Too many "nibbles" and I'm 3.5 weeks out EEEK!!

[chinwe]

Hi all,

I am getting closer to my first show but I'm finding that I'm "nibbling" more than ever. This is nuts!!! I am telling myself that I need to stop as I don't want to embarass myself (I'm 3.5 weeks out) on stage but now its like certain things I'm craving now than ever like peanuts and I end up taking a bit here and there until all is gone. I was just wondering what you all do when or if you start to get this way and the show is near or am I the only one who is tripping out like this. Any help would be much appreciated.

[terrafunka]

Deliberately lower your macros and continue on as usual?

The hard answer is that you're just going to have to stop nibbling if you want to hit your macros. :P

[Whomper107]

Hi all,

I am getting closer to my first show but I'm finding that I'm "nibbling" more than ever. This is nuts!!! I am telling myself that I need to stop as I don't want to embarass myself (I'm 3.5 weeks out) on stage but now its like certain things I'm craving now than ever like peanuts and I end up taking a bit here and there until all is gone. I was just wondering what you all do when or if you start to get this way and the show is near or am I the only one who is tripping out like this. Any help would be much appreciated.

I would suggest either trying to work the peanuts into your daily calorie intake, or, if you're not disciplined enough to portion them properly, keep them out of the house! Just keep telling yourself you only have 3.5 weeks to go before you can eat all the peanuts you want. Whenever I HAD to have something, I'd usually eat a stalk or two of celery. They're <10 calories each, and let you do a decent amount of chewing.

[stayfit2008]

Your not alone,...but don't let it get the best of you,..what if it was that one peanut you knew you shouldn't nibbled on that palces you under someone else? Now let the competition nibble and you stay true to your diet. Remember this and it should get you through the next 3.5 weeks!

[AustrianOakJr]

I agree with whomper......substitute with something not so calorie dense or work it into your macros. There are days when I am absolutely starving and just need to nibble, but I know its gonna throw off my numbers for the day. I have been eating cole slaw made with Walden Farms calorie free cole slaw dressing. The actual cole slaw is like 3g of carbs for a cup (which is quite a bit of chewing) and the dressing is nothing........add a little splenda to the mix and it tastes pretty on par with any cole slaw ive ever eaten......and youre not even really eating! As long as that one bowl every once in a while doesnt turn into 3 bowls a day......

[SkNatural]

I would say that everyone goes through this stage, and it is definately one that can take a season or two to conquer. In the end, keep your eye on the prize and your hand out of the cookie jar, you only have 3.5 weeks. You've come this far, whats 3.5 weeks right?

[Barn01]

Yep I feel your pain, I'm at the same time frame as you and I do whatever I can to stay on track. If I'm physically in pain because i'm hungry then I'll nibble on something but other wise just grab another no cal drink and suck on that until your next meal. Peanuts are not the way to go ... that's for sure. I have a number I need to see on the scale every Fri morning and I keep telling myself that I won't see that number if I cheat. It's hard enough to hit it so there's no way I want to cheat and then try to make up for it. At this BF% every pound more is expo harder to hit than the last one. Thank goodness it's getting close because I just about jumped a home made low fat choc zuccini cake someone at work brought in today. I almost justifed a slice to myself but held back. I didn't come this far to give up with under a month to go.

[stayfit2008]

I agree with whomper......substitute with something not so calorie dense or work it into your macros. There are days when I am absolutely starving and just need to nibble, but I know its gonna throw off my numbers for the day. I have been eating cole slaw made with Walden Farms calorie free cole slaw dressing. The actual cole slaw is like 3g of carbs for a cup (which is quite a bit of chewing) and the dressing is nothing........add a little splenda to the mix and it tastes pretty on par with any cole slaw ive ever eaten......and youre not even really eating! As long as that one bowl every once in a while doesnt turn into 3 bowls a day......

So that WF slaw is pretty good huh? The salad dressings are good too,..but stay away from the peanut mud!

[dvsness]

Hi all,

I am getting closer to my first show but I'm finding that I'm "nibbling" more than ever. This is nuts!!! I am telling myself that I need to stop as I don't want to embarass myself (I'm 3.5 weeks out) on stage but now its like certain things I'm craving now than ever like peanuts and I end up taking a bit here and there until all is gone. I was just wondering what you all do when or if you start to get this way and the show is near or am I the only one who is tripping out like this. Any help would be much appreciated.

Get it together. No nibbles - adhere to your diet plan period. Craving something for a few more weeks won't kill you. You can have it when the show is over.

[chinwe]

Hi Whomper,

Interesting, the celery thing sounds different but definitely worth a try.

I would suggest either trying to work the peanuts into your daily calorie intake, or, if you're not disciplined enough to portion them properly, keep them out of the house! Just keep telling yourself you only have 3.5 weeks to go before you can eat all the peanuts you want. Whenever I HAD to have something, I'd usually eat a stalk or two of celery. They're <10 calories each, and let you do a decent amount of chewing.

[chinwe]

I guess you are right about this. Sometimes I lose sight that I'm competing against others who are working just as hard as I am.

Your not alone,...but don't let it get the best of you,..what if it was that one peanut you knew you shouldn't nibbled on that palces you under someone else? Now let the competition nibble and you stay true to your diet. Remember this and it should get you through the next 3.5 weeks!

[stayfit2008]

I guess you are right about this. Sometimes I lose sight that I'm competing against others who are working just as hard as I am.

This is why you have us for support,... friend

[chinwe]

lol, true. I must try this back home as I love coleslaw but hate mayo.

I agree with whomper......substitute with something not so calorie dense or work it into your macros. There are days when I am absolutely starving and just need to nibble, but I know its gonna throw off my numbers for the day. I have been eating cole slaw made with Walden Farms calorie free cole slaw dressing. The actual cole slaw is like 3g of carbs for a cup (which is quite a bit of chewing) and the dressing is nothing........add a little splenda to the mix and it tastes pretty on par with any cole slaw ive ever eaten......and youre not even really eating! As long as that one bowl every once in a while doesnt turn into 3 bowls a day......

[IronFigure]

DVNESS is right, you've gotta keep it together. I wouldn't work it into your macros, that's a cop-out IMHO. Stick to your plan, you'll be glad when you do - you've gotta be on stage looking to your left and right and being able to say that you put it down when they didn't and that's why you deserve 1st

[AustrianOakJr]

So that WF slaw is pretty good huh? The salad dressings are good too,..but stay away from the peanut mud!

Yea, you know.....its like the rest of their stuff, I would PREFER the dressing loaded with fat and sugar, but for not having ANY calories.......its not bad at all. With the slaw dressing, I find its much better with about a teaspoon of splenda per cup of cole slaw.

[bryce126]

Get it together. No nibbles - adhere to your diet plan period. Craving something for a few more weeks won't kill you. You can have it when the show is over.

tell it like it is dvs

[chinwe]

Dvsness,

I guess you are right. I just have to get my head around this and not even think about "extra" things I guess. I just thought about it and I think having extra fluids may help as I recently stopped having protein shakes (about 4 days ago I ran out of protein powder, but I'm waiting for more) and I believe that is when all the "nibbling" started as I was used to having a shake loaded with protein and lots of ice and water which filled me up.

Get it together. No nibbles - adhere to your diet plan period. Craving something for a few more weeks won't kill you. You can have it when the show is over.

[Barn01]

Dvsness,

I guess you are right. I just have to get my head around this and not even think about "extra" things I guess. I just thought about it and I think having extra fluids may help as I recently stopped having protein shakes (about 4 days ago I ran out of protein powder, but I'm waiting for more) and I believe that is when all the "nibbling" started as I was used to having a shake loaded with protein and lots of ice and water which filled me up.

Do you think the cals from your nibbles were greater than that of your protien shakes? There's still something to be said for keeping sanity. Like today I was going out of my mind with hunger ... but I didn't crave protein or carbs. I've been on a pretty low fat diet for the last week or so and it was nuts that I was craving. I had about 2-3 tbsp of nuts and about 15mins later it was like a calmness came over me. I'm sure cortisol levels were high before the nuts so I think you still have to listen to your body and just give it enough to keep the cortisol low. Because I had the nuts I just took a little of something else out of the diet for the day to try and hit my calorie number ... but I don't regret doing it in the least. In fact I think it was the smartest thing I've done all day ... haha.

(this is not permission to binge, I'm just saying that sanity and cortisol should be considered and your body will likely tell you what you're missing if you listen to it)

[awbasa]

any up to date pics?

[chinwe]

check my profile under pics I've been putting new pics up every and will continue to do so up to show. I also have them under progress pics.

any up to date pics?

[chinwe]

I think my nibbles were greater than the protein shake as I make my shakes with just water, ice and flaxseed. I haven't been craving carbs even though mine are low now, and I haven't been craving protein so I know its been the fats thus eating more nuts.

Do you think the cals from your nibbles were greater than that of your protien shakes? There's still something to be said for keeping sanity. Like today I was going out of my mind with hunger ... but I didn't crave protein or carbs. I've been on a pretty low fat diet for the last week or so and it was nuts that I was craving. I had about 2-3 tbsp of nuts and about 15mins later it was like a calmness came over me. I'm sure cortisol levels were high before the nuts so I think you still have to listen to your body and just give it enough to keep the cortisol low. Because I had the nuts I just took a little of something else out of the diet for the day to try and hit my calorie number ... but I don't regret doing it in the least. In fact I think it was the smartest thing I've done all day ... haha.

(this is not permission to binge, I'm just saying that sanity and cortisol should be considered and your body will likely tell you what you're missing if you listen to it)

[BB2K]

I remember craving everything from Oreo cookies to Teddy Grahams to bubble gum!! Stick to your plan and suck it up! It is hard but damn worth it. Dont let all your prep go to hell over a few nibbles!

[Net1]

I agree with all the girls - you don't want to start messing with working foods into your macros that you are craving... You need to just make a commitment to yourself and stick to your diet. Cravings are crazy things that tend to snowball - today it is peanuts, tomorrow it is peanuts and chocolate, and come Tuesday it is peanuts, chocolate, and a taste of wine... Keep it out of the house if you can't keep it under control... Chug a large glass of O2 and go for a walk, bike ride, or swim (anything that redirects your thoughts and energy) when you get the urge to eat things that are not part of the program. Have a loved one (who doesn't live with you) start putting these foods you crave in a gift basket for after your night show... Keep on the path to your goals and good luck!

[AustrianOakJr]

Do you think the cals from your nibbles were greater than that of your protien shakes? There's still something to be said for keeping sanity. Like today I was going out of my mind with hunger ... but I didn't crave protein or carbs. I've been on a pretty low fat diet for the last week or so and it was nuts that I was craving. I had about 2-3 tbsp of nuts and about 15mins later it was like a calmness came over me. I'm sure cortisol levels were high before the nuts so I think you still have to listen to your body and just give it enough to keep the cortisol low. Because I had the nuts I just took a little of something else out of the diet for the day to try and hit my calorie number ... but I don't regret doing it in the least. In fact I think it was the smartest thing I've done all day ... haha.

(this is not permission to binge, I'm just saying that sanity and cortisol should be considered and your body will likely tell you what you're missing if you listen to it)

I kind of agree here. Not that you should succumb to every craving that you have, but learning to listen to your body is key. Usually, I work my cravings in on refeeds the best I can. Im still following a plan, but the extra calories allow me to eat some things that flat out dont fit on a normal diet day. I had some frozen yogurt last thursday and man it was GOOOOD. Cured my sugar craving for about 6 minutes, even!

[chinwe]

Hi Net,

This sounds like a great idea. I am actually away from home which made eating terribly hard but I am in process of gathering up all the "goodies" before I leave so that my friend can put them together for me and bring them to show.

I agree with all the girls - you don't want to start messing with working foods into your macros that you are craving... You need to just make a commitment to yourself and stick to your diet. Cravings are crazy things that tend to snowball - today it is peanuts, tomorrow it is peanuts and chocolate, and come Tuesday it is peanuts, chocolate, and a taste of wine... Keep it out of the house if you can't keep it under control... Chug a large glass of O2 and go for a walk, bike ride, or swim (anything that redirects your thoughts and energy) when you get the urge to eat things that are not part of the program. Have a loved one (who doesn't live with you) start putting these foods you crave in a gift basket for after your night show... Keep on the path to your goals and good luck!

[jmizzo25]

Wow, i can relate to this i am 4.5 weeks out from a figure show, and event thoughi have not nibbled ...im CRAVING peanut butter or any fat for htat matter!!!!

[rewaste]

This might be strange but does the trick for me. Cystal light ice cubes I just eat a few when I feel the hunger like late in the night when I get up. Something about just eating something. Half asleep at night I picture Nutella.

[dakotahunter15]

This might be strange but does the trick for me. Cystal light ice cubes I just eat a few when I feel the hunger like late in the night when I get up. Something about just eating something. Half asleep at night I picture Nutella.

Agreed with this crystal light ice cube deal. I have done that a few times. I mash them up a little bit, and its like a slushy. I have made little homemade popsicles with crystal light and licking them was just tasted like water, but when i broke them up and chewed on it a bit they were really good

[domingochavez]

Throw on some music to distract your thoughts

Go for a walk / ride or just get away from the food to refocus

Watch something motivating on youtube or on TV, someone mentioned in another thread The Biggest Looser, I can agree with that!

Diet soft drink

Ice water

Green tea with splenda

Flavoured BCAA's in a big jug

Video games if you're into that

I'm working on more to add to this list, as I have the same problems and I'm 20 weeks out :S

[andyboi]

eyes on the prize!!

I can't wait to diet, I'm strict in my off season so comp prep will be easy, just smaller portions =D