Surfer girl- I almost always gain more 2 days after a binge... So weird, but in 4-5 days I'm usually back to normal

Krampus- overeating is most definitely better than a binge!

Jossfit- good luck fighting the boredom!

Im feeling so hungry today... I don't know what the deal is either. I usually lift weights & run every day... I notice that the days I work out less or not at all I'm usually MORE hungry and have worse cravings... I did p90x this morning and missed my afternoon run. Now I'm do hungry (mentally more than physically) am I crazy??

No, you aren't. For a lot of people exercise (especially running) is actually an appetite supressant! Maybe you're one of those lucky ones.

hi all, my big thing is chocolate :-( i did hear recently that 80% or 90% coca chocolate speeds up your metabalisim? anyway to help me stay choc free im using hypnofood and choc flavour diet drinks. seems to be working so far

I don't think there is any truth to chocolate speeding up your metabolism, however it is a very potent source of antioxidants when it's that dark. I actually just had a piece of 70% Cacao Ghiradelli chocolate, which I do several times a week. It's sweet and delicious without being cloying, and in small amounts like that it's good for you!

Some of those products you mentioned might help to speed up your metabolism in some way, though it's probably very very negligible. You probably burn more calories getting up to get the product than the product itself actually helps you to burn.

The big thing is, do you enjoy them? If so, perfect! What other reason do you need as long as they fit into your plan?

I know it's the middle of the month, but I would really like to join you guys. My motivation is waning, and I need all the support and inspiration I can get. By the way, TGIF!!!!

Holding on here... However, I have just decided I am not eating again till tomorrow because I ate too much for lunch. I hope I can make it! I am trying not to gain anything out of this overindulgence. It was not a binge at all, but I ate more than I should have. I was hungry LOL! Tomorrow I will report if this little IF goes well. Now I know I should not eat onion and beef pie.

I don't know what to call today... I ate my " maintenance" calories, because I was really hungry when I got home from work... Stopped when I reached my limit, even though I really want more... And still I feel guilty- I can feel myself slipping back into disorder territory. 2000 calories is what my body needs, especially with how active I am.. And I am here FIGHTING not to take laxatives and/or purge. Writing it out here helps... Sometimes I think i really need professional help, other times Im convinced that it's not so bad. Sorry to totally unload here but it's the only place I have where people will more likely understand...

Tyla- I was actually wondering how you were ding the other day I hope you can re-gain your motivation here!

Inglesita- it's so great to see that you've been more able to find a balance since the beginning of the year!! It's so inspiring.

Jossfit- I always love reading your comments. You sure Look great in your picture! And u think you're right about running... I'm never hungry after I go!

Itdone- if you've found something to hold off binges I'd say hold on tight!!

Danzingurl, maybe you could drink soup (homemade broth) to fight the hunger. I always forget about that option, and when I remember to drink broth I am reminded it is a good choice. Hunger is natural and we should not be afraid of it. I am trying to function in spite of it... I mean, some time ago as soon as I grew hungry I would eat immediately, but now I know I can go hungry for some time and nothing bad happens to me. Try the broth and tell us how it worked!

Hi danzingurl! Thank you for your thinking of me. Now I know I'll get my motivation back. I did pretty well over the weekend just knowing I have a group for support. I think this thread is important for all of us.

As far as you're concerned, just move on, and next time you're ravenous, have a "go to" snack before you eat your dinner, make it somthing you like, so you won't feel punished - a sugarfree yogurt or some other 100 calorie food that will stop your hunger. Eat it calmly. When you're feeling a little better, you can prepare a healthy dinner for yourself. Like you, I often feel I have to stay very strict with myself, giving myself little leeway. Life makes it difficult to be perfect all the time, and we have a tendency to beat ourselves up for really no reason. (I often do for a few calories over.) A lot of us "creative, artist" types need to be more gentle with ourselves. (((hugs)))

I'm the same way. Most of the time it serves me well but sometimes I really have to argue with myself about silly things... take this morning for example;

I'm maintaining my weight (I really have nothing else to lose as you can probably see from my avitar) but it's so difficult! I have been weighing myself once a week to stay on track and make sure my weight doesn't start creeping up. I was on plan and am up .6lbs this week. Thats NOTHING right? Why am I not super happy with that? I tell myself that as long as I'm in my "Happy range" (it's about a 3 pound window) that's perfect, and I totally was.

I just think that when you are looking for SO LONG for the scale to go down, and then suddenly it's not and its fluctuating a bit, it's a weird shift in mentality that has to happen.

When I look in the mirror though, I'm VERY happy with where I am, and so that's all that really matters. It's just going to take a bit of time to break my attachment to the numbers.

Anyhoo... How is everyone else hanging in there in May? We're up to the 20th already! Everyone making their way toward their goals for the month?

Jossfit, you look fantastic!! Congrats to you for working so hard and achieving such success. As we all know, it's not easy. But I know exactly how you feel about doing well for so long and seeing no reward it return. Our mind can make a shift. Congrats again to you for realizing how great you look. Our mind sometimes distorts that image, too. (At least, mind does. I'm working on getting over that nonsense.) Keep up the excellent work, because you're an inspiration!

I do want to say that I did well over the weekend. I ate healthy, moved more and am trying to stay off the scale. I did a number on myself a few days before I came back here. The reason was because I was so good for 2 months and didn't lose anything! That's when my mind made a shift! My goal is to be sugar and white flour free. So far so good.

I have zumba class tonight.

Im disappointed in myself today after going off plan this weekend. I binged on some Rollo's that I bought to make a dessert for a group I go to even though I didn't binge on the dessert. My daughter even called me on it which makes the guilt just as bad because she knows I shouldn't eat like that. I also took her to frozen yogurt and then went with my boyfriend at a different time. I felt aweful but was still happy I went chocolate free and just had fruit on it. I feel heavier today, I feel like I am making no progress like 1 step forward 2 steps back. Back on plan today, ready to hang in there again.

HORRIBLE day yesterday... but I'm not dwelling on it. Back to my normal healthy ways today!

clownfish, forget it and move on. Sounds like you are. Excellent. By the way, your avatar shows your a hard worker. Congrats!

Jossfit, love your attitude!

Still in cal range and exercising. I feel so much better, mentally and physically.

Well, I'm still trying to make it all the way in May, like the title says. (Even if it's only been a few days since I joined and my last disaster.) Hope I can do it this weekend.

Good luck, everyone!

HAVE A HAPPY MEMORIAL DAY, EVERYONE!