I don't know if anyone else has this problem but.........
I find it hard to stay motivated - and I am not talking a weekly or monthly thing - I am having problems hour by hour. I'll make the decision that it is time to get back on track and then almost before I realize it I've already eaten too much again...and it seems like this cycle just keeps repeating itself.
I've tried tracking calories, but I find that it constantly leaves me obsessing about food - and this just doesn't seem healthy.
Perhaps someone could pass on some helpful andvice; I would truly appreciate it!

Peace

Quite simply, it boils down to this:

YOUR DESIRE TO CHANGE MUST BE GREATER THAN YOUR DESIRE TO STAY THE SAME.

If not, you are simply never going to change.

~SC~

Hey Two Step,

I kept track of my calories in a spreadsheet, like you mentioned. What helped me stay on track was that the night before, I planned all 7 of my meals for the next day. I made my mid morning meal, lunch, and after lunch meal and put them in containers to take to work. This helped limit how much i ate.

In the morning, I ate my breakfast according to the plan, then during the day I ate my ready made meals. When I got home, I made my dinner according to what I had planned. This keep me from going off course ("No! that is NOT on the spreadsheet for today!") and I ended up perfectly hitting 40/40/20 for protein/carbs/fat because I had planned it all out.

It might be time to take up some new hobbies. get away from the TV and computer. Find something to do out doors or away from the kitchen.

For me it's working on cars & motorcycles, photagraphy, shooting pool.
I've even considered taking up some form of martial arts

It's amazing how focused you can become when trying to solve a problem, like with fuel injection and carburation. The time can go by very fast, and before you know it, it's time to eat. you literally have to tear yourself away from the project to go and put down a meal.

When you have other things to occupy your time, food is the last thing on your mind.

~Todd
St Paul, MN

DRINK MORE WATER!

Your body's drive for food really isn't that strong most of the time. You can go a long time without food. Your drive for sex isn't really that strong. You can go without sex for even longer (and I'm an expert!).

But your drive for water is INTENSE, and it will overwhelm any attempt you make to suppress it.

If you do not drink enough water, you will be lethargic, unmotivated, and will constantly crave something, even if you're not sure what it is. Most Americans don't drink anywhere close to enough water for their entire lives, and it's very possible you have somehow confused thirst and hunger and used binge eating to deal with thirst. After all, you can get water from food . . . I always used to do that; I'd eat a whole bag of cookies, feel sick but still crave something, have a quart of water, and feel like a jerk for not doing that first!

DRINK MORE WATER!

It will instantly make you feel 100% better. I can do everything short of guarantee it.

It might be time to take up some new hobbies. get away from the TV and computer. Find something to do out doors or away from the kitchen.

For me it's working on cars & motorcycles, photagraphy, shooting pool.
I've even considered taking up some form of martial arts

It's amazing how focused you can become when trying to solve a problem, like with fuel injection and carburation. The time can go by very fast, and before you know it, it's time to eat. you literally have to tear yourself away from the project to go and put down a meal.

When you have other things to occupy your time, food is the last thing on your mind.

~Todd
St Paul, MN

Very good tip. This also works well for those who are trying to quit smoking.