motivation for eating better

[Eraisos]

Over the last few years I've experienced some pretty hard personal issues, from the unexpected death of family members to personal health issues which more than likely stemmed from all the stress in the aftermath of losing those people.  I have always been a curvy lady, and proud to be so.  However, I tend to stress eat, and this combined with personal crisis has been terrible for weight loss and my self-esteem.  I have been seeking more and more activities to get me out and about, and I've been cooking more and trying to avoid fast food, junk food...etc.  But when I'm really feeling down, or if I've had a particularly active day, it is hard for me to say no to what tastes good to me and soothes my nerves.  Even when I cook, I tend to cook comfort food.  I've tried using certain food items as a reward system, but I tend to break more often than not.  I know ultimately, it is a battle of will-power, but it is one I am losing.  I would love to know what motivates others to steer clear of the things that aren't so great for us, and what other people use as compensation for the bad habits... 

[Suzanne123]

Sorry to hear you have had such a hard few years.  I know what you mean about trying to eat healthily, I end up sabotaging myself>  I have a very busy (and enjoyable) job but when I get home I am finding myself having toast or cereal for dinner as I am too mentally tired to cook.  I had lost about a stone and a half last year and felt great and was working on another half stone.  However I got my new job (which I am very happy about!) but have gotten out of my good habits. I used to cook at the weekend and freeze soup and dinners for the week.  That helps a lot and I will try to start tomorrow and stock up for the week.  I find it also helps to not buy any of the "treats" in your weekly shop, you have to make an effort to get them then and are less likely  When I did treat myself I tried to pick a small bar of chocolate instead of a larger one.  It  did work!  And I didnt feel at all like I was missing out.  Good luck.

[Phil_B]

Something my wife and I have been doing (honestly not an adverstisement) has been BlueApron.com.  With what we do, we get 3 meals (with 2 servings each) every week.  We don't have to go shopping, it just shows up.  And it is expensive enough ($60 / week) that the inner cheapskate in me refuses to let that food go to rot.  The meals are reasonably sized, and you have to cook the food, so it make me actually slow down the process of dinner.  For what it is worth, it has helped me eat a lot better.

Best of luck!

[SunsetRunner]

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@Eraisos wrote:

I know ultimately, it is a battle of will-power, but it is one I am losing.  I would love to know what motivates others to steer clear of the things that aren't so great for us, and what other people use as compensation for the bad habits... 

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Yes, it is will power. One motivation is that you want to live a healthy life, for as long as possible.

Bad habits will only go away, if you replace them with good habits, and using a Fitbit Tracker and

Aria Scale will certainly show you results (good or bad). Associate with people with good habits.

[Phil_B]

One other thing that we have been doing, as a treat we purchase an exotic fruit that we have never tried, and then that fruit (albeit there have been some weird ones in there) is our treat for the week.  And as it cost good money, I will make sure that I get that treat, and get some extra fruit in my diet.

[RivalDealer]

For motivation:

- remembering how it felt to be really fit and healthy

- knowing how good it will feel to be fit and healthy

- knowing if I don't stick with it I am putting myself at risk of some pretty nasty diseases

To fight temptaion

- never go to the shops while I'm hungy

- knowing that giving in to temptation only weakens my resolve

- batch cooking enough decent food to last a few days and cooking more before I run out

- portioning that food so I don't overeat

- logging and tracking everything so I know what is working for me

- drink lots of water

[Heybales]

Here is a great discussion on motivation.

It's meant for trainers to understand their clients better and assist them to succeed, but it's great info to understanding yourself too, and how to succeed.

http://www.exrx.net/People/Berardi/Compliance1.html

http://www.exrx.net/People/Noakes/BeliefToAchieve.html

[smoothie7]

I am an avid cyclist but never seem to lose weight mainly due to bad eating habits. I actually just purchased a high end carbon fiber bike that actually has a max weight limit to be able to use safely due to the carbon fiber. With the new bike and a fit bit, I am down 12 pounds in 3 weeks and I am extremely happy. Another 18 pounds to go 🙂

[Joy99]

Will power doesn't work, period.  Want Power is what I call it.  As for emotional eating, we all do it.  It's a tough one to control.  Something that I remind myself often is:  FOOD IS FUEL, NOT THERAPY!  WOW, when I finally got that in my head and my heart it changed my life.  Now I will go for a walk, call a friend, anything to avoid the eating when I'm not hungry.  Really how do we feel afterwards when we emotionally eat, horrible!, like a failure.  It's not worth it.  Life is too short to feel that way about yourself. 

[Trooper]

I premake my meals for the next day. I like to have something ready to go. Like a Lean Pocket or something that I made myself. You can also make your own Egg McFunnin. Take  3 Tablespoons of Egg White, 1/2 slice of Cheese, Kroger Slims at about 100 calories and 1/2 hasbrown. Your calories are 30 for the eggs, 40 for the cheese, 75 for the hashbrown, and about 90 for the Sandwich Slims. I make one for breakfast and I take one to work with me. It also helps me keep count when I can't get to my computer. I don't have a smart phone and so I have to wait to get home to do my counting. I also love to add the new Kettle Seasonings. 

[bklynite]

I am an emotional eater too. I realize that I would grab something to sooth (fill in the blank). It would be unconsciously done and I would eat more than I needed. I have to really engage my mind to determine what I need and not what i want. I can't keep those trigger items in the house and I have to be prepared because i know in times of stress I will turn to them. I also have to evaluate why I want chocolate or chips or ice cream and it always is just because. I also find that a small taste is really I need to satisfy a craving so I can have a small portion and share the rest because after a few bites that feeling is gone. However, I would keep eating just because. It is a terrible cycle but I have to be more aware of why I feel sad, anxious, overwhelmed and seek to get to the root. While I am seeking I can try to keep busy doing something else to avoid mindless snacking. Take a walk, call someone, read, draw, go for a drive... something to get your mind off of the food. It never completely soothes and it will pass.

[Shoshi]

I am also a comfort eater, so I try not to keep too much junk around.  I sawp out of lot of my favorite foods for healthier options that still provide the same comfort.  I swapped out peanutbutter (which I would just eat on a spoon) for powdered penut butter (I use PB2).  PB2 is 45 calories for 2 T instead of 180... also it come in chocolate peanutbutter flavor too.  For salty I keep a stock of skinny pop popcorn which is 25-35 calories a cup. 

For some comfort meals I have turned to alot of gluten free or vegetable substitutes. Like cauliflower crust pizza (http://www.popsugar.com/fitness/Low-Carb-Cauliflower-Crust-Pizza-Recipe-30739512).  there is also a grilled cheese recipe!  Another one of my fovorites is spaghetti squash and meatballs. 

making healthier options of your comfort food will help for when you just have that craving.  Also I find that it eliminated the guilt of eating junk.  I hope this helps (:

[dancefoxtrot]

I remind myself that I don't want to gain weight. I don't want plaque in my blood vessels, I don't want strokes, diabetes and all the ugly complications. I don't bring home junk food or sweets. Well I do have some dry berries. I try to understand why I'm hungry and if I haven't eaten enough then I eat. If I'm lonely I call my sis or a friend and walk and talk. Sometimes I go unconscious a bit and have too many handfuls of nuts or rye crackers with hummus. If I see this happening I throw 2 cups of frozen veggies with a sprinkle of parmesan cheese in the microwave and fill up on 85 calories and a cup of tea. 

Done. 

I want to see my weight go down and my blood work improve. Is it will power or remembering my priorities and watching what I'm up to.?

The more you do something like choosing well the better you get at it. It becomes the new habit.

Keep at it folks,

Barbara G

[HelenaFitbit]

It's nice to see you here! Welcome to the forums

I have to admit I am also an emotional eater @Eraisos and I've truly found comfort with the OA program, it may not be for everyone, but it's always comforting you are not the only one. 

If you wish to check Overeaters Anonymous and find a meeting close to you, please visit https://www.oa.org/

My very best wishes for this journey, we're here to help. 

[josephz2va]

The key is to focus. What drives you to lose weight. And knowing what is bad for you to remove those bad temptations. For me, I know what is the bad quality of foods. Donuts, chocolates, candy, protein bars, protein shakes, Dr. Oz placebo pills, etc. Knowing the good quality for foods that build lean muscle helps me, but also having a higher control on portionalizing. Like I know that I can't buy a can of planters peanuts. A can of planters peanuts is 3,500 calories. I'm on a dietitian program where all the foods are already made and just have to cook them. And skip everything else except 2 servings of fruit and as many veggies as I want.