The ‘mental’ side of healthy eating
sammyj19902015
Posts: 63 Member
Hi everyone, I’m just wondering if anyone else out there has trouble with stopping themselves eating what they shouldn’t. I have an angel and a devil on my shoulders that argue and normally the devil wins. I can healthy eat for weeks on end then bang the devil comes in and I literally can’t stop myself from eating something I shouldn’t. I’ve lost 1st 3lb so far doing a few different diets as I get bored 
dare I say that.. now for the last 2 weeks I can’t get back on track..
dare I say that.. now for the last 2 weeks I can’t get back on track.. 3
Replies
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if you get bored your doing it wrong. Find your middle ground between healthy and not healthy. Healthy doesnt need to be monotonous and boring.
That said, Yes of course we all get that3 -
spoiler alert, you don't need to eat 'healthy' to lose weight...
eat what you like, just less of it.
then work on making healthier choices, more fruit and veg and working out what works for satiety.
diets don't work, lifestyle changes do.6 -
Are you weighing and measuring your food? Eating healthy doesn't guarantee weight loss. You need a calorie goal to stick to everyday. What you eat is up to you.1
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Lord yes, I stayed strong for 22 days then fell off the wagon over sour gummy worms.
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Here is my trick. I eat some junk food. For example today I planned in some peanut butter cups. They are tasty and a favorite of mine.
But eat less then you burn does not mean no deliciou stuff.
Also really well seasoned and tasty food can be healthy and low calorie. Up the seasonings and you up the satiety for me.0 -
The only things you shouldn't eat are thing you are allergic too, things that are rotten, and things that put you over your calorie goal.
Those things you crave can fit into your calorie goal. Doesn't matter if it's pizza, chips, cookies, or cake. You likely can't fit them all the time, so tell that "devil on your shoulder" that you'll fit it into your calorie goal in a day or two and then do it.4 -
Also to add, I’m an all or nothing person so I struggle with the treating myself as I get hungry if I eat higher calorie meals so I either have to eat healthier or I binge because I’m starving. please give me some credit I’m not thick. So please don’t comment on here telling me to eat what I want but stay within my calories because for me it’s impossible!! Also those comments irritate me so if you don’t struggle with the angel and devil please don’t comment
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sammyj19902015 wrote: »Also to add, I’m an all or nothing person so I struggle with the treating myself as I get hungry if I eat higher calorie meals so I either have to eat healthier or I binge because I’m starving. please give me some credit I’m not thick. So please don’t comment on here telling me to eat what I want but stay within my calories because for me it’s impossible!! Also those comments irritate me so if you don’t struggle with the angel and devil please don’t comment ...
just because you don't agree with a post doesn't mean its abusive.
if you cant maintain a calorie deficit, you cant lose weight.8 -
I struggle with the same thing.0
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sammyj19902015 wrote: »Also to add, I’m an all or nothing person so I struggle with the treating myself as I get hungry if I eat higher calorie meals so I either have to eat healthier or I binge because I’m starving. please give me some credit I’m not thick. So please don’t comment on here telling me to eat what I want but stay within my calories because for me it’s impossible!! Also those comments irritate me so if you don’t struggle with the angel and devil please don’t comment ...
Your post asks about the mental side of healthy eating...this is exactly your problem. It's hard to fix if you're not open minded. Good luck.4 -
You're looking for low-calorie, high-volume foods, not necessarily "healthy" foods. Search the MFP forums for "volume eaters" and a lot of threads will come up -- lots of people here eat this way.sammyj19902015 wrote: »I get hungry if I eat higher calorie meals so I either have to eat healthier or I binge because I’m starving.
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sammyj19902015 wrote: »Also to add, I’m an all or nothing person so I struggle with the treating myself as I get hungry if I eat higher calorie meals so I either have to eat healthier or I binge because I’m starving. please give me some credit I’m not thick. So please don’t comment on here telling me to eat what I want but stay within my calories because for me it’s impossible!! Also those comments irritate me so if you don’t struggle with the angel and devil please don’t comment ...
Sounds like you need to plan your meals ahead rather than logging and eating on the fly. I plan my meals the day before, that way I know what to expect. I plan filling meals that are lower in calories to afford to have tasty treats. If I logged as I ate I'd be out of calories before dinner.
You can be irritated all you want at the "eat what you want but stay within your calories" comment, but that's exactly how it works. It might take you time to figure out the method to doing it for you. You'll be more likely to succeed when you figure out how to eat what you want within your calories. That doesn't mean you get to eat like before, that means you eat most of your calories in nutrient dense foods and save 100-200 for something tasty.5 -
An all or nothing mentality of everything has to be 100% healthy is the downfall of many and it's a completely unrealistic way to go about things. Nobody is "on" 100% of the time...even my trainer who is like a robot where nutrition is concerned indulges at times.
I eat pretty healthy most of the time...also, that doesn't mean bland and boring like plain chicken, rice, and broccoli and salad, salad, salad (I rarely have a salad)...but I also have pizza night most Friday nights...I get my pub grub once or twice per month...usually have a little something for desert most nights.
You need to look at your diet on the whole...on the whole my diet is very healthful and nutritious...some pizza on Friday evening isn't particularly material to the whole.2 -
Tavistock toad I don’t agree with your comment because every post I’ve put on MFP you make me out to be an idiot so they are the comments I disagree with. Everyone else.. Yes I know how to stay within my calories but I was just wanting to know if anyone else struggles with the devil and angel. I can eat within my calories and say ok I’ll treat myself to a piece of chocolate within my calorie limit.. by the end of that day I will have eaten a bar but fought myself over it telling myself not to but then eat it anyway because I literally can’t stop myself ???6
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sammyj19902015 wrote: »Tavistock toad I don’t agree with your comment because every post I’ve put on MFP you make me out to be an idiot so they are the comments I disagree with. Everyone else.. Yes I know how to stay within my calories but I was just wanting to know if anyone else struggles with the devil and angel. I can eat within my calories and say ok I’ll treat myself to a piece of chocolate within my calorie limit.. by the end of that day I will have eaten a bar but fought myself over it telling myself not to but then eat it anyway because I literally can’t stop myself ???
So you're berating yourself over enjoying a bar of chocolate within your calorie goals or because you planned a small piece and ate more than that? I couldn't open a bar of chocolate and not eat the whole thing. I have a bag of individually wrapped Dove chocolates and can limit myself to one (sometimes I need a second, but it's not that many calories for the second one).
The act of having to unwrap it is a reminder that it's one serving. The act of unwrapping the second one prevents me from going wild and unwrapping them all. It's also why I buy the box of individual bags of chips, once a bag is open I will keep eating but I also won't open a second bag. This is what I mean by you have to find how to make this work for you.
You also need to stop associating things like chocolate with something bad (the little devil on your shoulder). Assigning guilt to it only makes you amplify a minor issue. It's the difference between being 100 calories over your goal and 800 calories over your goal. You're still under your total energy needs for the day at 100 calories over, move on.7 -
sammyj19902015 wrote: »Tavistock toad I don’t agree with your comment because every post I’ve put on MFP you make me out to be an idiot so they are the comments I disagree with. Everyone else.. Yes I know how to stay within my calories but I was just wanting to know if anyone else struggles with the devil and angel. I can eat within my calories and say ok I’ll treat myself to a piece of chocolate within my calorie limit.. by the end of that day I will have eaten a bar but fought myself over it telling myself not to but then eat it anyway because I literally can’t stop myself ???
Have you spoken to your doctor or therapist about this. Feeling as though you are outside of your body looking in while someone else eats is a common symptom of Binge Eating Disorder. No one can diagnose you online, but it's possible that seeking treatment is the best scenario here. This may go far beyond the usual mental side of weight loss that others here have experience with.
Also the abuse flag is for hate speech or pornography only. Anything less is supposed to be reported rather than flagged.2 -
Also, here's a helpful guide on how to use the flag/reporting system and what the intended use of the flags are: http://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/discussion/10007789/flagged-content-reported-posts-warning-points?0
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TavistockToad wrote: »spoiler alert, you don't need to eat 'healthy' to lose weight...
eat what you like, just less of it.
then work on making healthier choices, more fruit and veg and working out what works for satiety.
diets don't work, lifestyle changes do.
Why was this flagged?1 -
TBH I have just been reading up on binge eating disorders and food addiction because I’ve had this problem all my life, I can quite easily go and eat crisps, chocolate, donuts ect all in one day on top of my 3 meals even though I don’t want to, I just can’t stop it. So maybe it would be better for me to talk to doctor rather than looking for answers on here2
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sammyj19902015 wrote: »TBH I have just been reading up on binge eating disorders and food addiction because I’ve had this problem all my life, I can quite easily go and eat crisps, chocolate, donuts ect all in one day on top of my 3 meals even though I don’t want to, I just can’t stop it. So maybe it would be better for me to talk to doctor rather than looking for answers on here
I think most of us could (and have) easily eaten donuts, chocolate, and all sorts of other stuff on top of normal meals. There was a time where I had two breakfasts, two lunches, six snacks, two dinners, and tons of dessert. I had to work hard reminding myself that I don't need to eat when I'm not hungry and being a little hungry is okay. I also had to change my calorie goal to lose 1 pound per week to give myself enough flexibility to fit in more treats.
A doctor might give you some tools to help you work through this, but you are going to have to commit to putting in effort on your own. I still binge from time to time.3 -
I put effort in, I cook fresh meals everyday I plan what I want to have most of the time but just have binge episodes that I can’t stop0
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sammyj19902015 wrote: »Also to add, I’m an all or nothing person so I struggle with the treating myself as I get hungry if I eat higher calorie meals so I either have to eat healthier or I binge because I’m starving. please give me some credit I’m not thick. So please don’t comment on here telling me to eat what I want but stay within my calories because for me it’s impossible!! Also those comments irritate me so if you don’t struggle with the angel and devil please don’t comment ...
Really? I don' t know why this comment pissed me off. I get annoyed at these type of post too, but was going to try an offer help. Like, it's impossible for you to stay within your calories because you have really trained yourself to believe it's impossible. Actually, that's ridiculous to state, when there is evidence that IT IS possible. How about changing your mindset for starters or how about not asking for help if you are going to do what you wanna do anyway. "Impossible" lmaoooooo. You can get a handle on this, but it is going to take education, discipline and commitment
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I’m not saying mfp doesn’t work, where do I actually say that?? I’m asking if anyone else struggles with mental sides of doing this. If you have nothing nice to say then don’t comment because over the last few weeks on here I’m having stupid comments on things im asking about. My mum always said if you don’t have anything nice to say then don’t say anything, shame a few people on here weren’t taught the same.4
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And where as I said to eat what I want and stay within calories.. as I stated, please tell me how I can eat pizza, chips ect and stay within the calorie limit because that really is impossible
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Well, that's not necessarily true, unless you know what the OP's calorie goal is. (I don't). She might have it set too low. When I try to lose weight, I have to go pretty low-calorie, and it would be impossible for me to stay there for an extended period of time, so I have lots of techniques I use to help. She might be choosing some foods that make it really difficult for her to hit her calorie goal. We just don't have enough information to say whether it's a matter of her mindset or if she could benefit from making some changes to her plan.STLBADGIRL wrote: »sammyj19902015 wrote: »Also to add, I’m an all or nothing person so I struggle with the treating myself as I get hungry if I eat higher calorie meals so I either have to eat healthier or I binge because I’m starving. please give me some credit I’m not thick. So please don’t comment on here telling me to eat what I want but stay within my calories because for me it’s impossible!! Also those comments irritate me so if you don’t struggle with the angel and devil please don’t comment ...
Like, it's impossible for you to stay within your calories because you have really trained yourself to believe it's impossible. Actually, that's ridiculous to state, when there is evidence that IT IS possible. How about changing your mindset for starters or how about not asking for help if you are going to do what you wanna do anyway. "Impossible" lmaoooooo.
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sammyj19902015 wrote: »I’m not saying mfp doesn’t work, where do I actually say that?? I’m asking if anyone else struggles with mental sides of doing this. If you have nothing nice to say then don’t comment because over the last few weeks on here I’m having stupid comments on things im asking about. My mum always said if you don’t have anything nice to say then don’t say anything, shame a few people on here weren’t taught the same.
No, you got a lot of helpful comments in both threads and you are resistant to what people are telling you. Yelling at people for giving you the same (helpful) advice over and over isn't going to win you friends. The doctor is going to give you some of the same advice that the people you are mad at are giving. You need to ask yourself why you are so resistant to some of it.6 -
sammyj19902015 wrote: »And where as I said to eat what I want and stay within calories.. as I stated, please tell me how I can eat pizza, chips ect and stay within the calorie limit because that really is impossible
Breakfast: 1 egg with 4 egg whites and toast
Lunch: chicken and vegetables (maybe some rice too)
Snack: fruit and oatmeal
Dinner: One or two slices of pizza (depending on the pizza) and a salad with light dressing
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I’m not yelling at everyone, just people who have trolled my previous posts suggesting I’m an idiot so sorry if I came across that way to others it’s just a couple I’m frustrated with. I know how to do mfp it’s the bit inside me that urges me to eat crap that I just wondered if other people had the same that’s all0
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Well, that's not necessarily true, unless you know what the OP's calorie goal is. (I don't). She might have it set too low. When I try to lose weight, I have to go pretty low-calorie, and it would be impossible for me to stay there for an extended period of time, so I have lots of techniques I use to help. She might be choosing some foods that make it really difficult for her to hit her calorie goal. We just don't have enough information to say whether it's a matter of her mindset or if she could benefit from making some changes to her plan.STLBADGIRL wrote: »sammyj19902015 wrote: »Also to add, I’m an all or nothing person so I struggle with the treating myself as I get hungry if I eat higher calorie meals so I either have to eat healthier or I binge because I’m starving. please give me some credit I’m not thick. So please don’t comment on here telling me to eat what I want but stay within my calories because for me it’s impossible!! Also those comments irritate me so if you don’t struggle with the angel and devil please don’t comment ...
Like, it's impossible for you to stay within your calories because you have really trained yourself to believe it's impossible. Actually, that's ridiculous to state, when there is evidence that IT IS possible. How about changing your mindset for starters or how about not asking for help if you are going to do what you wanna do anyway. "Impossible" lmaoooooo.
MFP set it all for me? I’m on 1200 a day
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sammyj19902015 wrote: »And where as I said to eat what I want and stay within calories.. as I stated, please tell me how I can eat pizza, chips ect and stay within the calorie limit because that really is impossible
As I said earlier, when I cut I have to go pretty low-calorie. But I'm also human, so I like pizza and chocolate, so I eat those things every week. Otherwise, I wouldn't be able to stay in my deficit. Here are some things I do:
1. I calorie-cycle, so I go lower than necessary on weekdays so I can go higher on weekends. (This might not be the best plan if you binge, though).
2. I keep low-calorie desserts on hand. I like slow-churned ice cream because it's lower-calorie, although a lot of people like things like Halo Top. 100-calorie snack packs and pudding cups are great too. I don't keep full bars of chocolate around, but I do keep individually-wrapped pieces.
3. I look for versions of meals I like that are lower calorie. The SkinnyTaste website is good for this. There's a chain called PizzaRev that just opened near my house that makes an individual pizza for about 500 calories, and so they get a lot of my money.
I think of dieting like budgeting: I can't necessarily buy EVERYTHING I want, but with some smart saving, I can pretty much buy anything I want. I can't eat pizza and chips and chocolate every day, but I eat some kind of dessert every day and I eat pizza nearly once a week.4
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