I think I'm going to cheat on my diet! Help?

Question

I've counted calories since 1/3/07 and I've dropped about 5 lbs so far. My jeans that I could barely button last month fit me so much better, when I look down my stomach isnt poked out as much and overall, I just feel good about sticking to this so far. I'm hitting a bump in the road right now and I want junk food sooo bad. I want pizza the most (supreme with olives, bacon and pineapple.. omg), but also a cheeseburger, cookies, cheesecake etc. I do know that there are low cal cookies, pizzas & other things out there. I've satisfied my junk food cravings lately with low calorie choices and desserts form weight watchers and smart ones. I dont know why this is hitting me so hard right now, & I know if I do cheat I'll regret it and mentally beat myself up for it right away. You just dont know how may times I've had to stop myself from calling Pizza Hut- its almost painful. Do you have any tips to keep me focused and motovated? Please help me.

Answer 1

try saying positive affirmations to yourself and also motivational ones. The one I really like is< "Nothing tastes as good as thin feels"! That one has remained a constant with me when I feel tempted to go overboard.

I have been able to maintain my weight for the last 15 years. It has sometimes been hard, but the more you focus on eating healthy, the less you want to have junk. Also, the less you eat of sinple carbs and high glycemic foods, the less you crave them. The more sweets and sinple carbs you do eat-the more you crave them.

Lastly, I believe "everything in moderation". I do not deprive myself of a piece of cake or a chocolate bar if I want one occasionaly. However, I stop at that. It has taken years though for me to be able to do that. There was a time that I would take a bite of stuff like that and not be able to limit myself. One bite would lead to many more and it just wasn't worth the risk. You will know when you can do that. In the meantime, repeat those affirmations.

Keep a journal as well. That really helps. Write what you are feeling instead of acting on it. You will be so proud of yourself for rising above your temptations. Keep inspiring pictures on the fridge of your goal weight. Also keep a picture of something you will reward yourself with once you get there ( a little black dress, a cruise, a spa day, etc) and paste that to your mirror and fridge.

Lastly, you may want to join some online sites like one in iVillage.com that has others in it who are dieting that you can join message forums with.

Good luck! Stay positive!

Answer 2

Everyone who's trying to change their eating habits hits this point. The main thing I think you can do to keep you focused is to keep looking down at that tummy that doesn't stick out so far!!! Just think how disappointed you'll be if in a week those jeans don't fit any more!
However, anyone who has successfully lost weight will tell you that sometimes, if you really, really want something, then you should just have it. Otherwise you feel deprived and get miserable. As long as once you've had the one thing (that pizza for instance) you go back to the healthy eating, and don't beat yourself up about it, you'll be fine.
Personally, I've always found that the diet versions of foods that are fattening don't work for me. The only way for me to successfully lose weight is simply to eat loads of fruit and veg, muesli for breakfast, give up bread and sugars completely. But obviously that isn't required for everyone.
Well done for the 5lbs you've lost already - just imagine that by 3 Feb, after only a month of this, you'll almost certainly have lost half a stone! That's fantastic.
Keep going!

Answer 3

Nothing that you've listed here is bad for you. Looks like you're eating lots of fibrous foods so it's important to drink a lot of water (but not directly with your meal). Just remember that when you eat a lot of fibre you need enough pure water in your diet as well. Bread and turkey isn't the best combination - harder for your body to digest. Turkey and vegetables fine. Bread and jam/honey are an okay combination, just try to choose a good healthy grain bread. In general, breads and proteins aren't the best combination. Google "food combining" to get some info on that. I understand that your body should be finished digesting before bed (and depending on what you eat - affects how long you need to digest) because your body is using your sleep time to process and detoxify your body so ideally it shouldn't be burdened with digesting at that time. Watch out for bad advice on what to eat because you can end up losing weight but being nutrient-starved which leads to disease. The bottom line goes something like this... a piece of cardboard has no calories and no fat, but if you chewed it really well it would make you feel full for a while - however, it has ZERO NUTRIENTS for your body (just like popcorn). And, by the way, popcorn is bad for your gut! P.S. Don't eat cardboard either. P.P.S. I see so much mis-information in the answers to your question, so be careful who you listen to, okay? P.P.S. Turkey might make you tired - it's the tryptophan. AND - BE REALLY REALLY CAREFUL ABOUT ANSWERS WHERE THE PERSON CLAIMS THEY'RE A DOCTOR AND WITHOUT KNOWING YOUR CASE IMMEDIATELY RECOMMENDS A DRUG. I BELIEVE STRONGLY THESE PEOPLE ARE ONLINE TELEMARKETERS AND THEY GET PAID BY THE HOUR BY PHARMACEUTICAL COMPANIES.

Answer 4

youve been doing good so far but dont force yourself to not eat any of the foods you love or else this wont work for you, im also counting calories since the beginning of the new year and ive cheated a few times but then i just go right back to eating what i know i should be or i will go for an extra long walk so i can eat a couple pieces of pizza so go ahead and have some pizza just dont eat the whole thing, have a piece and then go for a long walk, good luck and dont give up you can do it!

Answer 5

Don't cheat but also don't deny yourself. Eat pizza, but only ONE slice. Don't call for pizza delivery, they can't deliver only one piece to you. Under no circumstances have a large pizza delivered to you. You want nothing to do with anything that has the word LARGE in it.

Eat TWO cookies, no more. Cheeseburger? Only kids' cheeseburger, throw out the last bite of bread. OR have SMALL fries instead of burger. Choose one.

Cheesecake a SLIVER of a slice. But by all means, do. Then go for a walk. Tell yourself if when you return you still want more, you'll have another scant portion. Chances are, you won't at that point, having gone away from it.

I used to overeat not to waste food but I figured that it went to waste on my body in the form of fat under my skin.

Nothing tastes as good as thin feels. I'm sorry, not even pizza. Certainly not cheesecake, I can eat that when I'm skinny.

You are looking so good ! Reach out to me anytime and encourage ME! If I know you're trying I won't want to mess up for you.

Answer 6

you can't deny yourself all the time- sometimes you have to give in slightly to what you want - if not you will just go crazy and eat everything. I would say go and have your pizza but only eat a slice or two - call some friends over so they can eat the rest. After having what you are craving go back to following a good diet. Congrats you are on the right track - keep up the good work!!

Answer 7

You have been doing so good! If you end up getting a pizza, just be sure to do some extra working out today to pay for the extra calories. Just put in an extra 20 minutes of cardio or aerobics or something. Even if you march in place for 20 solid minutes or do squats alternated with marching in place.
People have to be flexible when trying to make changes or its easy to get burnt out. Pizza sounds good to me too, but I will probably just eat the lunch I brought.
Good luck to you!

Answer 8

There is a difference from cheating and binging. My guy considered it a binge if he eats an extra cracker. i would say order a personal sized pizza and eat it slowly. even eat 2 pieces and put the other 2 aside for later. That way you stave off the guilt and pizza is good for you. Then go back to your diet tomorrow knowing you were in control of the situation!

Answer 9

Few people know that chicharillos (deep fried pork skins, yup, those sold right next to potato chips) are carb free. Munch a bunch up to the calorie intake you set for yourself. This helps a bit.

PS I also use chichorilla, finely ground, instead of bread crumbs in my recipes. It kind of takes the sting out of dieting, a little.

Answer 10

Calm down kiddo it's not heroin it's food and it's okay to give into your cravings diets are too hard to stick with if you don't treat yourself every now and then you have done an excellent job so far you deserve a little reward