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everyone has been there! its a tough decision to make. i will be the first to confess that it happens to me. i normally regret it later (like when i put my jeans on) if i give in too bad and then don't do any exercise to top it off. :? on the other hand, never having a bit of pizza from your favorite pizza joint ever again seems unrealistic too. if you are true to your "lifestyle change" there is no reason your diet and exercise plan can't afford a peice of pizza and a candy bar. :twisted: It is ultimately your call, those are the two sides of the argument as i see them.
What did you end up doing DoctorU2? I have this issue almost all of the time, and most times after I make the call to give into my cravings, I regret it and feel guilty. Do you think this could this be classified as a kind of sickness? Just sort of wondering what you think because it happens to me so often.
Instead of pizza, I went to the store and bought ingredients for one of my favorite dishes. The dish has cheese on top - and in the "fat" days, this would either be regular cheese or low-fat. These days it's a combo of low-fat and fat-free. The dish has lots of spices, with VERY lean ground turkey, onions and mushrooms (the original recipe calls for regular ground beef, no veggies). That often satiates my taste for a good hearty meal that has cheese. For my chocolate cravings, I bought some snack size Tootsie Rolls. They are very low-fat and chewy. So you get that great chocolate taste that lingers for a while - not just a moment in your mouth before you are reaching for the next piece of candy. Also, I bought some fat-free chocolate pudding. Granted, it's not the same as a great double cheese pizza with pepperoni or a big thick chocolate shake or large Hershey's bar, but it's a healthy substitute. I was able to satiate my cravings and still know I ate healthy. One reason I'm resisting the pizza is that while I agree with you Pixie in that the healthy version of me would partake of a slice here and there, as I'm not quite at this "thin and healthy" point yet, I'm afraid I'd slip back into old habits. I did this once before. I dropped around 30 pounds, felt all proud, had people noticing how thin I was, and then slowly I let the exercise slip - then I started eating crap again. 7 years later, not only did I gain back all the weight I lost, but I gained another 40 pounds!! 8O So for now, I'd rather resist that pizza. Besides, I know I'll have some when I go to Chicago, so I'd rather save that treat for then. :)
you passed the test! i had a feeling you would make the right call. healthy substitutes exist out there for just about anything.
[b:4693788a79][later edit - OPPS! I posted way too late on this topic. Glad to hear that you are doing well. I'll leave my original thoughts, maybe it will help someone else.][/b:4693788a79] Yep, I struggle too. That's probably why we're here. I think a key is identifying the REAL reason you are craving those fattening things. If it really is the weather (as was a hint in your note) then logically telling yourself that you CANNOT eat winter away should help. Talk to yourself like a thin person. They don't think "eat!" as an automatic reaction. Perhaps go find a shovel to do an elderly person's sidewalk. It would be exercise and it would be great if you actually used it! Though I suspect there is some other emotional reason or stress-induced cause (as is usually the case in my life). If you can identify the cause, you can deal with it directly. If it were actual hunger, a healthy choice would suffice. I say try to resist even having a little bit of what you wanted, because it always puts me on a slippery slope. (I don't like to throw away the rest of the goodies when they taste sooo good.) I always try to play a waiting game. If I still want it in 24 hours, I eat it! Hey, if I was "good" all the time, I'd meet my goal weight and have to leave this forum, right? :wink: I hope you're not stressed about your upcoming visit to Chicago. The water in Lake Michigan may be warm enough to keep the snow away a few more days but it can't wash away ugly thoughts. Good Luck! Jen
Well, I live in New England, and while there is only a few inches of snow on the ground now, supposedly a foot to 2 feet ( 8O ) is supposed to come tonight and tomorrow. Of course, they've been saying this all day and so far I'm not seeing much snow. Hmmmm... My point, though, is that going to Chicago won't stress me at all. Nor does winter itself. My "fat" me would live on pizza and chocolate - regardless of weather. Last summer, I recall seeing on my credit card bill that I had ordered pizza, with appetizers and soda, 3x in one week!! I recall going to Wendy's for a thick chocolate milk shake - or getting candy from the vending machine. If people left food out, I was sure to get my share, even if I didn't like it that much. I was definitely using food for a lot of reasons, emotional, boredom, satisfaction, hunger, stress, etc. And while many of those reasons still exist, I now try to make healthy substitutions for various foods. Also, I always try to think before I eat something, "What will this do for my body?" And sometimes the answer is that it'll just satisfy a craving, but I don't need it at all - in fact, it might "hurt" me more than anything else. As a result of this thinking, I will pass on a lot of foods - and this has helped too. Since I started my weight loss, I haven't gone to any fast food place (barring Subway - for turkey on wheat, no cheese or mayo, and lots of veggies) or ordered a pizza (although I have had slices that have no cheese or very little cheese). I ordered one dish from a restaurant that had lots of cheese. Instead of eating the whole thing as I normally would, I ate some, put the rest away for another day. So it does take some willpower (for lack of a better term), but I'd like to think I'm in the early stages of really making a significant life transformation. Now, if I could only convince myself to exercise every day... ;)
the weather does affect people in that way. wanting to hole up and have goodies. i was guilty where doc did the right thing. after re-reading my post, i didn't even suggest having something as an alternative. duh. i guess that would be why i can't seem to shed these extra few pounds. :) anyhoo.. i have been using my little step machine every day, so i guess i have that working in my favor anyhow..
for sure the weather affects people's moods. many get depressed etc. its a typical bear like tendency to stay indoors and nest for the winter. that leads to more inactivity and more eating. definitely tough to resist certain urges but there really is no alternative. good work doc!
Well done Doc! In order to curb my cravings, I make it my mission to see if I can replace it with "good" food. What I mean is, instead of having the friggin apple which I don't feel like at ALL, I will make myself a baked apple cinnamon dessert. That way I feel totally proud of myself and think that I have cheated, but I didn't. I will make bowls of jelly (self made of course, not bought) and all kinds of baked fruits with nice hot sauces on them. If you want some suggestions for recipes, let me know, I can replace nearly anything (except real chocolate!) with a diet alternative. When it's cold an miserable around you, who wants a cold fruit or a cold snack, you want hot, filling food.......
Instead of having no pizza ever or a slice or two of the real thing and feeling guilty, why not get a couple of the lean cuisine pizzas? they are really good and nice to have on hand for moments of weakness. Also I posted on Tips the other day that I read in this months issue of Redbook that peanut M & Ms are a good chocolate fix. The bad fats in the chocolate and the good fats in the peanuts cancel each other out. It doesn't say eat the whole bag, but they said grab a hand full and don't feel bad about it! Hope it helps for future moments of weakness (hehe) We all have them!
[quote:518a242825="deiracingirl8"]Instead of having no pizza ever or a slice or two of the real thing and feeling guilty, why not get a couple of the lean cuisine pizzas? they are really good and nice to have on hand for moments of weakness. Also I posted on Tips the other day that I read in this months issue of Redbook that peanut M & Ms are a good chocolate fix. The bad fats in the chocolate and the good fats in the peanuts cancel each other out. It doesn't say eat the whole bag, but they said grab a hand full and don't feel bad about it! Hope it helps for future moments of weakness (hehe) We all have them![/quote:518a242825] I eat the SmartOnes and Lean Cuisine pizzas ALL the time! LOL! :lol: But every so often, I just want to dive into that extra large double cheese, pepperoni and mushroom pizza, after having garlic bread (with cheese, of course) or mozarella sticks for an appetizer. Alas, a little Lean Cuisine pizza doesn't quite satiate that way - but it also doesn't add on 10,000 calories. :wink: As for candy, I have found that if it's around I will eventually eat it all. I'm nowhere near as bad as I used to be, but I'll still nibble every day. In other words, I highly doubt I'd eat just a handful. So I think it's best I not have any around until I shed a few more pounds.
in reference to the original thread: who doesn't want chocolate?!
I love chocolate, like doc I love the Hershey's with almonds. *yum* And those snickers with almonds aren't bad, either. I myself would love to go out to dinner and enjoy a filet mignon with a side order of saute'ed mushrooms and a baked potato. I'm drooling just thinking about it! The main thing about my "diet" is I refuse to deny myself. If I want ice cream, I have some...but not a full serving, just 4 or 5 bites. I drink my Dr. Pepper every day. *caffeine* And when my kids demand pizza for supper, it's Pizza Hut - and I have one small slice. Granted, pizza hut is a rarity around here the last 3 months! One of my favorite snacks is sunflower seeds, the Davis brand, in the shell. Takes a lot of work to get those little seeds out, but they're delicious. My idea is to lose weight but not make myself miserable in the process. The holiday seasons are the worst about people being depressed...and it's so easy to fall into that black hole. Been there, done that, and survived. [b:a6a35b8b58]Not going back![/b:a6a35b8b58]
blarg blarg blarg fattiesjust eat some butter
That's a thought.....how 'bout I just take a bit out of you? You seem greasy enough. *rotflmao*
I am so ashamed of myself, while all of you were able to resist your temptations this weekend I had ice cream and pizza! :( Has anyone ever heard of Coldstone creamery? I'm totally regretting it now :!:
what makes you sure we were all good this weekend? i had dessert on friday and sunday night. a couple big differences though. i worked out each day. plus i had one normal restaurant dessert. i didn't buy a box of dessert material and take it home with me. when i have one portion of dessert i run into no problems at all. and even if you fell off the wagon, guerra, don't worry about it. just pick yourself back up and get back at it.
Thanks for the advice! One things for sure, I'm not giving up this time. I've managed to lose a couple pounds so far and I'm determined to get to my goal, even if I do stray once in a while :roll: One thing that does keep me on track is everyone's support. Thanks!
good for you! there's no reason to give up. slow but steady will win this race.
Exercise is important, and overlooked by a lot of people as being the key in losing extra pounds. With a bit of exercise an ice cream cone won't kill you.. and if you're going to have it, Enjoy it.. and have just one! Beating yourself up and regretting that you ate something won't help, so instead of regretting it, make an effort to add exercise, or "reward" yourself with something other than food the next time. Maybe a new spring or summer dress would be nice?
Thanks for the advice! I work out at the gym 3-5 times a week, and it is helping out a lot, before I made this serious committment to lose weight eating the right foods has always been one of my weak points. Lately, with the support of the members of this website) :D I find making healthier choices is getting easier because I am more aware of what I eat. Having a food journal doesn't hurt either.
That's great news Guerra! It's like anything else in life: if you make a habit out of eating good and exercising you'll get stuck doing it whether you like it or not!
[i:206f913ecb]WANT CHOCOLATE![/i:206f913ecb] Me too! I looove chocolate...and Haagen Dazs coffee ice cream. And I have them both, in very small amounts. 1/2 cup ice cream is 230 calories and 30 choc. chips is 70. If I can fit it into my calorie count, I eat it. My goal is no more than 1500 cal. a day and so far I've only fallen off the wagon once. Of course, I've only been on this diet 1 week, and I find myself hungry alot of the time, but I'm certainly not starving. Now, once that tub of ice cream is gone, I'm going to start on chocolate pudding...1/2 cup at 140 calories. Same chocolatey/sweet taste, but much less cals! And...I don't need the chocolate chips! Even if I did eat them, that's 210 cals which is [i:206f913ecb]still[/i:206f913ecb] less than the ice cream itself. The thing is, I find that I usually don't want the chocolate or donuts or what-have-you because I'm hungry, but because I want the [i:206f913ecb]taste[/i:206f913ecb] of the sweets. So I satisfy my 'taste' craving with some chocolate chips...and I write down the calories. And about the fast food, I haven't gone to fast-food places for years now...not because the food isn't tasty but because of all the horror stories I hear of what goes on in the kitchen. Maybe if you think about that next time you want something from a fast-food joint it might not be so appetizing! ;)
..."As for candy, I have found that if it's around I will eventually eat it all.... In other words, I highly doubt I'd eat just a handful. So I think it's best I not have any around until I shed a few more pounds."... Believe me I not any kind of a diet expert, but maybe waiting until you lose weight before you give into your cravings is not such a good idea. After you lose the weight chocolate (or cheese) may feel like too much of a "treat" and the next thing you know you have treated yourself to another 10 pounds. (speaking from experience) I realize that either I must give up some of these favorite foods forever or learn how to monitor them better. For example I’ve heard that scheduling one day a week for a decadent dessert can actually keep some dieters on track! My trouble is I keep moving dessert day to today...everyday… LOL But I'm trying!!! Good luck with the cravings!