[WarMaiden]

Before I went off sugar this last time, I went off coffee about two weeks ahead of time. I gave up coffee for a few reasons: 1., I knew it would be easy for me to do since it was previously easy, and I wanted a feeling of "win!" before giving up sugar. 2. I wanted to get through any potential withdrawal of caffeine so it wouldn't mess me up also when I went off sugar. 3. I believe that a regular habit of coffee is not good for my particular body and interferes with my weight loss and general nutrition.

That being said, I have since replaced coffee with green tea as my hot drink of daily choice, and I have coffee as a special treat about once per week. So there's still some caffeine in my habits, but it's less than it was and the tea seems to work better for my life overall. I still -need- to get to my desk at work in the morning and have something warm and soothing, and tea does that for me, plus of course green tea is a superfood.

My total sweetener consumption per week is that I have a small quantity of dark chocolate (about 100 calories' worth, which is sweetened with sugar) a few times per week as my after-dinner treat. Dark chocolate (this is 72% cocoa solids) does not seem to set off cravings or blood sugar swings for me.

Occasionally I use about a teaspoon of honey in something if I don't feel like using Splenda in it. For me, Splenda has a bit of a weird taste and sometimes I don't want to deal with that. But I'm very careful with the honey because I have found that too much of it, or having it too frequently, does make me start craving. I don't turn insane or uncontrollable or anything, but there is a definite increase in cravings.

I also do some baking at home where I will use a combination of different sweeteners, depending on the thing I'm making: Splenda, agave syrup, molasses, prune puree, stevia, honey, apple juice concentrate. I don't ever use white sugar for baking anymore. Overall I eat a lot less baked goods, mostly because I just don't crave them like I did.

I eat one serving of grains per day, usually 1/4 cup of steel-cut oats. I don't eat refined grains (white stuff) at all. I'm looking at cutting even this serving of grains out and replacing it with fruit and/or veggies, because I don't think I need the grains, to be honest.

Not only are my cravings eliminated, but my taste for sweet is much more acute now. So a teaspoon of honey really goes a LONG way; whereas previously I might have needed 3 or 4 teaspoons of it. Plain milk is sweet to me, and when I have my oats with just milk and cinnamon, that is quite sweet.

I know it's hard when you're looking at going sugar-free to feel excited about it, because it kind of seems like a sentence of imprisonment. ("Never eat sugar again?! I'll die without my chocolate!") However, the opposite is really true; I feel SO free now. I'd recommend, if giving up sugar seems daunting, that you simply commit to doing it for 30 days. Then if you don't like the results and/or want your old habits back, you can return guilt-free to your previous ways. But 30 days will give you a good feeling of what it's like to live sugar-free so that you can compare and decide for yourself.

[WarMaiden]

Oh, I forgot to say: Be prepared to feel like crap for a few days to a week while giving up sugar. You will probably have headaches, be more tired, be cranky, etc. You just have to get through that and not succumb to the sugar-monster that is calling your name, and then you'll be OK. Drink lots of water, get good sleep, do some walking, and eat healthy carbs (carrots, sweet potatoes, beans, milk, yogurt) to help you get through.

Or if you want a more specific plan for how to do this, again, the South Beach Diet is very helpful.

[kaebea]

i think i've finally found the forum i need to be in. I can relate to so much of what you are all saying.
chelzed i completely feel the same way when you said "I am definitely on the lookout for what I can do this time that will add the missing piece I need to reach a big, huge VICTORY. woohoooo"
I feel like there is some factor that is just out of my reach... and if i can just figure out what it is i can get back on track again.

and i also find that grains don't agree with me, which was sort of a shock to find out, and also honey triggers sweet cravings for me.

I sort of at the point where my fear of giving up sugar isn't so much that i think i'll miss it, it's more just that fear of impending failure. i know that that is a negative outlook and all that, but it's still there. it's just that i've tried starting off on a healthy foot about 365 times per year for the last 6 years with no luck...
Sugar bingeing makes me feel so bad, and at this point i figure i've had enough sugar for one or 2 lifetimes anyway, that i don't think i'll miss it that much. But in spite of feeling this way towards sugar, i still get cravings. And the word craving doesn't really even fit in this instance. It's more of a compulsion to get a sugar fix... exactly like how they describe a drug junkie. I can't focus on anything and i'll do anything to get my next sugar fix. Granted, it normally means driving to the nearest grocery and not hooking up with my supplier in a back alley, so it's a little less risky than a drug habit, but i still feel its the same kind of addictive behavior, more so than a mere craving.

Looking forward to eating healthy did help me stay focused today. 2 people offered me sweets from thier xmas parties at work today, and i declined gracefully both times...now if i can just go 29 more days like that

[WarMaiden]

Well, you're not crazy: Sugar really IS addictive, in exactly the same kind of way as drugs. Here's an article about a study that shows that: http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/132530.php .

From the article: "If bingeing on sugar is really a form of addiction, there should be long-lasting effects in the brains of sugar addicts," Hoebel said. "Craving and relapse are critical components of addiction, and we have been able to demonstrate these behaviors in sugar-bingeing rats in a number of ways."

But the good news is, if you just keep at it for even a few days, you'll start to feel like you have some control. You CAN do it, but it IS hard.

[ATSBeautiful]

I was just diagnosed with Candida, Adrenal Fatigue,Hypothyroidism & my liver is not funtioning properly. ALL due to my SUGAR ADDICTION!!! I sooo totally understand the out of control feeling around sugar.

I used to drink a 2 liter of Pepsi twice a day (minimum) as well as eating 3 king size chocolate bars. I could even eat an Entire cake by myself. The guilt/shame that comes with eating like that is horrid. I used to always just think I must hate myself ....right? It's only a food.....Right? Wrong...It's an addiction that can turn into a E.D. super quick. My entire family struggles with sugar addiction in one way or another. My mom loves bread....Granny loves sweets....Papa loves starches....Uncles drink heavily....it's truely sad.

The good news/bad news....I can totally reverse the effects of sugar on my body But No sugar,starches,dairy,wheat,processed foods and restricted fruits for about 3 months. I decided to wait until after Xmas to start but I'm eating all the foods I know I can't have like a mad woman!!!

I find it very scary and overwhelming. I'm tortured more over the THOUGHT of no sugars..D.H. thinks I'm feeling sorry for myself.......maybe I am. Very long story short....Glad to know I'm not alone.

[kaebea]

thanks warmaiden, good article.
now if someone tries to force goodies on my i can just tell them 'no thanks, i don't want to have a relapse'

atsbeautiful, i have dealt with most of the same issues. through a naturopath i was diagnosed with adrenal fatigue and mild or subclinical hypothyroid.
i also took suppliments for candida treatment.

when i was 17 i got a job at a fast food restaurant and could drink all the soft drinks i wanted. after about a year of working there, that is when i experienced my first symptoms or burnout. it just hit me like a ton of bricks.
my drink of choice back then was mountian dew. in retrospect i can see how it chipped away at my health, but when your young, you know, you're invincible.

i've done good the past 3 days, and i'm happy about that. opted to stop at the salad bar at the grocery store instead of binge food. I know xmas will be tough, but at least if i can keep my weigh down and my clothes loose up until then, the full impact of xmas wont be as bad. i'm only doing a few batches of m&m cookies and pumpkin cheese cakes this year. Normally i make like 20 different types of cookies, but i'm starting to think even my family would rather not have all that temptation, even though we love the cookies.

i think convincing myself that i'm excited about eating this way is really helping.
i've found this book i picked up at barnes and noble to be especially inspirational. It's not what you'd normally pick up as a self help book, but it really illustrates a balanced life. I love the whole outdoors activity and all the fresh foods he talks about. and he hates bread. i'm even going to try some of the suppliments he recommends.
it's by Laird Hamilton, he's a professional surfer who grew up in Hawaii.

http://www.amazon.com/Force-Nature-M.../dp/1594869421


he's pretty sexy too.

[Rayne]

I had to write after reading this...ok, I had to JOIN! So, hi...I'm Rayne and I'm a sugarholic...make that a recovering, delivered, sugarholic! In Jesus name!

I wanted to share. I just recently sat with my ex bf in an AA meeting. I knew sitting there that I have an addiction as well, although my addiction is much more tolerated than his (at least in my field), but its still destroying this temple God gave me.

I work with addicts quite often. Mostly those with ice, crack or alcohol addictions. I recognize that my addiction is only different in that it is accepted and most likely won't destroy a family or career (unless you're a playboy bunny) like those will.

When I read the first comment that said "It's like a demonic compulsion", I agreed whole heartedly!!! That's the same feeling a woman I pray with said about her crack issue. It is a demonic compulsion to keep our bodies in slavery, to not be the healed, beautiful, well-working creations they should be!

Now, I am preaching to myself, I hope no one is offeneded by this. That would be awful since it's my first post!

I want to be healthy. I want to know that no one has a reason to call me fat names (granted they shouldn't anyway...but there are some meanies out there) and I want to be the woman God created me to be. I believe that for me, that means sugar must be LIMITED if not eliminated!

Can you all stand with me and help me? I will stand with you...

thanks!

[CountryMom4Him]

Nice to meet ya'll. I've been following SugarBusters for about six years. About two years ago I fell off the wagon hard and have been battling every since. But I do believe I am back on track this time. What started my downfall was the poor pitiful me syndrome. Why can't I eat what I want like everybody else...whine whine whine. My sweeteners of choice are Splenda, Agave and just recently Stevia (but only in my coffee or tea). I put some Stevia in my cereal...gross...LOL

Little cheat like a chip or two here or there can really cause me to go into carb overload. I avoid cookies, cakes, pies etc because it starts out with a bite or two here and there and all of a sudden I'll be wanting a full serving. I know there are people that have self control but I am not one of them. Years of bad eating habits and emotional eating still plague me from time to time.

Those who are new to cutting out sugar, it does get better. The key is to remain strong and not beat yourself up if you do slip up. The moment you realize you slipped just jump right back on.

God bless,
Crystle

[ladyfirefighter1]

Originally Posted by kaebea

thanks for the support. i feel a bit better knowing i'm not the only one with this weekness.

I feel better when i follow a diet low in sugar(wheat, grains, processed foods,white sugar and refined flour) , but it's not even just that i feel better, i feel DIFFERENT as well....different in a good way that is.

thanks for all the book and reading suggestions:

firstourselves---i will check that site out in 2 minutes!!! (thanks Chelzed)
"The Sugar Addict's Total Recovery Program"(thanks fireballgirl)
south Beach Diet thanks (vermontmom and warmaiden)
Insulin Resistance Diet (thanks warmaiden)

i like reading and researching different diets and foods, but it gets mind boggling when one food is great on one diet and a badguy on another.
it always gets me wondering what are the consistencies in all theses different diets?


I'm doing ok. we had a christmas cookie exchange and a pot luck at work. i did have some cookies, but it didn't lead to an all-out binge.
and tonight i think i'll be able to reheat some salmon and cook some greenbeans or brussle sprouts to go with it. I know it's going to be tougher during the holidays.
what does everyone else do? do you make a few exceptions, or do you avoid the christmas cookies like the plague?

Personally, i wish i could avoid them like the plague, but that seems unlikely, especially as i'm usually one of the baker's in the family.

I AGREE WITH YOU!!!! I LIKE READING DIFERENT DIETS ALSO., SOME/MOST BE ABOUT LIKE SB, BUT THEN THEY ALLOW POPCORN, CORN, AND SOMETIME WHITE POTATOES. I DON'T UNDERSTAND HOW THEY CAN ALLOW THOSE FOODS WHEN THEY TURN TO SUGAR. LADYFIREFIGHTER

[Dtrmndtosucceed43]

Greetings, everyone! i have been gone for about 8 months.........and gained the weight to prove it!

Looking forward to connecting and reconnecting in 2009!

Michele

[chrissyack]

I'm so glad I've found this website because I really feel like I've found the people who will truly understand what I'm going through!! I used my Christmas break to kick the diet coke habit, which may sound silly since there's no sugar in diet coke. But, I had become so addicted to diet coke, I felt like I was in drug rehab when I cut it out of my life. I realized I was putting an enormous amount of chemicals into my body and it is just not healthy. I've made the switch to decaf./green tea (for some reason green tea alone gives me heartburn).

Anyway, now that I've read these posts I realize I just scratched the surface of my addictions and now I've got to find a way to conquer the sugar beast within me!!! THIS I am NOT looking forward to!!! If I felt crummy by just cutting out the diet coke, the sugar withdrawal will probably do me in!!! I'm worried that maybe I should either try to cut down gradually or start over a long weekend because I cannot be exhausted and crabby at work (high school teacher!!) That's why I waited for Christmas break to do the diet coke thing...2 weeks to suffer through (it actually only took about 4-5 days then I felt better).

Any suggestions??
Thanks for all the support!!! You guys are great!!

[Badgerette]

When I joined OA my sponsor had me give up sugar since I was addicted. Just sugar by itself was all I needed. I also had to give up alcohol because that now triggers intense cravings. If I do eat anything with sugar it has to be the 5th ingredient or more so I don't get cravings.
I quit cold turkey and it took me three weeks to get over the withdrawl symptoms but the payoff was worth it. My head is clear and I feel so much better. I took it a day at a time and just keep saying to myself it takes 21 days to break a habit or to create a new one & you can do it. It has been 9 months since I gave up sugar and I have not binged once and if I am tempted I remember the 50 lbs of weight loss and realize nothing is better than good health.

[kaebea]

I gave up sugar for new years!
not all sugar, just the worst kinds, candy, sweets, baked goods, ice cream, sugary drinks--like shakes and those coffee drinks, cakes and pastries.
so far 3 days of success.

I almost slipped up when i instinctively grabbed a coffee cake sample from the starbucks at kroger, then remembered the resolution. Unfortunately, i had already touched it and had to waste it in the trash can...oh , well, either it gets wasted in the trash or wasted in my body. ...it is 'junk' food after all haha.

I know it's a rather insane resolution, but i want to see how long i can go.

one step at a time i figure. so far i have more energy than normal, and my knee seems to feel much better.

I haven't decided if i will do sugar busters or not. Actually the diet i was leaning toward is called the specific carbohydrate diet. It's more of a healing diet than a wieght loss diet, but if i can do it for a month or 3 or longer, then i can think of doing a less strict diet, since this diet is pretty strict.

ok, on my way to kicking my habit.

[WarMaiden]

Originally Posted by kaebea

I know it's a rather insane resolution, but i want to see how long i can go.

It's insane? Why?

[kaebea]

insane in it's extremity.
i left a loophole for cheesecake though.

it's ok since i don't get to eat it very often. Plus i knew that i would be making a pumpkin cheesecake for new years day dinner, i had already planned that.