[enigma74]

I am a 30 year old mother of one girl, (and one boy if you count my fiance)
I have about 40 lbs to lose and I feel really hopeless that I ever will. I quit drinking soda a month ago and it made no difference and I think that's really got me down. I was completely convinced that soda was the difference between what I weigh now and the size three I was 10 years ago. Yeah, I know...crazy, but that's how my weight issue make me. I come from a family where everyone is overweight, and not just a little bit, hundreds of pounds! I'm terrified of ending up like that, and yet, I continue to eat when I'm bored, lonely, irritated, etc.
I actually drank all the recommended water yesterday and that was a positive thing, but I also overindulged in dinner to the tune of 500 extra calories. I'm trying to bounce back and eat right today, but even after a really good breakfast, I'm still starved and craving food. Arg! The frustration is really tough.
What are some tricks for getting past cravings and constant hunger pangs (even right after eating)?

[BekahRubixCube]

Hi. Here are a few tricks I have learned....

1. Suck on low cal breath mints if you are really craving something. Some people also chew gum.
2. ALWAYS start a meal with a salad or a chicken broth based low cal soup. It helps fill you up.
3. Drink of glass of water right before you eat, you will feel fuller.
4. If you really must drink sodas, drink. Don't take away everything you love, just remember to drink diet. Diet Dr Pepper and Diet Cherry Coke are the best.
5. Use egg substitute in things you won't notice, it helps reduce the number of cal and fat.
6. Campbell's soup in the microwavable cans is great, with and apple and a piece of string cheese I am full.
7. If you are hungry for dinner at 3 or 4 pm, EAT. Waiting will only make you more apt to eat too much and the wrong things.
8. Check out the sugar free, fat free ice cream, it is a life saver.

Hope this helps. Hang in there. If you are used to overeating, it will take a while for you to get used to this, but you will. If you can't stand it, and you MUST eat, weight yourself and decided if you really want that brownie.

[enigma74]

Thanks for the help.

Funny but after I posted I actually felt a bit better and stopped thinking about food as much. I realise that I am an emotional eater, but wow, I never realised how bad it was until I really started paying attention to everything I put in my mouth!

[Marti]

Another helpful thing for me is to come here and "talk" about things when I'm feeling emotional or I'm bored. It keeps me out of the kitchen and gets my mind off food.

This site is a wonderful place for support and I'm so grateful to having found it.

I hope you get the chance to explore more of it and we all hope to get to know you better!!


Feel free to PM anytime if you need someone to chat with!

Oh...and Welcome!!!

[Firefli10]

Hi and welcome! I think you made a really good start by cutting out the soda...lots of empty calories! To help cut down on cravings I make sure that I am eating several times a day - about five mini-meals seems to work for me. Eating every 3-4 hours keeps me feeling relatively full and planning my meals ahead of time ensures that I have food on hand so I don;t reach the starving point where I am gobbling everything in sight. Drinking water between and before meals will also help you feel more full. As far as cravings, I've been trying to stop and think before I grab and eat - deciding if I am really hungry or just eating because I am bored or because there is food left on my daughters' plates! When I really have a taste for something, a few low-cal things that have helped are: fat free fudgesicles (only 1, though), sugar free jello, sprinkling a whole wheat pita bread with cinnamon and equal and otasting it in the oven, no sugar added hot chocolate, etc.
Hope this helps you,
Cindy

[enigma74]

Thanks so much. I'm going to try some of your suggestions for sure!

Happy New Year!

[enigma74]

Thanks!

I agree that posting here seems to help. I've been on and off this site three dozen times in just two days!

Happy New Year!