what do YOU say to yourself to stop eating?

last year, i used to be about 180 lbs. I was grossed out with my looks and joined a gym, got a personal trainer and seriously watched what i ate. now a weigh about 129-132 lbs depending on the time. my bmi is pretty good but i still have belly fat and id like to lose some fat from my legs. my waist is 27 inches, and im 5'3. thing is, i start the day with a specific food log so that i do not go over 1200-1300. most days, i do good. some days though, i really cave in to my sweet tooth and eat like 300 calories over my limit! i know what im doing isnt good, but i say "but youre so close to your goal, this cookie isnt going to break you!" and then i feel bad after i eat it. anyone else have this problem? please share what you guys say or do to remain loyal to your calories. thanks in advance!

First of all, congrats on losing weight and being at a healthy weight now. Losing weight as you know is not easy, however don't beat yourself up for going over 300 calories it's okay  Sometimes, our bodies need those extra calories. It's not like your doing this everyday then that would be a problem now wouldn't it. Because if you did, eventually you'll end up back where you began at 180 pounds. I believe "moderation" is key, and deprivation leads to binging. I think you need to up your calorie intake and go to 1500 calories a day and keep it at that level. That way you always feel satisfied and still lose weight at the same time or maintain your current weight level.

And this is what I tell myself, you go girl you deserve that cookie!

I generally just look at the calories and then ask myself if its really worth it and will I really get xx number of calories enjoyment. I then walk away for 5 mins and if I still really want it after 5 mins I have it, if I don't I don't.  Usually after 5 mins I realise it was just an empty craving and feel great for not having eaten it and then don't want it

Try drinking a hot beverage after you eat, or feel like eating when you know you don't need it. Have a cup of green tea with splenda, or two splenda if you have a sweet tooth, but why cheat?? Be strict with your diet for several days, and then eat a cookie on the third or fourth day. Let your cookie at the end of the week motivate you. Everyday that you eat more than you need will accumulate and cancel out all the hard work you did. A cheat meal or treat once or twice a week is fine, anyway. I wouldn't make it a habit though- the more you eat sugary things, the more you want to. If you stop eating them altogether, the cravings will stop.

now that i'm maintaining, i like to say, 'it takes 3500 to make a pound.'  :D

I remember someone once said "a moment on your lips, forever on your hips".  I thought it was a funny reminder when you're tempted to overindulge.

I just say to myself "you are making a CHOICE to eat this"...I can usually then revert to the right choice and pass on whatever it is! :)

Something I heard a while ago was "nothing tastes as good as being thin feels", it usually works for me. :) 

(Someone told me that this is a "pro-ana" saying, I"m not sure if that's true or not, but I want to get it out there that I'm not using it in that context at all.)

Original Post by snowfence:

now that i'm maintaining, i like to say, 'it takes 3500 to make a pound.'  :D

Haha! That is so funny, I am exactly the same.. but I do tend to forget that all those calories add up in the end, rather than 'expire' after a certain amount of time. (that would be great, wouldn`t it? :D)Haha! That is so funny, I am exactly the same.. but I do tend to forget that all those calories add up in the end, rather than 'expire' after a certain amount of time. (that would be great, wouldn`t it? :D)

But anyway, back to the original question. I`ve found I am most tempted to eat foods I am not allowing myself, or that I restrict to very small portions. So now I just tell myself 'Yes, you can have it, as much as you want of it. But you`re smarter than that. Still want it?' This most likely does the trick, I mean, who wants to be considered stupid?

In the event that it doesn`t work I`ll have the tiniest little bite possible and if I am tempted to eat more I tell myself 'I already know what it tastes like, and it`s not good for me, so there`s no real reason to eat more.'.