I can't stop eating!
Replies
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Ask yourself if it's something worth eating. This about it in the context of the rest of your day - assuming you've thought through your other meals. Think about how you will feel if you do eat it. Are you okay with that? Could you add in some additional exercise later in the day to account for the extra calories? If you truly think it through and you still answer yes, then eat it, enjoy it, don't feel guilty and move on. Eating healthy means that there should really be no food off limits.2
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1. Stay busy. If you are mentally and physically involved in what you are doing, you won't be fantasizing about food.
2. Ask yourself, before you eat anything, whether you are actually hungry or just eating to eat. Only eat if you are really hungry (i.e. a 4 or 5 out of a scale of 1-5. Learn to recognize what real hunger feels like.
3. Don't keep trigger foods around. Even if you have kids, you don't need to have candy or cookies or chips in the house. Teach them a better way.
4. If there is a food you really crave, save it for later. Eat ice cream on the weekend, after you've been for a walk or bike ride, or eat a chocolate at the end of the day, after you know how many calories you have left. Often, by waiting, you find that you don't really want it after all.2 -
I know how you feel there are days I want to eat everything in sight. I try to plan around either 6 small meals around 300 calories or 3 meals with treats around 100 calories each. I use my calories like currency. ONCE you've spent your allowance you can't have anymore therefore plan the times you will eat your meals and your treats. I use exercise to gain calories although I don't usually need to eat them all. I try to stick to around 1500 calories a day. Hope this helps x1
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Try to count your intake in the morning just as previous person states. I love food especially carbohydrates but try to count them into my daily calories. I've also tried to be calorie savvy. CHECK out the calories on all foods. I've discovered that some so called diet foods are actually higher in calories than non diet foods. BE aware xx0
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Honestly...you just have to put your big girl panties on and not eat "it". Adults have to make all kinds of decisions. You can make the decision to eat "it" and be upset with yourself or make the decision to accept that it's best that you just don't, and be proud of yourself. Trust me, being proud of something you've done or accomplished is going feel so much better than eating that 3rd chocolate bar...2
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Would an enema help?
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dancingstarvic wrote: »Hi,
Can anybody give me any advice on how to stop eating?! Like how to take my mind off food? It sounds ridiculous but I have absolutely no self discipline whatsoever.. if I want a chocolate bar, I'm having it, even if I've just eaten three.. I don't eat because I'm hungry, I eat because I want to and food is permenantly on my mind. I'd always had a good metabolism but in the past year I've put just over a stone on and it's seriously getting me down!
Thanks in advance ☺️
Ps I'm extremely fussy so replacing the bad stuff with healthy options isn't easy!
I would make sure I get some fat in my diet -- avocado in salad, some almonds, something else. That seems to help me with cravings.
I have no self discipline around sweets, either. None. I get migraines from too much chocolate and have some other health problems. My solution is I don't have sweets in my house. If I want something sweet I eat an apple.
Somebody else suggested exercise -- that 's a very good thing to do. Instead of eating go for a walk for an hour or ride a bike or go to the gym.0 -
dancingstarvic wrote: »Hi,
Can anybody give me any advice on how to stop eating?! Like how to take my mind off food? It sounds ridiculous but I have absolutely no self discipline whatsoever.. if I want a chocolate bar, I'm having it, even if I've just eaten three.. I don't eat because I'm hungry, I eat because I want to and food is permenantly on my mind. I'd always had a good metabolism but in the past year I've put just over a stone on and it's seriously getting me down!
Thanks in advance ☺️
Ps I'm extremely fussy so replacing the bad stuff with healthy options isn't easy!
When I'd get like that, I'd go for a walk to distract myself.
Then upon my return, if I *still* had to have that treat, at least I'd have earned some extra calories on my walk.
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You just need to start working on your self discipline then. It's going to be useful for you not just for eating habits.2
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Since you are a stay at home mom, imagine what you would do for someone else in your circumstances and mother yourself. You deserve to take the time to get healthy and as a result will be a good role model for your children. 1
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dancingstarvic wrote: »Thanks for taking the time to reply guys, really appreciate it. It's mainly when I'm in the office I have the attitude I noted (perhaps I need a new job haha!). I'm going to give it my best shot though, not only for my weight gain but for my health!
I found the same thing I would just scoff down chocolate when I was in the office cause I was bored. I find that I need about 5 different strategies to stop eating the chocolate - walk to the bathroom, drink a glass of water, eat some fruit or carrots, get a cup of herbal tea, change the task I'm doing. Doing some or all of the above has helped me break the chocolate habit when I'm in work.1 -
I take it you are logging everything you eat, including the sweet treats?
If not, start doing this. Never skip logging. Nothing will change your perception of that chocolate bar so much as having to enter it on MFP and see the effect on the numbers, again and again and again.
If you already log everything, fine. I mention it because a surprising number of people skip logging when they "fall off the wagon" - which only enables the overeating. The first step to addressing a problem is to get it into the open where you can see it.7 -
Yep. It is SO hard to look those numbers dead in the eye. But it's good medicine.CattOfTheGarage wrote: »I take it you are logging everything you eat, including the sweet treats?
If not, start doing this. Never skip logging. Nothing will change your perception of that chocolate bar so much as having to enter it on MFP and see the effect on the numbers, again and again and again.
If you already log everything, fine. I mention it because a surprising number of people skip logging when they "fall off the wagon" - which only enables the overeating. The first step to addressing a problem is to get it into the open where you can see it.
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quiksylver296 wrote: »When I can't stop thinking about eating, I tell myself I can have it in XX minutes. Then I try to go do something physical - take a walk, etc. Usually, if I can put off the craving and get in a little exercise, the craving goes away. If it doesn't, I log it and have it.
I also pre-log my food for the day, so I know what kind of wiggle room I have for the day. Like today, I have ZERO wiggle room.
But, as you can see, I've also pre-logged my half-pint of Ben and Jerry's. That stuff is so good, there is NO WAY I'm going to snack on something else throughout the day and not let myself have the ice cream.
Some days, I have plenty of wiggle room. That allows for office treats, etc.
Hope that doesn't represent a normal day. Almost 1/3 of the calorie from high calorie, low nutrition food.0 -
Try cutting the carbs way down and fill up on low carb veggies, protein and healthy fats. I tried cutting out all sugar and gluten but was still always hungry. I read that many fruits and potatoes and other carb heavy foods can keep you craving. I tried cutting carbs and my cravings have finally subsided. Drink plenty of water too so your body doesn't confuse thirst with hunger.1
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I have this issue as well, but not as bad from the way you describe it. Someone told me about Overeaters Anonymous and I am going to my first meeting this Monday! Google it and see if there is anything in your area! I was shocked that they actually had something like this in my area1
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do you really want to change? If you do.. take some time a day or so.. to look back at your behavior. Just be objective and rerun your life in your mind. Where do you go wrong? If you take time to examine your behavior or observe it.. You will be able to fine where you go wrong and fix it..
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There are times when I think I am hungry. I try to find something to do, like read, clean, or even meal prep. I am usually not hungry anymore after a half hour.0
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Packerjohn wrote: »quiksylver296 wrote: »When I can't stop thinking about eating, I tell myself I can have it in XX minutes. Then I try to go do something physical - take a walk, etc. Usually, if I can put off the craving and get in a little exercise, the craving goes away. If it doesn't, I log it and have it.
I also pre-log my food for the day, so I know what kind of wiggle room I have for the day. Like today, I have ZERO wiggle room.
But, as you can see, I've also pre-logged my half-pint of Ben and Jerry's. That stuff is so good, there is NO WAY I'm going to snack on something else throughout the day and not let myself have the ice cream.
Some days, I have plenty of wiggle room. That allows for office treats, etc.
Hope that doesn't represent a normal day. Almost 1/3 of the calorie from high calorie, low nutrition food.
Way to positively contribute to helping the OP, Mr. Judgey McJudgerson.
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It's not that you can't. It's that you won't.
You say you are extremely fussy.
Grow up and get over yourself.1 -
Packerjohn wrote: »quiksylver296 wrote: »When I can't stop thinking about eating, I tell myself I can have it in XX minutes. Then I try to go do something physical - take a walk, etc. Usually, if I can put off the craving and get in a little exercise, the craving goes away. If it doesn't, I log it and have it.
I also pre-log my food for the day, so I know what kind of wiggle room I have for the day. Like today, I have ZERO wiggle room.
But, as you can see, I've also pre-logged my half-pint of Ben and Jerry's. That stuff is so good, there is NO WAY I'm going to snack on something else throughout the day and not let myself have the ice cream.
Some days, I have plenty of wiggle room. That allows for office treats, etc.
Hope that doesn't represent a normal day. Almost 1/3 of the calorie from high calorie, low nutrition food.
Way to positively contribute to helping the OP, Mr. Judgey McJudgerson.
Actually I am trying to help the OP. The example showing 1/3 of a day's calories from ice cream isn't a good model for the OP who says they can eat 3 candy bars a day and want more.
The pre-logging is a great idea, just need to be aware that what is pre-logged represents a balanced diet. 1/3 of daily calories from a high fat, high added sugar source is not a balanced diet. Now if this was just an occasional thing, not big deal (my original post said hope this doesn't represent a typical day).0 -
Packerjohn wrote: »quiksylver296 wrote: »When I can't stop thinking about eating, I tell myself I can have it in XX minutes. Then I try to go do something physical - take a walk, etc. Usually, if I can put off the craving and get in a little exercise, the craving goes away. If it doesn't, I log it and have it.
I also pre-log my food for the day, so I know what kind of wiggle room I have for the day. Like today, I have ZERO wiggle room.
But, as you can see, I've also pre-logged my half-pint of Ben and Jerry's. That stuff is so good, there is NO WAY I'm going to snack on something else throughout the day and not let myself have the ice cream.
Some days, I have plenty of wiggle room. That allows for office treats, etc.
Hope that doesn't represent a normal day. Almost 1/3 of the calorie from high calorie, low nutrition food.
IIFYM!!!6 -
Packerjohn wrote: »Packerjohn wrote: »quiksylver296 wrote: »When I can't stop thinking about eating, I tell myself I can have it in XX minutes. Then I try to go do something physical - take a walk, etc. Usually, if I can put off the craving and get in a little exercise, the craving goes away. If it doesn't, I log it and have it.
I also pre-log my food for the day, so I know what kind of wiggle room I have for the day. Like today, I have ZERO wiggle room.
But, as you can see, I've also pre-logged my half-pint of Ben and Jerry's. That stuff is so good, there is NO WAY I'm going to snack on something else throughout the day and not let myself have the ice cream.
Some days, I have plenty of wiggle room. That allows for office treats, etc.
Hope that doesn't represent a normal day. Almost 1/3 of the calorie from high calorie, low nutrition food.
Way to positively contribute to helping the OP, Mr. Judgey McJudgerson.
Actually I am trying to help the OP. The example showing 1/3 of a day's calories from ice cream isn't a good model for the OP who says they can eat 3 candy bars a day and want more.
The pre-logging is a great idea, just need to be aware that what is pre-logged represents a balanced diet. 1/3 of daily calories from a high fat, high added sugar source is not a balanced diet. Now if this was just an occasional thing, not big deal (my original post said hope this doesn't represent a typical day).
Meh. You did see the part where I basically hit all my macros (fat included!) and was under my calorie goal, right?!? Total and complete WIN!
You do you, and I'll do me. BTW, wanna have a deadlifting competition? I think I know who will win.
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Packerjohn wrote: »Packerjohn wrote: »quiksylver296 wrote: »When I can't stop thinking about eating, I tell myself I can have it in XX minutes. Then I try to go do something physical - take a walk, etc. Usually, if I can put off the craving and get in a little exercise, the craving goes away. If it doesn't, I log it and have it.
I also pre-log my food for the day, so I know what kind of wiggle room I have for the day. Like today, I have ZERO wiggle room.
But, as you can see, I've also pre-logged my half-pint of Ben and Jerry's. That stuff is so good, there is NO WAY I'm going to snack on something else throughout the day and not let myself have the ice cream.
Some days, I have plenty of wiggle room. That allows for office treats, etc.
Hope that doesn't represent a normal day. Almost 1/3 of the calorie from high calorie, low nutrition food.
Way to positively contribute to helping the OP, Mr. Judgey McJudgerson.
Actually I am trying to help the OP. The example showing 1/3 of a day's calories from ice cream isn't a good model for the OP who says they can eat 3 candy bars a day and want more.
The pre-logging is a great idea, just need to be aware that what is pre-logged represents a balanced diet. 1/3 of daily calories from a high fat, high added sugar source is not a balanced diet. Now if this was just an occasional thing, not big deal (my original post said hope this doesn't represent a typical day).
Whatever your intentions you were critiquing someone who hadn't asked for it. It was unwelcome. She's doing just fine without your input.3 -
quiksylver296 wrote: »Packerjohn wrote: »Packerjohn wrote: »quiksylver296 wrote: »When I can't stop thinking about eating, I tell myself I can have it in XX minutes. Then I try to go do something physical - take a walk, etc. Usually, if I can put off the craving and get in a little exercise, the craving goes away. If it doesn't, I log it and have it.
I also pre-log my food for the day, so I know what kind of wiggle room I have for the day. Like today, I have ZERO wiggle room.
But, as you can see, I've also pre-logged my half-pint of Ben and Jerry's. That stuff is so good, there is NO WAY I'm going to snack on something else throughout the day and not let myself have the ice cream.
Some days, I have plenty of wiggle room. That allows for office treats, etc.
Hope that doesn't represent a normal day. Almost 1/3 of the calorie from high calorie, low nutrition food.
Way to positively contribute to helping the OP, Mr. Judgey McJudgerson.
Actually I am trying to help the OP. The example showing 1/3 of a day's calories from ice cream isn't a good model for the OP who says they can eat 3 candy bars a day and want more.
The pre-logging is a great idea, just need to be aware that what is pre-logged represents a balanced diet. 1/3 of daily calories from a high fat, high added sugar source is not a balanced diet. Now if this was just an occasional thing, not big deal (my original post said hope this doesn't represent a typical day).
Meh. You did see the part where I basically hit all my macros (fat included!) and was under my calorie goal, right?!? Total and complete WIN!
You do you, and I'll do me. BTW, wanna have a deadlifting competition? I think I know who will win.
The Dietary Guidelines for Americans state:
For most people, no more than about 5 to 15 percent of calories from solid fats and added sugars can be reasonably accommodated in the USDA Food Patterns,which are designed to meet nutrient needs
within calorie limits.
https://www.cnpp.usda.gov/sites/default/files/dietary_guidelines_for_americans/PolicyDoc.pdf
Again holding up 30% of daily calories from nutritionally less dense foods is not a good example for the OP, maybe you're a special snowflake.
You can do yourself and that is fine. Personally don't think that's a good pattern for most people trying to lose or maintain weight. Each is entitled to their opinion (mine is backed up by data from experts at the USDA though).
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Packerjohn wrote: »quiksylver296 wrote: »Packerjohn wrote: »Packerjohn wrote: »quiksylver296 wrote: »When I can't stop thinking about eating, I tell myself I can have it in XX minutes. Then I try to go do something physical - take a walk, etc. Usually, if I can put off the craving and get in a little exercise, the craving goes away. If it doesn't, I log it and have it.
I also pre-log my food for the day, so I know what kind of wiggle room I have for the day. Like today, I have ZERO wiggle room.
But, as you can see, I've also pre-logged my half-pint of Ben and Jerry's. That stuff is so good, there is NO WAY I'm going to snack on something else throughout the day and not let myself have the ice cream.
Some days, I have plenty of wiggle room. That allows for office treats, etc.
Hope that doesn't represent a normal day. Almost 1/3 of the calorie from high calorie, low nutrition food.
Way to positively contribute to helping the OP, Mr. Judgey McJudgerson.
Actually I am trying to help the OP. The example showing 1/3 of a day's calories from ice cream isn't a good model for the OP who says they can eat 3 candy bars a day and want more.
The pre-logging is a great idea, just need to be aware that what is pre-logged represents a balanced diet. 1/3 of daily calories from a high fat, high added sugar source is not a balanced diet. Now if this was just an occasional thing, not big deal (my original post said hope this doesn't represent a typical day).
Meh. You did see the part where I basically hit all my macros (fat included!) and was under my calorie goal, right?!? Total and complete WIN!
You do you, and I'll do me. BTW, wanna have a deadlifting competition? I think I know who will win.
The Dietary Guidelines for Americans state:
For most people, no more than about 5 to 15 percent of calories from solid fats and added sugars can be reasonably accommodated in the USDA Food Patterns,which are designed to meet nutrient needs
within calorie limits.
https://www.cnpp.usda.gov/sites/default/files/dietary_guidelines_for_americans/PolicyDoc.pdf
Again holding up 30% of daily calories from nutritionally less dense foods is not a good example for the OP.
You can do yourself and that is fine. Personally don't think that's a good pattern for most people trying to lose or maintain weight. Each is entitled to their opinion.
Fat and calcium are nutritionally necessary. You cannot see the rest of my day to know how my entire day looks nutritionally. Which is obviously on point, looking at my macros and calories.
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dancingstarvic wrote: »Hi,
... ... I don't eat because I'm hungry, I eat because I want to ... ...
I think this is a reason behind a great many people's weight problems. I know in the past (and recently) I've caught myself wanting to put something in my mouth -- not b/c I'm hungry, but b/c I want something in my mouth that has a nice flavor. It's a kind of hedonism.
Everyone else's advice is pretty good. To whit:
* If you don't buy it, you can't eat it.
* Low or no cal chewing gum.
When you have the urge to eat for no reason, it may help to "Check in" with yourself the same way someone in recovery might. Some acronyms:
RID = Restless, Irritable, Discontent. Food doesn't fix these.
DEADS = Delay, Escape, Accept, Dispute, Substitute.
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Packerjohn wrote: »quiksylver296 wrote: »Packerjohn wrote: »Packerjohn wrote: »quiksylver296 wrote: »When I can't stop thinking about eating, I tell myself I can have it in XX minutes. Then I try to go do something physical - take a walk, etc. Usually, if I can put off the craving and get in a little exercise, the craving goes away. If it doesn't, I log it and have it.
I also pre-log my food for the day, so I know what kind of wiggle room I have for the day. Like today, I have ZERO wiggle room.
But, as you can see, I've also pre-logged my half-pint of Ben and Jerry's. That stuff is so good, there is NO WAY I'm going to snack on something else throughout the day and not let myself have the ice cream.
Some days, I have plenty of wiggle room. That allows for office treats, etc.
Hope that doesn't represent a normal day. Almost 1/3 of the calorie from high calorie, low nutrition food.
Way to positively contribute to helping the OP, Mr. Judgey McJudgerson.
Actually I am trying to help the OP. The example showing 1/3 of a day's calories from ice cream isn't a good model for the OP who says they can eat 3 candy bars a day and want more.
The pre-logging is a great idea, just need to be aware that what is pre-logged represents a balanced diet. 1/3 of daily calories from a high fat, high added sugar source is not a balanced diet. Now if this was just an occasional thing, not big deal (my original post said hope this doesn't represent a typical day).
Meh. You did see the part where I basically hit all my macros (fat included!) and was under my calorie goal, right?!? Total and complete WIN!
You do you, and I'll do me. BTW, wanna have a deadlifting competition? I think I know who will win.
The Dietary Guidelines for Americans state:
For most people, no more than about 5 to 15 percent of calories from solid fats and added sugars can be reasonably accommodated in the USDA Food Patterns,which are designed to meet nutrient needs
within calorie limits.
https://www.cnpp.usda.gov/sites/default/files/dietary_guidelines_for_americans/PolicyDoc.pdf
Again holding up 30% of daily calories from nutritionally less dense foods is not a good example for the OP, maybe you're a special snowflake.
You can do yourself and that is fine. Personally don't think that's a good pattern for most people trying to lose or maintain weight. Each is entitled to their opinion (mine is backed up by data from experts at the USDA though).
"Experts" who change their mind so frequently that even RDs have a hard time keeping up and/or base their decisions on studies sponsored by companies who want a result that makes their product sound good for you. They are HER macros, built for her weight loss journey and her life. The point was she is saving almost all of her fat for today for that ice cream. That's what she wants to do. OP can have her candy, IF it fits her macros.1 -
OP, if you have trouble eating too much chocolate at the office, then don't bring chocolate to the office. You cannot put something in your mouth that isn't at your desk. I personally won't buy a candy bar from the vending machine very often when I could have 6 from the grocery for the price of one from the machine.
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