No self control HELP!

vdubmomma
vdubmomma Posts: 56
edited October 1 in Motivation and Support
Ok so I am sure you will all just say its all in my head, but I just don't have any self control any more! I used to be able to resist candy and crap like that but now if I say wait to long after work to workout and run out of time I say screw it and start eating crap. LIke snacking, eating cheese, bread, whatever! Then I eat while I cook so by the time dinner is done I am not hungry but its sooo yummy I still have a plate. Then I am overly full and feel gross cause I ate so much and didn't workout (like last night). So what do you all do to help with your self control! I really could use it otherwise I don't see me loosing anything! Thanks!!

:ohwell:

Replies

  • DonnaLFitz
    DonnaLFitz Posts: 270 Member
    Don't buy candy and crap and keep it in the house.
    Fix a package of Smart Pop popcorn to eat while you cook dinner, or have just before cooking. The popcorn will fill you up and the entire package (Smart Pop variety only!) has only 120 calories or so.
    Fix only healthy stuff for your family -- they deserve it too!
  • Alisha_countrymama
    Alisha_countrymama Posts: 821 Member
    I would have insane cravings when I was doing low calorie low fat diets....I couldn't seem to stick to it...I realized it was all the carbs I was eating.

    I am now doing Atkins. Have been doing it for 7 months and have lost 70 pounds. I feel in control of my eating and have said goodbye to all those cravings. It feels wonderful to be free!! :)
  • catherine1979
    catherine1979 Posts: 704 Member
    I agree with Donna, of you don't keep junk in the house you can't eat it. I also like to get my exercise in the morning, that way I spend the rest of the day eating mindfully because I don't want to ruin the good work I've already done. Good luck, it is a challenge for sure.
  • Pril2000
    Pril2000 Posts: 254 Member
    bump

    Me too!

    I successfully lost down to within a couple of pounds of my goal weight, maintained it for a couple of months and now can't seem to keep myself from eating those things that I used to pass by without a second thought. I've gained 3-4 lbs in that last 2 months, and I can't seem to get myself back under control. I'd like to see if other people have experienced this and how they handle it.

    This is the first time I've ever tried to lose weight. It wasn't really hard to do, it just took some time to do it. Now, I can't really understand why I'm doing this to myself when I know exactly how not to gain weight. It's bizarre. And no, I didn't have a super restrictive diet. I ate what I wanted and just worked in exercise or planned around it. So it's not a question of just "letting loose" or something after a long time of not having anything tasty.
  • Chunkabutt83
    Chunkabutt83 Posts: 461
    i try to never keep bad foods in the house but if you have chips and etc, bag them into individual serving sizes so its easier to not overeat if your craving it. I also chew gum while i cook, it makes it a lot easier not to taste the food, doesnt taste very good with gum!
  • ambercholtz
    ambercholtz Posts: 84 Member
    http://www.naturopathyworks.com/pages/cravings.php

    This site may help you understand why you are craving what you are and will also show you what you are lacking in your diet. Hope it helps.
  • aphillips8180
    aphillips8180 Posts: 77 Member
    I really have a hard time with this too. What I try to do is just constantly try to be aware of what I'm putting in my body. I always have fruit, veggies, and even 100 calorie packs of things I keep in my car for those times when I just CAN'T wait for dinnertime. Also, I munch throughout cooking dinner as well but I try to only munch on stuff like the veggies I'm making. Lastly, the biggest thing for me lately (especially when I binge on crap) is that (since I'm being so aware of what I eat) I've noticed that halfway through dinner or halfway through a bag on m&ms they don't even really taste good anymore. I'm just eating it. And that's when I stop... or try to anyway. If it's something healthy, I'll bag it up and eat the rest some other time. If it's unhealthy (as much as I hate to waste food) I throw it away. Hope this helps!
  • Snakey74
    Snakey74 Posts: 276 Member
    Tell me about it. I have had little self control for 37 years. I have failed at every diet I have ever done. The thing is...we're only cheating ourselves.
    For one, don't beat yourself up about it. It happened, be accountable for EVERY SINGLE THING that you put in your mouth and chart it in your food diary. If reading your food diary after that day makes you upset, then keep going back to reading that entry every time you want to give up. Realize your mistake, then move on to a new day.

    It gets better. My saving grace has been drinking water, believe it or not. I drank nothing but diet soda every single day, sometimes 8-10 cans of it a day! Now I hardly have one a day. Drink some water while cooking, or munch cucumbers or carrots. You can even bring your iPod or radio into the kitchen and sing as you cook...heck, it keeps your mouth busy! ;) Part of doing this is breaking bad habits, right?

    Stop and think about why you're here on MFP and why you're trying to do this. You are the person that wants this, right? Unfortunately you're the only person that can do it...all we can do is support you...and we know you can do it! So dig deep, find your resolve, hang pictures of who or what you're getting healthier for...do whatever you have to do. There are no easy buckets in this. You're going to have to work for every pound you lose...but you know deep down that you deserve to be healthier...for yourself and everyone that loves you.

    If you need encouragement, add me. I have plenty to give you! YOU CAN DO THIS! :)
  • dbroomy
    dbroomy Posts: 17 Member
    Its all ups and downs. It would be great if we could just flip the switch and turn off our cravings.


    Your will power will come back
    You will win the struggle to resist eating bad (you will lose sometime, but hopefully win more)

    Don't worry about yesterday, just keep remember how good you feel when you do lose the weight.

    For me this site helps cause I like to see how I'm reaching my goals daily. You just have to find that thing that keeps you motivated.

    Good luck.
  • allymorin
    allymorin Posts: 33
    i know i have no self-control either.. i always lose five pounds and gain it all back. i guess these are the beginning stages..i hope some day i'll master this.
  • NorthernCally
    NorthernCally Posts: 50
    I have just started to develop better self-control, and it's been many years in the making. I am a junk food junkie, an obsessive eater, a binge eater, an emotional eater....and, so what? I also like healthy food, like fruits and vegetables, lean meat, and whole grains. Even more than a chocolate bar, I like wearing nice clothes. Not having to chew antacids, or stay up all night long to avoid acid indigestion, is better than any baked good. Being able to sit comfortably in a restaurant booth (or in a stall in a ladies room) is more important to me than having seconds (or thirds?) at an all-you-can-eat buffet. But, most of all, not getting heart disease, or becoming diabetic (as my parents, their siblings and my husband are) and having doctors and medicine place restrictions on me is m u c h more important than any restrictions I place on myself to lose weight. If you have kids or friends, you have great motivation to eat in a more healthy way, but if you have a mirror, that has to be the greatest motivation you have! Trust me, when you have had to call an ambulance for a loved one with low blood sugar, who cannot speak clearly or even really understand what's going on, it leaves an impression on you.

    Those are the things I try concentrate on, when I find myself back-sliding. What helps me with cravings? Having healthy (or healthier) snacks on hand. I eat apples, drink more hot tea (since I don't like ice water as much, once the weather starts to get a little cooler). That way, I still get (most of) my water intake in. I keep pistachios (or almonds, healthy trail mix) in the house. I do eat chocolate bars, sometimes. But, it's usually dark chocolate. I'll get a king size Hershey's Special Dark Chocolate bar, break it into quarters, and try to have only one a day. At mealtime, I get a smaller plate and eat slower. I know it sounds silly, but it honestly does help. I don't mean make I two tablespoons of food, and make it last for half an hour! But, if you usually use a dinner plate, take a sandwich plate. (For heavy meals, the ones I usually fill up on, like pasta or nachos, I use a dessert plate.) Put down your fork between bites, take smaller bites of food. Hold a conversation during the meal. Give your body time to realise it's full. I started doing this a few months ago, and now it's second-nature to grab the smaller plate. Plus, it leaves a little extra for left-overs, and if you're like me, you don't have to worry so much about acid indigestion.

    Didn't mean to write an essay, but I hope it helps!
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