Those who have successfully lost weight - how can I be disciplined?

Question

How did you manage to discipline your mind so well that you could stop eating the wrong foods?? I try to tell myself that I'll feel bad if I eat a chocolate, but it seems like the more I try to be strict with myself, the more i want to rebel. I'm like this with many things - it's like I have an inner rebel that hates being bossed around. Can anyone recommend a good book about learning discipline in general?? Perhaps being harsh on yourself causes you to rebel even more against yourself??

Answer 1

oh yeah, that makes a lot of sense. I'm the same way....if I get mad at someone, I may starve to rebel against them...but for the most part I want to eat when I really want to lose weight. Its like reverse psychology. The best way for me was to read about health effects of high fat, high sugar diets, and to want to improve my health and the way I feel more than to lose the weight. convince yourself you want to FEEL better, and get on a health kick. Not for weight loss, but just to be healthier and feel better. Weight loss will come with it, but if you think you are doing it only for the weight loss, 9 times out of ten, it backfires.

Answer 2

I have authority issues too. Funny thing is I am very disciplined and orderly, I managed to quit smoking, and I keep a clean house and I'm never late with a payment on anything, but I just hate bad food. I hate dieting, I think the chemical substitutes will, in time, prove more dangerous for us than natural foods do. In fact, the thought that I was good, or bad depending on what my scale said proved to be too much for me, when I plateau-ed for a month, I was nervous, and started thinking about pills, vomiting, laxatives, and I know better. It showed me that maybe losing weight wasn't the be all end all of existence, that was several years ago, I gained back all the weight I lost, but I just couldn't live so miserably anymore, I still eat carefully, keep the sweets down and watch the portions, but I don't lose weight. So yes, being harsh on myself by not allowing myself to eat enjoyably made me angry and disappointed, but its not discipline that's the problem, its the fact that when you stop getting the reward of the lower weight, you lose the balance between what you want to do and results. Books can't help that.

Answer 3

I advise my patients to use an organized sensible diet plan. The most successful plans allow for your favorite foods in reasonable amounts so your need to cheat is decreased. I personally have lost 95 pounds using Jenny Craig. They allow for a wide variety of food choices but give you advice on amounts to help guide you. I have lost this weight despite eating out a couple of times a week (though that is tougher due to the large number of wrong choices available on a menu (look for the healthy choice or weight consious selection offered by many restaurants).

No book can help you with self-control though there are counselors available who could possibly help. A good idea is to get rid of any foods that are not part of your weight loss plan. Donate them to the local food bank or if they have a long storage life put them in a sealed box and put them out of sight. Don't buy candy etc... but if you must, consider getting individually wrapped sugar and fat free hard candies (be sure to check the calories) a five calorie chocolate flavored hard candy from the sugar/fat free selections can be quite satisfying of the chocolate urge and will last a long time if sucked on.

Use a weight loss counselor or dietician for advice and the accountability of weigh ins can help keep you honest. You get embarrassed if you gain or don't lose weight according to your plan (they know you are cheating). Weekly weigh ins are better than monthly as you can catch weight gains before they get out of hand.

Answer 4

Some advice: don't bother with expensive books, they'll all tell you the same thing : you need to work out what works best for you.

I had the same problem as you, so here's what i did. I put a jar in the kitchen, and every time i even thought about getting something unhealthy, i had to put $5 in the jar. Then the money in that jar could only be used after i lost the weight to help buy myself a new wardrobe. it was a very good incentive =]

Answer 5

I can't help you with that one. Every single day I struggle with wishing there was a magical wand or miracle with my diet and smoking.
I heard a quote the other day that sticks with me, so I know I am getting closer to taking better care of myself.
"For some reason, something is troubling you in your past or life now and it is for that reason that you feel you are not worthy in this life, so you have strong tendencies to sabatoge your health." In other words, find out why you feel this way. Write it down.
I am looking forward to hearing the answers you receive. Good Luck!! Thanks for posting the question...your not alone!!
P.S. I'm worthy!!! YOUR worthy too!!

Answer 6

Try hypnotherapy...it may help condition your mind to have control over your body. I think the success rate is around 95%. It helped me get rid of excess fats that didn't seem to melt off with just dieting. I suggest you go to an expert (I'm not one) :-) Good luck!

Answer 7

I'm not sure about any books.

I know that I curved my cravings with a class of water with a splash of lemon juice in it.

Also, to keep myself motivated, I got a floor-length mirror. I took a picture of myself and put 12 copies on the mirror. Every month, I took another picture of myself in the same position, made a transparency out of it, and stuck it ontop of the original picture. I colored the difference in black, and watched it grow every month. It kept me away from my guilty pleasure. S'mores. :(

Answer 8

well it just depends...mine wasnt to lose weight it was to punish myself....the weight loss didnt hurt though:P but aall you can do is when your having the absolute unbearable urge...you can maybe get onto carrot sticks....but the thing is its more habit.....so trust me it gets really easy to cut out the snacks....i dont think i have a chocolate or sweet in god knows how long......

Answer 9

Seriously, the secret is low carb. Dont listen to the negative people say about it. It works wonders.