Welcome to Debate Club! Please be aware that this is a space for respectful debate, and that your ideas will be challenged here. Please remember to critique the argument, not the author.
We are pleased to announce that as of March 4, 2025, an updated Rich Text Editor has been introduced in the MyFitnessPal Community. To learn more about the changes, please click here. We look forward to sharing this new feature with you!

Cold Turkey for everything, or ...

drscotlieser
drscotlieser Posts: 1 Member
in Debate Club

What if one has multiple health, fitness adjustments that need to me made in addition to the standard working out and eating. For example nicotine and cannabiis. Ill leave out harder drugs because thats its own war, but still things that need to be overcome also.

All at once, cold turkey ?!

Are we making a single yes/no decision and then beyond that decision, we are at the gym, at night cutting and eating veggies and chicken breast, quit chewing tobacco, any unhealthy habits and go to purity in one day ?

or do we allow ourselves a little mercy, but at that risk that we knowingly take advantage of mercy, especially when given to ourselves?

Replies

  • sollyn23l2
    sollyn23l2 Posts: 1,917 Member

    In that case, I would focus on cutting out all the substances first. And I do mean all of them, if you're trying to improve health. Once you have cut those out, then look at your diet. Why would you go to chicken broccoli and rice? There is a whole world of food that I think you'll need to explore. Vegetables, fruits, meat, whole grain. You can eat them all. Just move away from the ultraprocessed foods like doritos, chips, the like. Then I would look at it and say " you know what, I'm going to start doing SOME (any) kind of movement activity once a week.

    Remember.... close your eyes and think of where you want your body to be. Then just try to get halfway there. You may never get the whole way, but halfway is better than zero.

  • age_is_just_a_number
    age_is_just_a_number Posts: 732 Member

    This is a very personal question. Generally speaking, you'll find in this community we advocate for making one small sustainable change at a time, then every few weeks (or once that first new habit is formed) then add another small sustainable change. Having said that, there are plenty of examples in this community of people who have made 180 degree turn arounds in their life overnight and have been successful.

    Only you know whether you can sustain a complete turn around overnight. The fact that you have asked this question, makes me think that you are not sure whether you could sustain a complete turn around.

    Both approaches are hard in different ways. You need to chose your hard.

    Either way, addiction is a real disease and you may be best to seek medical and/or social support. You've made a great first step by joining MFP and this community. We are here to support each other.

  • yakkystuff
    yakkystuff Posts: 174 Member

    Depends. Db did both at NY's with his wife, they are both doing well.

    I couldn't despite many attempts to do both, so chose substance 1st, food after.

  • AnnPT77
    AnnPT77 Posts: 35,618 Member

    Varies individually.

    Generally, I'd personally recommend starting with whatever's easiest, because success feels empowering and tends to lead to more success IMO, but YMMV.

    Some people do better cold turkey, some do better tapering off. I personally don't feel all of the things mentioned by all participants in this thread need to be totally eliminated in all cases, either.

    Hard drugs, sure. Foods or drugs contraindicated by health conditions or seriously bad interactions with other drugs, sure.

    So called bad foods? Maybe not necessarily to eliminate completely. I have a bag of Doritos in the house right now. If I get in all my nutritional targets and have calories left, I don't think a moderate serving of Doritos wipes out the earlier nutrition, personally. Orthorexia is also a risk, on the mental health side of things.

    In most case, I do better evolving my habits, rather than making changes cold turkey. Other people will differ. Knowing our own personal strengths, preferences, and challenges is useful. I think personalization of tactics - within reason - is key to success.

  • yakkystuff
    yakkystuff Posts: 174 Member

    Regarding food, my only parameter there is to stop overeating. Anything less is bonus.

    I was unable to do that at the same time as other things, so I tackle 1 major at a time.

    Other people seem to be able to do several.

    But I think a major factor for anything is start, stop, restart, stop... it can be a real overcoming/learning process to leave off harmful things permanently.

    All indivudual, I think. Depends on goals, history, severity, whatnot.

    When it comes to being hooked on something, it is important to change that and it may take multiple attempts.

    There just is no 1 size fits all for these things. So, not really a debate in my mind.

    jmho

  • SafariGalNYC
    SafariGalNYC Posts: 1,873 Member
    edited March 14

    Personal choice- everyone is different.
    Make the decision that is going to accrue the most progress long term.

    I like my Turkey cold. If I have a goal, I’m all in.



  • cmriverside
    cmriverside Posts: 34,474 Member
    edited March 14

    I think most of the people who have posted already are able to do cookies, drugs, and alcohol in moderation.

    That isn't the case for many of the rest of us.

    I went with Never Again on the drugs - all of them, including nicotine. Also, you don't mention alcohol but if that is something you use, I'd go Cold Turkey on that too. A few drinks for someone with addictive behaviors and suddenly weed and blow sounds like a terrific idea, right? Same with any other addictions you have - porn, gambling, sex, shopping, etc. Cold Turkey.

    The brain can't heal with intermittent use. It needs to break free of those neural pathways and establish new healthier ones.

    Then I agree with sollyn above. Food isn't just about chicken and broccoli. . .and it's not nearly as dangerous as any of the other drugs I mentioned. If you're 300plus pounds, then maybe get some help with a Dietician but it doesn't have to be miserable or punitive. Same with exercise. 30-45 minutes five days a week at something you enjoy is enough.

    As far as mercy, I leave that to God. I do my best and that's all any of us have. I don't like to fail at things though, and it does make it harder in the long run if I give myself too many outs.

Categories