Ok here is a question

Someone mentioned it in Middleman's post. So I wanted to see what you all thought and think.

How did you deal or how do you deal with head hunger?

I know I struggle with this everyday. Maybe its because I am not at work. I don't know. But I think about all of the foods that I cannot eat constantly. Chicken finger subs has been on my mind today. Also pizza. Which is my favorite food. Now I know I can't have this stuff and I can't believe how much money I am saving by not buying junk food. But that doesn't stop it from invading my mind.

So BAF what say you...how do you deal with head hunger or cravings?

Hey Andrea!

Make yourself busy while you're at home. I did go back to work after one week, but I kept myself busy with books, suduko and crossword puzzles.

I still don't have hunger, but my body likes to give me reminders (since it's been training for mealtimes for close to 40 years..lol) that it's breakfast, lunch and dinner. I think about painting my toes without having to unbuckle my pants, going running without falling the fudge out or putting on that cute little dress. Think of something to do to shut the head hunger monster down. Good luck!

Thanks Wonka I will take all of your suggestions. I know I need to eat more actually. I need to put myself on a schedule. I let to many days float by without eating breakfast or lunch. So I need to get better with that.

Keep a bottle of water or chewing gum on hand!

Chewing gum works the best though because it will mess your taste buds right on up

Thanks Ro Ro for the tip.

I work the cravings into a snack.  Keeps me from straying too far off my nutrition plan.  They are not on my list of foods but meet the nutritional criteria and don't blow my day. 

For salty its pork skins, 1/2oz= 8g prot 80cal 0g carb  For sweet an atkins prot bar, one of the small ones= 10g prot 130-150cal 2-3g carb

It does get a little easier when you are back on a normal schedule.  For myself, I try to distract myself for periods of time.  I'll say to myself - okay, its 11 am -  I want...whatever...I will go off and do something that will take a half an hour because - head hunger cravings do pass.  I sometimes drink something  a cup of crystal lite  -its not a cheesesteak but at this point in the game its a filler-upper. 

I was reading this book - The Beck Diet Solution - which I heard about on one of the OH forums and its really good.  It takes a cognitive therapy approach to eating.  That is, it starts from the premise that for most people who struggle with weight issues - its their thoughts  that creates the head hunger.  So if you can attack the underlying thoughts you can conquer the head hunger.

So are you saying stuff to your self like:

"I can't stand this, I have to have x or y" - when the truth is you can stand it and you are standing it.
"I'll feel this way forever" - no you won't yeah you'll be tempted by certain foods but  especially as the weight loss kicks in - the scale going down is nicer than the chicken fingers.

One suggestion in the book is to take an index card and write down every reason you can think of as to why you wanted the surgery and what the advantages of weight loss is for you...and read it twice a day. 

These are simple little things but they can be effective.

Good luck,
Rhonda

Whoose that book by???  I need to read it. 

Judith Beck - I've seen it in Barnes and Noble.  It was written in 2007.

Rhonda

Thank you so much for this. I think this a great idea. I am going to try it out.