HELP! I'm Feeling Deprived

[Christine]

I've been doing so well since January 2nd. Have dropped down one size. But over the last week, I've been having food "issues." Part of it could be my TOM, but another part, I think is boredom.

I'm just on a healthy, smaller portion diet. Nothing is really off limits, but in order to keep my calories down, I'm not eating full fat things or sugar laden stuff.

But, every meal (except breakfast) is becoming very depressing. My evening dinners have not "worked out." Last night I made salmon and steamed shrimp--both of which were delicious last week. Well the quality of the seafood was definitely below par because both tasted bad last night. So, no leftovers. So, today, ANTHER Lean Cuisine. Tonight, roast turkey breast, broccoli, etc.

I'm trying to change my way of thinking--that food is NOT entertainment. But, man am I missing something. I'm afraid I'm gonna have a big binge.

Any tips for getting through this. I'm afraid if I indulge in a *joyful* meal, I will completely fall or feel worse. I know I probably need to just do better with the healthy food--more variety, etc., but I don't really have the time since I am working full time, commuting, and trying to exercise.

 

[SnackyStacky]

You NEED to treat yourself, you need to just do it in moderation.

Make a meal that you'll like, and just remember your portion control.

Just remember to lighten up your recipes as much as you can.

 

[wiskband]

I have had similar situations in the past. For me, when I realize I like something I begin to more or less binge on it and that ruins it for me. For instance, about a year ago, I realized that artichoke spinach dip was a LC meal ( with LC tortillas) so I learned how to make that and began eating it all the time, now I hate it! I did the same thing with cheescake made with splenda! I ate that for about 2 weeks and now I cant stand it. I guess just keep tring new things and rotate them more. DOnt binge whatever you do, you seem to be doing great, you just need to check out some more recipes,
You may be busy but, there are many things that can be may quickly, why not check out WISH recipes.

good luck

renee

 

[welovedis]

Well, I have had to look at things from a different perspective when it comes to food. A couple of years ago I developed anaphylactic allergies to eggs, bananas, tree nuts, peanuts, oysters & mussels. Out of the blue, just developed them and was diagnosed with a pretty rare stomach disease. Over the course of the last 2 years I have learned many things but this is the most important.

Food is fuel for your body. PERIOD
Every GI doctor, allergy doctor, nutritionist and even gym trainers have really brought home that idea for me.

I'm not saying I don't enjoy a good meal, but they are no longer the things that I look forward to when thinking about a holiday or get-together. Our family now plans things to do, not to eat and that is a really hard concept to come to terms with. However, I think that is one of the reasons it has not been hard for me to go to meal replacements on my low cal/low fat eating plan, because food doesn't hold the charm it once used to. Plus now I'm allergic to half the food in the supermarket, lol!

It sounds like you have things under control, it is just hard to not have what you want, or something that tastes delicious instead of something that is just ok. But if you remember the food=fuel, it starts to get a little better.

It sounds like your schedule is really full too and that has to be difficult to plan ahead for your meals and be able to prepare things you'll really enjoy. Maybe a new cookbook (I use an easy one by Pillsbury called "Fast & Healthy"-everything can be made in about 30 mins) or just a snack that you haven't allowed yourself to have since you started eating better. I don't think it will backslide your progress but a treat wouldn't hurt, IMO.

I wish you luck! Sending some PD your way!

 

[Christine]

Karen,
That is the point that I'm trying to get to: Food = Fuel. And I thought I was doing so well with that. In fact, I figured it would be hard at first--not 6 weeks into it. I am really missing that "social" experience of going and getting a big, sloppy burger with some friends, or sitting down and having a big hot fugde sundae in the evening. That was my "perk" of the day. I don't watch TV, don't do manicures, etc. I guess I'm finally really missing my "hobby" which is eating decadent food. I need to find something else...

 

[keenercam]

Christine -- I really think that VARIETY is the key. I have found that there are foods that I absolutely love that become OLD if I eat them too frequently. So, I have gotten into the habit of cooking quantities of my favorite foods and freezing them, whenever I have time. It helps to build up a reserve in my freezer of foods I really like. I then read these boards and the weightwatchers food boards and jot notes in my pocket journal of meal ideas. I also keep a running grocery list. Whenever possible, I try one of those different meals. It helps to keep me interested in food. Some examples of meals I am loving right now that are not in my normal repetoire:
1. diet coke chicken
2. turkey burgers with mushrooms & onions
3. chicken breast cooked in salsa or taco seasoning
4. turkey sausage
5. egg beaters
6. boca burger on lite hamburger bun, stacked high with pickles, tomatoes & lettuce
7. mussels cooked in chicken broth with diced onions and garlic
8. scallops stir-fried with broccoli

Tonight, for a change of pace I am going to do the boca burger and I am going to bake french fries from a large sweet potato.
I HAVE to feel like I am still eating yummy foods and not depriving myself or I get resentful, and fall off the wagon. I have also taken to carrying a fat free brownie in my lunch bag, which I eat later in the day when I am getting "antsy".

As for your craving for junk food type stuff, I have stocked up on no pudge and skinny cow ice cream, fat free cool whip, sugar free pudding, etc. etc. and that has helped me.

Hope this helps.

You have been at this more than a month -- give yourself a HUGE pat on the back and keep up the great work!

 

[MelanieC]

Also try to remember that this is something you must learn to do for a lifetime. One key to failure of a healthy eating lifestyle is to eat only things that you don't really like or that make you feel like your dieting. A turning point for me last year when I made it to goal was the day I realized peanut butter was not evil. I had been depriving myself of it until I snapped and ate spoonfuls of it! The day I let go of the all or nothing notion and allowed myself to have 1 tbsp of peanut butter a day I was able to handle eating healthier better. The fat in the peanut butter almost soothed me. It gave me something to look forward to every morning. I got to goal eating peanut butter every day. I also had pizza at least once a week, sometimes twice. The key was learning how much I was allowed to eat at one meal and not going over that. I ate out for lunch, I just learned to find things I loved that were lower in points (Sushi, Mexican- Veggie Burro with side of lowfat refried beans)

Something happened this week too. I haven't had an avocado since I've been dieting. Maybe a bite in tortilla soup once in a while, but not where I sliced one and added it into my food. Well last week I bought 3. I have been looking at the foods in the Weight Watcher Core Program. I do the Flex program and have been adding more of eating from the core list to my program. Avocado's are a core food. People who do the core program can have as many avocado's as they want as long as they only eat till satisfied. One night I added the whole avocado to some quesadillas I was making. Never had I been so satisfied eating those quesadillas as I was after adding the avocado's. Something about the fat and the fact that they were "taboo" made them so satisfying. Funny thing is, I have had 3 avacado's since last Thursday and ate more this weekend then I did the weekend before and my weight has gone down. I think learning that this isn't all or nothing is key. I pretty much eat what I want, but I do limit my sugar and snacks. This allows me to eat things that I like that are healthier (like cheese and crackers- find the highest fiber whole grain crackers you can and eat with low fat cheese), have a 1/2 oz of nuts etc. Things that are fattening but healthy can keep you from getting bored and make you enjoy what you eat.

Sit down and make a list of the things you feel like your missing. Things that are making your dinners feel BLAH! What is it that your body is asking for?? Can you have that and still stay on program? Can you lower the fat? Learn to cook with ground turkey instead of ground beef.
Possibly since your not following something like WW's, you may be eating less than you really should be eating. Sometimes I'm surprised on WW that in order to get all my points in, I find myself trying to find things to eat. You can actually gain weight or stay the same if you eat too little. I love the flex program on WW because I don't have to guess did I eat enough. My points tell me.