Please, please tell me how you fight food cravings...

[HolyMolyMeatballs]

I ordered some clothes online. They were delivered this morning. I tried them all on excitedly... and was left depressed.
Most of them fit, but they do not look good.

I have a BIG layer of fat going round my abdomen, from the top of my hips round my stomach.

Of course this left me feeling shit... so what do I do? I turn to food, that’s what. The exact shitty thing that’s made me feel and look so... well, shitty.

It’s not like I even carry weight nicely like some women do, it is literally a spare tyre around my waist.
😭

First I try not to buy the stuff I crave to start with
Then if that hasnt worked I make myself eat an apple and drink a large glass of water first, that often help

But its not easy and doesnt work every time.

Go look on the low carb boot camp thread - I have been doing low carb high fat for a few weeks and my hunger pangs have disappeared!

Thanks both. I have tried the apple thing... but my mind overpowers it and instead I end up waiting until the evening so I can binge in peace (so embarrassed to admit that!)

I have thought about the low carb thing. I’ve kind of been diagnosed with coeliac disease (letter to gp says I’ve been diagnosed but I need to see the consultant first apparently) and low carb/Keto seems to be a good fit for that...

I just can’t seem to get my mind in the right place 🙁

I do slimming world ! It's brilliant

You are right, it all starts with the mind and it is really tough if it is not in the right place. Found a good meme on Instagram the other day...

Honestly though, take at look at the boot camp threads and you can read about all the great weight losses and delicious food that people are eating, without feeling deprived.

To give you an example, I didn't have breakfast this morning as I was having a client lunch, had a LCHF lunch, a coffee with cream in the afternoon and not a lot for dinner at all. Because I simply WASN'T HUNGRY. It's a revelation.

Low carb high fat. I don’t eat the craving inducing foods anymore
After having done LCHF for a while I’m now able to eat 85% chocolate and berries with no issues but my main problem was starchy carbs so they’re permanently out.
I do still miss them at times but you learn that cravings are either habit, triggered by something eg an association such as tea and biscuits, boredom and emotional eating ie you get a “hit” off carbs so you crave them when you’re tired or sad.
It is worth it though.

And yes I’m never hungry in the same way as before. I’ll usually go till 2pm sometimes dinner time before eating. I work out fasted.

Is it like a binge? I’ve been doing this for years. I read Brain over binge by Kathryn Hansen. There’s also a really good podcast. It’s written by a recovered bulimic who found traditional therapy didn’t seem to help. She did her own research into binge eating, why it happens and the best way to stop. It’s helped me to recognise why I binge, how to recognise when it is just a binge urge and so chose not to act on it. It still takes effort not to, especially when I’m low but I’ve put it back into practice recently and I feel loads better. I feel like I have got control over the cravings when they used to have control over me.

I find it easier to resist a binge if I plan all my food out in advance. I use MFP and that way I can see where I have 'spare' calories in the day/week so I can plan some (small) treats in and I'm less likely to go rogue and just eat everything in sight.