Why can't I say no?

[Carlyjohnson]

I've been really struggling with cravings I just give in so easily and I don't just eat a little I eat a lot and I keep blowing everyday I'm just at such a loss about what I can do I just don't know how to tell myself no its really getting me down

[EllaMidlands]

Sorry to hear this. Does distraction work? Like going for a walk, painting your nails. Also, why do you have temptation around you? If you only have good stuff in the house then you can only snack on good stuff. Good luck, you can beat this.

[Carlyjohnson in reply to EllaMidlands]

I'm stuck indoors for most of the day as I have a foot injury which means I have to rest it as much as possible and I don't have junk food in the house I will eat whatever is here whether it's cereal or bread or even cooking something I just keep eating out of boredom but nothing seems to help

[EllaMidlands in reply to Carlyjohnson]

That must be so hard! I know what you mean about eating things you aren't even that bothered about. You need to try to distract yourself and be determined!

[Tiggerr]

I've spent so many years doing exactly what you're doing. Reading your post got me wondering about why I'm sticking to it this time.

In essence, I reckon EllaMidlands is right and you need to distract yourself. It needs to be something you really love, enjoy, need to do, etc... (not food ) something you can throw yourself into.

I sympathise that your foot is limiting what you can physically do, so how about thinking outside the box a bit e.g. if you're going on holiday abroad, then maybe go online and start teaching yourself some of the basic lingo. That's just the first mad idea that popped into my head but the world has lots to offer if we don't limit ourselves.

Whatever you do I hope you find a way forward.

[Carlyjohnson in reply to Tiggerr]

Thank you

[EllaMidlands]

Some sort of hobby would be good too. Someone one here mentioned knitting which I can't do but would certainly keep you busy.

[Carlyjohnson in reply to EllaMidlands]

I'm going to give something a try your right I'm just not used to not working but that doesn't mean I can't try a hobby thank you all for the replies

[JiminyCricket 7lbs in reply to Carlyjohnson]

How about finding something that means you can't eat when you're doing it. Like something that makes your hands dirty (I was thinking about clay, or gardening) or keeps them busy (like knitting). Then you can tell yourself you can't eat right now, but maybe later. When I stopped smoking I dealt with my craving like this - after a meal I would immediately wash up, and say to myself, well I cant smoke right now coz my hands are wet, but maybe later. By not saying NO I didnt feel I was fighting it, just delaying....and you only need to delay for a few hours till a mealtime.

[Carlyjohnson in reply to JiminyCricket]

That's really good advice I will give it a go

[Hazelnnett in reply to EllaMidlands]

You could go on you tube there are lots of tutorial s on there

[ary88 Restart July 2023]

try to calm yourself, by not feeling guilty, then distribute,your cals,say,3 x 500 cal meals between waking and sleeping,take fruit,say banana incase you wake during night,have s calmer w/end,I binge,within short period,mins,capable of eating loads carbs,I want to stop,I hope to get the weekend over, and say "I've done it"goodluck😊

[favouredstar]

Carlyjohnson I definitely understand your situation because thats exactly my predicament right now. I spend a lot of time exercising but throughout the day I end up gaining all the calories I lost back as I find myself eating constantly. By the end of the day I feel so frustrated. I am going to try some of the advice you've been given already to see if any of them would work for me. All I can say to you is hang in there, we will get there in the end.

[Carlyjohnson in reply to favouredstar]

I hope you find something that works for you it's comforting to know I'm not alone.

[Marie2068]

For me processed carbs spike my blood sugars and I get overwhelming cravings that make me want to eat more, even though I'm not hungry (it is like feeding an addiction, I gorge myself on crap, don't really enjoy eat, eat fast, gulp it down and feel guilty afterwards) Look at the timing of your cravings and see if there is any link to what you've previously eaten 2 hrs prior. If you don't already, keep a food diary, you may find some answers. If I eat clean whole foods I do not suffer with any craving whatsoever so for me they are definitely triggered by food. Good luck x

[Carlyjohnson in reply to Marie2068]

Thank you x

[favouredstar in reply to Marie2068]

Marie2068 that is a very interesting angle to the issue of cravings. Generally I've noticed I eat a lot more towards the evenings until I finally go to bed in frustration. I even eat to comfort myself (how terrible is that) through the frustration lol. I will try to keep a diary of my food to see what brings on the cravings, may be I will get some answers.

xx

[Marie2068 in reply to favouredstar]

My evening cravings were off the scale, I would have my main meal and then 2 hours later I would have the most overwhelming craving and would binge to the point of feeling ill. I would lie in bed, unable to sleep because of discomfort and vouch every night I would not feel like that again and then the next night do exactly the same.

From observing my food diary I slowly worked out what foods trigger my cravings. I cut out all processed foods as most have lots of hidden sugar, cook from scratch, which can be daunting at first but now I can knock up a gourmet meal as quick as cooking a ready meal in the oven. I now eat a higher fat, higher protein, minimal sugar diet. Keeps my blood sugars on an even keel and I don't have cravings and I feel I have a healthy relationship with food for the first time in 30 years.

Start slowly and change one meal at a time. Focus on breakfast and make it a good protein breakfast. Focus on that until you've cracked it (took me a good month or two) don't beat yourself up about anything else, congratulate yourself every time you have a good breakfast. Then move on to lunch, then dinner and finally snacks. This worked for me and my compulsions around food have been healed.

[favouredstar in reply to Marie2068]

Wow, so happy for you that you were finally able to sort the culprit out. I guess food diary is the way forward for me then. Just hope it will work for me as much as it has worked for you.