Whenever I slip up, and gain a little, or spend a week eating horribly, I feel like getting back on track is one of the hardest things to do!

It's not the exercise, that's easy. No, the cravings for food when you're trying not to munch whenever you feel like it. I mean, these cravings for food drive me insane!!

I think those little cravings are the hardest to deal with when making adjustments in eating times and the amount of food.

Last week I really did eat poorly. I had a lot of fried foods, and sweets. Today I have started the morning off with fresh strawberries, raspberries, and plain Greek Yogurt and within two hours my body was screaming, 'FEED ME'.

Hate food cravings!!!

What is or was the hardest thing for you??

Definitely getting back on the wagon after cheating is hard. I'm dealing with that right now. If I mess with my routine in any way, I have to fight the urge to say "screw it. I've already messed up, where's the lobster mac and cheese!"

Good food is my weakness but honestly if I stop exercising for a few days I start to get lazy and getting back in the groove is the absolute hardest for me!

I am with you that getting back on track after eating badly is the hardest thing. I remind myself of that when I am tempted to eat something that will start cravings. For me that is sweets or high carb food. When I am tempted to eat one of the doughnuts that are frequently at work, I remind myself that it is easier to resist the first doughnut than the second doughnut. One doughnut will not satisfy me.

Going on a low carb diet has really helped me with cravings. I wish that I had not resisted a low carb diet for so long!

For many people sweets and carbs are a downward spiral - the more you eat the more you want. That can be why starting restricting them, or getting back to restricting them can be so hard. There's headaches, insane cravings, etc.

That's easily the hardest thing for me - after having way too much pizza or bread the night before, getting rid of those cravings the next day. I mean, I should still be full, I had so much the night before, right? No.

One thing that does seem to help those a little is to have something fizzy. I like caffeine free diet pop, but that's not everyone's bag, so carbonated water would work. Even 2 big glasses of regular water helps some.

Once I've started having carb heavy foods, it will take me days, if not weeks, to get back on track. Some of it is just the mental part of being disciplined, but a whole lot of it is the chemical reactions in our brains from getting the sugars -- natural and otherwise -- that come with carb heavy foods. I'm fighting that fight right now, and for the last few weeks I've been losing it. I'm slowly getting back to eating the way I should -- and now have to lose almost 15 pounds that I'd already lost again.

For some people, the chemical reaction to sugar is every bit as bad and addicting as drugs are.

You're not alone.

I know how that goes. I have lost and gained, and lost the same pounds over the past year because of setbacks.

Sometimes I can come away from a bad week and jump right back into the groove, and other times, the pleasure I get from eating the sugary sweets is so strong.

I know its mind over matter, but mmm sugar is like a drug! Same with caffeine, both cause withdrawals.

Today though, I am happy to say I have been eating better for one and half days now.

I have a hard time getting back on track anytime that I allow myself ice cream, or cake, or brownies, or fast food. I've also noticed that if I eat pizza, even if I have only one slice, it's makes me much more tempted to eat a dessert, or drink a soda. I'm learning it's a lot easier to say no the first time, then it is to be craving it for weeks after not saying no the first time. I hope that it gets easier with time.

Im the opposite .. I have no umph to get up and go in the exercise stakes lol .. getting back on track foodwise its a lot easier. I have great intentions .. have even gone out and bought all the gear ... and I have been paying a gym membership I havent been to for the last 6 months lol .. but never say never .. I will get there ... just glad to get the food part back on track

Mine is getting exercise in. I cannot stand a regular gym as it doesn't challenge my mind enough. If there are no dance, water, or karate classes going on then I lapse horribly on working out. Food isn't really an issue. If I fall into that downward spiral I end up feeling terrible and quickly moving back to better choices.

Nightkatt, I am so with you on the exercise! I'm been forcing myself lately to walk a couple of miles most nights in my neighborhood. I also struggle big time with carbs. Every time I manage to low-carb it for a while, I fall off the wagon and struggle terribly to get back on. My mind is always telling me I'm being deprived of something. Stupid brain!

If only there was a way to eat whatever you wanted, not exercise and still lose weight!

Hehehe ... I dont know if I would like the result as much funny as it sounds .. its like working hard and long hours to be able to buy a pair of boots you have been ogling for a while. The work that goes into the result is what makes the result worthwhile. I got up this morning .. got into my workout gear .. and was going to go to the gym .. instead I have been puttering around the house .. grrr .. the thing is I love it when I am there .. I do spend most of my time on the treadmill (after all the accidents I have been in and broken bones its only low impact I can handle for any length of time) or the cycle and I like how private it is too (all women gym). I think I need to find a gym buddy ... only the friends I have that go to gyms go to different ones lol .. but Im determined to get there this week, will try again tomorrow At least I have it in my mind each day now.

Yeah it's definitely the food cravings for me. I love food and always want to cheat. But now if I cheat I don't dwell on it anymore. Just forget the past week and keep moving forward. You're doing the right thing now and that's all that matters. Good job and good luck!

Hi Tricia20, welcome to the boards .