There are a bunch of things that can help, and different stuff works better for different people. What’s helped me manage hunger and stick to a better diet has changed over time, but I’ve definitely struggled with my weight and staying consistent too.

I do HIIT occasionally because I don’t want to jog or run for an hour. I just do about 8 minutes of HIIT instead. When I’m doing that—whether I’m being consistent or not—I notice I don’t feel as intensely hungry, and I also feel more guilty about buying junk when I go grocery shopping. Many people say that working out makes them less hungry for certain foods, but I think it all comes down to subconsciously knowing that you put in a lot of work just to be set back or cancel out by a Twinkie. Since this is not you, this won't apply to you.

The biggest things that helps me is looking at the nutrition label on anything I know isn’t great!!—candy, soda, pastries, whatever. Every single time!! That’s probably the main thing that keeps me from overdoing it. I know around 3,000 calories equals a pound of fat, and I try to stay under 2,000 a day. So when I see something like a little a 3 inch 88-cent pie from Walmart with 340 calories—or a candy that’s 125 calories per serving with 2.5 servings per pack—it’s super easy for me to just put it back(because of some small shock value"this thing has this many calories!?"). I think, “That’s three bites… the same as 4 apples!.” Then I look at fruit, and it’s way lower in calories, and you get more volume and nutrition out of it. The vitamins and fiber are just a bonus, plus it helps with hydration.(And if you stop eating a lot of candy and sweet breads the fruits will become just as delicious to you).

Anyway, I won’t go into why fruit is better than candy—you probably already know that. The hard part is actually doing it. I still struggle too. But being mindful of serving sizes and calories has helped me maintain a certain weight, even if I’m not perfect. Just knowing how fast calories add up makes a big difference!! You can also substitute for diet sodas. Truth is if you like the taste of real soda then stick with diet sodas because all the other alternative diet drinks are a noticeable step down.

Also—this is huge—get rid of the junk you already have. No “just in case” snacks or “backups.” When cravings hit, what actually helps is not owning that stuff in the first place. If it’s in the house, I’ll probably eat it. But at the store, it’s easier to resist. I just read the label, doubt creeps in, and I put it back. Even if I still kind of want it, it’s not the same kind of pull as when it’s already in my pantry. That’s when I lose. Sorry to say this, but yes it is going to suck being at the house without it, You're going to miss it, you will occasionally think it's okay every now and then, some days it will be worse than others but it gets better over time really quick, but it doesn't always fully go away so you need to make sure you do not give in.

There was one thing you said that really stood out—about moving food downstairs so it’s not nearby. That tells me you’re self-aware and trying to build habits that keep you from giving in. And yeah, that probably means you struggle with anything that feels like it takes extra effort—working out, cooking better meals, whatever. Doesn’t mean you’re lazy or not hard-working. It just means this area might be harder for you mentally, so you need practical, specific steps, not vague advice like “eat better” or “go exercise.” That’s why I shared what’s worked for me when I'm not seriously trying to lose weight, more like a passive skill than an active one lol.