I don't work overnight or swing shifts, but here's my 2 cents worth. When I feel like you do - craving something, especially when I know it won't sit well in the tummy - I have just a small (very small) amount when I first really want it. Trying to hold off usually backfires. As soon as you've had a few bites of what you crave, STOP if it's not on plan.
Here's something else I've learned. You have lost about 12 pounds. As you see the loss getting bigger, you will really want to stay on plan. The reward of the weight loss is so much better than the reward of fried chicken!
And, if you can manage to cut pasta, rice, potatoes, and bread from your diet for a month, you will probably lose a lot of the cravings. I'm speaking from experience. I cut way back on those things in January. Then in April I went to a lecture by a nutritionist/women's weight loss specialist. He said that if you eliminate those items from your diet for a month, your cravings for them AND SUGAR usually diminish. I realized that I hadn't had the cravings in a long while.
Lastly, changing how you think about food is difficult. You have to set your mind to this and DO IT. You will be a little hungry sometimes. You will wish you could eat "something" sometimes. You will fall off plan once in a while. I'm 60 years old, never exercised, and was 250+ for over 25 years, with 10 years of yoyoing between normal weight and 200 pounds before that. I am doing this. Many, many others in here are, too. I draw inspiration from them, even if they don't know it. You can do the same.
Join one of the month long challenges to stay on plan. Join a 10 pound thread. Do whatever it takes to help keep you focused. Once you conquer the cravings and learn how to give in just a little and then get back on plan, you will have changed your habit FOREVER. And isn't that really our goal? Change to a healthier life style.
I realize I didn't give you a real solution to your cravings right now, but maybe you will remember that the big goal is worth it next time you pass on the fried food. You've made a start. Just keep going 1 pound and one day at a time. Good luck to you.
Lin
Last edited by linJber; 06-30-2011 at 08:04 AM.
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Night Shift?
i just recently started bringing an extra piece of fruit with me to have as a snack, sometimes it works, sometimes it doesnt. but i have learned that bringing extra veggies or fruit and putting in the office does tend to prevent me from going down to the staff pantry where all the "big no no" foods are. and i have the same problem when i stay up all day or dont get enough sleep i crave cookies and chips.
