Not always happy to be dieting

madison5302 · January 2012

I am counting calories and doing more exercise during the winter because I have put on about 10 pounds in the last two years. I hate the weight and I hate the extra chore of counting calories.
Now maybe you are one of those sunny people who never go over calories and find joy in eating carrots. This post isn't aimed at you.
I want to talk to the people who want to fill up on tortilla chips and salsa but don't. Anyone out there want to drink juice not water just because juice is WAY better tasting? Perhaps you like flour-less chocolate cake. I do.
I'm doing okay here, about a pound a week. I'll make my goal. Even at my top weight I didn't indulge a lot, but I always wanted to.
Sure, fat free items are pretty good and veggies make me healthy. I'm just fighting cravings ALL THE TIME.
Is anyone feeling the same?

Figuringoutme · January 2012

yes. I'm working on it. I am trying to incorporate things in my life. i got snackwell chocolate cookies but there are the 130 calories packs. Also got chex party mix type 100 calorie packs.

we have to do things that work

ajbeans · January 2012

I don't know... yes and no, I guess. I've never been one to deny myself what I enjoy. But I've discovered that when I eat healthier, I feel better in general, so I don't crave cake and juice and stuff like that nearly as often. When I do crave it, I have some.

I guess I've never seen this as a goal to reach. I wanted to lose 30 pounds, but more than that, I didn't ever want to gain it back. I know it's not realistic for me to ever order a pizza and have just one slice -- so when I order pizza, if I want half of it, I eat half of it. No big deal. I just try not to do that kind of thing every day. The whole "it's not a diet, it's a lifestyle change" thing is so trite and kind of annoying, but it's also true for me. I refuse to stop eating the things I enjoy. I've just learned to enjoy a wider variety of things, and when I do have something that's not the healthiest, I log it, and try to space those days out so I'm not eating all junk all the time like I used to.

MichelleV1990 · January 2012

Yes, I have a problem with self control at times...we all do, otherwise we wouldn't need a website like this one! I'm not a success story yet, but I do know that you have to treat yourself to something you really enjoy at least once a week, or you'll go crazy. I remember when I was in my late thirties and needed to lose about 30 pounds. I never ate breakfast before, but knew it was necessary to jump start my metabolism. I began to eat either a piece of fresh fruit, or a granola bar for breakfast, increased my water intake, had cottage cheese and radishes for lunch, a regular dinner (smaller portions than usual) and cut out soda pop. I also ate my favorite candy bar once a week, and went for walks almost every night. Just by making these few changes, I dropped 25 pounds in one month. The key is to increase your activity, don't overindulge, , and treat yourself once a week. It also helps to have a group of friends or coworkers to exercise with. My coworkers and I all bought Leslie Sansone's Walk Thin dvds. She has different levels of intensity, and you can get them in 2, 4, or 5 mile videos. Don't think of this as a diet...think of this as taking steps to a new you! Good luck!

karoline8 · January 2012

I'm right there with you! I have a huge sugar problem, and I've found that the more I eat the more I want. I try to factor in some kind of small (150 calorie) sweet treat on most days, whether it's Greek yogurt with a fruit topping or dark chocolate. If you're craving juice or sugary drinks, try using Mio in your water. The Fruit Punch and Berry Pomegranate flavors taste like Kool-Aid and can trick your brain into thinking that you're drinking something "bad." Sometimes satisfying that craving a little bit (or even pretending to) can do a lot when you feel like you're depriving yourself.

madison5302 · January 2012

I'll try the Milo. Good tip.

karoline8 · January 2012

Very good point about not telling yourself it's a diet. My fiancee (who is also losing weight) and I keep telling ourselves "It's not a diet, it's a lifestyle change." After a year of MFP I'm still about 10 pounds away from my goal weight, but this is the smallest and most in shape I've ever been. Seeing my new body in smaller clothes and what it can do in the gym makes days of logging my food seem worth it.

strawberry626 · January 2012

i am constantly wanting something! i am also doing weight watchers so i have to be extra good with my dieting...today i knew i would be having cravings (bc i have been terribly the past few days) so i bought a bag of skittles and a bag of my favorite chips...i seperated each into very small portions. that way i can still have what i crave but not over indulge...i know with me sometimes i just want the taste of the food. So far i have had only four chips and i was actually satisfied with that!!!! amazing to me. Maybe try letting yourself have what you want but tell yourself you can only have THIS much. oh and i have had one skittle...lol.

bcattoes · January 2012

I actually like plain water and drink it occasionally, but I drink tea most of the time because it tastes better and it has antioxidants that are good for me so it seems better than water to me. Plus, caffeine provides a brief rise in metabolism.

I'm not much of a sweets person but yes I get cravings. Sometimes I ignore them, sometimes I give in (if it's been a while since I splurged) but most often I simply make a healthy version of what I'm craving. This is, of course, easier when the cravings are not for sweets.

I eat chips and salsa quite a bit though. Salsa is extremely low calorie and tortilla chips aren't much more than many other snacks. I think it's a good veggie snack as long as you don't ovedo it.

Not always happy to be dieting

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