I think somebody mentioned it...where are you at in your cycle? The week before my TOM, I crave EEEVVERYthing that's off plan. I get frustrated because I just want to gorge myself on a Big Mac for an appetizer, chocolate cake for the first course, Chinese buffet for the main meal, and several desserts after that. I'm insatiable, and my calorie counted planned meals just don't satisfy. Right when I'm about to go crazy, I start my TOM, and the cravings go away.

I'm not much of a vegetable eater. Not so much because I dislike them, I just have a hard time using them before they go bad, and that frustrates me so I don't buy fresh produce often. I have discovered stir fry. 6 oz of a skinless/boneless chicken breast diced up, plus a whole bag of frozen Walmart brand stir fry veggies = 330 calories. That is a TON of food. Use a few more calories, and spice it up with low sodium soy sauce and spices. I usually don't eat the whole thing, but if I feel the need to eat a lot of volume, that's a good way to do it while staying on plan. And it's practically pure fiber and protein, which equals fullness.

Honestly I'm not really sure what I should be eating. I'm getting all the info i can to make a grocery list and meal plan to help get started.


This can be good. Many times I've read something and immediately run out to get supplies. Ya know how many times those supplies ended up in the trash?!? Too many!

You can make do with what you have. It may not be optimal but ... it is what's there. Just consider it while you eat.
Gosh, I wish this was thin sliced whole grain bread -or- a couple of hard boiled eggs would have been cheaper than that pudding cup. Write down your thoughts

Surf recipes, other peoples menus ... by next week, your grocery shopping will be an adventure into fun and health.

I try to eat a combo of protein and good carbs. That seems to be the magic bullet that fills me and sticks with me for a bit. The Special K bar . . . how much protein is in it? I usually eat Balance Bars because they have 14 g of protein and are 200 cals. Combine that with either a cheese stick or glass of skim milk and that will usually stick with me for 2-3 hrs. Also I find if I eat before I get hungry (or at least before I get 'eat my arm off' hungry) whatever I eat sticks with me longer.

Do you "hoard" your calories? I have a problem on weekends because I go to bed later. I am terrified of hunger, so I tend to want to "save" my calories for later. The problem with that is that I then spend the first half of the day constantly thinking about food and how much I want to eat, but no, I shouldn't, I might still be up at 11 and hungry.

So I've started giving my self permission to go 100-200 calories over on weekends "if needed". That lets me go ahead and eat on weekdays at my normal times without getting panicked about later. The really interesting thing is that I never, ever use those calories--I don't remember the last time I did. As long as I eat at my normal times, I'm not usually hungry in those last coupe hours before bed. But knowing I can eat if I have to--in a reasonable, on-plan sort of way--keeps me much more satisfied.

The short version of this is--don't hoard your calories if you are starving. Eat all day.

No wonder you're hungry! You're eating a lot of processed refined stuff. Those Special K bars KILL Me. I have one and I'm starving for the rest of the day.

I've always been a calorie counter and will probably always be a calorie counter because it ALWAYS works if you do it. The trick is, finding foods that'll fit into your numbers AND fill you up and taste good ;).

Eat when you're hungry but eat whole foods. The trick is to get the most bang for your caloric buck. I pack on the protein. It's my best friend when it keeps to not wanting to eat my arm off at the beginning of the day. Protein and carbs have the same amount of calories per gram (4). If given the choice I'll pick protein every time because the payoff is better.

You will get through this!!! Losing weight is hard... if it was easy we'd all be size 2.

Totally agree! Special K bars hardly constitute food. I cannot keep myself feeling well on "diet" foods. I actually eat full fat version of everything as well and can still stay at 1200 calories. I know this doesn't work for everyone but for me I feel more full when I do this and it doesn't affect weight loss (eating like there is no tomorrow is what has affected my loss/gains!). There is a section on whole foods here maybe you could look around on there and see what interests you?

Go easy on yourself then. The book that has helped me most (The Beck Diet Solution by Judith Beck) gives you a full two weeks just to get prepared to go on a diet. Successful weight loss takes lots of planning and lots of experimentation. You'll get there -- just give it some time and thought.

Thanks everyone:) All of your advice is very helpful. :hug: