Sugar Addiction Struggles after 1 year Sugar Free

frogga

Good Morning My Lovely Chums,

I woke at 4.45 this morning and all I could do was think about food. So I think it's safe to say, that 1 year on from quitting sugar, I'm still really struggling

As those of you who remember me from the weight loss threads may recall, I've been a bit of a greedy pig for years. I've been as heavy as 21st, and lost it all several times, than put it all back on again.

This time last year, under the guidance of a weight loss / lifestyle coach, I decided to quit sugar totally. I went from 17st down to 12st by August and I was really happy with that. Although I've had no sugar since then, I am back up to 15st with constant over eating. Mainly bread and butter, but also crisps which I didn't even eat before I gave up sugar.

I got through the whole of Christmas with no 'treats' at all. NO mince pies, no ice cream, no Christmas pudding, no chocolate or sweets or cheesecake, or scones or cakes ~ Nothing! Except some fruit cake that I made with no fat or sugar just dried fruit, albran and some black tea (which by the way was SO yummy I ate it all in 2 days and ended up on the loo for hours!)

One year on I feel deprived and miserable. I am not 'free' and happy with it. I still feel like a slave to it. I crave cake, chocolate, Haribo strawberries, ice cream, cheesecake, shortbread, and crunchy nut cornflakes.... Oh I could go on and on...

I've thought long and hard about giving up the giving up. I hear people telling me to 'just go easy and have one bit'. but I just know if I had something, oh my goodness, I would not stop. The life coach (who was from NHS Livewell Suffolk) told me she would not normally advocate giving up sugar totally, but in my case it was clear I was 'addicted', and like an alcoholic or a smoker, she thought I should quit altogether. I felt happy and proud of myself for the first 6 months, then I felt resentful and cheesed off. I'm not proud of myself for what I have achieved, I'm angry and deprived, and craving the biggest sugar binge in the world. I know if I have something now, it will be game over and I'll be right back up to 21st before Easter.

I had constant headaches before, I felt rough, I looked rough, I don't want to go backwards do I?

Arghh!!! The not knowing what to do is a nightmare :mad: I had some chat time with a dietician once, and she said 'everything in moderation / no food should be banned etc' just like Slimming World. I lost 10 stone once with SW so I know I can do it. And I had a little bit of chocolate every evening, and a 'blow out' once a month. Maybe I could do that again? The thought of being able to eat like normal people again is / would be fantastic. I even remember the dietician telling me to plan a binge. Maybe once a month, to satisfy my need to do it. Being given permission to binge was fantastic. I wasn't naughty anymore. I was ok. It was ok. But I still couldn't 'cure' my need to overeat too much and I went right back up to 21st again. I just want to be normal, and happy, and eat sugar, but not be fat. I am so desperate I could cry. I am crying.

Mr Frog and the tadpoles say I should have some. They can see how sad I am with out it. They say they will help me not to 'overdo it' but I am a well practised sneaky binge eater so I know I could do it without their knowledge. Addiction makes you a liar and a thief. I have stolen and lied several times to get sugary treats.

Sorry, to moan on. I thought maybe talking to some of you on here may clear my head and help me figure out what to do. I have two choices. Do I carry on with the sugar free, and try hard to get back on track with not bingeing, or do I try to eat a little treat everyday and get back to not bingeing. I can see disaster lurking with either option

As always your opinions are of huge interest. Any sensible people want to tell a fat frog what to do please? :beer:

Ames

How were you doing before Christmas? Maybe it was the cake that pushed you back a step, dried fruit is packed with sugar.

I don't know the answer though, I'm similar. I don't even realise I'm binging until I've finished, I kind of come round and see all the wrappers. I imagine it's like an alcoholic who suddenly realises they've come to the end of a bottle.

If you do decide to have a little bit of sugar can you do it in a controlled way, by going out to a cafe? Then you can only have one slice of cake or bar of chocolate or whatever.

Are you eating the right sorts of food at the right time of day? I often crave carbs and can eat even more in one sitting than I can chocolate (which really is saying something). I'm better if I have something like porridge for breakfast, since it's filling and slow release energy.

It's the spikes of energy and following lows that I find hardest to get right.

Proxima_Centauri

Hi Frogga

Could you swap sugary snacks with things that are naturally sweet but not so processed, like for example dried apricots, dates or healthy sugar-free snack bars?

I am also a sugar addict, and was thinking of having March as a sugar-free month this year. They say it takes 21 days to form a habit, but if you're still getting sugar cravings a year on that doesn't sound too promising..

Tabbytabbitha

I agree that it's your Christmas cake binge that's the problem I- you could have had several of the things you mention and done less harm than eating a whole very sweet cake in two days!

frogga

Thank you ladies, oyu talk a lot of sense :beer:

I think you are right, it was the cake what done it

I've been having a long think. Maybe one day, I'll be able to reintroduce some sugar in the way of a little bar of Milky Bar for example at the end of the day, but at the moment I am not in that place.

Before Christmas I was fine. I was feeling proud of myself, and happy to be thin and smug that I had 'kicked the habit'. I think I am catastrophizing and turning it into a huge deal that it doesn't need to be. I need to get a grip

As for the apricots and dates, smashing idea, I have had them in the cupboard and had a little nibble, trouble is I'm such a greedy pig that it's soon all gone and then like you say dried fruit is a killer.

I wish I would binge on carrot sticks instead, but they just don't hit the spot :beer:

I feel better anyway, thank you for being kind enough to post :A

DCFC79

Maybe some tips on that sugar free farm thats on itv.

Ames

I sometimes find that a strong flavoured herbal tea helps with cravings - Pukka detox tastes like aniseed balls so a strong cup of that satisfies my need for taste, and I have a giant mug so it means I feel full too. Or there's a licorice and peppermint one.

ali-t

How about coming at it from a different angle and trying to stop the cravings. You could get hypnotised to not crave sugar or to binge which might help on both counts.

asajj

I did quit sugar 5-6 years ago and then 3-4 years ago I started to say "well all fine now, i can eat a piece of chocolate every now and then". This became quickly eating a bar of chocolate in one go. I never been into things like doghnuts etc but this moderation things is hard to follow for me, I 'm not very self-disciplined.
I take chromium supplement to stop sugar cravings. It helps a bit but I just eat it when I don't really crave, out of greed really.

I also notice if my iron levels are low, I crave more. Perhaps you can get them checked, try to use a supplement to help with cravings etc.

Pop_Up_Pirate

frogga, the problem is you;re not getting enough FAT and probably way too many carbs, such as bread, potatoes, rice, cereals.

If you have fried in lard bacon and eggs and mushrooms in butter for breakfast, for example, you won;t get insulin spikes and the fat helps keep you satisfied.
It's about eating the right foods that provide enough of the right fats and no refined carbs.
You can also make some pretty nice sweet treats which are good for you but don't contain bad stuff if you're prepared to.

It's hard to get your head round at first that lots of fat is good for you, but it is, and it works.

After a few weeks, you would feel fuller longer and will no longer crave the bad stuff and you will lose weight if you need to.

Euphoria1z

I personally find it easier to quit completely rather than have a little a day. I cant do a little a day, I take one bite of anything sugary ( or any kind of unhealthy food) and that's it, cant stop myself and binge.


So for me its far easy just to not have it.


You have to plan your day, know what your going to eat and eat healthy every several intervals. Eat foods that fill you up (all the healthy foods) so your less hungry. make a list of all healthy things that you actually like to eat.


Once you cut the sugar and you no longer crave it, just avoid the temptation of being anywhere near chocolates/cakes. dont have them in the house and certainly dont go down the route of "one bite will not hurt"...That "one bite" will probably ruin it.


get your sugar fix from dates and honey. And fruit. you'll be surprised how sweet some oranges and grapes are.