Hi I’m new. I’m one year in to my life changing journey.

[WildRedHair]

I started one year ago wanting to change how I feel and look. I use MyFitness Pal which really helps manage my food intake. I go to the gym and have a trainer but still struggle with food cravings and obsessive thoughts about food. Any ideas on how to quell those thoughts?

[BridgeGirl Administrator 2 stone]

Hello, WildRedHair, and welcome to the forum

What a brilliant start you've made, well done you. In terms of your food planning and cravings, it may be worthwhile focusing on what you eat, rather than how much.

You may find this useful archive.nytimes.com/well.bl...

... and this brings together various articles and videos healthunlocked.com/weight-l...

We'd love to have you join in with out regular posts: you'll find them all by following this link healthunlocked.com/weight-l... Share your meal plans on the Daily Diary and see what others are up to, join the Fit is Fun club and weekly weigh in: look through all those posts and join in as much as possible.

Hope we can help you move on to the next stage

[focused1 Maintainer 13kg]

If you have a good relationship with your trainer then discuss with them .What do you crave / favourites ? I don’t ban anything as this is a lifestyle. I love hot chocolate drinks but now have instant low calorie ones occasionally made with water so I have to sip them . Distractions like phone a friend then go and clean your teeth . Having water to hand all the time . Think what you really do crave then only have it once a week or so . If it isn’t in the cupboard then you can’t eat it .

[WildRedHair in reply to focused1]

Thanks for the advice. My trainer doesn’t ban anything and is very encouraging. I just sometimes pine for my old way of eating which is silly.

[Wine Host 7st 7lbs in reply to WildRedHair]

It's not silly i don't think I will stop my thoughts but I can discipline myself... And that took work... I am kind to myself and forgiving... If I eat the bad things once in a while I don't feel deprived that helped meYou are doing so well with your exercise and yes if you have time please share your exercise on fit is fun club post i would love to read it

Have a gorgeous Easter and enjoy your week

[WildRedHair in reply to Wine]

Thanks I may do that if that’s something people would be interested in.

[Wine Host 7st 7lbs in reply to WildRedHair]

Yes they would it will be great to have you post...

[Finding_Fitness in reply to WildRedHair]

It's definitely not silly! I would suggest trusting yourself to not record what you're eating for a while. I've used MFP in the past and more recently Nutracheck which can be brilliant tools for weight loss/ weight management. The trouble is they can make you obsess about food because the very process of keeping a food diary, naturally makes you think more about food.Wishing you all the best with whatever you decide!

[WildRedHair in reply to Finding_Fitness]

I get what you’re saying about food tracking making me obsess about food. I (and probably many others) grew up with a rigid household rule about “The Clean Plate Club”. It’s given me and my siblings varying degrees of food issues. I feel like I have to finish everything so logging food helps me control it. It’s not perfect but it helps me a lot.

[WildRedHair in reply to focused1]

Thanks for the tips. I have been upping my water intake. I just need encouragement from other people.

[BridgeGirl Administrator 2 stone in reply to WildRedHair]

Pop along to the Daily Diary: you'll find plenty of members there who'll encourage you, and will welcome your encouragement, too