6 replies to this topic

[Tracy Somerville]

I have 130lbs to lose and it seems so daunting and impossible. I was down 20lbs but my head got out of the game and I have gained 9 of those pounds back. I have always been the fat girl. I was even born at 11+ lbs so I have always been big. I guess mentally I just can't imagine being "regular" sized.

My weakness is chocolate and cookies. I have a huge sweet tooth, and if I don't give in to my craving for it, it's like I start seeing spots and can't think of anything else.

I really need to loose the weight though. Not only would it be great to shop anywhere for clothes, but I am going on a big trip sept 2012 - I am volunteering at an orphanage in Ghana for one month and then going on safari though various east African countries for another month. I'll get so much more out of the experience if I can run after the kids or trek through a jungle without worrying about having a heart attack within 2 minutes.

Anyway, I am just trying to figure out how to get my mind back into the program and stop giving in the my cravings. Any suggestions on how to beat my mental sabotage?

[Laura_41]

For me, it helped to start a spreadsheet with my weigh-ins every week. I keep track of how much I have lost and how much I have to go. For some reason it really helps me. Especially when I hit a wall. I can go back and say, wow...just a month ago I weighed....and so on.

I try to set mini-goals as well. Sometimes the overall goal can seem to be unattainable or too overwhelming. For instance, you can set yourself a goal of 10% of the overall weight you need to lose as you first goal...or even 5%. Before you know it, you are at half way!

I, too have a huge craving of chocolate and sweets...especially during that dreaded time of the month. I don't know if you are a coffee drinker, but I bought some Folgers Chocolate Silk coffee, and I save 1/2 of one of my milk servings. I have a cup of coffee after I get home from work. This may not work for everyone. I'm pretty much immune to caffine over the years, so it does not keep me up.

I've also gotten my butt up off the couch if the cravings get too bad and go for a walk (either outside or on the treadmill). I just try to get moving...anything to keep myself busy and get my mind off of it. Sometimes drinking a glass of water will help. I just bought some of the MIA water flavoriings. These are not too bad, and have zero calories.

Most importantly, don't give up. If you have a slip up, or not so good day....don't give up. Get right back on it. We all have our moments. Don't try to rush it either (for me, this was a huge challenge). The old chiche of "the weight didn't go on overnight, so it won't come off overnight" is true. I've been at this almost a year now. I've lost a little over 70 lbs now. I have a little under 38 lbs to go. It seems like I will never get there somedays. I've been telling myself, though...once I lose 15 lbs...then I will have less than 25 lbs to go. Then I go back to my spreadsheet to see when I was 25 lbs heavier. It seems like that was just yesterday. Overall, the time really does go by quickly when you look back at your progress this way.

And as always, your JCC is there for you. If you get discouraged, have a question, or just need to talk....pick up the phone and give your JCC a call.

You CAN do this! I wish you the best.

[MargieJ]

Tracy--Laura gave you some great tips. Write each of those down and really focus on them. I have a top ten list in my JC folder and re-read it every week. Try not to become overwhelmed by the magnitude of the weight loss. I had 100 lbs to lose, too, and tried to break it up into goals: 10%, halfway, BMI <30, goal.

A couple other ideas---in terms of moving, as Laura said get up off the couch. Don't feel like it has to be crazy---just walk 30 min a day 4-5 times a week. If you aren't up to that amount yet, just do what you can.

Know that the sweet tooth improves with time. Our palates seem to change. Use the JC snacks and treats to address those cravings now. In not too long, things like fruit (berries with some fat free cool whip) will feel just as sweet and a special treat.

Many people find journaling helps them--write down your thoughts. You have identified your goals---write those down. How are you feeling as you're going through the process? What was going on after those 20 lbs that made you lose focus? Linda Spangle's "100 days of weight loss," is often referred to here and is great. Many of us have read it more than once. They're short chapters---one a day.

Find something that helps you get your brain in the game, as you recognized you need. If you respond well to straight talk, check out the link in my signature below---many posts there that have helped many of us think differently about this process. Here's another link to a thread where we talked about what you'll do differently this time to make this work: http://www.jennycraig.com/forum/index.php?...mp;#entry614061.

Main thing---just commit to stay in the program, knowing there will be ups and downs. Your life can be markedly different in 6 months if you stick with it. Imagine where you'll be in 6 months if you don't.
Margie

[Linwalker]

I have 130lbs to lose and it seems so daunting and impossible. I was down 20lbs but my head got out of the game and I have gained 9 of those pounds back. I have always been the fat girl. I was even born at 11+ lbs so I have always been big. I guess mentally I just can't imagine being "regular" sized.

My weakness is chocolate and cookies. I have a huge sweet tooth, and if I don't give in to my craving for it, it's like I start seeing spots and can't think of anything else.

I really need to loose the weight though. Not only would it be great to shop anywhere for clothes, but I am going on a big trip sept 2012 - I am volunteering at an orphanage in Ghana for one month and then going on safari though various east African countries for another month. I'll get so much more out of the experience if I can run after the kids or trek through a jungle without worrying about having a heart attack within 2 minutes.

Anyway, I am just trying to figure out how to get my mind back into the program and stop giving in the my cravings. Any suggestions on how to beat my mental sabotage?

You seem to have an advantage I didn't have ..it sounds like you have found your weakness early on. If cakes and cookies are the problem, stay clear..remove them from your house. Put them in another family members car or ask them to put them somewhere safe from you. Sounds easy, it's not at first but in reality if it's not there you can't eat it. Commit to staying away from those things until you are stronger. I had to make some really drastic commitment's in order to really move forward with this journey. With anything, once you have found the weak link, you can then move forward to approach it.

[lose4life]

I totally relate. Once my mind starts engaging in the fantasy of what "x" will taste like, I'm down for the count. Sometimes a glass of diet Pepsi will work for me if the craving is mild or if I catch it early. When it's mild+ one of the things I've started doing is chewing gum. Extra has these great "dessert" flavors that really take the edge off until the craving subsides. If the craving is strong, I chew 2 pieces and blow big bubbles which takes diverts my attention a little and keeps my mouth occupied. I've tried a lot of things but this has been the only one that has released the craving and left me satisfied. I keep packs of them everywhere so I'm always ready.

[I Called Jenny]

As far as the cravings, there are a couple ways of handling them. As you were told, if you can restrain yourself for a week or two, those cravings will subside. But on the OUTSIDE chance that you're still "losing it" over the need for sweets, at least prepare for it. Here are some ideas.

1) I don't allow anything that I like in the house. My thin husband developed a sweet tooth and likes his treats. But if it's something I like, nope, he can't have that. But there are many types of sweets that I'm not that found of, so he's able to enjoy his cravings and I'm not crazed looking at things in the fridge or cupboard that I can't have.

2) Set a timer for 30-minutes when you have a craving and say that you won't have what you want until the timer goes off. Then get busy doing something else. The chances are great that by the time the alarm goes off, you won't be as compelled to have it.

3) Canfields Diet Chocolate Fudge. It's a chocolate soda with zero calories. I'm from NY and it reminds me of what we called an egg cream. For everyone else not familiar with that, it's like a chocolate ice cream soda without the ice cream.

I don't like it "straight" so I put in a splash of milk (which is something I'm supposed to drink anyway) and then it's fantastic! The combination of the milk and soda makes it REALLY foamy (so use a VERY tall glass) and it's just yummy and TOTALLY guilt free.

4) There are chocolate yogurts out there too and flavored yogurts that taste a bit like certain cakes and those can sub for your milk serving. It's best to find the fat free, sugar free varieties.

5) If you do find that the timer went off and you're still going a little "batty" then have ONE chocolate kiss. It's 25 calories but high in sugar and fat. But it probably won't be the end of the world. There are also some chocolate mint candies (can't remember the brand names) that are fairly low in calories and no fat.

6) And this is something I did when I was on maintenance and it worked for me. It's not the best idea in the world, but it worked and it didn't affect my weight (of course I wasn't dieting then, I was maintaining). Anyway, if I didn't have chocolate candy around or I was really climbing the walls, I would squirt some chocolate syrup into my mouth. The taste of the chocolate was so intense that it usually not only stopped the craving but it usually turned me off from chocolate for a few weeks!

7) You ARE allowed ONE snack a day and it can be one of JC's brownies, cake or a chocolate chip cookie. That's totally allowable and the anticipation of knowing you're going to get to eat something you like at the end of the day (or whenever you decide that you want it) usually keeps me on track for the day because I know I'm not going to be "deprived." I'm just delaying the satisfaction. (I don't like to think of it as a reward because food should never be a reward. That's what got most of us into trouble to begin with.)

You have so many FANTASTIC experiences awaiting you (and thanks for donating your time and talents to those in need) that you should focus on that!

Good luck and we're here whenever you're "out of control" or just need support or a distraction.

Phyllis

[palrusty]

Reading is another great distraction. I'm finding if I stick my nose in a book or a magazine and really get involved the time goes by much faster and I find it harder to multi-task by eating. With TV I can just keep shoving it in, but with books or a magazine... I don't know if it's how you have to hold them or that you get more mentally engaged, it seems to stave off the eating better.

And especially great if you can find something motivating or inspiring to read. Something to help you focus on the great goals you have. The trip to Africa sounds like a once in a lifetime experience! Fantastic! For me, I've had some health issues over the past two years and haven't been able to ride. I've always fought my weight, but been relatively fit. Before my health snuck in I even had my own training and lesson operation. But the past two years have been really tough and even more weight has creeped on.

I read a fantastic book last month that's sport specific, "What Makes Good Riders Good," by Denny Emerson, but it was universal in it's message that our lives are defined by the choices we make. There are certain elements out of our control, but even then we have choices about how we react and adjust to those. I've made a couple business size cards that are now stuck all over my house of things from that book:

On my bathroom mirror and on my car dash: "What are you willing to do for your dreams?"

And on my alarm clock: "Your actions reveal your priorities. What are your priorities?"

Food for thought that's kept me going this month....

But, reading. I highly recommend reading. And the Linda Spangle book recommended all over this forum is a great one that I've already downed.