Why can't I let go of Mcdonalds?

Btw... I just want to say.. when I have the Double Cheeseburger...
I usually keep it in my cals.
I guess I just feel bad that I'm eating this crap in the 1st place... esp with how far I've come ... giving up MOST fast food.
I hate that this place seems to be holding me ... when its not even my fav fast food!?!?! I've given up Nacho Bell Grande LOL... Why can't I give up this?!?! lol

The only reason I see for you to give it up is how bad you're feeling about it. Otherwise, it's just a choice to budget your calories to allow yourself a food you enjoy. The Nacho Bell Grande is 760 cals, according to the Taco Bell website. Maybe you should just pick a day to exercise like crazy and go ahead and get your favorite thing, instead of beating yourself up over a poor substitution.

Personally, I used to be addicted to their fish sandwiches. Although at first blush, it seems like a healthy choice, alas, it isn't. But I won't deny myself that treat every now and then, if the craving arises.

Its only once a week. Your still losing weight and getting healthy right? Then there's literally like no point worrying about one double cheeseburger, at least your not binging and eating like 5000 calories 3 times a week like I am ;/

It could be sugar. Seriously. Almost everything from McDonalds has a ton of uber-refined sugar in it, especially the cheese and the breads. Sugar can be addictive, and cause cravings. Maybe the next time you are jonesin' for some Golden Arches, have a piece of dark chocolate.

I think the biggest thing that has improved my gains has been cutting out fast food. Every sunday I used to crush 5 Guys, and the next couple days I would be MUCH harder to eat right again. Haven't had it in 4 months. Don't even miss it now.

I think it is pyschological. This is you holding onto some part of your old bad habit, versus fully embracing a new lifestyle. I say this because it makes you feel bad after...makes you feel guilty. So it is not even a guilty pleasure. Like I love ice cream, and if I have some, I enjoy it and work out more that day or the next. I don't feel bad about it.

You are losing about 3 lbs a month. to reach your goal you need about another 15 months. In every other way you have improved your eating.

So what is worth more? Reaching your goal or the double cheeseburger?

Caveat: I dont think a once in awhile splurge is bad, but a weekly trip to McDs is a mess waiting to happen. All you need is one bad day, stress etc, and that order will be out of control. Slippery slope.

I know how you feel. I am addicted to the large Cokes. Its like a drug.

I know how you feel. I am addicted to the large Cokes. Its like a drug.

It is like a drug, when I gave up soda I had actual withdrawal symptoms from it. (Headaches, cravings, irritability, ect). I realize it was from the corn syrup, so I try to avoid anything that has high fructose corn syrup in it now because if I have a single taste then just like a crackhead all I want is to eat or drink are things that contain corn syrup.

Your feeling like crap and unsatisfied will eventually kick in and you will finally know its not worth it. Just hang in there because tomorrow is another day. Oh, water, water, water - that's what I do if I'm still hungry and it does work. :ohwell:

Yeah, maybe it has fillers and preservatives, but so what? The media blows preservatives way out of proportion. They're regulated by the FDA and in small amounts like you are getting, there's no issue. Yeah, a burger that doesn't go bad for days seems scary, but if you know the science behind what goes into it, it's really not.

That said, the fat content is still high. Make it a sometimes food and watch your macros and total cal intake, and it's not that big of a deal.

I'm going to be the devil's advocate and say that if the worst thing you do is eat a McDouble once or twice a week... you're doing pretty good. You don't have to be perfect.

If you really feel bad - like physically ill - after eating it, that's plenty of reason to stop. Or if you're having trouble sticking to your calories and meeting your nutritional needs.

But other wise... I go by an 80/20 rule. As long as I'm eating well 80% of the time, 20% of my food can be a little more relaxed. And two so-so meals out of the roughly 21 meals you eat in a week is closer to a 90/10 ratio than an 80/20 one.

Btw... I just want to say.. when I have the Double Cheeseburger...
I usually keep it in my cals.
I guess I just feel bad that I'm eating this crap in the 1st place... esp with how far I've come ... giving up MOST fast food.
I hate that this place seems to be holding me ... when its not even my fav fast food!?!?! I've given up Nacho Bell Grande LOL... Why can't I give up this?!?! lol

If you truly want to stop eating there, it's a process. You have to make the decision that you don't want to do it and then stick to it. I haven't had fast food in 5 months. I don't miss it anymore and when hubby and my dog make their run for their double cheeseburgers once a month (that I used to drool over, btw), the smell makes me a little sick. It all depends if you want to just eat healthy or if you want to have your treats. It is your decision, after all...

I got hungry when I passed a sign for my favorite fast foods: burgers, coffee, etc. I either planed a different route, made sure I was not hungry when I passed the businesses. I also limited myself to specific foods to reduce the addiction. I started only eating when I needed gas at the gas station.

I now rarely get any fast food. I am not tempted by the signs. I crave what I purchase at the grocery store more than the typical fast food fare.

Heck, all of us have something we eat we shouldn't occasionally… I saw Julian Michaels on some show owning up to her love of ice cream and how she has to work it off when she over indulges….

That being said, I gave up my favorite food, Bread, and haven't had even the urge to eat it when I made my healthy lifestyle commitment on 12/31/11… my food plan allows for it now and I have them most unhealthy attitude against it now… If you are to the point where you see that you are in the "red zone" where 1 is leading to 2 is leading to an "off the wagon" lifestyle - slap your self and go cold turkey.

I have to say, for years I loved micky D's… still like their fat free coffee drinks… and apple slices.

You have enough calories to have a huge plate of stirfried vegies and a few nuts. Obviously not steak, potatoes and salad but still pretty tasty. It sounds like you've got a lot of angst over not eating a "clean" enough diet. Why not focus on eating good food, while making an allowance for one double cheeseburger each week? For what it's worth you've come a long way from where you once were, and if you look at fast food as a nice treat for one meal, once a week, you can eat your burger without thinking "goodness me, this is the start of the end for my waistline".

Ok, so I have completely given up fast food.... so I know it can be done (because like you, I used to eat at taco bell, wendys, mcdonalds, etc probably 6-10 times a week before I made my lifestyle change..... BUT I made my lifestyle change a year and a half ago, and I've ordered wendy's chili, and taco bell fresco tacos only a handful of times since january 2011..... BUTTTTT I think if you eat good most of the time (say 80% of the time) that leaves you room for those times you just can't say no or you have to go off track (family functions, weddings, etc)....... I really can't justify the calories and all on something like a double cheeseburger. I'd rather have a yummy mexican meal or some insane dessert -- but if double cheeseburgers are your thing, then that's fine. Once a week is not so bad, but maybe try to cut down to only a couple times a month. I'd say pick days that you want to have them (definitely choose times when you know you crave them - like around that time of the month, etc) - and then you have something to look forward to - and definitely work out on those days so you don't feel as guilty about it.