Struggling with cravings

xjessicaxrx
xjessicaxrx Posts: 144 Member
edited December 1 in Health and Weight Loss
Even when I am full after a meal I am getting to the point where I am going mad for chocolate or something sweet! I eat well and stick to my meal plans within my calories during the day, The only sugar I usually eat all day is a banana for breakfast.
Then after my evening meal I blow it all and end up over my calories- today on a Cream egg! This is becoming a regular occurrence this last couple of weeks. Feeling guilty and disappointed in myself now :(
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Replies

  • chocolate_owl
    chocolate_owl Posts: 1,695 Member
    How many calories are you eating? There's nothing wrong with fitting a little bit of chocolate into your day, and if you're eating 1200 or lower you probably can raise your calorie limit to fit something sweet in.
  • robs_ready
    robs_ready Posts: 1,488 Member
    Even when I am full after a meal I am getting to the point where I am going mad for chocolate or something sweet! I eat well and stick to my meal plans within my calories during the day, The only sugar I usually eat all day is a banana for breakfast.
    Then after my evening meal I blow it all and end up over my calories- today on a Cream egg! This is becoming a regular occurrence this last couple of weeks. Feeling guilty and disappointed in myself now :(

    Had the same problem, replaced it with fruit, never got a craving again.
  • xjessicaxrx
    xjessicaxrx Posts: 144 Member
    I stick to 1300kcal per day, im only short- 5ft 4 and been doing this for around 8 months now, i have lost nearly 3 stone so far, i have another stone to lose but really not feeling it lately!
  • SezxyStef
    SezxyStef Posts: 15,267 Member
    I stick to 1300kcal per day, im only short- 5ft 4 and been doing this for around 8 months now, i have lost nearly 3 stone so far, i have another stone to lose but really not feeling it lately!

    are you eating exercise calories back?

    How much are you losing a week?

    Is that an accurate number? based on using a food scale and logging accurately and consistently.
  • xjessicaxrx
    xjessicaxrx Posts: 144 Member
    My main concern is that I am doing it when I am not even hungry, after iv just finished a good sized meal? When I am actually hungry chocolate is the last thing I want... Am I just weird? Haha
  • chocolate_owl
    chocolate_owl Posts: 1,695 Member
    I'm 5'5" and eat 1400-1500 a day, with 2 days a week at maintenance because I like food. I lose 0.5 lb/week. You don't have much left to lose now, and you've been doing this a long time. Maybe do a diet break for 2 weeks and eat at maintenance, then jump back in with a higher calorie goal. You'll probably find it more sustainable.

    If you don't want to take a break, I'd still suggest raising your goal 100-200 calories, or at least allowing yourself to eat around 1400 a few days a week.
  • zugunruhey
    zugunruhey Posts: 31 Member
    There's no reason you can't have chocolate and lose weight too. You just have to budget it into your calorie goals. Something like a serving of dark chocolate covered fruits or nuts is a great way to eat chocolate in a healthy way. If you're not into dark chocolate check out the chocolate rice cakes that Quaker makes, I was really into those for a while.
  • SezxyStef
    SezxyStef Posts: 15,267 Member
    My main concern is that I am doing it when I am not even hungry, after iv just finished a good sized meal? When I am actually hungry chocolate is the last thing I want... Am I just weird? Haha

    just say no to yourself then...you are an adult and we can say no...

    you either want to stay in goal and lose weight or you don't.

    this can become a more regular thing and the weight loss stops...then you gain.

    Your choice.
  • robs_ready
    robs_ready Posts: 1,488 Member
    SezxyStef wrote: »
    robs_ready wrote: »
    Even when I am full after a meal I am getting to the point where I am going mad for chocolate or something sweet! I eat well and stick to my meal plans within my calories during the day, The only sugar I usually eat all day is a banana for breakfast.
    Then after my evening meal I blow it all and end up over my calories- today on a Cream egg! This is becoming a regular occurrence this last couple of weeks. Feeling guilty and disappointed in myself now :(

    Had the same problem, replaced it with fruit, never got a craving again.

    fruit can put you over goals as quick as chocolate can.

    Yes it can, 1 apple is about 60 calories, contains fibre which feels you up, and is sweet.

    Food density is far more important than empty calories for weight loss.
  • RoxieDawn
    RoxieDawn Posts: 15,488 Member
    edited May 2016
    How much does chocolate or that cream egg put you over each day? Can you go a bit less on the "large" meal and save the calories for the cream egg?

    Or prelog the chocolate or cream egg first thing every day in your diary.. Then spread out the rest of the calories during the day accordingly.

    edited to add: if you prelog it, you may not want it later, you may see this sitting out there on the diary and replace it with something else or choose something different like fruit or ice cream. IIt may be just a mental thing you need to work with since it is not hungry related. Only you know what is behind this need to just grab the chocolate.
  • xjessicaxrx
    xjessicaxrx Posts: 144 Member
    SezxyStef wrote: »
    I stick to 1300kcal per day, im only short- 5ft 4 and been doing this for around 8 months now, i have lost nearly 3 stone so far, i have another stone to lose but really not feeling it lately!

    are you eating exercise calories back?

    How much are you losing a week?

    Is that an accurate number? based on using a food scale and logging accurately and consistently.

    No I dont touch my excercise calories usually, I have been losing from 0.5 - 1lb a week usually but this is a new thing, the last few weeks.

    And yes I weigh everything that enters my mouth, scan all barcodes or input the details myself.

    My current weight is 154lb so still overweigh, I still have a good amount to lose.
  • AvrilC1971
    AvrilC1971 Posts: 13 Member
    Buy a Lindt 70% dark cocoa bar and put it in the freezer. Allow yourself a square and let it melt in your mouth. If you don't listen to your cravings every once and a while you have a higher chance of having a huge binge... Don't be so hard on yourself.
    One square is 63 calories.
  • xjessicaxrx
    xjessicaxrx Posts: 144 Member
    I'm 5'5" and eat 1400-1500 a day, with 2 days a week at maintenance because I like food. I lose 0.5 lb/week. You don't have much left to lose now, and you've been doing this a long time. Maybe do a diet break for 2 weeks and eat at maintenance, then jump back in with a higher calorie goal. You'll probably find it more sustainable.

    If you don't want to take a break, I'd still suggest raising your goal 100-200 calories, or at least allowing yourself to eat around 1400 a few days a week.

    I do allow myself a little more at weekends, i think id go insane if I didnt! Even then I prefer to use it wisely on good food rather than chocolate though lol.
    I suppose the scales will tell the truth if I havent lost anything this week I will know why!
  • JeromeBarry1
    JeromeBarry1 Posts: 10,179 Member
    I put sweet and fiber after my dinner and it is almost the last thing I have. Prunes. 5 prunes is 40g is 100 calories. That also meets a fruit requirement. I just call it dessert.
  • xjessicaxrx
    xjessicaxrx Posts: 144 Member
    RoxieDawn wrote: »
    How much does chocolate or that cream egg put you over each day? Can you go a bit less on the "large" meal and save the calories for the cream egg?

    Or prelog the chocolate or cream egg first thing every day in your diary.. Then spread out the rest of the calories during the day accordingly.

    edited to add: if you prelog it, you may not want it later, you may see this sitting out there on the diary and replace it with something else or choose something different like fruit or ice cream. IIt may be just a mental thing you need to work with since it is not hungry related. Only you know what is behind this need to just grab the chocolate.

    Great idea thank you ill try pre-logging it :)
    It puts me over around 150 calories, if I did this everyday would it make a massive difference to my weight loss?
  • TeaBea
    TeaBea Posts: 14,517 Member
    RoxieDawn wrote: »
    How much does chocolate or that cream egg put you over each day? Can you go a bit less on the "large" meal and save the calories for the cream egg?

    Or prelog the chocolate or cream egg first thing every day in your diary.. Then spread out the rest of the calories during the day accordingly.

    edited to add: if you prelog it, you may not want it later, you may see this sitting out there on the diary and replace it with something else or choose something different like fruit or ice cream. IIt may be just a mental thing you need to work with since it is not hungry related. Only you know what is behind this need to just grab the chocolate.

    Great idea thank you ill try pre-logging it :)
    It puts me over around 150 calories, if I did this everyday would it make a massive difference to my weight loss?

    3,500 calories = 1 pound. Divide 3,500 / 150 = 23.33. So essentially over the course of 23 days you will lose 1 pound less than you would have without a snack.
  • davidalmaguer2
    davidalmaguer2 Posts: 2 Member
    If you don't buy it you can't eat it. Get rid of the temptation and it's not there. Try chewing gum when you want something sweet.
  • SezxyStef
    SezxyStef Posts: 15,267 Member
    robs_ready wrote: »
    SezxyStef wrote: »
    robs_ready wrote: »
    Even when I am full after a meal I am getting to the point where I am going mad for chocolate or something sweet! I eat well and stick to my meal plans within my calories during the day, The only sugar I usually eat all day is a banana for breakfast.
    Then after my evening meal I blow it all and end up over my calories- today on a Cream egg! This is becoming a regular occurrence this last couple of weeks. Feeling guilty and disappointed in myself now :(

    Had the same problem, replaced it with fruit, never got a craving again.

    fruit can put you over goals as quick as chocolate can.

    Yes it can, 1 apple is about 60 calories, contains fibre which feels you up, and is sweet.

    Food density is far more important than empty calories for weight loss.

    no calories is...if I eat an apple I am starving in about an hour...if I eat chocolate not so much.
  • godlikepoetyes
    godlikepoetyes Posts: 442 Member
    This sounds like binging and it is bothering you because it FEELS bad. I am having the same problem. For me, it's not because of deprivation or depression. It's just because. It is what it is. I did this over Xmas holidays. I just have to ride the wave, keep logging everything, keep my eye on my goal and look back at what I've achieved. The worst thing is to beat yourself up. And based on my weight loss, eating over will not wreck your progress. Look up a TDEE calculator--I did this this morning after reading a post on MFP. No wonder I've been losing steadily even overeating! It's an eye-opener.
  • Francl27
    Francl27 Posts: 26,371 Member
    One cream egg a day should perfectly fit with a reasonable deficit.
  • DebSozo
    DebSozo Posts: 2,578 Member
    edited May 2016
    I get cravings sometimes. They come in like a flood at times mid-afternoons for me, and I hate the gnawing feeling and the angsty-anxiety it produces. I used to give into them just to make the tummy pangs go away. What I discovered is that if I leave the kitchen and allow the bad craving sensations happen, that I can "ride the wave" out so to speak. In 45 minutes or so the craving wave ends. I feel empowered and proud if I don't give in and win against cravings! I always feel terrible giving in but never regret standing up against cravings. These are not real hunger pangs BTW in my case.
  • DebSozo
    DebSozo Posts: 2,578 Member
    edited May 2016
    SezxyStef wrote: »
    I made a point of not giving up those things I crave/love.
    I eat chocolate a lot....I either do one of two things. Ensure that there is room for it or make room for it with exercise. I prefer that to "will power"

    I can't do that. If I have a "little" chocolate I crave more. I keep chocolate out of the house along with Cheeto's or ice cream. I have to keep eating it if I start. Then it snowballs. I make sure trigger foods do not make it to the freezer, cupboards or pantry. Some people do well with "moderation" and some don't. I know what sets me into a relapse, and I keep away. I walk way around the chocolate aisles! And I stay away from party tables that have them.
  • ogtmama
    ogtmama Posts: 1,403 Member
    Even if you try super dark chocolate? one square of 85% lindt chocolate kills my cravings every time
  • SezxyStef
    SezxyStef Posts: 15,267 Member
    DebSozo wrote: »
    SezxyStef wrote: »
    I made a point of not giving up those things I crave/love.
    I eat chocolate a lot....I either do one of two things. Ensure that there is room for it or make room for it with exercise. I prefer that to "will power"

    I can't do that. If I have a "little" chocolate I crave more. I keep chocolate out of the house along with Cheeto's or ice cream. I have to keep eating it if I start. Then it snowballs. I make sure trigger foods do not make it to the freezer, cupboards or pantry. Some people do well with "moderation" and some don't. I know what sets me into a relapse, and I keep away. I walk way around the chocolate aisles! And I stay away from party tables that have them.

    I try to understand this as I don't have this insatiable need to eat anything.

    So you will have to forgive me as I say...as an adult why not just say no to yourself after a serving?
  • godlikepoetyes
    godlikepoetyes Posts: 442 Member
    So you will have to forgive me as I say...as an adult why not just say no to yourself after a serving?

    Being an adult has nothing to do with it. If you have issues with binging and purging or depriving, it's a psychological problem, no just a weight issue. If you have not experienced it, then you cannot understand unless you really listen.
  • Wicked_Seraph
    Wicked_Seraph Posts: 388 Member
    There's no rule saying you can't have chocolate, nor that you have to be STARVING in order to have one.

    If you want something sweet, eat it.
  • beautifulwarrior18
    beautifulwarrior18 Posts: 914 Member
    So you will have to forgive me as I say...as an adult why not just say no to yourself after a serving?

    Being an adult has nothing to do with it. If you have issues with binging and purging or depriving, it's a psychological problem, no just a weight issue. If you have not experienced it, then you cannot understand unless you really listen.

    It's very likely that if she's craving sugar this bad she is addicted to it. (All an addiction is is your brain telling you that you need something you don't need so let's not argue about whether you can be addicted to sugar or not). It's like asking a heroine addict why not just do one hit, not quite as immediately dangerous but you get the point. If she wants to get her sugar cravings under control giving into them is not a wise choice.

    I'd suggest completely cutting added sugar and artificial sweetners out of your diet to deal with these cravings for at least 4 weeks but preferably 8 or more. If those cravings last longer than a week or two it's likely because you still have sugar in your diet. Watch out for sneaky sugar in processed foods like ketchup and bread. Any time you're craving something sweet eat a piece of fruit. You'll find that after a few weeks of doing this most sweetened foods will become to sweet. Doing this has ruined heinz ketchup for me and that used to be my favorite because it much less sweet than hunts. But now all I can taste is the sugar. I can't even drink a diet soda anymore without feeling sick but I would eat fruit all day long if I could fit it in my macros! But beware if you fall off and start eating a lot of sugar again those cravings are going to come back. Whenever I restart my healthy eating because let's be real I fall off the wagon I always crave sugar something horrible the first week or two. But once I make it through a week it gets a lot easier to avoid.
  • DebSozo
    DebSozo Posts: 2,578 Member
    edited May 2016
    Even if you try super dark chocolate? one square of 85% lindt chocolate kills my cravings every time

    I have not tried it. My dad used to eat a bag of M&Ms a night and switched to a square of dark chocolate instead successfully. I think that I may be sugar sensitive.
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