There are plenty of single serving items that you can take with you in the car. I have carried carrots and celery (I know it doesn't sound as appealing as McD), but your tastes for food will change as you realize that different foods will help fuel your activity better. Others have made some additional suggestions of items you can carry.
Honestly, the more I workout, the more I want to eat foods that will sustain that activity. I still fit in treats (ice cream and/or beer) nearly daily, because I want to continue enjoying these things. It keeps me sane and not feeling like I'm on a diet. Tell yourself that you will increase the number of days you are eating foods you prepare from home. I'm not saying never eat fast food. You can eat it and still lose weight, but personally, I find that I am just really hungry when I am consuming foods that are high in calories (such as what is commonly consumed in fast food places). Another thing to remember is that there are healthier options at fast food places.
It is your choice, and your taste buds will adapt.0 -
beautifulsparkles wrote: »What about this: are you able to distinguish between craving, and justification? One of the habits I have had to get out of is feeling like I have 'earned' food xyz, whatever it might be, because I worked out and so I 'deserved' it. Those thoughts then quickly develop in to cravings as I start to ponder what I may be able to justify based on the workout I just did. Two things wrong here I've concluded:
1.) Using food as a reward for ANYTHING is a bad move for me - who decides when a reward is justified? Me? Hardly an objective assessment! What are the criteria? Worked out for 30 mins? Walked to the mailbox? Mowed the lawn? Had a bad day? Not a very quantitative system!
I don't necessarily think exercise needs to be rewarded, but I find when I do cardio I tend to overeat that day? weird!
My appetite goes into overdrive with weightlifting. You can really fill up on veggies for much fewer calories if you need the volume. I find that proteins and fats help me feel full longer. You need to play around with what will work for you.0 -
GinnyRamsdale wrote: »I had the same problem, and I found out that my body was highly acidic. You need to get ph strips and test your bodys alkaline amount. If you are highly acidic, try green smoothies or a green powder to get your body to an alkaline state. If made all the difference for me. I had horrible cravings after walking 5 miles in the mornings. It will take a couple of weeks to get your body straightened out, but the cravings should stop. It worked for me. I also tried to eat foods that weren't so acidic. Veggies are a big help.
And test what with the PH strips? Your urine, because that says absolutely not one thing about what the PH of your body's internals are.
All the various parts of your body have their own pH range that they won't normally vary from much. Your blood is usually around 7.4 IIRC, and a +/-0.6 change will be lethal.0 -
Hershey makes sugar free and low calorie versions of their chocolate syrup. Maybe a glass of 1% milk with chocolate syrup as a treat for a job well done at the gym?0
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