and struggling to get back on. And it's only the first week. The first 3 days went great but not the last two. I know I just need to jump right back on it tomorrow morning. I'm just having a hard time curbing the cravings mostly. I bought some skinny cow ice cream as well as sugar free pudding but I end up eating those in place of foods that I know are better for me. For instance I'll eattwo or three ice creams like one after dinner and maybe one for a snack and while it fits into my calories it in no way keeps me full so then I go over. I think I just need to get rid of it all until I can control it better. Please tell me I'm not the only one out there like this.

I find that cutting out all sugar and most carbs has helped me tons so far with my cravings. I think some people are very sensitive to sugars/carbs. I am a major addict and I feel so much better without it. I'm still in the first week of this but I just wanted to share this with you.....in case you're interested. I do count calories as well. I feel like I'm finally in control of food (instead of the other way around). I hope you figure it out. Everyone's different, of course.

I think you're on to somthing with being sensitive to sweets and carbs. I feel like if I splurge on a little something I end up just wanting more. It's so hard to cut out those things with the hubby.

LARWife, I am the same way. I never buy anything sweet or remotely tempting (can't even buy almonds unless they're pre-portioned) because I'll just eat 'em all!

Unfortunately someone mailed me a gift today of chocolate/caramel/popcorn snack mix and I ended up polishing it off in a moment of weakness (1260 calories worth)..... this confirms the theory

Sugary/carb-filled snack stuff cannot be in my house, period.

If I don't buy it, I don't eat it. The only "sweet" items I have around/got today at the store were greek yogurt, fruit, and there is some Strawberry jam in my fridge. That's it.

Can you go without sweets for awhile, and see how you feel? It's worth a shot!

I am definitely going to try to just keep it out of the house and only have something maybe if I'm out for dinner or something. So glad I'm not the only one. I actually weighed our of paranoia and I have lost almost 4 lbs! I feel much better today.

You aren't the only one out there! I am a sugar addict, so I have to keep anything sugary out of the house. Counting calories has really helped me a lot, and now I crave sweet things like mandarin oranges or clementines, and if I have a weak moment and am craving sugar, I'll eat those fruits because they are so sweet and they get rid of the craving.

Over my weight loss, I've gone in phases of buying Skinny Cows and other sweet "treats," and not. I do MUCH better when I don't buy them at all. I'm (finally!) able to stop at one, but it's a struggle and I think about that one Skinny Cow all day.

Exactly. I just don't buy that stuff. I realize it's easier for me being single, without anyone ese to worry about, but it's SOOOOOO much more manageable for me.

My favorite portioned "treat" is a McDonald's vanilla cone. I can only get them when I'm out, they're a buck, and they're only 150 calories.

GREAT idea about the McDonalds cone. That would be an awesome once a week treat and then I don't have to worry about anything being in the house. Thanks so much guys.

Larwife - You are definitely not alone! I don't know that you will have to ALWAYS have it gone, but for me, I had to completely eliminate soda for months, until I could think about it clearly. Six months later, I am fine if someone if my family has soda, I even can have a sip without too much trouble, but over the Holidays, my family bought soda for relatives in from out of town, and that was NOT so great, So I can't just have it in the house yet.

You are exactly right about getting right back on the wagon. Learn from your lessons and get back into it.
Kudos for sharing!

A couple of months ago, when I would have a tough day, I had to keep this mantra in my head at ALL TIMES when I thought I had made a mistake.

"It's only over if I let it be. I will only fail if I quit."

Don't look at it so much as falling off the wagon, as learning something new. You've learned that you need to lay off the sweets. You're also learning what I think is the #1 most important thing about weight loss. It's not over until YOU quit. Don't tell yourself "I've blown it today, so I might as well have <whatever>." You haven't blown it. Made a mistake, perhaps, but not blown it. Just go on to the next meal as if it didn't happen. That's the key right there. Never quit, never give up.

From what it sounds like, you may be doing what I call "mindless eating"...where one ice cream turns into 4 without you even thinking twice about it. It might help if you make a very specific meal plan for yourself and eat ONLY what is on the plan. Even if that means you want to plan a snack every 2 hours...fine, as long as you don't stray from that. There have been times when I have needed to do that just to keep myself going in a straight line. If you want to put ice cream on your plan, that's okay but stick to the preplanned amount. Weigh it if you need to and don't go back for more.

Just a thought. The whole not giving up is the most important thing though. Whatever you've done, you have not blown it until you make your next poor food choice based on your last one.

Thanks you guys so much for the support. I think this site is going to be my saving grace as well.