The Zone

Does anybody else have this problem?

When I'm away from food, I always think that I'll be able to avoid overeating it and not give into cravings, etc.

But then, it's like I get into a zone and lose all discipline when I am near food. And it's like I totally forget about the way I thought earlier away from the food.

Any advice on avoiding getting in the zone and how to snap yourself out of it when you get in it?

I'm sure there's been a million posts like this, but any help would be much appreciated. Thanks!! =)

PORTION CONTROL!

I have a hard time with it sometimes...or at least I used to.

I pre-portion snacks (the unhealthy ones that is). For me to maintain my control with things, I keep things like cereal, crackers, pretzels, and other snack-y type foods in small servings (ziplock bags/plastic containers). Otherwise....if you cant control yourself around certain foods-dont buy them. I cant help but to eat the whole box of mac and cheese if I make it, so I just dont buy it anymore. Eat an  apple or grab a few baby carrots. Let yourself eat as many veggies or fruits as you want-as long as you arent dipping them in dressing, peanut butter or caramel.

That is such a wonderful idea!!! That is going to help me so much! I appreciate it a whole bunch!!! =)

Lots of people (Jillian Michaels included) suggest that you dump or give away the foods that you have trouble with. For me, this is impossible since I live with my kids and my husband. And when I started working from a home office a few years ago I was sure that nibbling would be the death of me -- I'm just too close to the fridge!

What has worked for me is to diligently weigh things. I tried pre-portioning and it didn't work because it was too easy for me to grab more than one bag of pre-portioned food and eat it on the go without thinking. But it does work for me to weigh -- and sometimes even log into the computer -- what I'm eating before or as I'm eating.

The other thing I've done is to take a picture that I pulled out of Shape magazine of a woman with fantastic abs and tape it to the inside of the cubbord where I keep my cereal, chips and other foods. It doesn't help me not eat, but does help me with mindless eating because I am confronted with my goal (have a stomach that looks like the one in the picture) and somehow the chips and cereal don't seem quite as important.