Here's my thoughts - I think indulging in your cravings every once in awhile is only human and a must. We do not need to put foods we love on a never eat again list. But I really don't agree with the whole "eat whatever you want under a certain amount of calories" deal.

Someone my size could easily eat 1200 calories a day on cookies and fatty foods and still lose weight at first just from constricting calories. But I don't just want to be skinny, I want to be healthy. I don't want to be skinny with high cholesterol or clogged arteries. I want to be skinny and healthy and live a long life. So in the end, 1200 calories of fruits, veggies, good carbs and protein is going to help me be more successful and healthier.

That's not to say that I don't indulge! I do. I have a sweet snack (like skinny cow ice cream) probably once a week, maybe twice. But I do not go all willy nilly all day everyday just because its under 1200 calories, or whatever. :)

Loved that posting on your blog! I should add a dollar sign to my food journal, it will have so much more meaning! And gorgeous picture on your profile, you look so pretty in red!!

EXACTLY!!! This is what I think!!! But like I said I used to just want to be skinny and not care what went into my body. I already have slightly high cholesterol and I am only 17. I want to change that. I had a Sonic shake medium sized yesterday for the first time and won't be doing it again for a while so no biggie nothing wrong with indulging every once in a while. But I do want to be-not just skinny-but healthy. When I was anorexic I ate junk because all I cared about was skinny not healthy. I want this to be different I want to live a healthier life. :)

That's how I feel too. I'll eat just about anything if I'm REALLY craving it and it falls in my budget, but a lot of times I take a step back and ask myself if that chocolate bar worth 300 calories is worth it when I could have a whole can of tuna, mayo, my "low cal" bread and a snack on top of that, for the same amount. Generally it's not worth it. Like someone else said, I mainly only splurge on booze if I do splurge. 3 shots (1oz) of vodka is 120 calories, and I just have that with water and lemon juice. It's all what you feel will work.

As John mentioned, a lot of times giving into those cravings and only having a "little" bit, leads to a lot and derailment on a lifestyle change. Thats what people need to learn is this is a LIFESTYLE change. Little treats here and there are fine, but you can't ever go back to have that big mac for lunch twice a week or eating a bag of chips on a Saturday night.

Learning to enjoy eating healthy is far more worth the satisfaction of sweets.

Conceptually, I guess I do, but not in reality. The days I've eaten things that weren't within what I would normally choose were days I wasn't within calorie limits either.

I plan my treats--and those treats are within my calorie allotment, but they're generally also low-cal treats. I just can't see giving up half my dinner for a Snicker's bar!

That's great, that kind of mentality will keep you on track and make you the healthiest you possible! And that's good you treated yourself yesterday, sometimes it keeps us sane. :p My fiance, brother, and father are cooking out for my mother and I this Sunday for Mother's day so that will be my treat. :carrot:

There's one more thing I wanted to add (that agrees with the slippery slope idea).

Dr Judith Beck talks about a 'resistance muscle' and a 'giving in muscle' and that everytime you strengthen one of them, it makes you more likely to use it again next time. So, if I were to see a treat and decide to eat it, that would be exercising my 'giving in' muscle, so I'd be likely to decide to eat it the next time it was available. OTH, if I see a treat and don't eat it, I've strengthened my 'resistance' muscle, and the next time, I'd be more likely and able to say to myself "I resisted yesterday, I can resist again today."

But then, Dr. Beck also has us planning our treats in advance--not on the fly. So, I could decide tonight that I'm going to plan to eat Oreos tomorrow--but I can't decide to go get a package this afternoon. (planned eating vs unplanned eating)

I eat whatever I want, but I try to keep my portions small. I try to track calories accurately.

I do the same. Thank God I really like a lot of healthy foods (as well as a lot of unhealthy foods). I must say, though, I splurge several times a week. The only time I get strict is when I start feeling out of control, and this can definitely happen if I overeat sweets (and, of course, I have a major sweet tooth).

I complete agree with this. If I can go even 3-4 days without eating at night (after dinner), then it becomes much easier to stay with that habit.

Completely agree. As soon as I tell myself I can't have something I want it even more. So I just determine is this ______ WORTH the calories. If I want it that bad I go for it.

This.


A lot of the time it's worth it for me, as long as I can work it into my calorie budget. Sometimes even if it means I will go slightly over. And other times, it just isn't worth it, and I find a better option.:) Basically, If I want something and I can "afford" it, chances are good that I'm having it.

I don't track calories but I agree with others.

I don't just want to be skinny, I want to be healthy as well. In fact, this is more important to me than to be very thin - took me a long time to get to this mindset but I guess it comes with age. You wake up one day and realize that your body does actually become more physically vulnerable as you get older!!

It depends. I don't have a sweet tooth so I can have 1 or 2 cookies and easily stop, for others 1-2 cookies might lead to a binge. You have to know when you're flirting with disaster and then make a judgement call.

No, I do not eat whatever I want. I don't eat anything I dislike, either, but my options are limited. Which is fine for me. I think admitting the "deprivation" aspect of weight loss and maintenance is not a sign you have been defeated by life. It's actually freeing, IMO.

Ohhh!!! I like that muscle analogy! I am going to write that down and put it on my fridge!

This is what I do. Although I have learned many new things, one thing that has not changed is my desire for dessert. I find if I have a high quality dessert ( 72% organic chocolate w/ orange or mint, almond or coconut ice cream, or homemade gluten free fruitcake), I am satisfied with a small amount. Store bought, restaurant, or low quality homemade stuff, I feel I must binge on them.

So I buy the good stuff, and work it into my calories each day.