I’m so done with this.

zach_duden
zach_duden Posts: 30 Member
edited November 2024 in Introduce Yourself
I can’t do this up and down anymore.

One day I’m feeling great! I go to the gym, eat healthy (for the most part), log all of my food in MyFitnessPal, stay under my calorie goal - I feel on top of the world!

That usually lasts a day. Maybe two.

Then I’m right back to eating all junk food again. Ice cream. So much goddamn ice cream. I stop logging my food because I feel like at this point, it doesn’t even matter. I stop going to the gym. I stop walking. I stop trying. Then depression kicks in and I’m right back to where I started.

Ugh.

I feel like I’m lost. I feel like at this point I’ve tried everything. I’ve done the “just start slow” and cutting everything out all at once. It’s just not working. I’ve tried the weight loss “fad diets.” None of them stick.

I’m addicted to fast food and I don’t know how to break the habit. I bring my lunch to work, the suddenly I get one little tiny thought in my mind about fast food, and the next thing I know, I’m at the drive-thru window at McDonald’s.

I just can’t do this anymore.
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Replies

  • moogie_fit
    moogie_fit Posts: 280 Member
    What's your calorie goal like. Your binge eating sounds like it is diet induced. I would start by just tracking what you eat in general and go from there. Basically, anything that goes in your mouth gets logged.

    Some people do better with pen and paper. I had a journal for a food diary for years before MFP.

    After you get a baseline of how much your eating, whether or not it's successfully dieting or not, then you can start to make healthy changes.
  • SimplementeSM
    SimplementeSM Posts: 41 Member
    Been there! The thing that helped me the most is realizing that I won't be in control of what I crave, but I can be in charge. And if I decide McDonald's is happening, then that's okay. I recommend reading Eat What You Love, Love What You Eat by Michelle May. It helped me change my mindset about food and eating.
  • solieco1
    solieco1 Posts: 1,559 Member
    I know this sounds dramatic but perhaps leave all money at home a day or two? If it's impossible to spend anything you can't buy anything. Maybe a week of no fast food would help get you on the right trajectory?

    Perhaps take what you save and put in a jar for something you really want.

    Alternatively, log McD etc at the beginning of the day and just work it in. There don't have to be off limit foods.

    Rule #1 - be kind to yourself
  • zach_duden
    zach_duden Posts: 30 Member
    My calorie goal set automatically by MFP is 2,300. I’m trying to stay below that, if possible below 2,000. I’m 300 pounds. I like what I eat when I’m eating healthy (ie. fruits, ham sandwiches, lots of grilled chicken, eggs, pb2, etc.) but it’s just like I can’t stick with it. I’ve tracked my daily, normal day food before. Not good at all. Over 4,000 calories. It makes me cringe even typing that. I go to the gym, but then the next day I sleep in. I know I’m lazy. I need to kick myself in the *kitten*. But I feel like I’ve been there, done that 1,000 times.
  • nrtauthor
    nrtauthor Posts: 159 Member
    zach_duden wrote: »
    I can’t do this up and down anymore.

    One day I’m feeling great! I go to the gym, eat healthy (for the most part), log all of my food in MyFitnessPal, stay under my calorie goal - I feel on top of the world!

    That usually lasts a day. Maybe two.

    Then I’m right back to eating all junk food again. Ice cream. So much goddamn ice cream. I stop logging my food because I feel like at this point, it doesn’t even matter. I stop going to the gym. I stop walking. I stop trying. Then depression kicks in and I’m right back to where I started.

    Ugh.

    I feel like I’m lost. I feel like at this point I’ve tried everything. I’ve done the “just start slow” and cutting everything out all at once. It’s just not working. I’ve tried the weight loss “fad diets.” None of them stick.

    I’m addicted to fast food and I don’t know how to break the habit. I bring my lunch to work, the suddenly I get one little tiny thought in my mind about fast food, and the next thing I know, I’m at the drive-thru window at McDonald’s.

    I just can’t do this anymore.

    On top of all the great advice everyone has given I would suggest you also find a motivational partner. Someone to be accountable to that is other than yourself. That might help? Has to be someone offline not online.

    Also, you CAN do this. You are stronger than your weakness.

    <3
  • WhitneyRena
    WhitneyRena Posts: 4 Member
    This is so me. You are not alone!
  • kylecdenton
    kylecdenton Posts: 4 Member
    Take a little time, do a little research, and figure out what the healthier options are. Once you get in the groove it’s usually a bit easier to no have those cravings, but for now if you go to what you know because it’s easy, make healthy options easy fast food options. What else is around you? You can still have fast food but know the healthy options. I’m lucky to be in a downtown setting and had those same cravings today to go get some fast food but I pulled out my phone and ordered a jimmy johns no-bread sandwich.
  • iowalinda
    iowalinda Posts: 357 Member
    edited August 2018
    Start by making small changes that will move you toward your goal. It doesn't have to be all or nothing. Don't bring home food you don't want to eat. So, if ice cream triggers a binge, don't bring it in the house. Don't try to eat certain food just because you think it will be healthier for you - instead make your choices from foods you really like :) Celebrate your successes. Don't give up and you will get there. Wishing you all the best. I know you can do it :)
  • goingwithgrace
    goingwithgrace Posts: 109 Member
    You have to cut back gradually or it feels like a punishment - deprivation. Start with replacing high calorie things with lower. For example, instead of Ranch dressing at 100 calories per serving, go Bolthouse Farms Ranch made from Greek Yogurt at 35 calories per serving. My trick for McDonalds --- if the craving hits, get the Happy Meal. It's the tiny french fry, get a hamburger no cheese, get the apple slices and an unsweetened tea or Diet Coke. And it's not easy. I was overweight a very long time, lost 70 pounds, have gained back almost 15 in less than a year, I feel like I'm losing grip on the eating and workouts have gone spotty. It's a lifetime gig, but each day is new! Yesterday I destroyed my calories, today just starting over. And remember the calorie deficit is by the week. So one bad day can be managed by a new day of better choices and a little exercise. My biggest advice, look at why you eat. Emotional? Bored? Addiction to sugar? Etc. That fast food run desire at work may be you're stressed out, you know the fat/salt will feel good but really you might need to go for a walk for 15 minutes. Clear your head, meditate. Go drive and listen to some music. Eat in a park. Really examining the why helps with the decision making.
  • goingwithgrace
    goingwithgrace Posts: 109 Member
    Oh and if ice cream is your vice - check out Enlightened Ice Cream (or Halo Top). Both hit the spot and help! Low on the calorie scale. :)
  • JustaJoe00
    JustaJoe00 Posts: 777 Member
    Lots of great thoughts from everyone here. You can do this!
  • bufger
    bufger Posts: 763 Member
    If your MFP weight loss calories is 2300 then do not go under that! It's not a race. It also means your maintenance calories are 2700. What helps me is this:

    If I'm having a good day and I feel motivated I eat at my MFP calories.
    If I'm having a bad day and I don't feel motivated I eat at maintenance.
    If I'm having a planned wild weekend I'll eat without logging but I'll make sure the rest of the week I'm on target.

    Put some small rules in place for yourself. The only successful journey is an achievable one.
  • mjrc2
    mjrc2 Posts: 121 Member
    solieco1 wrote: »
    I know this sounds dramatic but perhaps leave all money at home a day or two? If it's impossible to spend anything you can't buy anything. Maybe a week of no fast food would help get you on the right trajectory?

    Perhaps take what you save and put in a jar for something you really want.

    Alternatively, log McD etc at the beginning of the day and just work it in. There don't have to be off limit foods.

    Rule #1 - be kind to yourself

    I do exactly that-I do not bring any money with me to work-that way I usually stay away from junk. Sometimes I will plan a calorie splurge. Glad to know others so this too.
    @zach_duden you are not alone, and everyone is giving you great advice. Be kind to yourself, and figure out what works for you. Remember that everyone is different. I cannot stand to feel restricted, so I am focusing on lifestyle changes. I am trying to find habits and things I like that WILL STICK. If I eat poorly, I do not beat myself up, I just move on! I also have a passion for food science. Learning about how food is made, knowing where the meat( loosely used term here) comes from helps me make better choices. I have found that educating myself has really helped me say no to a lot of junk food. This approach is working for me. Feel free to add me. My diary is open to friends.
  • TheAnxiousPineapple
    TheAnxiousPineapple Posts: 18 Member
    Sorry you are going through this; I can completely relate. I feel like i could have written this post myself!

    I don't know that i have some infinite wisdom to bestow upon you (wish i did) but I can tell you that for me, I need to constantly remind myself that this is an isolated moment in time and you won't always feel this way. Then, in an attempt to not beat myself up which only makes the situation worse, i try to add something positive into my life to take up space and push the negative out.

    Can you take a different route home so you don't pass that McDonald's? Try to break the habit/cycle that your brain can used to with bad behaviors

    Can you bring a journal to work and write for a few minutes before you turn your car on to go home at the end of the day? Not being present is a huge component of binge eating (so my therapist says)

    Can you change up your meals or workout? (are you binges related to boredom and you need some spice in your life?)

    Whatever works for you, do it and know that you are 100% NOT alone and that you will 100% NOT feel this way forever and we are all 100% HERE for you!
  • JeromeBarry1
    JeromeBarry1 Posts: 10,179 Member
    You appear to be young, in the mid-20's. What's your schedule? Job? School? Have you any family obligations?

    McDonalds can be part of a healthy life. The McChicken and side salad is still about $2 and under 400 calories. Ditch the salad dressing.
  • CharlieBeansmomTracey
    CharlieBeansmomTracey Posts: 7,682 Member
    let me just say that I have been at my weight loss journey for about 5 years. in which time I have only lost a little less than half my weight(I lost 44 lbs of the 70 I need to lose). I have taken diet breaks every so often over that time. I havent given up yet and usually Im one that sees if something isnt working I give up. I eat what I want in moderation and make it fit into my calories. some days I do go over like today(but didnt log all of it my bad) but I get myself back on track as best as I can and keep myelf going why? because I tell myself that I dont want to start out back at square 1 and be back to the size I was,out of breath doing simple tasks and having all that fat hindering my movement and causing me health issues in the long run. when I started out I was 209 lbs. obese for my 5'6 1/2 frame. I was eating more than 2000 calories and IM female. I was sedentary.

    I dont believe in being too strict with my diet but I try to reach my protein and carb limits as for me I have to do a low fat,low cholesterol high fiber diet due to a health issue. I try and make some snacks fit but try to eat "healthier" foods throughout the day. if I had to cut out the foods I love the most I would have never lasted this long. I lost weight too because I was in a deficit and I lost a lot of fat. more fat than weight to be honest.right now Im maintaining my weight because I had stopped losing weight for some weird reason so I am doing a recomp. Im still losing fat but my weight is remaining steady and its working for me. You have to want to lose the weight and once you do you will realize how much better you feel,how much easier it is to do things

    I had taco bell last night but the hours before I made sure to make healthier choices. so try to eat better choices and make one meal fast food every so often. I only eat fast food twice a month, rarely is it more. I eat other things I like but I make it fit into my calorie goal so I dont feel deprived either. its worked for me and has worked for many others here as well.
  • CharlieBeansmomTracey
    CharlieBeansmomTracey Posts: 7,682 Member
    TotoBani2019 wrote: »
    Sugar is addictive and causes depression after about 1 hour of eating it because of the insulin spikes. I would highly suggest to try a keto diet and I promise your cravings will go away. just be strong and follow it for at least 2 weeks, once you re program your body to use fat for fuel instead of glucose.

    your body burns fat in a deficit no matter how you eat. insulin can spike from eating protein as well. if a person doesnt have insulin issues they dont need to avoid sugar. keto is not any better than any other diet out there for weight loss. its good for those with IR,type 2,pcos and epilepsy but the fat you burn in keto is dietary fat.
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  • SelenaMariaStewart
    SelenaMariaStewart Posts: 112 Member
    Honestly? I found quitting calorie heavy foods harder than quitting smoking. I've been quit almost a year but I still struggle with my food choices, because honestly it's like an addiction to food for me. I totally get where you are coming from, that little though creeps into your head then BOOM its all you can think about and you are completely unable to stop it, so you satisfy it. You have to get your head thinking differently. I couldn't do it slowly, honestly. It took me 100000 times of cold turkey but eventually it stuck and I broke the "habit" of bad eating. I still have days where I don't make the best choices here and there, but I'm at a point where I can shrug it off and just keep going. We can try and motivate you as best we can and give you ideas and thoughts, but in the end, it boils down to your own intrinsic motivation. You CAN do this, you just have to let yourself do it.
  • ceiswyn
    ceiswyn Posts: 2,256 Member
    Why don’t you just allow for the odd McDonalds in your calories?

    The key to success is not in giving up things you really like, inevitably failing, and then beating yourself up. The key to success is figuring how to fit what you’re craving into your calorie allowance.

    And frankly, if I managed to fit pizza into 1200, you can easily fit McDonalds into 2300.
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