food, food, food...diet, diet, diet

Eating because of boredom is a huge issue.  I once read something that made a lot of sense to me.

Many of use suffer from the I am bored so therefore I will eat syndrome.  Many of us also suffer from the I just ate why am I hungry 30 minutes later problem.  The solution is to ask yourself "Would I eat an apple (insert available fruit)?" 

If the answer is no, then you probably are not hungry and are just bored so you should switch up your activity to break the mental grasp on food.  If you answer yes, then you probably are hungry.  And since your mind is thinking of an apple, go ahead and eat it. 

It sounds simple and silly but I find it works quite often. 

I live by Peanut butter and honey. Two slices of light bread (whole grain - 2 slices = 80 calories). Reduced fat triscuits are big in Carbs (7 = 120cal); carrots. I dig dark chocolate as well and I don't deny myself at least 4 squares (200cal) each day, sometimes twice. Breakfast is either instant oatmeal or toast and PB, depending on what kind of workout I'm doing that day (long run = toast and PB).

After a long workout, it's normally brown rice and sauteed peppers/garlic/sausage or pasta with the same. Dinners can be anything from salads (piled high with crumbled blue cheese, some bacon bits, balsamic vinagrette) or Red Beans and Rice (Glory Foods - good stuff, but it comes in a can).

I dig Harvest bars for snacks. Along with (almost) every meal (save for sauteed peppers/garlic/sausage) are a bunch of baby carrots.

I've been back into counting calories for the past three weeks or so and find that ~2000 - 2200 is good for me. By the way, I don't keep myself from eating anything. When I do eat crap, I just realize that I'll need to start eating better the next day. When I feel myself getting hungry outside of my normal feeding time, I chug 32oz of water. 20 minutes later, if I'm still hungry, I'll try to eat something.

SR

EDIT: I don't drink alcohol, but I do know that beer has a great many calories and has been used in the past as an energy replacement drink.

What everyone else said, and:

- Always have healthy snacks with you

- Cut out sodas/high sugary juices (juice your own)

- Everything in moderation (a glass of wine or a piece of cake won't kill you, just don't do it at every meal!)

as someone who drinks between 4-10 diet cokes or diet pepsis a day I can state that this is not true.  And the third arm makes it easier to type while I'm on the phone or writing.

I really like the GI Diet.  You eat the correct type of carbs, proteins and fats.  I try to not eat anything after 7:30PM.  I try to cut out the simple sugars, salts and bad fats and the pounds will start to fall off.

I make a point of eating plenty of whole grains, veggies, fruits, seafood, chicken, nuts, nonfat yogurt, and skim milk.  I never eat huge amounts, but I eat frequently. 

I tend to avoid fried foods, dishes with heavy cream sauces, things drenched in cheese... that sort of thing.  I don't avoid carbs, eggs, good cheeses, meat, or really any whole food.

I don't avoid sweets, but I don't binge on them either -  except on a few special occasions.  I keep some healthy snacks around the house, but do not tend to keep cookies, ice cream, chocolate, or that sort of thing.

I do eat bars of various sorts (energy bars, breakfast bars, or granola bars), but I use them to add to my intake,.  I don't consider any of these diet foods, but quick energy sources for when I otherwise might not eat enough. 

As a formerly morbily obese person, and one that has been on every diet out there, I am VERY careful about what I eat.  I 'still' love to eat and if I could, I would eat a lot.  I use www.myfooddiary.com to keep me honest about what I am eating.  I track every bite that goes in my mouth.  I also love using this method because it encourages me to excercise more!  I make a point to eat at least 100 grams of protien each day.  I lost 20 pounds using it during the summer and am working on the last 10. 

Kelly

My nutrition plan is simple:

 If I see it, and it's not moving faster than me I'm going to eat it.  And I'm most likely going to find a beer  or 2 to wash it down.

Lot's of good advice here.  As someone who's been there, done that, have the T-shirt, it is all about lifestyle.  Really there is no magic formula other than EAT LESS, MOVE MORE.  It really is a simple question of making good decisions and keeping your caloric intake below maintenance level.  You can eat almost anything in moderation.  Do you know your Basal Metabolic Rate (BMR)?   It is not exact, but this will give you a good idea of how many calories you should take in on a given day.  Do a google search and you will find the formula.  Use Fitday at first until you get an idea of your caloric intake vs. calories expended.  Continue to experiment until you find out what works for you.  Before you know it, this will become a new lifestyle.  

My last piece of advice is "Beer is Good Food".  I may be wrong about that last one, but it works for me.