Do you deprive yourself of...??

"Deprive" implies something that may come back after my "diet" is done.

I have completely eliminated some foods (like soda) and I've found that doing so for surprisingly short amounts of time leads to me no longer desiring it, and in since cases (again, like soda) being repulsed by it. It feeds my body nothing I need, and it now tastes like malted battery acid. I cannot fathom how I ever desired it or wanted to consume it. The one exception being caffeinated root beer, which I do enjoy in small quantities 2-3 times a year, but too much of it makes me feel icky so it's self-regulating.

I have also cut back on other foods, but I find that the smaller quantities satisfy my cravings for them as much as larger quantities once did. So I don't feel deprived at all.

When I STARTED, I deprived myself a lot, but that was to force my body down to a more reasonable caloric intake.

I find if I deprive myself I will tend to binge and because I am denying my body what it craves. but if I eat one bite of something sweet I crave like the other day i ate a half a cookie I was satisfied with it. it's like anything eat in moderation.

Do you deprive yourself of all kinds of sweets and goodies all the time?? Or is it better to have occasionally in moderation even though I am trying to lose weight??

Each person is going to have a different outlook on this and find different paths to success.

I will say that calling it depriving yourself of something does not sound good. it sounds like doing something against your will, and as soon as you hit a goal you'll swing back to eating those things and gain the weight back. This is exactly why diets don't work.

Lifestyle changes do work. For me, that lifestyle change includes continuing to eat whatever I want with a heavy dose of moderation. Less of the unhealthy stuff, and keeping track of my calories. I don't plan cheat days as some people do. If I want to eat a cookie or bowl of ice cream, I have it and log the calories. Now that I see how those calories very quickly add up, I'm eating a lot less of that stuff.

Hurray Beer!

I can keep most treats around the house and only eat them when they fit in my calorie budget, which is quite often. There are a few things that, if they are in my reach, I will consume. I will still have those things when the occasion arises, but I won't keep them around the house.

When I first started this lifestyle change, I quit it cold turkey. No sweets, no soda. That was 88 pounds and 8 months ago. Now, I still don't drink soda, but if I want something during the week, it HAS to fit into my calories. I don't usually log on the weekends so if there is something I want, I have it (I still don't over eat...if I want a slice of pizza, I'll have one slice of pizza etc). I know, I know BAD...but I have yet to hit a plateu in 8 months and I'm losing consistently so do what works right? That being said, because I had some whoppers yesterday, I won't have anything like that today....even though I could really go for a mcflurry right now. I also do drink a few times a week and have yet to see my weightloss slow down. I know I'm lucky. Once my weight loss slows down, or stops, I will have to become strict again. Until then, I'm continuing what I'm doing becasue it seems to be working. I do think no one should deprive themselves of something or else they will overindulge and it won't be pretty.

I am a chocolate addict. I try to avoid it. But when a carving comes, I eat just s tiny bit, enough to satisfy my craving and then I stay away again.

See, this ^ is what I wish I could do LOL

Everything in moderation. While I am typically eating healthier, I do let myself have some of my favorite treats, but I stick with portion size, or try to find a "healthier" alternative. Like right now, I really really really want a Dutch Cocoa Archway cookie and they're on sale at my grocery store 10 for $10. I'm obviously not going to buy 10 packages, but I might buy one and allow myself a cookie here and there until the package is gone. I find if I'm craving something for a few days, I eat it and get it over with and move on.

If i have been eating sweets for some time i start getting addicted to it... so the next day ill be craving it again for sure ... if thats the case then YES i deny myself of it JUST because i think, i want to get off the addiction... it usually takes about 2-3 days for me to stop craving it and then i dont even want it unless i have it again just because, and then its on my head again :P

As long as I have the calories, I do indulge.

There should be no such thing as depriving yourself. This is life. Enjoy it. Scale it back. You can still enjoy it

I try not to deprive myself of anything. I have cut out soda and ranch dressing completely though. That's not necessarily because I had to, but more because after eating more healthy and controlling my calories, I don't like them anymore. I'd rather save the calories / sugar / sodium / fat / etc. for other things I like a lot more and that fill me up better. I've tried treating myself to a soda a few times since I gave it up, but it's just gross to me and I choke on it. lol

I don't think you should give up anything, especially if you really love it. There is nothing wrong with enjoying food, it's actually really nice imo to treat myself at the end of a hard week with a nice dinner or night out with ice cream and a burger. Or just having a hearty family meal at home without skimping on any of the good stuff! hehe. Just make room for it when you can, and if you have to, make your other meals throughout the day lighter on the calories.

I can't have it in the house. I messed up yesterday and made Cake Batter Buddies (corn chex covered with melted white chocolate tossed with dry cake mix), then I figured out the calories after I had already eaten way too much of it. I messed up big time and had to ride the stationary bike for over an hour last night to even make a dent in the calories. It's just easier not to have it in the house.

I had no problem though the other day going into the frozen yogurt shop and making good choices, so something small as a little treat seems to help the sweet craving.