Weak willed or self-destruct?

[ForrestPlump]

Joined up last week and first game is tomorrow

Always struggled with 'doing the right thing' which is why i'm here in the first place. However I always find myself teetering on the brink of really bad choices. Yesterday I just couldnt resist a McDonalds breakfast I know its not what I need but went and had it anyway.

Same with beer, even if I dont need it i just have it as a 'reward' for doing nothing that ever deserved a reward. I'm hoping that being part of a team where losing weight is going to help our results will be the thing that breaks this habit. I know I need to lose weight but changing the habits of a lifetime is proving impossible

Anyone else have a similar issue?

[admin]

Yes, pretty much all of us!

The rewards link can be quite an easy one to break. Don't change the reward, just change the foods you're choosing. After a long hard day I'm just as happy having a low cal hot chocolate now than a full fat one, or a beer. Sounds unlikely I know but it can and does happen.

[Nimrag]

I still eat McDonalds, I still drink beer, I just choose slightly healthier menu options, drink less & exercise more. 3.5hrs on a mountain bike this morning & I've burnt twice as many calories as the cooked breakfast I ate halfway round!

[JLHS]

Once I start eating fast food take out it's like I'm driven to want more and more. And for me (and as been pointed out many times these are individual journeys) it's the initial temptation that is fatal. Once I start to think about indulging I'm doomed. This time round I've been successful in ho;ding off the temptation by eating lots of high protein foods (within my calorie count). I've found that keeping in the calorie count (which is still high given my size) and ensuring I get lots of protein the fats have taken care of themselves and I've had very few hunger pains or even temptations. Walled right by the open doors of McDonalds yesterday, alone, and fully able to cheat if I've wanted to, without that "I'm depriving" myself feeling. So, in summary, my advice - keep within calorie count (MyFitnessPal) and keep protein high (see @maxnas http://icanmakeyoulean.com/index.php/lthe-complete-guide/).

[ForrestPlump]

But how do you break the cycle, its seems almost impossible. I really want to do it or wouldnt have signed up

[JLHS]

I did it this time by starting with a low carb diet. I don't tink this type of diet is a lifestyle choice (but many disagree) BUT for me the diet had lots (LOTS) of meat, eggs, cream, fats etc that got me over the initial hump. I switched over to the calorie counting/watching protein after a month and (for last 6 months) it's worked for me. Also I found that being on the hig carb not only satisifed my desire for cheating foods it actually gave me an appetite for more veggies etc which were not necessarily low carb and made the switch to the more traditional calorie counting actully desirable. I highly recommend @maxnas's lean site for lots of excellent advice that can keep your healthy eating sane and maintainable.

[TonyC]

For me it was almost like going cold turkey , I cut out all the shite for the first 30!day group . Then your in the zone and can see your improvement over the 30 days then if you want your McDonald's you can but count it in your days intake.
I'm at the point I would rather have something different than waste the amount of calories on a McDonald's . I also stopped drinking for my first 30 days then you've broken the cycle of drinking when you don't really need it.

You can do it .

[JLHS]

That last sentence in @TonyC's reply is vital. It is important to approach this knowing that you can do it - and you can. It is fatal to approach rhe issue secretly thinking that this is unnatural for you and it's ultimately going to be hopeless. There will be tricks you may have to try, there will be failings now and then, but mental attitude is an important element. You can do this.

[rolpol]

The most important thing is to not beat yourself up for slipping from 'doing the right thing' - my mistake has always been to set impossible standards and targets, then treat myself for getting part-way to meeting them, then feel awful and set even harder targets!.

I now set my sights a bit lower - instead of shunning all alcohol I have one night a week where I can drink what I want - this helps stop myself from sneaky treats during the week. If my eating and exercising behaviour in the week warrants a pint I have it on Saturday. If my job has been utterly maddening I can have 10! I'm going to slip anyway given how much of an arse my workplace is, so why not do it without the guilt and self-loathing? It's the same with bacon... If I can have a bacon day it makes the fruit and fibre days that bit more bearable. That's just my way, I'm sure you will find your own.

Ok, it's going to take me longer to lose weight, but I'm going to find it easier if I'm not cursing myself for failing to be being an angel for every single day of the 15 weeks. It's difficult enough to lose weight, don't make it impossible

The 'team' thing is going to be a big motivator for me in keeping going, I'm sure it will be for you too, but you've already planted your marker in the ground by signing up. That was 'doing the right thing', and the next 15 weeks will have bad days, but they'll have good ones too. Every single one of your teammates will be having the same struggles, and the same slip ups - hopefully you find you have teammates who you can talk to about it, to support each other outside of match days, and to win together.

Good luck for tomorrow night, are you in Pompey League? I'm completely bricking it, but will have a big fake smile plastered over my face...

[ForrestPlump]

Yes, I'm in the Pompey league playing for Tekkerslovakia

[Khyle_Jackson77]

Mate I know your pain, I really do, I find it especially hard to stay away from such foods as chocolate, sweets and cakes. however will the will power and encouragement from friends, I have been doing very well, the weight loss has been good, with me hitting my 5% and I am really enjoying finding something different, I especially like Natural Yoghurt with granola in, which isn't the healthiest, but it does have a lot less calories and fat than a couple of chocolate bars

[swanxtra]

Sounds familiar , I am comming to the end of my 3rd league. 1st one ok, 2nd good but steady but this one I have been really up and down. It seems every time I lose a bit I switch the self destruct to prove 'i. really dont need this ' . I then have a bad weigh in , realise what I should be doing and start the cycle again . I am going to sign up for the next league as I know its the right thing for me ......I need the challenge.
you ts not all doom n gloom as I have lost weight , I do feel much better , my blood pressure is back to normal and I do know what I can and cannot eat , maybe some of us just need more time,
Now do I go for the Salmon Bagels for breakfast or fruit n yogurt , another day , another challenge . Remember guys keep our. Chins up !

[shrinkinguy]

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Hunger vs. Cravings