How do you maintain food discipline?

[moorey]

I’ve stayed out of this thread for years as I’ve made many attempts at improved dietary regimes in the past, without success. This is entirely different from being vegan, as I find that easy due to my ethical beliefs.

I’m about 3 months into a healthy eating (and increased exercise) regime, and no plans now to let it lapse It was spurred by the panic of the short notice of the TransTas, where after paying for entry, it was either do something drastic, or have zero chance of completion the event.
Like many people, I needed a specific goal and genuine motivation to stick to it. Good intentions and half baked resolutions have never worked for me in the past, and rarely work for anyone.
It took the best part of 6 weeks for my body to stop the crippling cravings for additional sugar, but my weakness has always been for the savoury and fatty snacks (BBQ shapes and chips particularly).
I’ve dropped 7kg (about 10% of my previous weight) and have a ton more energy, less back pain, and mostly eliminated nasty reflux. There’s no way I can see myself reverting to my old ways now that new habits have basically just become the norm.

 

[Minlak]

I’ve stayed out of this thread for years as I’ve made many attempts at improved dietary regimes in the past, without success. This is entirely different from being vegan, as I find that easy due to my ethical beliefs.

I’m about 3 months into a healthy eating (and increased exercise) regime, and no plans now to let it lapse It was spurred by the panic of the short notice of the TransTas, where after paying for entry, it was either do something drastic, or have zero chance of completion the event.
Like many people, I needed a specific goal and genuine motivation to stick to it. Good intentions and half baked resolutions have never worked for me in the past, and rarely work for anyone.
It took the best part of 6 weeks for my body to stop the crippling cravings for additional sugar, but my weakness has always been for the savoury and fatty snacks (BBQ shapes and chips particularly).
I’ve dropped 7kg (about 10% of my previous weight) and have a ton more energy, less back pain, and mostly eliminated nasty reflux. There’s no way I can see myself reverting to my old ways now that new habits have basically just become the norm.

Ummmm BBQ shapes aren’t even vegan!

 

[moorey]

Ummmm BBQ shapes aren’t even vegan!

Yeah, they are. #4. https://www.plantnutritionwellness.com/post/2017-06-29-10-common-foods-that-are-accidentally-vegan

 

[Minlak]

Yeah, they are. #4. https://www.plantnutritionwellness.com/post/2017-06-29-10-common-foods-that-are-accidentally-vegan

They're not vegan unfortunately and it has nothing to do with the Worcestershire sauce, it's the flavor enhancer E635 which is made primarily from meat and sometimes fish too

 

[moorey]

They're not vegan unfortunately and it has nothing to do with the Worcestershire sauce, it's the flavor enhancer E635 which is made primarily from meat and sometimes fish too

Sigh. Have done this before. I’m not keen on doing it again. If it matters to you, don’t eat them. If it doesn’t, please don’t try to find issue for others.

E635 may or may not be vegan. It is a food additive used to enhance flavor. Also known as Disodium 5′-Ribonucleotides, E635 is made of Sodium Salts of Inosinic Acid and Guanylic Acid. These sodium salts are often obtained from the flesh of killed animals but can also come from plants.

It’s been queried. These don’t.

 

[Norco Maniac]

That quote is rather out of date...but I'm in reasonable shape at the moment. More from working too much and barely any recreational activity.

Yeah sorry, lste night insomnia and didn't read the date on the post.

 

[pink poodle]

Yeah sorry, lste night insomnia and didn't read the date on the post.

Nah it's ok. I love a good grave dig!


Biggest issue for the last 6 months or so has been working stupid hours in hospitality at venues that don't have anything healthy on the menu. I've done. Lot of 10+ hour days, so no time to get to grocery store because they all close so early now or in working, can't be fucked cooking when I do have groceries, and fuck it I can eat at work...ahhh fuck. Lucky I have a nutritious start to the day! Lots of seeds and coffee.

On he plus side I'm doing a lot of exercise!

 

[Jim Junkie]

Prompted by Moorey's revival of this thread, it's probably about time for me to chime in as well.

It took the best part of 6 weeks for my body to stop the crippling cravings for additional sugar, but my weakness has always been for the savoury and fatty snacks (BBQ shapes and chips particularly).

Sugar became my go to for stress eating and general snacking in 2020. That was a bad move, i've not put on that much weight in a year since my teenage years, and that was with riding nearly every day. I can echo your sentiment Moorey, ditching the extra sugar was a lot easier than I thought and only took a handfull of weeks to get over the cravings.

That got me 4kg back, but I reckon I've still got another 3-4 to go. Maybe it's my 30's catching up, but the fatigue I'm copping at the moment is getting to me. Riding to work every (4) day seems to just wear me out a lot more than it used to.

I figure diet is probably a good first stop. I generally eat healthy cooked meals for dinner every night, but my lunches could probably do with a lot less Chinese peppery chicken and burritos. The wine is on the wind down too, another one that has snuck up more than it should have thanks to overdoing the stress part.

Any good tips for mixing up some healthy eats for lunches? The repetitivenes is what's killed it in the past for me, but maybe I think I need to break the eating out habit for lunches. Even before the health benefits, it's costs a bomb and it's doing no favours for my blood pressure.

 

[pink poodle]

Prompted by Moorey's revival of this thread, it's probably about time for me to chime in as well.



Sugar became my go to for stress eating and general snacking in 2020. That was a bad move, i've not put on that much weight in a year since my teenage years, and that was with riding nearly every day. I can echo your sentiment Moorey, ditching the extra sugar was a lot easier than I thought and only took a handfull of weeks to get over the cravings.

That got me 4kg back, but I reckon I've still got another 3-4 to go. Maybe it's my 30's catching up, but the fatigue I'm copping at the moment is getting to me. Riding to work every (4) day seems to just wear me out a lot more than it used to.

I figure diet is probably a good first stop. I generally eat healthy cooked meals for dinner every night, but my lunches could probably do with a lot less Chinese peppery chicken and burritos. The wine is on the wind down too, another one that has snuck up more than it should have thanks to overdoing the stress part.

Any good tips for mixing up some healthy eats for lunches? The repetitivenes is what's killed it in the past for me, but maybe I think I need to break the eating out habit for lunches. Even before the health benefits, it's costs a bomb and it's doing no favours for my blood pressure.

If you like burritos...why no make up the filling and take it to work? Black beans, meat if you like (I would), brown rice, onion, chili, garlic, coriander or oregano, capsicum, tomato, celery, whatever else you want to pad it with. I used to make meals like the when I worked in an office and had enough discipline to eat the same/similar things regularly. Worked well. Skip the tortilla as there's plenty of carb in the mix.


Ditch the wine and take up whisky.

 

[moorey]

Prompted by Moorey's revival of this thread, it's probably about time for me to chime in as well.



Sugar became my go to for stress eating and general snacking in 2020. That was a bad move, i've not put on that much weight in a year since my teenage years, and that was with riding nearly every day. I can echo your sentiment Moorey, ditching the extra sugar was a lot easier than I thought and only took a handfull of weeks to get over the cravings.

That got me 4kg back, but I reckon I've still got another 3-4 to go. Maybe it's my 30's catching up, but the fatigue I'm copping at the moment is getting to me. Riding to work every (4) day seems to just wear me out a lot more than it used to.

I figure diet is probably a good first stop. I generally eat healthy cooked meals for dinner every night, but my lunches could probably do with a lot less Chinese peppery chicken and burritos. The wine is on the wind down too, another one that has snuck up more than it should have thanks to overdoing the stress part.

Any good tips for mixing up some healthy eats for lunches? The repetitivenes is what's killed it in the past for me, but maybe I think I need to break the eating out habit for lunches. Even before the health benefits, it's costs a bomb and it's doing no favours for my blood pressure.

Checked your iron levels lately? Surefire way to ensure you’re tired and lethargic if it’s low.
That said, my first month of getting back into it left me dead on my feet to the point of nodding off at awkward times. I wanted to keep up the crammed training, but forced myself to take a couple of exercise free days, and I was better for it.
Snack wise, I can’t go past nuts. Not low in fat, but I wasn’t/aren’t doing it for weight loss. My other fave is plate of sliced carrot/capsicum/celery etc with hummus. Not everyone’s cuppa, but I love it. Also can’t beat a banana smeared with peanut butter. Not very adventurous, sorry.

 

[Jim Junkie]

If you like burritos...why no make up the filling and take it to work? Black beans, meat if you like (I would), brown rice, onion, chili, garlic, coriander or oregano, capsicum, tomato, celery, whatever else you want to pad it with. I used to make meals like the when I worked in an office and had enough discipline to eat the same/similar things regularly. Worked well. Skip the tortilla as there's plenty of carb in the mix.


Ditch the wine and take up whisky.

I could get on board with something like that, I tend to cook in bulk on the weekend anyway.
I'm partial to a dram of single malt too, but I get the feeling I'll be better for it if the entire alcohol rate of consumption were to stay reduced. It's been a month of tapering back during Feb and it's definitely had a positive impact on mood.



As to the iron, it's been a good year or 2 since I let the vampires near me, so it's a possibility. If things don't improve with these changes, I guess a visit to the doc is in order.

And Bananas in peanut butter? Is that a common thing I've just never had the opportunity to see before? Sounds decadent.

 

[pink poodle]

I'm partial to a dram of single malt too, but I get the feeling I'll be better for it if the entire alcohol rate of consumption were to stay reduced.

Clearly the best way to moderate your consumption is to purchase stuff so expensive you can't afford to rush through it?

It gives so little and takes so much, certainly something you don't need.

Peanut butter and banana is a great combo. Go crunchy for the best visual appeal as you eat it. Celery and peanut butter is good too.

 

[Rorschach]

Need to get into this thread and have a dig.
My food discipline (and general well-being) is awful, I can’t stay away from the fridge and feel like I spend had my time eating.
Wake up feeling like shit every day, which I don’t think is helping. Have a referral for a sleep specialist again, just haven’t gotten round to booking it. My mood isn’t great most of the time and the Mrs is starting to get sick of it.
Slowly creeping up to my heaviest (~108kg - currently at 101kg) after being at 90kg when we got married 5 years ago.
Struggling to do any exercise as I help with the little fella after work, so don’t generally sit down until about 8 and I’m already wiped when I wake up at 6. Generally in bed at 930. Things aren’t going to get easier either as the wife is due our second in 6 weeks

 

[shiny]

I could get on board with something like that, I tend to cook in bulk on the weekend anyway.
I'm partial to a dram of single malt too, but I get the feeling I'll be better for it if the entire alcohol rate of consumption were to stay reduced. It's been a month of tapering back during Feb and it's definitely had a positive impact on mood.



As to the iron, it's been a good year or 2 since I let the vampires near me, so it's a possibility. If things don't improve with these changes, I guess a visit to the doc is in order.

And Bananas in peanut butter? Is that a common thing I've just never had the opportunity to see before? Sounds decadent.

Bananas or Apples smothered in peanut butter are awesome.

I have fallen off the good eating wagon and I am the heaviest I have been for a very long time and the old Dad gut is starting to show, dammit.

Have started to cut back on the beer and need to stop snacking on chocolates, chips etc. I cut out sugars (choc, cakes, biscuits etc) a few years back and felt pretty good so need to try that again. Don’t drink soft drink or juice. Other stress factors in life not helping but little steps!

@Rorschach I hear ya, been a full time Dad the last year and bit, finally got some part time work, but 3 kids is hard work!

 

[moorey]

I could get on board with something like that, I tend to cook in bulk on the weekend anyway.
I'm partial to a dram of single malt too, but I get the feeling I'll be better for it if the entire alcohol rate of consumption were to stay reduced. It's been a month of tapering back during Feb and it's definitely had a positive impact on mood.



As to the iron, it's been a good year or 2 since I let the vampires near me, so it's a possibility. If things don't improve with these changes, I guess a visit to the doc is in order.

And Bananas in peanut butter? Is that a common thing I've just never had the opportunity to see before? Sounds decadent.

Don’t wait, get it checked. Seriously. I’ve always had to be careful with mine, but it’s always been fine...until about 2 years ago, and I was so deficient, doc was surprised I could get out of bed.

If you have a good food processor like a magi mix, make up some almond butter.
Just natural almonds (nothing else) blended up for about 10 min until smooth and creamy. Dip in some apple slices and go hard. Almond are one of the best things out there for you....and this tastes awesome.

 

[moorey]

Now you gave me a craving, you bastard, so good.

 

[Calvin27]

If you have a good food processor like a magi mix, make up some almond butter.

I can't believe that's what it is. Stores sell that for a motza!

 

[moorey]

I can't believe that's what it is. Stores sell that for a motza!

Almonds aren’t cheap...though not bad if you buy in bulk probably.
But yeah, 100% almonds, no oil, salt or sugar. Blend the fuck outta it. 15 min to be sure. Creamy, delicious, and just about the most nutritious thing around.

 

[pink poodle]

Food is good, but what about the mindset for not eating shit?

 

[moorey]

Food is good, but what about the mindset for not eating shit?

For me, as I mentioned earlier, I have to have a strong motivation or specific goal.
Not eating animal products...piece of piss.
Not snacking on sweet and fatty shit...stop, or you’ve wasted $3000 on your race entry.
After a couple of months, it’s just the new norm for me.
I think it’s also important to allow yourself a few treats. Everything is good in moderation, especially moderation.
The prospect of going back to feeling as average as I did a 4 months ago is the best motivation not to.