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Old 06-23-2009, 07:45 PM   #1  
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Default Visions of sugar plums dance in my head

What do you do when your mind presents images of food that isn't on your approved list for the day? Candy, chips, what have you? Sometimes, the images are so strong I can almost feel what it would be like to eat it. It's distracting.
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Old 06-23-2009, 08:28 PM   #2  
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I did this yesterday. And oddly enough, I am sitting here trying my hardest to remember what it was. I do remember it was in my face, like either one of my kids had it or my husband. We went grocery shopping so it could have been something there also. (Yesterday was a 1200 cal day so it can get tough as the day winds down sometimes).

But I remember staring at it and walking away. I just keep telling myself "I don't act on whims or wants anymore" and reminding myself that those kinds of actions are what got me overweight in the first place. At least with those kinds of foods. You just have to kind of talk yourself down and either have something healthy if it is truly time to eat or wait it out.

I do remember seeing a GIGANTIC, ENORMOUS, HUGE Hershey Bar at the grocery store and I was actually disgusted. This was a larger than life candy bar. It was CRAZY. I have seen the big bars, but it has gotten EVEN bigger. I no longer have thoughts of "oh, poor me I can't eat that". I was actually thinking how sorry I felt for the unsuspecting person who might walk along, grab it and gobble it down in the car on the way home to cook dinner.
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Old 06-23-2009, 08:59 PM   #3  
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I tell myself "My, that sounds good. If I still want some, maybe i can work it into my plan for tomorrow".

Typically the craving goes away, but giving myself permission to have it -eventually- will make the crazed food daydreams go away too. And if I still crave it a day or two later? I work it into the plan and have it.
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Old 06-23-2009, 10:03 PM   #4  
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I actually have "food taste memories", if that makes sense. Like, I'll be in the store and passing the aisle with the potato chips, and I can actually TASTE sour cream and onion chip dip. Sad, but true.

I usually keep some sugar-free gum in my handbag, because if I really get a bad food taste memory, I can pop in some cinnamon gum or mint gum and that really takes away the desire.

I know, I'm weird.

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Old 06-23-2009, 11:18 PM   #5  
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I go ahead and mentally eat it, I imagine what it would look like, smell like and then imagine I'm eating it and it is the most delicious thing I've ever tasted, total food porn. Of course the itemis never around, and by the time I'm done imagining the entire experience then I don't want it anymore and also realize that it isn't ever going to taste as good as I just imagined it. I've had imaginary sodas, donuts and other things I don't eat anymore. I've foound for myself that what I really want is the memory and not the actual food.
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Old 06-24-2009, 08:16 AM   #6  
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Bette k View Post
...and also realize that it isn't ever going to taste as good as I just imagined it.
This is key for me. When I ate junk food, it was always the anticipation of the food more than the actual taste. Even after years of eating junk, it never tasted as good as I thought it would-- even my favorites.

Also, you may want to evaluate your diet, for me, and many others, too many carbs create cravings for junk.

I think what helps the most is not debating about it in my head. If it's not in your plan for the day, then that's it. It doesn't matter how great a candy bar would taste, because you're not going to eat one, period. If you leave room for negotiation-- maybe I could... the pull of the food will be stronger.

Also, I find that when I'm drinking a lot of diet soda, my cravings are worse, but if I'm not, a diet soda can satisfy my craving.

Hope some of the input from people helps you find something that works for you.

Last edited by thinpossible; 06-24-2009 at 08:18 AM.
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Old 06-24-2009, 03:56 PM   #7  
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Thanks. These are good ideas.

I, too, can "taste" something I'm craving, like chips or Chinese food or whatever.

I'm really proud of myself because chocolate isn't the temptation it used to be. I did the "Why Weight" process of having a bunch of it around and learning to trust myself that I will take care of my body and don't have to deprive myself of it. I used to eat chocolate daily, but now I can't remember when I last had it, and I've got some at home that I haven't touched.

But it's these visions of food that are especially challenging because they're so varied and strong.

My immediate thought on reading about the idea of telling myself that I don't give into whims and wants anymore is rebellion, that it makes me a boring and stagnant person. It's weird because I'm usually pretty good with planning and sticking to plans.
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Old 06-24-2009, 05:56 PM   #8  
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Ufi: It is not boring if you are already eating healthy, delicious foods. If I want chocolate, I find alternatives that will fit with my intake limit for the day. Like chocolate milk and 100 calorie snacks. But I don't sit and eat an entire snickers bar or anything like that anymore. I guess if I wanted to I could calculate that into my day, but I would rather spread those calories out to make room for other things. Those kinds of foods usually had a pretty good effect on me for all of about 30 minutes and the day would go downhill from there when the sugar spike was over. I would want a nap and just couldn't get with the program for hours after eating something like that. Unless I had something else just as sugary within a couple of hours of eating a candy bar. So, you see where this vicious cycle lead to my weight gain, haha.

None of this is to say that you absolutely cannot have the things you like. I pretty much chose to stay away from it, especially in weight loss mode. And the fact that I feel better now that I am not eating that kind of stuff gave me a clue it wasn't too good for me.

I like Amanda's technique also: Get back to it tomorrow if you really want it. Chances are, tomorrow will come and go and you won't even remember it. If you are the rebellious type, you may still feel a hint of that rebellion coming out even using this technique.

All of us respond so differently to food cravings. After reading how Robin handled it, it appealed to me the most to just say "No, I don't eat that anymore".

The cravings can be quite uncomfortable but once you find something that works it gets better.
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