The last few days I've fallen off the wagon.I need some encouragement to get back on and try harder.One thing is deferent this time is that I'm not willing to give up.

Last weekend I went to get my regular sub at Subway.I get one of those 6 grams or less subs.I get a 6 inch with no mayo and no cheese.And as soon as I walked in the lady tells me they are closed till 5 AM.I work at night during the weekend and there really is no other place to eat healthy except Subway open that late at night.So I hadn't eaten since 8 Pm and I was starving and my acid reflux was acting up really bad.I had to eat or I was going to be sick.I ended up going to McDonald's.

It hasn't been a total loss this week I have tried to eat healthy but my old habits are creeping back.Tonight I again went to McDonald's.I just didn't think about it I just went.Good news is I didn't large size it.Right this very second I'm getting cravings.I'm going to Subway and getting a 6 grams or less sub.No cheese no mayo.Then I'm going to wash my laundry.

I know this doesn't work for some people, but it does work for me. Are you capable of having a Splurge Day and not letting it turn into a Splurge Week? This is how I control cravings. Friday is my Splurge Day; I let myself have something not so healthy. Yes, I look forward to it all week, but knowing that Friday's coming keeps me on track.

Also, how are you at cooking? If you can find a couple recipes you like, you can make a big dish of them and divide it into servings then freeze it. That way you don't have to rely on fast food when it's late and you can have something that's truly nummy.

Have a plan of attack! if Subway happens to be closed next time have what you're allowed to eat at Mcdonalds figured out before hand. There are several semi-healthy options there. The salads are great and even the grilled chicken sanwhiches as long as you dont get the one with bacon/cheese... even the small cones and normal small burgers aren't so bad calorie wise (not an everyday item but as a treat)

Don't worry you've had an off day, but the important thing which makes for a successful "loser" is to KEEP going! No big deal.

I've never tried a splurge day.I don't know I might not be able to do that because I wouldn't be able to stop splurging.It's still early in this for me and I feel like I need a break from the bad habits completely.Otherwise they might creep back again.

I was on Alli but it hurt my tummy to much and I haven't taken it for a week or more.It kept me on the straight and narrow because I was afraid of the "treatment affects".I'm thinking about going back on it and just dealing with the discomfort.It also felt like I was not going number 2 enough with it.I was taking some fiber drinks everyday but it didn't seem to relieve the feeling of needing or wanting to go but not being able to.On Alli I wanted to poo I needed to poo but I couldn't.

Remember this is a marathon, and not a sprint. View every opportunity as a learning experience. As Idealmuse said, now you can make a McDonald's backup plan!

Also, try to avoid the "all or none" mentality. So, you had a bad meal. The next good meal is right in front of you!!!

Good luck!

Don't beat yourself up because you slipped. That's why we end up failing. Plan ahead and bring your lunch when you are working and that way you have no surprises. Keep up your efforts!

Princess - We all fall off the wagon here or there. It is keeping going and finding what works for you that will get you there in the long run. It sounds like you have the right attitude of not giving up! Working the night shift is TOUGH. Not only are good food choices hard to come by, it does strange things to your internal clock. It may take awhile to find what works for you, but if you try a bunch of different things I am sure you will find something.

I have trouble when I forget my lunch and have to buy it out somewhere too. I basicly have two places I can eat. Subway and the chineese restaurent. I order the steamed rice with steamed vegetables and steamed shrimp. Also, if you HAVE to go to McDonalds, you can order a grilled chicken sandwich with no mayo, but if you're like me you need more to eat than just a sandwich alone. It's hard to eat out and stay on plan, that is why I make my lunches at home mostly and bring them in. You can get back on track right away, don't delay!!!

Hi Princess!!

I don't know if this works for everyone but it works for me. If I have to go to a fast food restaraunt I get a kids meal. Yes I'm 32 years old and I order Happy Meals. It gives you portion control options that you don't get on the big people menus. It also gives you a sampling of everything so 20 minutes after you eat you're not thinking about the fries you didn't get or gee I really would have liked a soda. I usually do a diet coke with my kid's meals. Other than that staying on the wagon is a mental game. If you fall off you have to find it in yourself to get back on. It's that whole "Don't kick somebody when they're down" thing. That applies to yourself too. You're already feeling guilty because you slipped, beating yourself up is only going to make it worse. Be nice to yourself and forgive yourself for that hamburger or milkshake or whatever. You have to remember two things...number one the weight didn't get put on overnight, it's not going to come off overnight. Number two...old habits die hard. It takes a while to reprogram your brain to get on track with what you should be doing as apposed to what you have been doing. Keep up the good work and remember you're not alone!!!

Toodles

Kitty - to help u prepare yr Mickey D's plan of attack, u can go to Mcdonalds.com & read the nutritional info. Here's the link:

http://www.mcdonalds.com/app_control...on.index1.html

I haven't been back since I started dieting, but when I do back, I'm ready. I even read up on the breakfasts cuz some are lower calorie than others.

Wynellen is right - one bad meal does not need to make a bad day. And if you know that you are still going to count everything that you eat there, you will make better choices. Good luck!

PS Toodles - I love the kids meal idea!!

toodles - PLUS you get a toy!!

keep in mind, its not a matter of starting and stopping. its getting through each day doing the best you can. so what? so you ate mcdonalds? that is not the end of the world. tomorrow, dont eat mcdonalds. and if you do, DECIDE to make better choices. you choose to order a big mac just as easily as you choose to order a grilled chicken sandwich with no cheese and mayo (and why does it have to be no to both?) the more you deprive yourself, the harder its going to be to stay on track. have you thought about doing a program like weight watchers?