Best things you've learned to keep your sanity while dieting

[Mr.Dedication]

Other sub-forums don't get read so that's why I'm posting here. But ya, what is the best thing that you've learned or what do you do to keep you sanity while dieting for a long time?

[run4td]

Stay busy!! Down time leads to thinking about hunger/snacking.

[JG1]

Lots of pussy.

[davidcua]

Don't undereat + eat enough vitamins and minerals (variety of food) = Your brain will thank you and won't send you the signals of cravings that you think you need food while you are just deficient in micro nutriments.

[Sunnyday]

Stay busy!! Down time leads to thinking about hunger/snacking.

This!

I understand that most people need variety while dieting. Variety while dieting does NOT work for me. It actually makes me crave foods more. Good thing, because I would have lost my mind working with Pulcinella if I needed variety in my diet. Anyone who knows him knows what I mean. He says, "Variety is for the offseason."

[Curt James]

Other sub-forums don't get read so that's why I'm posting here. But ya, what is the best thing that you've learned or what do you do to keep you sanity while dieting for a long time?

198 to 177 since January. Been focusing on the increased definition/lower bf%. Haven't learned anything and there's nothing particular that I do. It's just worth my while or whatever effort involved to stick to it.

Also, in my favor or something that helps me, I have pretty much zero sense of smell and -- attached to that, I believe -- little sense of taste, so I'm content eating chicken breasts and Vitamin Water Zero orange-flavored Rise all week long.

[The Solution]

Stay Focused/Consistent
Vary your intake, dont bore yourself on the same foods day in and day out. Try different variety in protein/carb/fat sources to help keep things fresh
Use different spices and seasonings to help aid your food
Drink plenty of water (less around meals and more between meals to help with digestion)
Get adequate fiber (to hold you over and help with hunger)
Make vegetables your best friend if not get a greens supplement
Stay BUSY! the more you sit around you will think about food or watch the food network haha
When you train, focus on the big picture, you will have days where your energy sucks and you go through the motion. always tell yourself "Someone has it worse"
Good music --> Helps me in the gym and to stay focused.

[JRob]

For whatever reason, watching all things food related seems to hold me down. Triple D, Man vs Food and Food Paradise to name a few.

[Sunnyday]

For whatever reason, watching all things food related seems to hold me down. Triple D, Man vs Food and Food Paradise to name a few.

Now that you mention it, Iron Chef did help pass the time between meals.

[PeterCas]

I always like to stay focused on the task at hand. Whenever I start to get cravings I will remind myself of the end goal and how cheating on my diet will set me back.

I also think that having a plan from day 1 is important. I like to map out my diet in phases. I'll usually break it up into 4 phases of 4 weeks. I won't go into detail. My point is- have a plan...and if it's not part of the plan, don't even consider it.

[Ironbrian82]

make sure you have 1 cheat meal a week
take pics once a week
don't spend so much time lifting and don't worry about the weight on the bar
always have cashew nuts and peanut butter at home and drink plenty of water

[Sandpig]

Like Brian, I have one cheat each week. No matter what kind of diet I am using to cut with.

[Rocky3]

our weekly cheat meal

[naturalguy]

Keep your eye on the prize, if you find yourself waivering remind yourself why your doing this and how the results will pay off in the end.

[BigZero]

Learn to cook. If you don't know how to properly season foods or cook protein so that everything remains juicy and flavorful, you are going to suffer. Oh, and don't let yourself get depleted. Electrolyte depletion an dehydration is usually what leads to cravings, not actual hunger.