Are you sad about having to restrict what you eat?

[Anonymous]

Sad? No. Angry? Upset? Disappointed? Disbelieving? In-F'ing-credulous that I got old and adult and have to moderate my eating??? You bet your bottom dollar I am! I'm starting a revolution! No more self-control! no more size 4 pants ... I'm going up, baby! And anybody who doesn't like it can continue doing what they've been doing! Because I'm angry and gonna eat what I want, damn the consequences!!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Sad? No. Angry? Upset? Disappointed? Disbelieving? In-F'ing-credulous that I got old and adult and have to moderate my eating??? You bet your bottom dollar I am! I'm starting a revolution! No more self-control! no more size 4 pants ... I'm going up, baby! And anybody who doesn't like it can continue doing what they've been doing! Because I'm angry and gonna eat what I want, damn the consequences!!

Wow! If only the rest of the world could be so brave! You’re a hero!!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Sad? No. Angry? Upset? Disappointed? Disbelieving? In-F'ing-credulous that I got old and adult and have to moderate my eating??? You bet your bottom dollar I am! I'm starting a revolution! No more self-control! no more size 4 pants ... I'm going up, baby! And anybody who doesn't like it can continue doing what they've been doing! Because I'm angry and gonna eat what I want, damn the consequences!!

I’ve never seen anyone do what you’re suggesting, PP. I don’t know what kind of consequences you’ll face, but Godspeed.

[Anonymous]

Daily exercise has helped a lot. Once I got back to 30 min walk, run or bike a day my diet changed. I am not sure why but I haven't been as hungry. It just reset my system.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Not really, because the things I "restrict" (i.e. don't eat at all) is garbage food - candy, cookies, chips, cereal, etc.

+1 except I do eat cereal (not sugary ones)

When you stop eating those things, your taste does change and you no longer crave them or feel "sad" about not eating them. When you continue to eat hyper-palatable foods high in sugar, salt, and fat, you will continue to want to eat those foods, so even eating them on a cheat day or free day or whatever occasion continues the cycle.

It's not sad to change your diet; it's what is best for your health.

[Anonymous]

I think you need to get more adventurous with your food. We eat healthy food in our house and I'm always trying new things. For example, last weekend we had a really tasty grilled peach harissa salad with a small amount of grilled halloumi, tomatoes and fresh mint. DH and DS had lamb with theirs, and whole wheat pitta bread. Tonight, we're having chana masala and spinach curry. I make these in the Instant Pot and then freeze leftover portions with rice so we've got something in the freezer for busy days.

We make our own pizza some weekends so I can control how much cheese I add, or add no cheese if I choose. I appreciate that some people don't have time for cooking from scratch, but I guarantee that healthy eating does not mean eating the same bland foods everyday.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:eating is a function not a form of enjoyment or pleasure , we need to change this or American will continue to be fat

Sad but true. A friend once told me she would be so much thinner if she could start treating every meal and snack as sustenance/nutrition/fuel rather than a “party in her mouth”. 😂 I completely relate. For me, there’s a lot of other stuff (including emotions) wrapped up in my eating, which is not healthy.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I think you need to get more adventurous with your food. We eat healthy food in our house and I'm always trying new things. For example, last weekend we had a really tasty grilled peach harissa salad with a small amount of grilled halloumi, tomatoes and fresh mint. DH and DS had lamb with theirs, and whole wheat pitta bread. Tonight, we're having chana masala and spinach curry. I make these in the Instant Pot and then freeze leftover portions with rice so we've got something in the freezer for busy days.

We make our own pizza some weekends so I can control how much cheese I add, or add no cheese if I choose. I appreciate that some people don't have time for cooking from scratch, but I guarantee that healthy eating does not mean eating the same bland foods everyday.

You're right, of course. Some healthy food is delicious. But I'm not walking around being like "man I wish I could just go to town on some spinach curry and grilled peach harissa salad!" I want a giant croissant and a Frappuccino.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Daily exercise has helped a lot. Once I got back to 30 min walk, run or bike a day my diet changed. I am not sure why but I haven't been as hungry. It just reset my system.

I feel kind of the opposite. We got a Peloton and I have been doing 30min rides a few days a week. On the days I do it, I feel ravenous. I'm not going to stop bc I am exercising for health, not weight loss. But I definitely notice a difference in my appetite.

[Anonymous]

I found Googling ways to get endorphins that are not food based helped, make a list of how to get serotonin and dopamine for starters. Dopamine Nation is also a good read.

As we get older we tend to be less active. Work on adding muscle, OP and focus on an active lifestyle, great for you and the family too. Have happy things that do not come through your mouth to focus on.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think you need to get more adventurous with your food. We eat healthy food in our house and I'm always trying new things. For example, last weekend we had a really tasty grilled peach harissa salad with a small amount of grilled halloumi, tomatoes and fresh mint. DH and DS had lamb with theirs, and whole wheat pitta bread. Tonight, we're having chana masala and spinach curry. I make these in the Instant Pot and then freeze leftover portions with rice so we've got something in the freezer for busy days.

We make our own pizza some weekends so I can control how much cheese I add, or add no cheese if I choose. I appreciate that some people don't have time for cooking from scratch, but I guarantee that healthy eating does not mean eating the same bland foods everyday.

You're right, of course. Some healthy food is delicious. But I'm not walking around being like "man I wish I could just go to town on some spinach curry and grilled peach harissa salad!" I want a giant croissant and a Frappuccino.

See, those kinds of foods/drinks don't make me feel good if I'm going to put them in my body. It's a mindset change. Ever roasted beets and made soup? You'll find that it's more savory and less sweet than some of the processed junk out there, which you will crave less of.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think you need to get more adventurous with your food. We eat healthy food in our house and I'm always trying new things. For example, last weekend we had a really tasty grilled peach harissa salad with a small amount of grilled halloumi, tomatoes and fresh mint. DH and DS had lamb with theirs, and whole wheat pitta bread. Tonight, we're having chana masala and spinach curry. I make these in the Instant Pot and then freeze leftover portions with rice so we've got something in the freezer for busy days.

We make our own pizza some weekends so I can control how much cheese I add, or add no cheese if I choose. I appreciate that some people don't have time for cooking from scratch, but I guarantee that healthy eating does not mean eating the same bland foods everyday.

You're right, of course. Some healthy food is delicious. But I'm not walking around being like "man I wish I could just go to town on some spinach curry and grilled peach harissa salad!" I want a giant croissant and a Frappuccino.

See, those kinds of foods/drinks don't make me feel good if I'm going to put them in my body. It's a mindset change. Ever roasted beets and made soup? You'll find that it's more savory and less sweet than some of the processed junk out there, which you will crave less of.

Not everyone is the same though. Did you ever crave croissants or frappucinos, even before you fixed it all by roasting some beets? Be honest. OP's whole point was that food restriction is harder for some people than others

[Anonymous]

No not really. For me, weight gain was a crime of opportunity. My DH and kids love carb heavy food, things with sugar etc. I don’t even really like this food but it is always around. I had to learn to avoid eating it and make myself something else. If we go out to eat at a good restaurant, I’ll rider what I want but if it’s one of the kids choices like pizza, Cheesecake Factory, Panera etc I’ll skip it and just get water or a diet soda. The food isn’t good enough to waste the calories.

[Anonymous]

OP, I do this and lose. Every 5th day I have a cheat day. I have two sittings where I eat whatever it is I've really been missing. This food doesn't come in the house, no leftovers. One early in the day is sweets, whatever I want. Later in the day is a meal (pizza or italian, chinese, fast food) whatever I want. Eat each of these 2 "meals" until you are full and don't want anymore, then you're done.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think you need to get more adventurous with your food. We eat healthy food in our house and I'm always trying new things. For example, last weekend we had a really tasty grilled peach harissa salad with a small amount of grilled halloumi, tomatoes and fresh mint. DH and DS had lamb with theirs, and whole wheat pitta bread. Tonight, we're having chana masala and spinach curry. I make these in the Instant Pot and then freeze leftover portions with rice so we've got something in the freezer for busy days.

We make our own pizza some weekends so I can control how much cheese I add, or add no cheese if I choose. I appreciate that some people don't have time for cooking from scratch, but I guarantee that healthy eating does not mean eating the same bland foods everyday.

You're right, of course. Some healthy food is delicious. But I'm not walking around being like "man I wish I could just go to town on some spinach curry and grilled peach harissa salad!" I want a giant croissant and a Frappuccino.

See, those kinds of foods/drinks don't make me feel good if I'm going to put them in my body. It's a mindset change. Ever roasted beets and made soup? You'll find that it's more savory and less sweet than some of the processed junk out there, which you will crave less of.

Not everyone is the same though. Did you ever crave croissants or frappucinos, even before you fixed it all by roasting some beets? Be honest. OP's whole point was that food restriction is harder for some people than others

When I was in my teens and didn't have the nutritional knowledge I do now, yes. I grew up in another country and the McDonald's at the mall I worked in had a buy 1-get 1 deal for Mango frappes and I drank/ate BOTH because to the teen who was working for less than US$5 an hour at the time, that represented value for money. Now that I'm an educated adult who teaches cooking on the side, I know better.