Diets & Weight Maintenance Support Group

Is this your dinner, or an after-work "snack"? When you do get home, are you responsible for making the meal? Are there other people who live/eat/cook at your home?

My fast food "thing" was lunchtime -- as a travelling teacher, I am out in the community, and usually my schedule is packed too full to do a "real" lunch break (i.e. NOT in front of the steering wheel, while driving..). I tried packing my lunch...and often ditched those in the trash can on the way into the junk food joint...bad.

So the way I solved the lunch crisis is that my midday meal tends to be a meal replacement bar (SlimFast or Special K) and drink that I keep in the car. I tend to enjoy those, and they are shelf stable. I am allowed to take my lunch "time" when I want, so I start my work day 30 minutes later, so I can exercise first thing, then get ready for work. Since I've already taken my lunch "break", I just enjoy my shake or bar while working. I realize that this flexibility is rare (and I do appreciate it!), but I guess my advice is -- if you know that's your weakness, PREPARE. Next time you HAVE time, spend some of it on the nutrition sites for your favorite fast food site. First, after you freak out about how many calories are in your Whopper (or whatever your fav is), look and see if there is a healthier choice...if you MUST order, get that, and that only. Better still, if you can keep some healthy foods with you in your car, as you see the drive through, defiantly pull out your granola bar (or whatever) and dig in. If you are responsible for your meals at home, here's the magic word: Crock Pot. There are lots of good, healthy, simple, inexpensive, low-calorie things you can fix before you leave for work, and come home, knowing that your dinner is READY the minute you enter the door (like fast food gratification, without the guilt!). The other accessory in my car at all times?? Sugarless gum. If I decide that I might just like an order of some yummy drive through stuff...I pop in a piece of gum. The strong flavor redirects my mouth to enjoying the gum, and I'm able to think about other things...like the excellent audio book I'm listening to.

In special ed (my field), we call it "differential reinforcement of incompatible behaviors" -- in other words, if my mouth is busy chewing gum, I can't be stuffing in a burger. Also, the "instant" dinner (that you put in your Crock Pot and started cooking before work) helps -- the decision of "what's for dinner" has already been made, and you're NOT going to waste that delicious dinner waiting for you by have the junk food you don't even want!!!!

You can do it -- they say it takes about 10 times to establish a new habit. Your new habit? Thumbing your nose at the fast food!! (And if it helps, figure out what you would have spent on that fast food, and start keeping a "me" fund -- once you've saved up some bucks...and you'll be amazed how much money you save when you don't give it to the drive through!...then get something totally trivial, but that you want!! Me? I'm saving my fast food money for spending on fun stuff when I go to NYC later this summer on vacation...it's wonderful to watch my little kitty of $$$ grow...and my waistline shrink.)

YOU CAN DO THIS!!!

Nuts. Nuts. Nuts. Have you seen the Emerald Nut commercials. Well, it really does work. I have been dieting for the last 5 weeks and in the afternoon the diet has a snack of healthy trail mix including a few pretzels, nuts, and dried fruits. It's equal to one pretzel rod, 2 tablespoons of nuts, and 1 tablespoon of dried fruit. It is just enough to take the edge off the after hunger. The other suggestion is find another way home. But, honestly a habit is just that a habit. Make a conscious effort to not stop. After a week not stopping will be your habit. Habits can be changed. Not easy and your mouth may water while driving by but have a few healthier treats waiting at home to focus on instead of the fast food. Shoot almost anything would be better than fast food. It's summer time have frozen treats in your freezer for when you get home if that strikes your fancy. Good Luck. XO :)

Thank you for the advice and suggestions. I work Swing Shift until midnight. So I've been stopping for fast food as a super late night meal. Then I go to bed just an hour later. I know this is very bad for me and that's why I posted for help.

Frogerina ---- I like your idea about having a snack or small meal ready to eat when I get home. Having a "reason" to get straight home will make a difference.

Jenn1307 --- I may try your suggestion of finding an alternate route home. Hopefully a route with less fast food temptations.

Thanks to both.

I was also thinking the alternate route.
Are you really hungery when you stop? Is it habit (bad habit) Limit yourself to one day a week after you have NOT stopped for the whole week. I bet by then you will wonder why you ever wanted to stop in the first place. Most of the fast food is 'mouth hunger' not true hunger. Try drinking 2 HUGE glasses of water about 1/2 hour before you leave work. You probably are thirsty not hungery.
Remember...you are the boss of YOU! Take control of your life! HUGE HUGS!

Fast food is like poison for many people. Not only are they high in calories, but the fat content is enormous. Do whatever you can to stop this habit!

The good news is that as you change your diet, you become less interested in fast foods. As you lose weight and start fitting into smaller sizes, the feeling is tremendous. This is as addictive for me as food can be. I get to the point that I don't want to be as I use to be.

Some people take fiber supplements to fill their stomach before a vunerable point. I agree that you should eat smaller amounts more often. It is healthier and it will stave off the "starving feeling" better. You are less likely to gorge yourself. That big meal (2000 calories) just before bed is a perfect way to blow up.

Wayne-