I wish I had someone who'll tell me "put that down"

Try and spend a week breaking down that habit. I know exactly where you are coming from. I send my food diary to a buddy every day who is helping me with my nutrition. He tells me every so often, I know it fits your macros but that is not what we are doing right now. Stay strict. He is not by my side but reminds me via e-mail.

Set yourself a target to be strict for a month. As in, follow your diet, allow yourself if anything let's say a jello (if you like that LOOOOOVE it personally) or an ice cream once maybe max twice a week.

You will see that slowly you will start to form new habits meaning that the temptation of a cookie or something like that starts to fade. It won't disappear, TRUST ME! But it will gradually get easier until you reach your target.

It's about re-wiring the desire in your mind for the cookie. Don't see it as an impossible to resist thing, just as a "that is nice but today I don't really want it" kind of thing.

Hope that helps a little!

MaryAn85mfp wrote: »

Every time I cave to some junk food that I know that is bad for me.
I manage to convince myself that it's only this one cookie and we only live once and tomorrow I'll start again.

I understand. I work as nurse in a nursing home, I tend rationalize that maybe one day, I could have stroke and not be able to eat eat solid foods. Or thank God that I can even digest diary or even have a functioning intestinal system, because see pts with g tubes or with shallowing issues. I think one day may b unable to eat that Chocolate or enjoy that late'. I think live for the now! Than I try on jeans and feel bad about myself

I often feel the same way and have been trying to work on it because there is no one who us going to tell me put down the cookie!
So..I've been listening to the Oprah meditation series on Loosing The Weight with Deepak Chopra; it's amazing and very helpful in shifting my mindset and helping myself in this battle of false cravings.
Hope this helps.

MaryAn85mfp wrote: »

Every time I cave to some junk food that I know that is bad for me.
I manage to convince myself that it's only this one cookie and we only live once and tomorrow I'll start again.

No, not really, you do not. Then you would be complaining about your partner/parents/roommates being controlling and acting like idiots. Can you really imagine someone following you around and monitoring everything you eat? You would be fighting before the first day was over.

I agree with what everyone is saying about the motivation finally needing to come from within, but that has to be balanced also with a recognition that we can all help each other to a certain extent, so I don't think the original posting is completely wrong. So we shouldn't rule out the idea of a support system. My kids and I are currently helping my wife in that way, we talk to her and even stop her from eating empty calories when her self-control is flagging. Most of the time she is controlling herself, she has a good basic plan but sometimes buckles when her favorite foods are around (such as at special events or when we have guests etc). She may sneak foods when we are not around, but a combination of her own (somewhat weak) willpower and our support have helped her get some momentum, build her motivation and continue in the last few months trying to get more healthy. I think she also feels more motivated when she is supported in doing this. About exercise, she doesn't have a history of doing it and is having a hard time getting on the elliptical and the kids encourage her, I also am taking her for walks. Unfortunately, many people don't have someone around who can do that - and no one can rely on having someone around all the time - so the final objective is certainly to build that inner volition.