How do you overcome temptations?

Don't let yourself get too hungry. If you are hungry you are more likely to give in. Same with being thirsty, make sure you are well hydrated. But mostly you just have to want to stick with the program. Just ask yourself which will make you happier in the long run.

I find that when I'm really tempted by a food, taking a few moments out to imagine every painstaking detail of the eating experience - taste, texture, everything - can make me realise I don't want it that much after all.

Alternatively, concentrate on how amazing you'll feel after you successfully resist all those temptations

when the temptation hits you, you have to stop and not run after it, You have to talk to yourself to distract you, remind yourself all your hard work to lose the weight. talk yourself out of it, and the temptation will go away. you can keep some healthy foods like a handful of nuts at your desk for when those cravings hit. (meaning that the nuts will be better for you than the temptation. This is important not for calories-wise, but for overcoming your need to run to the temptation and give in to it. it is changing a habit. when you conquer this, and are able to withstand, then it will become a victory.

I would imagine that most of us have to deal with temptations. I know i do, and it's difficult. You ccan remind yourself that it's not your food, you don't have to eat it just because it's there, that you can have a treat later, at the end of the day ( but try not to lie, allow small treat that you can fit in ). Try to have a box if altoids at hand, i like them because they keep my mouth busy for a few moments , and i love the taste, and there's 3 calories in each. So even if you eat a few throughout afternoon, it won't hurt you in any way. Stay strong, remember your goal. And if you end up having whatever is tempting you, log it and maybe opt for a lighter dinner.

MegaMooseEsq wrote: »

I've got one of those "sitting in front of a computer all day" jobs where it's really easy to mindlessly overeat. I counter this by bringing my own food from home and eating it really slow. So I have a light snack at 9, start eating lunch at 11:30, usually finish lunch around 1 or 1:30, then have another light stack around 3. Suffice it to say that I do not generally eat a hot lunch. I also usually get an iced tea in the afternoon, as I find drinking that to be sufficiently distracting.

I find tea and coffee distracting as well

You said it yourself, OP. It's about changing habits. That takes time and practice, but it is really effective once you manage it long term.

I'm not the first to say it, but I agree whole heartedly: willpower is overrated. Prevention is more effective. For me, that means:
-keeping food I have a hard time moderating out of my house
-not getting too hungry, especially before a party or dinner out or known temptation
(love that expression "preemptive eating!" Jeffagner2. So true!)
-planning foods I genuinely like and look forward to

About your office location, it would help to develop a habit of not thinking about any food someone brings in. Or ask if you could move offices? My office is at home, and kid snacks in the pantry were an ever-present temptation for me until I physically moved my snacks to a different cabinet and repeatedly told myself that their stuff was not for me. It also helped when I could honestly tell myself my snacks taste a lot better (e.g. high quality chocolate vs. goldfish & pretzels). Willpower does get stronger the more you exercise it, but like a muscle, you can also over-tax it.

Good luck OP and congrats on your success to date.

I'm kind of obsessive about logging food and I treat my food diary like a temple. Do I want to see that garbage food logged in there? No I don't. Knowing I will have to log it in my diary generally keeps me from eating anything I know I shouldn't be eating. Yes, this takes willpower but holding myself accountable works for me.

Stick a picture to either side of your office door so you'll see them as you walk out to snack. One the body you have and the other the body you want.
I did the same in my pantry. That and a picture of Scary Terry (Crews)

Started doing IF...so I can reasonably eat what I want within those hours, and after I feel no temptation. ...granted it's only been a few days, but so far so good

Decide what is more important to you, hitting your weight goal or mindlessly eating some dollar store treat.

Eat something fatty.. eggs cooked in real butter with avacado slices? Keeps you satiated. I just love how people are like, "Just say no!" Like it's THAT easy! For some it is, but for others, it's as bad as being addicted to drugs, cigs, sex.. etc.. there is no "Just say no.." It's a real struggle.

I keep the tempting food away from me IF I can not have a serving and quit- I will usually find a good imitation or a healthier version of the tempting foods- that I can live with while I am "learning" to fit it into my macros or calorie range - for instance I STILL have to buy single serving of chips and keep them out in my car- because if NOT at night I will keep eating and eating- but with a single serving I ONLY bring the one in the house- usually am too lazy to get up - take off the alarm and go out to car to get a bag of chips- sometimes we just have to be a "strategist".

Whenever I see a temptation, I remind myself of the greatest pain I've ever felt and remember what led me to have that pain (it was from a medical procedure I had last year, which was required due to my bad eating habits).