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2005/08/15, 01:57 AM
Ok I've lurked here for a long time and really value all the advice and information I've leart. My question is not specific to diet or exercise as there is so much good information on here I have no problem knowing what I should do. I'm happy with my current program and I know the general guidelines on eating clean - but my biggest problem is consistancy. I do well for 5 days then fall off the wagon for 2 - with my eating that is. I find the exercise part fairly easy to keep consistant but my diet is so difficult. I either eat reasonably - just too much or I give in to sugar cravings.
While most of my friends think I look fine and don't need to lose weight - they are not seeing me in a bikini. I want to take it to the next level but am struggling to find the motivation to do so.
So what I'm hoping you can offer some advice for is how do you stick to an eating program (by the letter) for 6-8 weeks? What do you do to keep you focused when the cravings hit? What do you do to divert the cravings/or satisfy them in a way which doesn't wreck your goals?
I'm pretty good at writting a program for exercise and sticking to it - but with food I just don't seem to have that same level of self control - and I'm not sure how to get it.
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2005/08/15, 09:06 AM
give yourself one cheat meal a week. eat whatever you want, however much of it you want. this should help with the cravings, but the important thing is to bounce back after the meal. dont let it become a habit. allowing yourself this cheat is a great way to stem cravings, and has been shown to even increase metabolism after the meal.
you can also make healthy alternative choices. craving chocolate? have a protein shake. personally, i find eating food that is unhealthy makes me feel like crap. cleaner, more nutritious food gives me more energy, keeps me more focused, and makes me feel a hell of a lot better.
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2005/08/15, 06:54 PM
Thanks for your reply. I think the habit I have fallen into is a cycle of being good for 3-4 days and then just eating mostly good but several cheat meals. I'm not gaining weight, or getting fatter - but I'm just not seeing the results I really want. It's how to break through to keep it clean for 6 weeks - or better yet to make permanent changes that I need to do.
I would love to know what you all do to keep on track when you don't want to. How do you make yourself put down the piece of chocolate (because you've already had a cheat meal) and pick up an apple - or a protein shake?
I feel like I need to borrow someone else's motivation to break through to the next level. Everyone here seems to have such awesome motivation and dedication and I'm wondering what keys they used to get there.
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2005/08/16, 01:34 AM
you know, i am in the military and deal ALOT with the exercize physiology people.
i think they have given me the best advice:
to not completely cut out food AT ALL! instead just give your self a "reward" when you do well.
instead of a cheat day they always told me to have like 1-3 low fat oreos here and there just so you do not go crazzy!!
But to tell you thruth it has helped many times,
or i just load up on a chocolate protein shake when ever i NEED some junk.
it tastes like the "real" stuff so it soothes the cravings.
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