I work out at least 3 times a week, and usually eat healthy. My biggest thing is portion control. If the food is tasting paticularily tasty, I tend to eat alot of it. It doesn’t help that, I’m the only one in our family trying to get back into shape. I do realize that self control and will power has something to do with it, but I LOVE FOOD. How can one control the “hunger”?
mkkitsch – eating slowly is another key to portion control but not always the easiest one.
I too lost about 40 pounds almost 8 years ago now and what worked for me was to eat nutritionally dense foods that are not calorically dense. I love to eat as well and have a hard time leaving the table if I don’t feel like I have eaten enough! What I do is fill my plate 1/2 (up to 3/4) full with fruits or vegetables, the next 1/4 is usually whole grains and then if there is room the other 1/4 is for my protein. I will also have a small serving of fat at most of my meals/snacks ie. almonds, flax oil, olive oil etc. This keeps me full for longer.
Last trick – don’t wait until you are starving before you eat. This is when you tend to eat too much and choose the wrong things. Eat every 3-4 hours if you can and stay well hydrated.
Good luck!
Christine
WATER…I always drink water before every meal. I find it helps curb my appetite. I also will drink before a snack to, as sometimes I find I was actually thirsty, not hungry.
Good Luck
mkkitsch, I hear you! I struggle with this every day. Having lost 40 pounds 2 years ago, though, I have found that two key things helped me most: first, my husband did it with me, so we could get rid of a lot of the temptation from our house, and second, I try to ensure I eat good, healthful foods regularly. If I have just had an apple or some grapes, I am far less likely to be tempted by candy. Hope that helps, and good luck!