why??

[mama-ice]

Why is it that people sabatage there own diets and training routines? They might train, eat really well for a few weeks and loose 10#-20#, just to blow it and probably gain 5#-10# or all of it back. Then hate themselves just to try to start over? Is something wrong with me, what am I missing or do I just not have it me to be healthy and fit?

[Amris]

Usually what happens with this is that people are too strict on themselves.

Also, instead of looking at it as a LIFESTYLE change, they look at it as a diet- a temporary, passing "evil necessity" that will go away soon.

Furthermore, they make one mistake, and they just go berserk. "Oh, well, I just had a popsicle, just as well have some ice cream because I already screwed up my diet. Just had some ice cream, just as well have a cookie, too, just screwed up my diet anyhow. Hey, while I'm at it, I haven't had pizza in a while, and since I'm screwed anyhow..."

All that for a popsicle.

A cheat meal should be scheduled once a week, every week. It should be a "lifetime" thing. You'll eat strict, and once a week you'll have a cheat MEAL. This way, you get the PURE ENJOYMENT of food once a week. And any "mistakes" should be seen as an "oops" instead of as a reason to give up and indulge.

If you "fall off the wagon," you don't lay and wallow in the mud. You stand up, brush yourself off, and hop back on with a wry grin.

[northernbelle]

I also can do well for a week or two, but then something happens and I blow it. I decided that, although I have made a lifestyle change for myself, I can't/won't give up living. That means that if my family wants to eat out, I will go and enjoy it. You can't deprive yourself of everything. It's about the 80/20 rule- do well 80% of the time and the 20% won't be so disasterous.

I have also found that the 'falling off the wagon' doesn't last as long, nor are the results as bad. I was recently away for a week and gained 3 pounds. Within 3 days, that extra was gone and I'm back on track. Cheats here and there, as long as they don't last too long or are not too frequent, don't hurt.

[moskalski]

I wouldn't last long if I tried to follow a professional athlete diet, but I find that allowing myself a more relaxed diet helps me to keep eating healthy consistently. Also, if I'm going to blow it, I try to do so in the morning, figuring I'll be more likely to use 2 donuts worth of calories if I eat them early.

[user464444132bbg]

Usually what happens with this is that people are too strict on themselves.

Also, instead of looking at it as a LIFESTYLE change, they look at it as a diet- a temporary, passing "evil necessity" that will go away soon.

Furthermore, they make one mistake, and they just go berserk. "Oh, well, I just had a popsicle, just as well have some ice cream because I already screwed up my diet. Just had some ice cream, just as well have a cookie, too, just screwed up my diet anyhow. Hey, while I'm at it, I haven't had pizza in a while, and since I'm screwed anyhow..."

All that for a popsicle.

A cheat meal should be scheduled once a week, every week. It should be a "lifetime" thing. You'll eat strict, and once a week you'll have a cheat MEAL. This way, you get the PURE ENJOYMENT of food once a week. And any "mistakes" should be seen as an "oops" instead of as a reason to give up and indulge.

If you "fall off the wagon," you don't lay and wallow in the mud. You stand up, brush yourself off, and hop back on with a wry grin.

Bump this! Excellent post, Amris. I use to do this with the popsicle example. Now I schedule one or two cheat meals once a week and I'm happy.

[mama-ice]

thanks all, you guys are great.

[ariabel]

I was just about to start a new thread on a similar topic, but I figured I should just add it here. If I'm in the wrong place, please feel free to tell me to move to my own thread!

Anyway, I was thinking the same thing this morning. I start out SO good and then some unknown force steps in and tries to sabotage me. I cannot, for the life of me, figure out what it is, or how to stop it. It's not hunger, that's for sure. Even if I started the day out with a success (like weight loss or a great workout), this unknown trigger still finds a way to surface, and I find myself completely out of control. Sometimes I'm able to stop myself, and get past it. Other times I have no willpower and can't get out of the kitchen without at least eating a nut or two!

This happened to me today, and a cup of coffee seemed to get my head back where it should be... but it leaves me almost afraid that I won't succeed..because I never know when it will happen.

So what IS this? Where does it come from, and how do you stop it?

Has anyone else experienced this and found a way to deal with it?

[arose70]

Has anyone else experienced this

yes

and found a way to deal with it?

no

but i will be checking back to be enlightened!

[sherdi]

I agree with Armis...you need to create a plan that allows for treats...as well as trying to be not as strict. I have found that when I first introduced a treat that I wanted to keep eating that food because I hadn't eaten it for a long while, but now, because I can eat that food regularly if I want too (worked into my meals as treats once or twice a week), I find that I don't crave or what that food.

Basically, I have made no foods taboo....I don't like to say this particular food is "bad" or "good" or "clean" (I am starting not to like that word too as it creates a dichtomy between "unclean" and therefore creates a fear of many types of food).

All food has it's place in a diet, you just need to balance it out.

[ariabel]

The problem (for me, anyway) is that it's not a specific craving. If I had in my head, "I really want to eat some crackers", I'd just eat a few crackers and it might be over with. I can't pinpoint what I'm craving, which is probably why I wander aimlessly around the house, pop in and out of the kitchen, open the cabinets & the fridge, and can't seem to figure out what the heck I'm doing, or what it is I'm looking for!

I don't even know for sure if it's food! I just think it HAS to be, because it's the KITCHEN I end up in.. nowhere else!

Maybe I'm just crazy?

[girlinseattle]

Happens to me, too... and it's what happens when I overanalyze and sweat the small stuff. Don't obsess about food, as obsessing blurrs the mind. You know enough to make the right decisions, so just move on.

[Amris]

The problem (for me, anyway) is that it's not a specific craving. If I had in my head, "I really want to eat some crackers", I'd just eat a few crackers and it might be over with. I can't pinpoint what I'm craving, which is probably why I wander aimlessly around the house, pop in and out of the kitchen, open the cabinets & the fridge, and can't seem to figure out what the heck I'm doing, or what it is I'm looking for!

I don't even know for sure if it's food! I just think it HAS to be, because it's the KITCHEN I end up in.. nowhere else!

Maybe I'm just crazy?

You are craving water.

Drink some water, wait 20 minutes. If you're still craving, then it was something else. If a big glass of water takes care of it, then it's like 90% of cravings- a craving for water.

Nearly all unidentified cravings are for water.

[enforcerlady]

I have a tendency to binge eat sometimes. For some reason it is sometimes difficult for me to stop eating. I may start out with a healthy meal and even when I'm satisfied I just have the desire to keep putting food in my mouth.

I have made progress though. I went on a binge yesterday and it was two bowls of dry cereal. That is a huge accomplishment compared to some of my old binges (a pint of ice cream, a whole bag or hersheys kisses, m&ms, reeces pieces, half a jar of PB w/honey, an entire can of cashews).

Even with my tendency to binge eat I have never been overweight (probably because I'm an athlete and always training). But decreasing the frequency and damage of my binges definitely helps me to keep my weight and body fat low.

I also find it really important to NOT go all out if you slip up a little. Forgive yourself and get back on track. That has helped me a lot.

[kariev34]

i have been known to do this as well. heres the question: where is it written that in order to be healthy you have to be perfect? Its not. Balance is important in all aspects in life and eating is no different. just b/c you had a couple of cookies doesn't mean that you blew it so lets just eat everything in sight. trust me, i was the queen of the all or none thinking like this. if you did a search in with my name you would see this. don't be too strict with your diet, allow a couple treats each week and focus on health and mental while being instead of the scale. when you get your mental health balanced with positive thinking, the rest will follow.

[twinnett]

I f ound that my urge to binge stopped when I upped my calories to meet my needs, lowered my cardio and ate more carbs and fats.

[M-R]

For me I feel like Im deprived with one cheat meal a week .

I dont know if its because I dont LIKE my clean food all that much . Like Im bored with it .

If I could have more choices I would not binge .


I think my perception of whats clean is too strict for my liking .

Im going to start a new thread because I have questions ??

[Angelfish]

The problem (for me, anyway) is that it's not a specific craving. If I had in my head, "I really want to eat some crackers", I'd just eat a few crackers and it might be over with. I can't pinpoint what I'm craving, which is probably why I wander aimlessly around the house, pop in and out of the kitchen, open the cabinets & the fridge, and can't seem to figure out what the heck I'm doing, or what it is I'm looking for!

To me what you are describing is emotional eating - something I have been very familiar with Trying to satisfy an emotional need with physical food. I would most often do this when I'm feeling overwhelmed - too many pressing needs and overwhelmed as where to even start so would end up doing just as you described. Kinda like you 'don't know what to do with yourself' and next thing you find yourself in the kitchen. For you it may be different, there are any number of things that can trigger an emotional eating 'craving'.

If you think it could be this rather than a nutritional need, I find the first step is to stop in your tracks as soon as you note your behaviour and then think about things that may have happened in your day leading up to that point. Even 'perfection' can trigger such things for me because panic sets in that I KNOW I'm not perfect - worry that I will fail and then what happens? - I eat crap creating a self fulfilling prophecy!

I have found a way that works for me with the perfection pressure which was recommended to me by my Personal Trainer (who freakin rocks btw) she talked to me about how she aims for EXCELLENCE rather than perfection. This really struck a chord with me and I now I know I can deal with any eating situation as excellently as it allows without that All or Nothing mentality that comes with perfection.

Anyways a possibility to consider.
Best wishes

[ariabel]

how the heck do you people quote stuff? i can't figure it out!!!


i think it's most likely a huge combination of things... dehydration, deprivation, mental stress, physical stress, boredom...

but.. i spent some time reflecting on this during my cardio this morning, and i did realize one thing: i've made tremendous improvements from where i was 5 years ago. i forget to remind myself how far i've come, and how much my habits have changed already. i think if i can just keep reminding myself of that, maybe one day i won't have to convince myself that i am ALREADY successful with this.. and that a slip-up every now and then isn't going to kill me.

heck, if it had been a few years ago, i would have easily eaten 3-4000 calories in a binge.

i think it just takes some working through, some self-discovery, and help from others. these boards are amazing for that- so much support in one place and everyone knows what you're going through.

i also want to thank everyone for the wonderful comments and insight. it's SO good to read what others are thinking.. these are the kinds of things most people won't share with you (and i don't talk about!)

[girlinseattle]

how the heck do you people quote stuff? i can't figure it out!!!

On the post you want to quote, look at the bottom right hand corner of the box... you will see a button to press labelled, "Quote."

Also wanted to add that habits take time to get settled in. You can't change your eating habits overnight. It takes many months, years (or decades even for some) for it to *click.*

[deserusan]

I feel a lot of folks try and do too much too fast. Whenever I have someone approack me about diet or training I recommend very little. I say something like stop drinking soda and eat protein with every meal. It's baby steps which can lead to great distances covered towards success. If you try to jump to far too soon you end up on your face eventually

[Freeman4]

I feel a lot of folks try and do too much too fast. Whenever I have someone approack me about diet or training I recommend very little. I say something like stop drinking soda and eat protein with every meal. It's baby steps which can lead to great distances covered towards success. If you try to jump to far too soon you end up on your face eventually

I absolutely agree: baby steps are the way to go. I'm on a bulking diet, and when I first started, I had to gradually increase the amount of calories I consumed daily - there's no way I could go from 2,000 to 4,500 calories overnight and expect myself to stick to it.

If you're trying to lose weight, moderation is key. Eat more protein, cut back a little on carbs and soda or whatever "guilty" foods you enjoy. Do anything drastic and you're likely to revert back to your old ways, hehe.

[ariabel]

actually, in my personal case, i don't think it was a matter of trying to do too much too quickly.. i have been working at this for several years.. maybe in the last month or two i've gotten VERY serious about my diet, but prior to that i was just trying to watch my diabetes.. in the past i have failed because of that... but thankfully i think i'm beyond permanant failure... (fingers crossed)

Amris - you are CORRECT! I think it was water!!! I had the problem today.. and as I was circling my office trying to resist the kitchen, i remembered what you said, went and grabbed some water, chugged it and waited..and the cravings have passed.

I hope it is always this way! If so... FINALLY an answer!

Anyway, thank you! .. well thank you to everyone, too!

[Amris]

It may not always be that way, but I bet it is pretty often.

Feels great, doesn't it??