So hard

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jasonforrester995
jasonforrester995 Posts: 12 Member
in Getting Started
I'm finding it so hard
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  • Godsgirl42
    Godsgirl42 Posts: 3,490 Member
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    We all go through it...just push yourself!! It'll get easier!!!
  • jasonforrester995
    jasonforrester995 Posts: 12 Member
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    I hope so it's the cravings that drive me mad but I am determined
  • queenliz99
    queenliz99 Posts: 15,317 Member
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    Cravings? To beat cravings, have a little of something you crave everyday. Make them fit!
  • brenn24179
    brenn24179 Posts: 2,144 Member
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    it is hard. Log like the rest of us, you can do it. Eventually you get use to eating healthy and your clothes fit and that feels good.

  • Godsgirl42
    Godsgirl42 Posts: 3,490 Member
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    jasonforrester995 wrote: »
    I hope so it's the cravings that drive me mad but I am determined

    I see a specialist in San Francisco that has been published in the AM journal many times..so super smart guy...he told me that whatever I crave, I'm basically allergic to. So I quit eating the things I crave and I have no more cravings. Hope this helps.
  • bendis2007
    bendis2007 Posts: 82 Member
    edited July 2016
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    Cravings are a pain -but it's important to find something that will work for you to help you thru those times. For example, I do get cravings for sweets AND salty things (lucky me!). For me I buy sweets and chips in small individual wrapped portions which means I don't have access to a king sized bag of anything. Anything I do get that is processed like that gets put in the pantry on a high shelf, or down the hall away from my desk. It's extra work for me to go and get it.

    What I DO put within reach is my fruits and vegetables. For me if I crave something sugary I have cherries and strawberries sitting on the shelf in the fridge. Then I usually open and close the door a few times each time sort of wishing it will turn into a cake, and it never does. I eventually opt to eat a few of them (After a year of really putting work into eating healthy I actually find that fruit DOES satisfy my sweet craving as they are plenty sweet) Then I'll take a quick 5 minute walk, drink some water or pop a breath mint and I find that the feeling passes.

    Starting out is the worst - you don't see awesome results yet, you're trying to make these changes to your diet that you aren't accustomed too but stick it out and keep making little changes, it'll all add up overtime and as you start to physically look and feel better it gets easier because you get more motivated.

    I read a post about another guy that brings a banana to work everyday and puts it on his desk within reach. In his mind if he's hungry for a snack before lunch he can have the banana and only the banana. If he's not hungry enough to eat the banana....then he's clearly not hungry and only mindlessly eating. I did the same thing with carrots for awhile. I only had carrots in my fridge at work, so between breakfast and lunch if I REALLY felt hungry I could have the carrots. There's a strong mental component to losing weight, but stay positive - things aren't linear, and there may be set backs but you've got this!
  • jasonforrester995
    jasonforrester995 Posts: 12 Member
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    Thanks for the boost guys
  • SadDolt
    SadDolt Posts: 173 Member
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    eat what you like but count calories
  • xxsplease
    xxsplease Posts: 16 Member
    edited July 2016
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    giggity.




    In all seriousness if its that hard try eating more filing foods, like raw veggies and lean meats.
  • chimonetabron2014
    chimonetabron2014 Posts: 57 Member
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    Cravings are the worst but you can't deny yourself all the time as if you do a binge can sure follow. My weakness is sweets! I try not to have sweets but if I get a craving I reach for something small. Portion size is key! You can do this!! It will be hard but it takes time. Keep pushing & stay positive!
  • Atchmon
    Atchmon Posts: 16 Member
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    Grilled chicken salads keep me from feeling hungry most of the day. They take up 1/3 of my calories for the day, but at least I wont binge on something sweet later.
  • kommodevaran
    kommodevaran Posts: 17,890 Member
    edited July 2016
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    That's what she said...

    Oh, cravings. You need to address them in a coordinated effort, or else you'll be spinning your wheels.

    First, make sure you are properly nourished. Don't eat less calories than the amount corresponding to a weekly loss of 1% of your body weight.

    Then, set your protein goal to 0.8 grams and fat goal to 0.5 grams per pound of bodyweight at your normal/goal weight. Regard these numbers as minimums, but don't be afraid of carbs. Eat to hit your calorie goal.

    Log correctly (weigh everything you eat, and you can weigh liquids too), and check entries before you log, and log everything. A properly setup diary will steer you towards a balanced diet. A balanced diet will be quite easy to adhere to.

    Then, eat a varied diet. Have some different food from all the food groups every day, and choose some different foods every time you grocery shop. A varied diet will give you a range of all the nutrients you need, and help stabilize your appetite.

    Eat food you like. You will want to get in proper nourishment and also taste that appeal to you. You need to do this for a long time (maintenance will take the rest of your life), so you have to make an effort to make it effortless. (Quite zen, that one.)

    If you can cook, do that, or teach yourself how. It doesn't have to be very advanced to be effective.

    Doing this for a couple of weeks will take care of the majority of your cravings. If they persist, consider the following: Do your cravings increase when you eat what you crave, so that you end up eating more and more? Or do they increase when you tell yourself you can't have any, and try to stay away, but you are satisfied by just a small taste? If you (mostly) feel you belong to the first group, stop buying and keeping around those trigger foods. If you don't have access, you can't eat. If you are in the second group, plan to include small amounts regularly.

    Prelogging in your diary is a good idea to see what you're doing before you've done it. It can make you more aware of your food choices and help you make better ones. Highly recommended.

    Also aim to get 8 hours of undisturbed sleep every night, de-stress, and exercise without overdoing it. Do something fun every day.
  • jasonforrester995
    jasonforrester995 Posts: 12 Member
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    Thanks for the great advice
  • snowflake930
    snowflake930 Posts: 2,188 Member
    edited July 2016
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    Best advice I can give you, take it one day at a time.
    Try not to look too far into the future.
    Mini goals.
    Allow yourself to make mistakes, but do not give up because of them. Move on to the next meal or snack and do better.
    Never give up, and it will happen!
    It is hard, but you are worth the effort.
  • jasonforrester995
    jasonforrester995 Posts: 12 Member
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    cheers
  • vrojapu
    vrojapu Posts: 268 Member
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    http://jamesclear.com/habits helped me hugely in the mental battles.

    Brain Over Binge is a helpful read, too.
  • leejoyce31
    leejoyce31 Posts: 794 Member
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    jasonforrester995 wrote: »
    I hope so it's the cravings that drive me mad but I am determined

    I agree. I seem to be able to ignore hungry way more than cravings. But, it makes sense since a craving is defined as an intense desire. Intense desires can be hard to ignore. I really hope it gets better for you. For the most part, I do well, and I don't have tons of cravings. However, when they hit, I can't ignore them.

  • Zaskar60
    Zaskar60 Posts: 8 Member
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    Remember this simple reminder:
    "You don't have to be great to start, but you have to start to be great"
    -Unknown

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