Watty's Awakening

Cherryfudge

That's a complex list - can you find an optimum way into it, such as having a tracking chart?

For what it's worth, I find I gravitate to sugar as a sensory stimulus as well as for energy. Water helps me with energy levels but it's harder to counteract the need for sensory stimulus (for me that's to do with ADHD so it may not apply across the board - it's an attempt to attach to something when my brain is bouncing around like those pixies in Harry Potter). 

I also find that if I totally forbid something, it makes it loom large in my mind and it really helps to wait 15 minutes, by which time I've had 15 more minutes without a piece of whatever the temptation is, and the craving has gone down.

If for you it's all about energy, not distraction, boredom, tiredness, etc, bear in mind hydration, fresh veg and protein levels. For some reason those all affect my energy so it may be similar for you. So if the VNM finds you sitting in the tack room munching your way through the horses' carrots, just tell him some woman on the Internet said it might be a good idea.  

Watty1

daisy_1571 said:

Once you get over the withdrawal you'll be happy watty.  Prepare for headaches but they will pass, drink water to help

Dxxx

Great tip thank you.  I am keeping in the morning coffee which is not de caff so I am hoping the headaches will not be too bad and will remember the water tip.  Have a glass jug of water on my desk and yesterday made sure I drank it before the end of the day.

Watty1

Bananabreadyum said:

Watty your post has made me think! 
My energy levels are on the floor. And I know I use sugar as a crutch. I eat way too much, currently eating rich tea biscuits with acuppa, right now, lying to myself that is better than chocolate for breakfast! Ridiculous. 
So I think I might join you and try to cut it the sugar and see if my energy level increases
I'll just eat 1 more biscuit (🤪) then the pack will be put with all the rest of the crap and hidden somewhere! 
Haha. 👍
I also need to increase my water intake. I'm going to cut some lemon ready, I seem to drink more water if something is added. 

Feel free to join in - I was somehow convincing myself that the ginger biscuits were not sugar (yeah I know ) as I ginger is so good for one 
Feel free to join in .. I'm one day down but I did eat the last ginger biscuit with my coffee after dinner yesterday to 'use it up'

Watty1

Interesting point about sugar as a sensory stimulus @Cherryfudge  
I've also realised alcohol has been used as a suppressant for when I am feeling stressed around work so taking that out will be good on many levels.
I've created a list in my journal of what I am aiming to do, and promising I wont beat myself up if I don't get it all ticked off but having paid for the advice, I should trial it.   Yesterday was nearly sugar free bar the last ginger biscuit that I ate with my after dinner decaf.   Have asked the VNM to keep any further sugar snacks etc out of sight and where I can't find them  just so I do not give in / give up and raid his stash.

So giving this a good trial.

ajmoney

Watty do you have any alternative snacks options for when you want to reach for the sugar/energy? For a while I used to have a bar of dark chocolate in my drawer at work for that mid afternoon slump, it was enough to give me a little boost but I didn't want much. Or maybe some nuts and seeds? Reminder to me that I need to do this again as I have all those things in the kitchen!

KajiKita

I'm currently trialling my afternoon snack (apple and some nuts) later in the afternoon (so 4pm rather than 3pm) so that my resistance is stronger / my urge to eat biscuits and crisps is less in that danger zone, when I first get home and flop on the sofa with a brew, but before I start cooking ...

Only started yesterday, but it did seem to help The real test will be next week when I have 2 days of a really high pressure customer audit ...

KK

TallGirl

Getting off sugar is so so hard I have only managed to do it by attending a weeks residential bootcamp and its amazing when you get there. Everything tastes so so sweet afterwards you don't even want a lot. As for caffeine it really hurst getting off it but OMG the difference it makes. Once off you can have 1 caffeinated drink and feel that amazing boost. I find I do not crave it I just have decaf and one caffeinated if I really need it. Good luck you can do it! 

Bananabreadyum

Well done on your day yesterday. 
I think upping my water intake helped plus the protein. 
I also had a good proteiny snack ready of cheese nuts and olives. 
Today it's going to be houmous and carrots! Plus a couple of protein balls for after tea tonight! Having it ready makes it easier. What is tricky, is all the biscuits and goodies in the cupboard for the rest of the family! 

Cherryfudge

I think you've started something here, @Watty1!

Re using alcohol to counter work-related stress, now that you see it for what it is, would it help to replace it with a 15 minute walk or a chat to the horses or playing with WattyDog? Though he might wonder why you left after 15 minutes. Those things should help in themselves but I think they are part of 'what life's really about', and you are allowed to enjoy the journey!

You sound really organised in your approach to this and we will all cheer you on.

Watty1

Alternative snack options are a great plan. I had not really thought that through so managed with a slice of rye bread, butter and marmite for one snack and a couple of oatcakes with peanut butter for another.  I grumbled to VNM about wanting something sweet and a few mins later he came into the room with a plate and 5 tiny banana slices which made me laugh. I defrosted some stewed apple to use after meals (I only eat a few spoons of it so that works).

When I shop I will use your ideas and get in some things to use as snacks.  

Declined to go for dinner with a pal over the weekend and a next weekend. She is a great cook but always has lots of wine and makes a pudding and I think so early on my resistance will be low and I really want to give this a trial. Used fireworks as an excuse as I don't think it fair to leave the animals - and - will suggest a breakfast at local cafe instead.