Those times when junk food tastes better than thin feels.
When I'm on plan, empowered, in control, and fit, I always think that there's no way any pizza/candy/cookies/chips could ever give me as much liberation as how skinny I feel.
BUT
on the other hand, for about 2 months now, I forgot what that feels like. I give into sick amounts junk food every single day because in my opinion, there's nothing in the world that feels better than eating junk food.
I used to be so... good. Now I just can't get it back. It's as if I was never thin and in shape. And I was!
My tips are the same as I always have for you... try practicing moderation rather than "good/bad extremes". You hold yourself to such perfectionist standards that you're either at the top of the staircase or you've thrown yourself down to the bottom.
Just take it one day at a time, and think about making better decisions as they come rather than trying to be as good as you used to be. You can't go back, only forward.
For the record, I think those people who say "nothing tastes as good as being thin feels," have never had Johnny's pizza (it's a Louisiana thing), but that's just my person opinion....
Maybe you just need something in your life other than concentrating on feeling thin vs eating junk food. Any hobbies you really enjoy? T.V. shows that make you laugh? Maybe try and do something that helps you step away from the junk food vs thin equation all together?
I know what you mean. But, if you look at the people buying the junk food--and for me, that's always the trigger--they're always overweight. And I say that without judgment, because there are a lot of benefits to being overweight--for one, you can eat what you want, and for another, there are some really cute overweight girls--but just focus on if you want your body to change in that way, and then decide.
I understand. I have been in a rut the last week, craving sweets, especially chocolate. But I'm trying to eat it in moderation the last couple of days. It's tough and I'm struggling, too. Just keep trying.
Maybe instead of eating all the junk everyday, plan accordingly and have ONE really good, indulgent type thing one day out of the week. And if you can't wait that long, plan smaller indulgences throughout the week so you don't go overboard! For instance, I fit a 90-100 calorie rice krispy treat into my calories, or I might have the suggested serving size of whatever cookie is in the house. That way, I get to have my indulgent sweet without going crazy. Or, I might put a little light whipped cream in my coffee or use sugar-free chocolate syrup in my almond milk. I find ways to cut corners and still have my junk without feeling guilty about it, lol. I guess what I'm saying is go for moderation instead of an all-or-nothing approach if it suits your plan -- it might help keep you on track!
I've never agreed with the statement "nothing taste as good as skinny feels"
I know people get up in arms about that saying. But, I do agree with the spirit of it, which is: "Feeling slender and good about yourself is better than the momentary pleasue of eating high-calorie food."
OP, I do know what you mean by your post. Sometimes you just really want the cookie, dammit! I get it. I try to indulge and then compensate another way (via eating a smaller dinner or maybe an extra workout).
ETA: Another thing to consider is to look for low-cal substitutes. Baked chips instead of regular? Fat-free chocolate pudding instead of chocolate chip cookie?
There is absolutely nothing that I could eat right now that would take away the humbled, exciting feeling of wearing a size 16 pants today. Yes, size 16 is so large and gross to some people but to me, it's a dream come true. I really thought I would be morbidly obese for the rest of my life and die that way. I know that is a very extreme thought to have but seriously, I ate whatever I wanted for almost my whole life. Now is the time to really appreciate my body and thank it for forgiving me for trying to overpower it with food. I agree that some foods are to die for, but I literally almost did die from them. I think it's just where you are in life and what you've been through. If you want the cookie, have it! But I have to pass, it's not worth it anymore.
If your ticker is accurate, you'll still pretty thin to me! I'm not sure if your junk food cravings are CRAVINGS on convenience? I cook for myself and find that my healthy meals (well-prepared) are really as delicious as most junky-take-out foods I can get. Well, if I factor out the deliciousness of fat, which I do mentally. I mostly give in to junk food and get off plan for the CONVENIENCE factor, i.e. when I'm not planning ahead, ensuring that I have meals and salads and whatnot ready to grab when I need to grab them.
Is the issue really that the food is tempting you?
Or a planning issue?
A combo of both?
Genuinely for me, I have found that recognizing that my healthy, home-cooked meals taste better (or well, more interesting? I mean, what tastes better than French fries) than take-out helps keep me on track, but planning ahead is key.
Regardless, I hope you find a way around this hurdle, but I think on some level refusing to think of yourself as being on- and off- plan might help. You just are, and you eat, making good and bad choices, and hopefully more good than bad!
I was in that place this fall. I was super stressed. Time was too short. Sleep was being affected and darn it. FOOD TASTES SO GOOD!!!! Especially carbs.
I started when I had to drive to New York just after the hurricane, so beginning of November. My weight was around 174ish. I about got stuck there because of the gas shortage. I was staying for a conference and their food was soooooooo good and the desserts? OMG. I ate too much there. On the drive back I ate crap.
Now, it's November and that squirreling away instinct kicked in strong as it was coupled with terrible other things - shoulder injury, tons of therapy appts for me and my autistic son, work, ARGH!!!! I was still making it to the gym 3 times a week by some miracle, but I gave in on the foods. Something had to give and that's what gave.
I knew what I was doing. I knew I would have to undo it, but I didn't care. At that time food tasted better than skinny felt.
Thanksgiving came - food
First holiday party - food
My birthday - cake
Another party - food
Christmas - food
New Year's eve - food
Winter festival - food
Orthdox christmas - food
My husband's birthday - food
O.M.G.
I didn't come here, write on my blog (where I had been faithful for almost 2 years) and I didn't step on the scale. In two months, WITH exercising and never feeling like I totally lost control of my eating - as I still ate the good breakfasts, lunches, and dinners. I just ate some cookies and snacks as I wanted and again, NEVER as much as I really wanted. I could have eaten double what I was easily.
Stepped on the scale and it said 197. Holy crap. I had gained 23 pounds in two months WITH exercising and WITH having some control over my diet.
I hoped that a lot of it was water weight since I was pumped on carbs. Only 4 pounds of it was water weight - that's it FOUR POUNDS. So, in 2 months, 19 pounds of fat. Holy moly!
Here I am 2 months later with pretty consistent eating (a few higher days in there, but nothing extreme) exercising 5 to 6 times a week and I'm at 184 ish.
Two months to lose 10 pounds of fat. Half of what I put on in those two months.
The lesson I learned from that is that I simply cannot go off plan like that ever, ever again. Maybe for a day I can just cut loose - like maybe once a month or something, but I simply cannot ever let it get into my head that food tastes better than thin feels.
With my thyroid issues, age, insulin resistance and who knows what else, I can do BIG damage really fast by straying off plan.
No way, uh-uh, I'll never go there again. (I sure hope).
I wanted a candy bar just now. I haven't had any sort of sweets like that in weeks. I made sure I could fit it into my calorie allowance, then headed to the vending machine and got a 3 Musketeer. Totally savoring every bite of this baby. Lol.
You must take control. Tell yourself that you can have one junk item a day in a small portion. Don't deprive yourself. Just have it in moderation.
Those times when junk food tastes better than thin feels.
