The moment of DECISION - what do you do?

maybe a reward at the end of the week for being good

A nice NON Food related reward works better for me.

Whether it is a sugar free fat free latte, or a new pair of shoes, or a bouquet of flowers for yourself... just something that makes you feel good and special.

Give yourself things to look forward to to stay motivated and strong.

Another motivator I am trying out is I put a dollar or five dollars in a jar for every pound I lose or mini goal I hit and then when I meet my big goal I plan to go splurge with my skinnier me savings!

~Rachael :bigsmile:

All these ideas are good. YOu have to decide what motivates You? Everyone is different. Remeber every time you try a strategy you learn from each experience on what works for you. For me after a long day with the kids I cook dinner but then when my hubby gets home I get on the trampoline, swim or walk the dog and drink some water. In the tough situations I reach for sugarfree candy or try for a healthy substitute. If they go to a Chillis I order a salad and chicken breast. Just be creative and read books that teach you about fats, proteins, and carbs and stick with the plan. When you break it get back on the horse and try what works.




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Is it wrong that this post makes me want to RUN to the nearest Timmy's?

Honstly, I just think "will this help me?" And every now and then I'll "pinch an inch" around my middle. It generally makes me disgusted with myself so I don't give in.

I would avoid the temptation by not going to Timmy's at all. After work is a prime time to overdo. Get home quick and have some peanut butter and cerery. The reward for me is not to have to struggle with "no" at a time when I would be so tempted to overdo.

I know this isn't really the answer you are looking for, but I just ignore those things. I make a meal plan out the night before generally, and if something isn't on my plan, I don't eat it. It makes me think twice about snacking when I think that that donut/cookie/muffin could cut into my dinner and make it so I can't have that critical piece of the meal that I want (like a serving of rice or a piece of bread).

It's not to say that I don't give in to snacking, I just think about it more. Many times, the snack isn't worth the calories to me. Yeah, that donut was good for the whole 30 seconds I was eating it, but now I'm hungrier than I was before and I can't have a snack later. Just think it out, and many times you will decide against it! :flowerforyou:

As far as the coffee goes, get a skinny pumpkin spice latte. Or get a sugar packet and sweeten it yourself so you can control how much sugar is in it. Just look away from those other treats! :laugh:

I try to keep in mind the big picture - the final goal. I ask myself what is more important - eating that one thing that will last for a brief moment - or reaching the goals for my health.

I try to keep focused on the goal.

Wow, some great ideas. If I really needed a sweet pumpkin fix (this time of year its hard) I would get a non fat pumpkin latte. It has way less bad stuff in it than the donuts (the donuts have 300 cal and 11 g of fat....)

I am addicted to starbucks, and I found the non fat carmel macciato tastes the same, so I feel less guilt if I splurge. No more brownies, but I can have my special coffee treat and not be too bad on my diet. I also use it only as a reward now, and that makes them even better!

How do you make the meal plan? I tried something like that but not sure how it works? I plan meals in my head or pack my salad but no plan..:grumble:


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I just mean that on my food diary I go to the next day and just enter in all my food that I am going to eat that next day. That makes my day a lot simpler so I'm not thinking about food all day, and I am sure that I will not go over!

Those things don't tempt me but I also feel very hungry when I get home from work, even though I try to have a good, filling lunch. For me that's a time where I really need to exercise self control and go for a healthy snack. Sometimes I find if I have to make it first, by the time it's done I'm not as hungry anymore so I believe it's more habit than real hunger.

If Timmy's is your downfall, try to avoid it and save it for special occasions when you know you can afford the calories.