I'm having trouble sticking to it.

[duckyyellowfeet]

I understand the roommate thing. I had one who was constantly walking around eating utter crap-- top ramen with 1/4 a block of cheddar cheese, tuna helper, chicken bakes with Cesar dressings. AND she was a size zero.

It was frustrating, but you know what? It didn't excuse my bad habits either. Sure, my fruits and veggies weren't always exciting and I sometimes wished I could dive right into her plate of fatty goodies. But I can't. End of story. It took me a long time to realize this, I know this post is harsher than most, but I still think its important to say.

Your roommate is going to do what she wants. Stop paying attention to her. Realistically, pop-tarts aren't better than honey buns. Plus, even if they were, there will ALWAYS be someone who eats better--all organic, nothing processed, grown on their own farm with hand-milked cows... In the end, her food is HER food--not yours and its not the gold standard you should model yourself against.

I'm sorry if it seems harsh, but its all over the boards: "i can't eat healthy because of my boyfriend/husband/kids/grandmother/mom/cat/attic ghost". Yes, those situations make it more tempting. Yes, I agree, you need more calories and more protein early on in your day. But, it will always be SOMETHING. You have to learn to overcome those obstacles, take control over what you put into your mouth and stop comparing yourself to those around you.

[kitzlerqo]

I think everybody has trouble sticking to their diet routine and the best thing that would keep a person going is the will to lose weight. This is the drive i use when i go jogging every morning.

[Magalo]

I just want to share something, just to tell you that you have to find your own way, we are not created equal and our hunger vary from person to person depending on what and when we eat.

Personnally, most of my classes/school starts between 10h and 1h. However, I have one that starts at 8. If I eat breakfast at, example, 7h30 (I force myself), I'm litterally DYING of hunger at 9-10h, even if I eat a snack, at 12h I'm craving like mad, and I will be craving later in the afternoon even if my meals/snacks were sufficient. Eating soon in the morning just don't do it for me. I'm not hungry until around 10h usually, and I better wait to eat breakfast later, or eat brunch instead.

[sontaikle]

Originally Posted by Embuhlee

Eggs, I can try, yes. Thanks! I think tomorrow morning, I'll do an egg and a piece of wheat toast, which should come in somewhere around 200 calories, I would guess.

I know. xD I know I shouldn't be doing that... but part of my little tirade is me being jealous that she can eat whatever she wants, hahaha. :P So that's me being passive aggressive about it (another character flaw, but that's a different story! ). Sandwiches are either pb&j or some kind of turkey/chicken lunch meat with lettuce and miracle whip. Both are on wheat bread.

I definitely try to keep my stuff separated from hers, and it has helped since I've been doing that in a stricter fashion. I've been eating better dinners because of it, at least.

You're probably the tenth person I've seen to recommend oodles of water. xD Sooo, I shall go get some right now, actually.

You sound like your head is in the right place

The only thing I'd suggest is maybe watch the miracle whip on your sandwiches. I found that without it my wraps tasted just fine and I haven't missed it since. To give them more flavor I just add more tomatoes.

You might scoff at that suggestion, but try it! If you find you like the taste, just add it back in. I tried the same with cheese (taking it out to see if I noticed) and I found I liked my wrap better with cheese in it, so I left it in.

Substitute things here and there and see if you notice the difference. You'd be surprised at what you can take out and still have a great tasting sandwich

I know how frustrating it is to be around someone who can seemingly eat everything and be thin, but I assure you that chances are your roommate eats less than you think.

My fiance is that way though, seemingly "effortlessly thin" and it is certainly annoying, but when I spent a lot of time with him I realized he didn't eat all that much—just when he was hungry. Unlike me who ate when there was food there.

Originally Posted by Magalo

I just want to share something, just to tell you that you have to find your own way, we are not created equal and our hunger vary from person to person depending on what and when we eat.

Personnally, most of my classes/school starts between 10h and 1h. However, I have one that starts at 8. If I eat breakfast at, example, 7h30 (I force myself), I'm litterally DYING of hunger at 9-10h, even if I eat a snack, at 12h I'm craving like mad, and I will be craving later in the afternoon even if my meals/snacks were sufficient. Eating soon in the morning just don't do it for me. I'm not hungry until around 10h usually, and I better wait to eat breakfast later, or eat brunch instead.

That's so funny! I'm the opposite. I need to eat earlier or I find I'm hungrier during the day.

[JudgeDread]

A good diet starts at the grocery store...including a little bit of good planning.

Not that you need to plan out every meal, but have healthy foods in your home to turn to when you are hungry.

Try counting your calories, it is a huge help in modivating you...and keeping tabs on your intake. I use my Smartphone and downloaded an app called CalorieBalancer. It is simple..add your intake, and if you want you can add your exercise (calories burned). To be on the safe side overestimate what you eat (especially if you didn't measure your serving), and underestimate on calories burned.

Try to get yourself in a routine, and eat small meals all day so you don't get as hungry and tempted to munch out later on.

[knoxie]

The only advice I can offer on how to keep your mind focused on the diet is that if you don't you'll wake up 6 months, a year, 5 years from now in the same position having spent every day in the intervening period telling yourself that the diet will start properly 'tomorrow'. I've been doing it since I was a teenager!

If that sounds harsh it's not meant to. I've been 'you' for the last 15 years! If you really feel you need to lose weight then that need will be with you until you do something about it, and when you do come to a point where you can stick to a plan you'll be kicking yourself you didn't do it sooner. Whatever plan you choose needs to work for you and your circumstances but the advice so far has been very good! Don't deprive yourself because it's a lifestyle choice you're making, not a short-term diet change....and don't beat yourself up if you slip up every now and then either

[Munchy]

Planning ahead has been the only reason why I have success. I have said this about a million times on the board, but I cook ahead of time and freeze things and I meal plan. Here is a link so as not to bore anyone by posting it again.

For me, the trick is to cook and to make my food tasty. I have not once felt like I wanted to eat something else because I look forward to my meals. Not only are they healthy, but they actually taste great. If you don't know how - experiment, but in that link I suggested my top four "conscious eating" recipe websites.

I second the icepack bag, and invest in containers to make things easy. I even have teeny tupperware that I use for salad dressing, natural peanut butter, or hummus. At night, pack up your planned snacks and meals that you plan to eat when you're out the next day, then in the morning you can grab and go.

I really can't just guess what I'm eating for the day or I end up either over or under eating. I need the structure to keep me in the right range.

You can do this! Try planning ahead for one week and see if it makes it any easier. If not, you at least gave it a go!