I started this weight loss journey a few weeks ago. I have been doing absolutely great..sticking to eating right, exercising and writing in my journal. I suppose I was an emotional eater and over the past few years I've been through so much I packed on about 100 pounds or so. So I would stuff and stuff and stuff, really not aware of what I was stuffing. Looking back...A LOT.
Well, this is what I need HELP with...
Yesterday, I was running around all day doing errands. Some things were going on at home that I was upset about and while running(near a ton of fast food rest.'s) I swear, I could SMELL...even taste...french fries, fried chicken, onion rings and I SWEAR I was sooooo close to giving in and saying "Oh, once won't hurt me" well I've done that before and ONCE for me is like giving me a green light and saying JUST KEEP EATING! I didn't stop at any fast food, but I was CRANKY and snippy with people for quite some time after. I swear it's an addiction. I came home and ate a Greek yogurt which I am enjoying and got full.
So...Last night I was looking up fast food addiction's and reading about how people are addicted etc.
I would like suggestions and advice, PLEASE....Does this get better? Does this ease up? When? Will there be a time in the future that I can drive by these places and not be so affected like I was?
This was just awful yesterday and I got really upset. BUT...I didn't cave in and give up..I made it.
Seems like though when I'm thinking "Oh, one time won't hurt me", etc etc, that I'm making all of these excuses in my head and it takes so much time and energy..It's annoying to say the least.
The only way I got off that crazy train was committing to NO fast food, with the exception of salads from 2 specific places when we are on road trips. I was a total McDonald's addict and was always justifying stopping for "just" an iced coffee or "just" a salad. I had to stop it and ban myself from McD's and other addictive places completely. At first I did not know how I would give it up. But over the years it has gotten easy, I don't even consider going there because I promised myself I never would. And I told my kids I NEVER will go there again... so, I can't.
I was in a routine of eating McDonalds with a DQ chaser for years, I wasn't addicted to the food per se, more the activity itself -- it was fast, easy, fun, an 'outing' almost, tasted yummy.
I went about 6 months without any fast food, not even their coffee and muffin because i thought just the muscle memory of going thru their drive thru would give me flashbacks LOL
I 'got over it" eventually, it DOES become less and less appealing, especially if you fill that time with another activity or food, another 'good' habit.
I'm not saying the LIKE for crap ever goes away, just the weird feeling you need it
Absolutely no fast food restaurants! Get it out of your mind! If you feel like some french fries and your diet allows for carbs, then make yourself some baked fries or baked onion rings. with natural ingredients. I too was a McD junkie as it was on my way home and I would order the large choco milkshake along with all the sides (big mac, fries, xlarge coke, etc). I've since substituted my milkshake with unsweetened almond milk, banana and cocoa. It tastes just as yummy. What i'm saying is that although fast food is convenient, long term, you can eat a lot healthier if you spend the time making it yourself. In a year, you will thank yourself.
I was really addicted to McDonald's so I sympathize! There's something about the combination of sugar, salt and fat that was so hard for me to steer clear of.
When I started my weight loss I decided to give it up completely. It did get much easier over time until the point where it sort of fell off my radar.
Next month makes seven years since I've had fast food. For me that was the biggest help in both losing my weight and maintaining it. I've never wanted to go back to it even in moderation because I don't want to deal with those cravings.
I can definitely relate to you. I am emotional eater, and I struggle a lot with controlling my cravings. I do believe that I had a food addiction, and that is something that I have to watch out for every day. And a lot of people don't understand that.
But, I recently watched 'Hungry For Change', an awesome documentary that I really recommend for people to watch. It talked about different foods and people struggling with eating fast foods and junk food. And I remember, one woman saying, change your thinking.
Instead of saying 'I can't have that', say 'I can have that, but I don't want it'. You have no idea how much that has really helped me. I mean, yesterday, I went out with friends and one of them bought for oreo and chocolate cupcakes. They looked delicious, but once I said that to myself I felt as though I was in control. I felt empowered.
I used to "reward" a busy day with a stop to get a burger and fries at Micky D's or a place like it. I still stop on occasion, but I don't get fries, and I throw away the bun. Everytime. No exceptions. I've found that stopping for fast food isn't nearly as enjoyable so the times I stop are out of neccessity (road trip need something fast and cheap)and now maybe every 4-6 months.
The only way I got off that crazy train was committing to NO fast food, with the exception of salads from 2 specific places when we are on road trips. I was a total McDonald's addict and was always justifying stopping for "just" an iced coffee or "just" a salad. I had to stop it and ban myself from McD's and other addictive places completely. At first I did not know how I would give it up. But over the years it has gotten easy, I don't even consider going there because I promised myself I never would. And I told my kids I NEVER will go there again... so, I can't.
^^ This!
Several have already told you that you just can't go there at all. Make a total break. That's what I did. And, in time, there are no cravings! I don't miss it at all. And I had a 5 day a week habit of sausage croissanwich or sausage mcmuffin. Haven't had that in forever. I don't miss it!!
Thank you all for responding. I haven't slipped up yet, I haven't gave in. It's so hard, so so hard. Something about the taste but THEN I think what I feel like after. Bloated, my stomach hurts and I don't want to live this way (heavy).. A slave to the fast food places. I look in the mirror and can't stand what I see. So...I'm going to say NO to fast food, no no no. Feeling depressed about how much weight I've got to lose and I think the depression helps me right along to screwing up.
FAST FOOD CRAVINGS/ADDICTION!!! Ugh......
