[PinkHoodie]

I just wanted to let you know you aren't alone. I have tried low carb. Sure the cravings are diminished, but for me personally even after month or two of not eating them, I will eventually give in.
Part of it is the living situation I am in right now, I don't have my own kitchen, which makes it hard. I think about having to lug all my food down to the kitchen, wash everything by hand after, and really at that point fries and nuggets sound pretty good.
So, as you can see, I am in the same boat. I am trying to figure out just how to limit it in my life. Like every paycheck letting myself get one fast food meal, whatever I want, but that's only twice a month...
I hope we can both figure out what will work...its hard to feel a slave to food.

[kendra]

Like some of the others have posted, You need to watch Food, Inc and Super-size Me. Once I watched Food, Inc, i have never eaten red meat again and have never had fast food either. They just gross me out because I automatically think about those movies. As far as cutting out pop, I had to do it gradually. I cut down to one 20 ounce a day and then cut it completely out after a few weeks.
It has taken me years to get to the next step of cutting out frozen meals and trying to go to natural foods and I am still in the process of doing that.
So do what works for you. Cold turkey or step down gradually. Just start making a change somewhere.
You can do this!

[ValRock]

I had to go pretty much cold turkey. I have huge problems with sugar/starch cravings and I'm realizing that there is no place in my diet for those things. They just make it too easy to get totally out of control.

[lolcat]

Hi, my name is Cat, and I'm a fast-food addict....

And let me tell you, I could justify it! I ate at Icky D's at least 4 times a week. (Cheap, fast, I need a tea, I need a frappe, didn't have time to go to grocery, yadda yadda, I have dozens).
I would buy 4 mcdoubles and a tea, eat 2 and save the other 2 for my lunch at work.
One day I finally LOOKED at myself and was sickened. I looked at the nutrition info online and wept, my beloved frappe has more calories than a big mac, and everything else many more calories and fat grams than I'd imagined.
So I quit. Cold turkey. It's been 5 weeks and the thought of Icky D's sickens me. But, like stephnms a couple times now I've been with friends and had to get a little something, so I will make a healthy choice - I like the Fresco menu at Taco Bell - the chicken soft taco is lowfat lowcal. I am the kind of person that cannot have absolutes - I can't say "I will NOT eat ANY fast food" because doing that always set me up for failure in the past.
pinkflower, I think you're right - I think there IS something added, and my wallet's happier, too.

I'm already feeling better, and I lost 14 pounds in one month primarily from cutting out the fast food. I find that thinking about greasy foods nauseates me, and I like that just fine.

[Natasha1534]

This "addiction" is exactly the kind of thing you are getting rid of when doing Phase I of South Beach. Phase I consists of 2 weeks and it's about detoxing your body from sugars. I never realized it until I did South Beach...but all those carbs and sugars are addicting. The more you eat, the more you crave them...you don't even realize it until you cut them out for those 2 weeks and your cravings disappear.

Seriously, McDonalds used to be one of my favorite drunken meals. And I'm talking a Double Quarter Pounder MEAL super-sized...that's A LOT of food!!! I haven't had McDonalds in at least 5 months now and I don't miss it one bit. As a matter of fact, just THINKING about eating a McDonalds cheeseburger right now makes me sick to my stomach.

South Beach might be something that you could use to "detox" from Mickey D's. If your physician approves, I highly recommend it!!!

[mechell81]

Wow such great responses! You guys are awesome! Thanks for sharing everything!

I think what may work for me right now is having something out to eat maybe every two weeks. And then go to none at all or maybe once a month.

Also actually planning out a menu for the week. I think that will help to.

And, on the once every two weeks thing? I need to not go overboard! Maybe if I realize it makes me go overboard I will just stop all together.

We will see. Right now I am going to just try to calorie count and menu plan.

I will also check out those shows/books you all suggest. I think there is something in that stuff too. I mean yeah of course there are sugars and carbs like no tomorrow! But its SO addicting. Just like soda. Its sort of scary when you think about it...And I think that is why so many people are heavier now. All the fast food/soda.

Again thank you all! I feel so ready to just do this. And today was a good day! I forgot how yummy a baked sweet potato is with a little bit of cinnamon on top! YUM!

[PinkHoodie]

Food Inc, Supersize Me, did nothing for me. South Beach is how I try to eat, but I always end up going back to fast food. Even after detoxing for 3-4 weeks...
I'm still trying to figure it out like I said. I think its great those of you who have loosened its grip on you, I'm just not one of them yet.
Just keep trying, and I think eventually it will click.

[Natasha1534]

Originally Posted by PinkHoodie

Food Inc, Supersize Me, did nothing for me. South Beach is how I try to eat, but I always end up going back to fast food. Even after detoxing for 3-4 weeks...
I'm still trying to figure it out like I said. I think its great those of you who have loosened its grip on you, I'm just not one of them yet.
Just keep trying, and I think eventually it will click.

That's the spirit!!! Keep trying and eventually it will click. Southbeach is the only thing that has EVER worked for me. I thought I'd never be able to break fast food's hold on me. I work nightshift and it was always just easier to order out. Now I take my lunch every night...I have ordered out probably twice in the past 4 months (vs. 2 - 4 times a week) and it was things like Brunswick Stew and a salad.

[PinkHoodie]

I have drastically cut back my fast food. I think part of it is when TOM rolls around, I can't seem to control my cravings very good. But compared to the 3-6 times a week we were eating fast food which is now about once every other week, I think I'm making progress! I am hoping someday to eat there maybe once every 6 months or never...I just have to do what I can right now! I think this is a great thread though, its something I have struggled with for years!