Every morning, I start out with good intentions.
Today, I’m going to stick to my calorie level.
Today, I am going to stay away from sugar.
Today, I am going to the gym.
Those good intentions only get me so far – until about lunch. Then it’s a sugar / carb / chocolate free-for-all. Right now, I’m sitting next to an empty bowl that once held a microwave chocolate cake (for 2). I ate the whole thing, less than an hour after having my lunch.
What gives??
I’ve got to get these cravings under control. I’m really trying to understand why I’m eating chocolate and sugar almost every day.
I’m going to cut out the artificial sweeteners all together. Right now, I really only have it in the morning with my coffee (Splenda), so I’m going to leave it out for a few days and see if it helps.
Any other suggestions?? Should I take a supplement? I’m at a loss here, but I’m afraid this is going to turn into something much worse if I don’t stop it now…
Jenn, I know it's frustrating, but I just think sometimes our body gets out of whack (I call it "the funk" LOL!). I have had the same struggles and I've found that if I just keep trying to get it together everyday, the cravings eventually subside. Yes, they do come back sometimes and I haven't quite figured out what to do about that! I find a lot of times, it's not really about the food. It's more about something else in my life that I'm craving at the time:)
My best advice: Keep trying, doing what you know works. If you stray at some point in the day; it's okay. Just know that every GOOD choice that you made that day is one step closer to leading your healthy lifestyle.
Artificial sweeteners make me crave the real stuff like crazy! I only drink Splenda in iced tea (it dissolves easier) or in my hot tea at work. Otherwise I use sugar or honey.
However, my cravings are usually not food related, but signal something is "off" in my life. For instance, when I feel overwhelmed, I lose my appetite, but then binge on chocolate and sugar (probably due to low blood sugar and nutrition imbalance). Also, I intensely crave chocolate at certain times during the month or if my hormones are out of whack. (um, TMI?)
Think of all the good choices you made today and yesterday. Don't get discouraged about missteps because they are going to happen (just like rejection letters). Just keep moving forward and eventually you'll get there.
I want to tell you one way that you could trade a food craving for a no-calorie craving, and i do this myself.
When I get those ridiculous dessert binging ideas, I make the largest container of ice water, drink it down, refill it, and head for a private place where I spend some time giving myself ORGASMS. As many as I can get. Then I am calm and the food urges are gone. Don't knock it until you try it for a couple months at least. Really, it works!
Secretia
Help me, too, Jennnnn. I'm completely addicted to sugar :( and I can't escapppppe
I don't know what could be causing the strong cravings, but I have a suggestion. Don't have that food in the house! I know if I have chips, candy, cookies…etc…I'll eat it all! I have to stay very strict about what enters the house. That's all I can suggest to you at this point! Don't buy the cake in the first place. But keep in mind that you are doing great, and nobody can be perfect all day everyday!
I found that I crave carbs and sugar when I eat carbs and sugar. You have to just suck it up and go a day or two without – let your body get it out of the system. It becomes easier – I swear. I have totally given up my breakfast muffin, and I'm not driven to grab cookies during the day as a result. It's a good thing!
Secretia's response made my eyebrows shoot straight up so fast, I thought they were going to fly off!! Now THAT is something original!!
I cannot help much with the cravings today, because I am SO craving salty stuff right now. But I do want to say, the less sugar and carbs you eat, the less you crave them (after a few days that is) and it is a struggle. I've been listening to my IRL BF and what she writes on her blog (she is on WW) and it kinda helps. She swears by the Double Chocolate Vitamuffins when she gets a chocolate craving. Hang in there, you've come this far. You can do it!
I have some of these same issues, if you find a solution I'd love to hear about it!
I think it's important to listen to those cravings. Eat it within reason ,and move on. Don't get hung up on it. That's when you start to obsesses and want even more.
And yes I do believe that Fake sugars make you crave the real thing. Jillian from biggest looser says that. She is right. I have noticed that when I drink things like diet coke or crystal light, I want more and more. But If I avoid it all together it's much easier to resist.
Apparently if you start your day off with something sweet then you will crave sweet treats throughout the day…what do you eat for breakfast? I tested this theory when I was told about it, and it may be psychological given that I knew the theory but when I eat a cereal bar for breakfast I find I have way more cravings than if I have a regular breakfast…maybe you could try this. ALternatively, as a fellow sweet tooth(er) I like to have 1 point dark chocolate squares in my desk, bag, at home so that I can indulge a little but not too much :o)
It took my awhile to get over not having splenda in my coffee but now I'm OK. I prefer my coffee with just half and half. You can really taste it better. I do feel like my cravings are less now. I've also cut out diet soda. It really helps! Can't wait to hear how it goes
I defintely think Secretia's on to something…. :?
I strugle with this too. Thanks for making me feel like I dont' suck :)
Some days I do great-others, well, not so much.
I don't really do artifical sweetners…I'll be interested in what works for ya.
Take care chicky!!
Wellllllll…you are the one who said "crap begets crap". =) Good quote. But, that isn't exactly your point here I guess.
yeah, I think u are on the right track to cut out any sweeteners for a bit. Can u drink teas w/no sweetener? You might enjoy sitting to sip your hot tea when u get that sweet craving.
And, as misssarahlou said, you could start by allowing yourself 1 or 2 small pcs of dove dark chocolate, or whatever u fancy. Or allow yourself some fabulous fruit, perhaps?
Keep us posted.
I have some issues with that before but I've overcome it and live better life now! You can check my site if you want to know how ;-)
Maybe you are restricting yourself too much….or don't buy microwave cakes?
I can't have anything too tasty around or I have moments that I can't resist!
The orgasm thing is an interesting idea!!
Secretia, you are one interesting person. You would be a real crack up at a ww meeting. Anyhoo, here is the thing–if you really want it you have to WORK for it. Look at the calories, consider it a deficit and pay it back at the gym. That way you can down that crazy dessert and not feel quite so bad. After a few days of a 3 hour workout for one treat you may decide they just aint worth it baby. I always think what do you want more, the _________ or your body back!
Jenn – I quit chocolate for a MONTH back in March for 2 weeks before I started my diet, and since then my sugar intake has been greatly reduced, and then the cravings do go away. You still LIKE it, but you don't NEED it, and you enjoy smaller portions a lot more, too. (Have you ever watched someone eat 'just a little choclate' or just one bit of a rich cake and then stop? Don't those people freak you out? You can do it, too!) The reason I was able to quit the first time was because my Dad was quitting smoking, and I quit chocolate in support of his struggle. A few weeks ago I went to live in another town for work for a couple weeks and while I was there I gradually started back, little by little, cheating with the sugar cravings. Though I've been back over a week I feel like I've only just in the past day or so got past the need for sweets. Nevertheless I have the same cravings as you, and I have a suggestion if you're interested. When I quit them in March, whenever I would think of having sweets, or see them right in front of me, I would be tempted, but I would think of my Dad and how he couldn't even have ONE cigarette, ever again, for his whole life. Knowing that gave me the wherewithal to reach out for sweets during that time. Would you like to go in on a pact with me? I will promise not to have ANY candy/ice cream/sweets if you will promise the same thing. How long do you want to go for? A week? Until Thanksgiving? Let me know if you're interested.
Hang in there Jenn! I think you are onto something with the artificial sweeteners – I cut them completely out of my life about a month ago and have found that my sugar cravings have really gone away. I am actually able to eat a cookie now without kicking off a chain of eating – just eat it, enjoy it, and move on – I attribute that to getting the fake stuff out of my life so that the real stuff tastes better!
I know what you're going through, and it's not always just physical cravings… It's about sabotaging ourselves and until we get to the bottom of that kind of behavior, we won't change. It's hard though – I'm certainly struggling with this kind of thing myself.