Constantly thinking about food

april1779
april1779 Posts: 37 Member
in Health and Weight Loss
Hi everyone,
Brand new to this, third day in. 1200 is my goal, and I'm finding it a bit tough but I'm feeling better, as in, not feeling so gross and full so often. The thing I'm struggling with the most is that I feel like I'm thinking about food ALL THE TIME. Not as in, ohhh I want to eat. More like, what am I going to eat? Can I eat this? If I eat this, I won't be able to have that. For instance, this morning I swear I was in the kitchen for fifteen minutes trying to figure out what to eat. I worry about consuming too many calories for breakfast and not having enough by the end of the day for supper. I found yesterday went well because I knew what I was having for lunch and for supper, so I logged everything in the morning so I knew where I'd be. But it's like I'm constantly thinking of food, which wasn't something I did before. I think I need to consider meal prep. But has anyone else found this starting out? Does it ever stop??

Replies

  • arditarose
    arditarose Posts: 15,573 Member
    I've been doing this for over a year and a half and I still constantly think about food. Pre-logging helps, but still...I'm constantly messing with my pre-logged day, shifting things around if I see something I want or indulge in the middle of the day. It does get easier though, you kind of learn how to create meals that suit your goals, faster.

    Also, make sure 1200 is not too aggressive for you.
  • pstegman888
    pstegman888 Posts: 286 Member
    As you have already realized, if you pre-plan your meals, it takes the stress and the not-knowing out of the equation. It doesn't have to be planned down to the last detail - I just go over the coming day or week in my head and think about what is available and then make a loose plan based on that. I keep snacks on hand that will fit in my calories so I can grab them without being tempted by calorie bombs or trigger foods. It will get easier as you go along and become familiar with calorie counts and portion sizes on foods that fit into your plan. I'm sure some of the hard-core pre-loggers and meal-preppers will chime in with some practical tips. My planning tends to be a little more vague, but just enough to provide a framework, and I rarely go over my calorie allowance. Like anything else, it's a learning process that will get easier. Hang in there!
  • 970Mikaela1
    970Mikaela1 Posts: 2,013 Member
    4 years in and I'm always thinking about what tasty morsel I'm going to shovel in....
  • ForeverSunshine09
    ForeverSunshine09 Posts: 966 Member
    I prelog 2 weeks at a time so I only have to really think about it while I am prelogging and then just follow that. It can be hard to log that far in advance but,doing it one day at a time definitely helps.
  • kgirlhart
    kgirlhart Posts: 5,152 Member
    When I first started I felt like I thought about food all the time. I'm not sure if it gets better or if you just get used to it. I don't always pre-log. But I have a few typical breakfast and typical lunches so I usually log breakfast and lunch in the morning although I sometimes change it. I eat dinner with my husband so I can't plan that too far in advance. I think once you get used to logging you don't feel as consumed by it as you do in the beginning.
  • gcaracciolo2
    gcaracciolo2 Posts: 130 Member
    Pre logging is the best approach. I like to put food I want to eat first then work with what I have left for the day.
  • dawnellemom
    dawnellemom Posts: 76 Member
    I feel better too- not so overly full all the time but I'll think about what I'm going to eat way too much.
  • kommodevaran
    kommodevaran Posts: 17,890 Member
    I've been on MFP for over two years and I'm still a bit (or quite) obsessed. I like to plan my meals, though, and I don't feel deprived. Are you sure 1200 is necessary? Have you estimated your BMR; you shouldn't go under that number for any length of time. More calories gives you more wiggle room. I struggled a bit in the beginning to split my calories for all the meals. You probably need some trial and error too until you get it right. Everything you can do to get more predictability will help you. Plan what you know you are going to eat and leave the rest open.

    I have considered meal prep too, but I've landed on meal planning and ingredient prepping (cut/portion, freeze/box, thaw/soak) and cooking fresh meals every day (except one soup/casserole dish for two days per week).
  • april1779
    april1779 Posts: 37 Member
    Arrgghh had a post all typed out and hit refresh by accident. The shorter version: thanks everyone! Tried scrambled egg whites for the first time today, sooo good! Low calorie, not too difficult, works for me! I think I like the ingredient prepping idea, I'm just not organized enough for full meal preps. Good for those times when I don't know what to have so I can just throw something together. Thanks again!

Categories