How does one igore those cravings?

I am just getting started on here and need continued motivation. I have weakness for sweets, especially chocolate. It's like I crave it if I go without for awhile. I enjoy my morning cup of chocolate milk to start my day - most people have to have coffee but not me... I need the choc. milk to get started so am starting to drink Muscle Milk for breakfast. I don't eat a good breakfast as I'm not into cereal much. I can do a little bit of frosted flakes or honey cluster flakes and such as long as there's sugar. I mostly drink diet drinks or tea. Anyway, if I can get away from my daily intake of sugar, I know I can lose the 25 to 30 lbs. I need to lose. Right now I could just eat a big fat donut - which sounds so good! I just need to quit "giving in" to my cravings. Hopefully with this site and people like me, I can succeed.

 

You can succeed, just as many people here have.  The first step, however, is to realize that some of your eating habits are not going to be conducive to weight loss.  You really should give more consideration to altering your morning "routine".  A decent breakfast is REALLY important, and it doesn't have to be cereal.  How about an egg and a piece of toast with something like nutella (which, if I'm not mistaken is chocolately)?  There are ways to still fill your cravings and fill your bodies needs at the same time.

I completely agree with vstar, breakfast is the most important meal of the day! As they say, eat breakfast like a king, lunch like a prince, and dinner like a pauper. A good breakfast meal will last you at least a couple of hours and help your metabolism get started for the day.

Also, sugary things make you crave sugary things more and more. It's like a vicious cycle or something. If you really do want to eat something sweet, try having fruits. Not fruit juice, but fruits. They are great for you and that darned cravings.

I'm still losing, with all the problems, so I know where you're coming from. So, this is what I believe, and it may help.

First, try changing your attitude. You're not 'depriving' yourself, you're giving yourself a gift. Better health, a more attractive body. Whatever you had wanted when you started. So "giving in" isn't a trial so much.

For me, the weakness is PEPSI. I drank it like water. Now, I feel free to have one once a week. I just work the calories into my daily 'budget'. (I usually plan what to have all day, using caloriecount.) That way I still get the taste I like, but don't splurge.

The biggest thing, though, is to REPLACE IT. In your case, substituting flavored drinks until you find one you like would be helpful.

For instance, I had to give up my high-calorie ranch dressing. Low-fat versions don't taste 'right' to me. But I found a rasberry vinagette that tastes great, without the assumption of what it 'should' taste like.

Hope it helps.

If I have a craving for something sweet, I will do whatever I can to break that desire.  You might have a cup of tea (Good Earth is naturally sweet - no sugar needed), or go for a walk, take a break from whatever you are doing.  In other words if you can hold off for 10 minutes, that desire will usually pass.  Sometimes when you think you're hungry, you're actually thirsty.  Make sure you drink lots of fluids.  Water is best as it has no calories.  Also when you go shopping, don't buy those temptations.  If you don't have it in your cupboard, you can't eat it.  You might want to go through your kitchen and throw out (e-gads) all those bad foods.  That's what I did.

Both vstarpilot and lemonjello are right, breakfast is best!  Have a high fiber breakfast and that will hold you over for several hours.  What I do is eat every 2-3 hours so I don't get really hungry, that way you won't binge or overeat.  For breakfast I have slow cook multigrain cereal.  I add blueberries and strawberries or apples, add 2 tablespoons of flax meal, and 1 tablespoon of real maple syrup. Yum!

I too have a sweet tooth.  So what I do is have 1 small piece of milk choc after dinner.  I eat it real slow so I can savor it.

Also, I heard on the news today, that people who drink diet sodas tend to have greater weight problems than those who drink regular soda. Hum.....

If you want success in your weight loss you will have to change your ways.  It's not a diet, it's a new way of living.

Good luck!

Original Post by betsaroonie:

Also, I heard on the news today, that people who drink diet sodas tend to have greater weight problems than those who drink regular soda. Hum.....

 Well I drink a lot of diet soda...because it's around (I've managed to decrease from two cans of pop a day to one...if thats considered a lot) and it hasn't affected my weight loss EXCEPT if you factor in water weight, which can be remedied by drinking two glasses of water for every can of pop.

The reason I think the diet factors into the weight problem is some people that drink diet soda (also happens with lower fat foods as well or sugar free things) think that because they have the diet soda now they can have the burger and fries and not feel guilty about it, or have an extra donut or whatnot. Also, drinking it can trigger cravings for foods you usually consume with diet pop....which for most people are something junky. I have it when I am hungry and I've already had my calories for my meal/day. It suppresses my hunger and it helps me out with my weightloss.

Well there are lots of good breakfasts besides cereal...try eggs, oatmeal, and if you HAVE to have bread, a whole wheat bagel/toast. You don't have to banish sugar from your diet but have some self control! This is a lifestyle change not a fad diet. And there's nothing wrong with liking chocolate either, I love chocolate as well. Some foods that help me when I get that itch-

1. Fiber 1 bar---> 140 calories, tastes like a chocolate chewy bar but has a lot of fiber

2. sugar free chocolate pudding---> 60 calories and tastes like regular chocolate pudding. the regular stuff is usually only 100 calories so that works too

3. dark chocolate peanut M&Ms. Split the contents of the bag so you're only eating half of it (or factor it in your calorie count for the day) and it's around 120 calories. It has healthy nuts, as well as chocolate! Don't do this every day though

4. dark/milk chocolate raisinettes. If you like raisins get the small bag and it's 180. not a good choice for every day, but if you factor it into your calorie count its not a problem at all

5. THIN MINTS! I am satisfied with 2 of them, for 75ish calories. The full serving is 150 and 4 cookies.

There are many more ideas but these are not terribly unhealthy chocolate choices. Way better than a chocolate covered donut or box of truffles. I don't believe there's BAD foods, just BAD portion sizes! You can't go your whole life without it so live with it!

If you crave something sweet, try substituting some berries or grapes.  A grape is incredibly sweet and is  approximately 2 cals per grape.  Blueberries are another sweet snack which is very good for you.  Fruit contains natural sugars, and is packed full of vitamins and antioxidants.

Processed carbs like donuts, breads, sweets, chips etc can be addictive, as the surge then crash of blood sugar that they cause make you crave more.   Perhaps investigate low GI foods which slow release energy and keep you feeling satisfied for longer. You could try subsitituting wholemeal bread for white bread, go for high fibre cereals, or avoid them althogether (way too much salt & sugar in most of them), replace sugary or processed carb snacks with fruit or nuts.

One thing that has worked well for me is when I am craving something full of carbs, I eat some high quality protein instead - a boiled egg, some smoked mackerel, a few nuts.  It makes me full and satisfied, instead of wanting more a half hour later.

I used to bounce from one addictive food to another.  First I was craving malted milk balls all the time, then crystalized ginger, then dark chocolate...and I'd cycle through.  But it was always sugary foods.

 

You may have an imbalance in your system which CAUSES you to crave those things more than what you normally would.  I found all these things affected me:

 

1. My brain craved sugar because it wanted a fast energy boost, when in reality I had a deficit of protein and a diminishing B12 supply.  Both of these things contribute to fatigue, which your body deals with by trying to get you to eat quick energy (sugar).

 

2. I had a yeast overgrowth in my intestines (this is different from the lady-kind in location, but not in strain).  This stuff feeds on sugar and causes all sorts of digestive issues, from bloating to constipation to acne.

 

My solutions (which have worked for me, so very well):

Try juicing or adding many more greens into your diet.  Whenever I feel like I'm craving sugar, I order a green juice with my lunch at the health food store.  Getting into the habbit of drinking and eating mass amounts of greens automatically subdues your sugar cravings.  I do not know how this works, it just does.  I loved the effect so much, I now juice at home.

 

Try adding Acidophilus to your diet.  I recommend a non-dairy liquid form.  This is a probiotic that lives in your intestines and punches yeast in the face.  It has the exact opposite effect of yeast.  And again, will reduce your sugar cravings.

 

From a recovering sugar-holic, I hope this helps you.

Need motivation?  Go to any store.  Try on some clothes under the florecent lights and the 3 way mirror.  ALWAYS ruins my appetite.

Original Post by mcwitch:

Need motivation?  Go to any store.  Try on some clothes under the florecent lights and the 3 way mirror.  ALWAYS ruins my appetite.

 hahaha i hate those three way mirrors.

For cravings, tea does it for me. Any type with some sweet and low!!!

Cat - there are lots of techniques that you can try...one sure fire way is to reprogram your craving and feed the hunger...if you arent already doing it...I recommend looking into waht I call "grazing" eat a little of food all the time to not be starving...with that said there is a trick to doing it so dont take me wrong it can also derail you too...also replace the doughnut with something as sweet and satisfying which is also high in fiber (fruit and or vegetables)...and dont forget to drink some water...

Remember feed the hunger dont ignore it...otherwise you may tend to over eat...if I can be of any help please email me 98z3dave@comcast.net and I will be more than happy to provide you a list and some additional tips.  I am not selling anything I am just a person who went from 210 to 140 lbs and can help...been there and done it.

 

Dave

When I get the chocolate craving and just have to have it, I take a couple of squares from Hersheys Dark Chocolate and take little bites letting them disolves slowly in my mouth savoring the flavor. It usually does the trick without too much damage to my diet!

Dark Chocolate is actually good for you in very moderate amounts...

I also drink lots of water, especially when I'm getting those craving tendencies... most times it fills me up and takes away the need.

Good luck to you!

I agree that fruit is generally the way to go. I can also put off a craving with a graham cracker (68 cals) or if ABSOLUTELY desperate for chocolate, a few semi-sweet chocolate chips -- just keep the mother load in a very inconvenient spot & put it right back!

I don't completely ignore them.  If I do, I'll binge.  I wait until I need to make up a few calories on a day and then feed them a few bites of what ever it is. 

I recently read that ppl that allow themselves to imagine eating a piece of chocolate eat less than ppl who tell themselves not to think about it. I havent actually tried it. I am a sugar a holic too. I notice when I get away from it I dont crave it as much. When I put it in my bod then it starts the craving. I have been going up and  down over the last few months. I recently lost 100lbs and Im so afraid of gaining it back!! Im here if you need me, good luck!!

when im craving something unhealthy I think about a healthy alternative (like fruit etc) that would have less calories but taste just as good!

Hey Cat!

I know what you're going through. I used to be the girl that had a piece of cake & milk for my late-night snack almost every night!

I recently started using this patch that has really helped with my cravings. I no longer need sweet treats or sodas. I really don't want any of it now.

I was a huge skeptic, but I've already lost 8lbs in 9 days. I'm also keeping my B+ rating with my food log.

The patch is all natural. Love it!

How do I ignore cravings?  I don't.  I don't eliminate anything, but instead I plan carefully the amount and frequency with which I will eat my favorite "bad" foods, to allow for them within a healthy, balanced diet for that day, that week, that month.  For LIFE.

For example, I eat dark chocolate every day.  Not much, just a few squares, 110 calories.  I love cheese, and the low fat versions don't do it for me.  So I eat the full fat.  Just a small amount, every few days.  That's all it takes to prevent it from becoming a craving.  And ice cream.  The best, richest stuff.  But only a quarter cup, at the most, savored slowly by the teaspoon, and not more than once a week.  It's enough.