Ugh,
I feel like I want to stuff my face. I have that empty pit in my stomach, not that true hunger feeling but the I want to shove food down my throat feeling.
I have caved in to the pit many times before and never looked back. Hence, more weight piles on.
I am ignoring that pit now. I will only respond to true hunger.
Getting started is the hardest part. Hang in there and it will pass!
There are some things to do to help the carvings pass:
drink lots and lots of water,
eat something low calorie but with lots of protein - boiled eggs help me
stay busy and try to keep your mind off of the craving
chew gum
For me, they're always there, in the back of my head. But, I've learned to think over them or drown them out with louder thoughts about weight loss I've found that my cravings aren't so much physical, I'm-so-hungry-I-need-a-cookie craving, but more like mental, I-know-how-good-the-cookie-tastes-why-don't-you-have-one-now craving.
At first, it was very hard to ignore these. They're still there, I've just gotten better at ignoring them.
Occupy your mind and you may find the cravings go away!
I am struggling right now too. I had a sensible supper then immediately started craving junk food. It's been a few hours now, so the thoughts have been stirring and I have a hungry feeling just making it worse. First I was craving Reese's and McDonald's, but now it's Pizza Hut pizza and fresh cookies. Feeling like I have no control is hurting so much...
If at all possible, go to bed. Curl up w/ a book, movie or your laptop like I am!
I also find it helpful to read through my plan materials. Find a new recipe or idea to try. Helps me get excited about my plan again.
Most of us are pros at this weight loss thing, know how to eat, what to eat, when to eat etc. We know we need to drink water & exercise. That's all easy compared to the mental stuff. That is where we need to do the most work.
Because like you said, it's not "true hunger". So what is it?
I've been doing this for 9months now.... i still have cravings, just fewer and not as strong as they were at the begining. I still have my days where the cravings win, but i also have more and more days where i win the battle
I really dont think i will ever NOT have cravings, but i will be able to deal with them better, or ignore them as mentioned above. I also try to occupy my time with other things and sometimes the craving just goes away. Its is a constant battle in my own brain. everyone is different. I do know that it does get easier tho, and the benefits of fighting the cravings are soooooo worth it!
I have heard, and felt a few times when I would actually stick to dieting after more than a week or two that the hunger & cravings do go away.
I know exactly what you're going through though! I have the same feelings now too.
Do you have some baby carrots to snack on?? I've used those to stuff my face in random "I'm bored & want to eat" situations...
Also, maybe try a small salad.. It will fill you up, with not many calories..
For me the first 10 days of overhauling my eating were very, very difficult. And then surprisingly so, they diminished GREATLY. I was shocked. Who knew that by elminating the foods I craved the MOST - bread, pasta, rice, cookies, etc., that my desire for them would decrease. It was wonderful.
But those first 10 days or so - not so wonderful. Get through them any way that you can. Sounds like you did great btw. Knit, sew, read, journal, computer, clean the house, straighten a drawer, walk, talk, drink water, ANYTHING but give into them. That's another thing. Who knew that just because I HAD a craving, didn't mean I HAD to give into it.
It DOES get much, much easier. And the rewards are simply TREMENDOUS. Trust me, you won't regret not giving into those cravings, not one little bit.
Keep up the great work. This is a battle you CAN win. I know it for sure.
I find if I limit my breads and sweets (or totally do away with them) that my cravings aren't as bad. I have been trying to focus on more proteins, fruits, & vegs. and drink water and that has helped some. (not totally gone, but it is a little more controled) My sister said that she read that some people are more sensitive to carbs. I don't know if that is true, but I know it has helped me to elimated some of these. Just a thought!
I'm a carb queen too. When I cut out the bad kind of carbs it really helped with the cravings. I think a lot of my problem was that it was such a habit to be sticking something in my mouth all the time. Once I got out of the habit of munching non-stop I didn't catch myself with the urge to do it so much. The time I really have cravings is at night. I save a couple hundred calories so I can have a snack at night. I make it something good, like plain non-fat yogurt with blueberries. I actually crave that now instead of the skinny cow ice cream that I had when I first started losing. Once in a while I'll have a skinny cow, but my body seems to want the healthier snack now.
I overcame my intense pizza craving! I would have preferred to not eat at all, but I had convinced myself I was so hungry that I was in physical pain, so I had light popcorn.
Can I say cravings suck?!
I've used those to stuff my face in random "I'm bored & want to eat" situations...
