Seeking Input, Advice from/for all: Cravings

Posted on July 1, 2015

I have been somewhat quiet this summer, for my friends and regular readers I apologize and will strive to get back into my normal routine. This has been one crazy busy summer from work to home and everything in between. There have been many self-reflection topics that I meant to jot down in my normally weekly blog post, however, I simply haven’t had a moment to do so.

There is one topic that, I believe, cannot be put off any longer. Before I go into my typically long winded musing, I will start off by saying this post is a plea for your response. I am seeking comments, suggestions, input, and advice from and for everyone. The Subject is ‘CRAVINGS’, and while the issue of cravings is very broad I will specify this for our purposes to food (or what people consider food). So Ready? Set? Comment!

Now for my lead up to this subject. This has been one fantastic year for me, full of many successful DB games and some not so successful. Granted the ones I wasn’t successful in I expected it only joined to be with certain people, their journeys and advice that have come to be very dear to me. I have lost 55 pounds since the beginning of the year and can state emphatically that is in a large part because of my connections here. Beginning in May I experienced a plateau that was like a stone wall to get through. The good news is I have broken through that plateau and started climbing down the scale again. I still have around 79 pounds to go to hit my ultimate goal, and am so looking forward to that achievement. However, I want to ensure that I am going to be able to make it there, and limit the plateaus that I hit in the future.

Coming from a strength training background I am familiar with changing up the exercise routines in order to break the walls and continue progressing. However, one thing I noticed in this last month long plateau was ‘mouth’ cravings.

Let me explain the cravings that I experienced through that period and still do to a point. When these hit I do not feel hungry, at all. In fact when they come I really don’t even want to eat. I just simply want something in my mount that I can munch or simply salivate over. For the most part I can get through these with distractions, such as reading peoples comments and blogs here on DB, watching movies such as Hungry for Change, or listening to fitness/running motivation audio books. But, as seems to be the case this summer I simply have not have time for those options. Then there are other times I am able to get through these by having better options available such as celery, carrots, mangoes, bananas, apples, or sweet peppers to chomp on and enjoy.

These cravings are horrible and if I am not prepared I will fall to their pulls. So to start this off, how I broke through these barriers this past month was through; self-reflections to find the cause of the plateau, preparation to have things available to replace the craving with, and strong will power to realize the negative outcome to caving in.

While I have broken the plateau, the cravings still hit. I am not perfect and am, like many of you, simply trying my best. As this issue seems to continue, I am reaching out with my normal self-pondering musings to seek out your experiences and advice to help me and anyone else that may be negatively impacted by this issue.

As always thanks for reading, sharing, and joining me on this wonderful journey.

My name is Travis, and I am healing myself!

Comment Now!

Polly B.

07/02/2015 8:41PM

Hi Travis, I knit: keeping my hands busy stops me opening the fridge or pantry door and following an intricate pattern keeps my mind off food. I'm 63 years old and have read, heard, done every manner of diet, eating regime, eating habit self analysis etc and have discovered this about myself. I like eating, I love food but don't like being fat. When I crave chocolate which is all I crave morning, noon and night, i distract myself, give myself a talking to, don't have it in the house so have to deliberately go out and buy it. I give in occasionally but to be honest whilst I love the taste it now makes me feel a bit sick because of its richness, so I have cut down but can see that I have to build this craving into my life. I have on my fridge a saying 'nothing tastes as good as thin feels' I could argue this point when eating Toblerone but it is true. We are our own worst enemy and cravings are the covert weapon this enemy uses. I have been at my end goal weight for last two months???? and intend to maintain into the future, cravings will not go away but they can be realistically managed. I have so enjoyed this interaction with other diet betters, hope they run a maintenance program or I'll miss you guys come early August. Good luck on your journey.

BCbabe

07/02/2015 6:54AM

Travis, I have a similar problem as you do with mouth feel cravings. I enjoy the feel of food in my mouth, silky, smooth, hot, spicy or freezing cold. I try to make sure that my meals incorporate that type of satisfaction on a regular basis, although sometimes I just want junk. I do try to fulfill my cravings for some sinful with something SINFUL!! so if I am wanting chocolate I want some rich, dark, and silky. That way I only need a couple of bites and the craving is gone. I haven't done well with that lately myself and have gone through some weird eating patterns, I am trying to get back on track but it has been hard. I am with you every step of this and thank you so much for sharing. It does a person good to know the everyone has days or weeks like this. Welcome back!! I have missed your posts!!

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Travis

Valerie, we got this. One thing I have noticed is the need for more water. Apparently three weeks of temps in excess of 110 degrees increase my desire for 'sinful' snacks, if I keep myself hydrated they seem to be not as bad. Your beautiful description to start that comment off was awesome, that made me smile.

BCbabe

Hydration is a key component to our journey and I am glad I haven't had to deal with temps like that!! Thanks for smile, you have made me smile and I thought you needed one today

Les

07/02/2015 3:32AM

So happy to see that you working at it and are staying focused - and you have lots of good ideas shared with you here. I am sort of hearing boredom more than cravings ................. but, boredom does make us reach for things to eat. My mantra hasn't changed, go with intention, eat mindfully and drink the daggone stuff AND when those things don't work......................give yourself permission to have popcorn or something that won't kill you calorie wise and will make you feel like you had a treat. I am wishing you luck and I know you are with a wonderful FitBit group and if you ever get one of those, would love to have you join some of our challenges! Good luck bud.

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Travis

LESSSSSSS, it is so nice to hear from you again. Regarding the FitBit, I have a one last round for my Transformer and am already 10 lbs beyond goal, my reward to myself for completing that game will be a Surge. I'll let you know.

Amy B.

07/01/2015 8:05PM

Travis, I applaud your dedication to figuring out the genesis of your plateau and these cravings. They are unpleasant to say the least. Distractions are good, but sometimes not effective in derailing our cravings. I think the others are on to something with substituting the oral stimulation, for lack of a better term. Are the cravings for a particular texture or taste? If so, can you substitute things that take longer to eat and have fewer calories like popcorn, frozen grapes, or natural fruit leather? Are you able to have a little of what you'd like, but not over indulge?

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Travis

ooo frozen grapes I like that one. What a great suggestion. Thanks Amy.

Sonya

07/01/2015 3:20PM

I have come to the conclusion that I give myself one happy (craving) day a month. When I do this I don't feel as though I am depriving myself. Sometimes I eat it all and sometimes I don't. I don't get a large amount of whatever I want but I do enjoy it. A lot of time I think I want it but my body let me know it can't handle it anymore. I start to feel awful with a sick feeling. You got this. You didn't put in the hard work to over indulge. I have also found new substitutes that are good a healthier salty and sweets.

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Travis

One of the benefits I find fantastic about this journey is the increased ability to listen to our bodies, they sure do talk to us. Thanks.

JeannieBee61

07/01/2015 2:49PM

And a great job you're doing. I've had success with pitted fruit where I eat the fruit--like plums best--and then put the pit in my mouth to savor and get more off the pit. Do not eat it for real. We've all been a long time in our old habits--even smokers or alcoholics will be drawn back--so maybe something so simple will help the need/feeling to pass. Yes, you ARE healing yourself by one good choice at a time.

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Travis

Hi Jeannie, that is a fantastic idea, oh how I do love plumbs. Never really thought about the pits before, this is the second time I have heard this one, I think I am going to have to load up on some plumbs and cherries :) thanks.

Carrie O.

07/01/2015 12:57PM

Make sure you are not drinking anything with sweetener in it - I know that is a big trigger of my cravings. And I'm not hungry. If I drink black coffee or plain tea, I'm good, but if I dig into a diet pop - I'm screwed. It sounds silly, but the less sugar you take in, the less you crave. I know that for a fact. Also, if you don't want to give into cravings, make sure those things aren't even available to you. That's a hard one for me with three kids and a junkfoodie husband. But if it's not there - are you really willing to go out and get it? Chances are, no. Good luck!

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Carrie O.

I envy you, getting all of your family on board! I have a 75 lb toddler that loves anything that doesn't grow in the ground, which makes it so hard, but kids can only eat whats available to them, too! The husband? Will I ever get him to kick the habit?? I don't know. That's why my weekends always suck, I give in. But I can keep trying. The diet pop is key for me, I've noticed it makes me crave. So I try to stay away.

Travis

If I can kick it in gear and change the old bad habits, there is definitely hope for your hubby too ;) take care.

Elizabeth H.

07/01/2015 11:31AM

Maybe it's kind of like oral fixation that smokers deal with when quitting? Does playing with a stress ball or something satiate the craving at all? I found when I had silly cravings when I wasn't hungry was what I really was looking for was a break from whatever it was I was doing. I've been trying to practice meditation to keep me feeling relaxed, even a few deep breaths and mindfulness of the moment is good. It seems to have helped even if it makes me feel kinda kooky sometimes. :-)

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Travis

Also, the more I think on your response the more it seems you have pinpointed my individual issue (though I still think this is a good topic for others). Anyway, to move into a confessional, I for years had the horrible addiction of chewing tobacco. As it has been many years since I kicked that habit I hadn't even consider this to be a cause of the cravings I have been having. Now I think you have actually helped me find the source, and I am at least comforted by the knowledge of the why, now, just need to keep up with the good alternatives, at least this should pass. :)

Elizabeth H.

I'm really happy to have helped! Like, really, it's brightened my day. :-)

Thomas

07/01/2015 11:29AM

One more thing that might help you focus on your weight loss is rotating your DB challenges. I discuss this in my Blog "Did you just call me Blob?" Also view my profile. I have a spreadsheet to share at your request that I use to track all my challenges both DB4s and DB10s. I'm not in it to win money (all money won is being given to my church). I'm doing it because every 10 days I add a DB4 and have just a little bit to focus on to meet the next challenge. So far it is working for me. God Bless and Good luck in your Weight Loss Journey.

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Thomas

07/01/2015 11:22AM

By the way... I seem to have hit a plateau at 55 lbs too. I'm crashing it hard to get trough it. I'm exercising 2x per day. Swim 1.5 miles and 20 mile Bike Ride. And of course trying to eat right.

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