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Originally Posted by sam I would like to see what people have to say about sugar addiction. People that don't have it, treat it like a joke. When you do have it it makes you feel miserable, ashamed and depressed.

I am a Sugar Addict myself and you are right on target Sam! It's a tough addiction and right now I'm doing fine but there could be any moment that something triggers the cravings. I find that staying away from artificial sweetners definitely helps. Fruit also gets me craving. And, oh yes... there's that emotional "thing" too!

In the past when I've given in to this behavior I feel awful. Clean eating and being aware of certain foods/things keeps me on track. One thing for sure, I can never say NEVER. Just like other addictions it's an overwhelming need to eat/do something I know is not good for me.

Thanks for the Thread!

Eating clean consistently and feeding on highly nutritious foods will be you best help. Stick to it and do it no matter what... Youe green vegetables are now your sweets, its as simple as that...

I know exactly what you mean. I think my sugar addiciton is more and emotional thing .. Although there are some days I just crave it. Today I gave it to my craving and then I felt find but I was mad at myself for doing it.. Oh well no one said it would be easy...

Sugar is my biggest problem. I know I have an addiction to sugar. Some people laugh, but many understand and have empathy. Today was my first day on the plan, and sorry to say, I had chocolate chip cookies. I just cant wait until I get the BFL shakes. I think it will really help. Tomorrow is a new day and I am going to treat today as my free day and stay on plan through the next 6 days. When I have the small meals and always have a protein it really helps keep my cravings at bay. But also I notice I crave sweets when I am stressed. So glad to have found this thread!

Hi Transformers!
Yes, sugar is a real addiction! There are reasons that people don't crave or binge on broccoli and green beans! Refined foods, especially sugars and refined starches, have mood-altering properties. The neurotransmitters in your brain (and other places) get used to that "hit", and will send out "I WANT IT NOW!!" signals (cravings) if they don't get it.

I was a sugar addict and have had very few cravings since eating Bill's way off and on since last July. It is adding the protein with each meal every 2-3 hrs that did it for me...it took a while though. I can even eat whatever sugar item or amount on my free day (I usually dont want much anymore)without wanting anymore for the rest of the week. I feel so free and balanced. Let the protein in!!!

I think your right.. I am noticing already that having my 2 protien shakes a day is cutting back on my sugar cravings Yea!!! Im not all the way there yet but its only my first week so Im still turning to sugar but not nearly as much as last week..

Awesome Cat!! Keep rockin!
~Shay

Awesome Shea & Cat! Hope to get where you are, received the protein shakes today.

I need to remember to get protein in with every meal - If I don't the sugar cravings do come on stronger.
I am a sugar addict.

Any suggestions for the best way to make the shakes? Do we need to add the ice to make it good?

Add malted milk to the chocolate shake, YUMMO

I watched Chris Withers (i think thats his last name??)viedo and it inspired me to take a minute before I eat, pray, stay focused on my goals and really try to STAY AWAY from the sugar when I hear it calling me.. Man I have a hard time with it.. Take one day at a time, one step at a time and Lord willing by next week I will be eating less sugar..
Of course I broke down today and had cookies and chocolate but at least it was a way smaller amount than I usually eat.. and the clean eating is really kickin in this week being week 2 on my journey..
chat soon

Oh yes, sugar, I am finding it easier with balanced meals with protein as well....I even had sugar on my free day and didnt crave it the next day, I made sure and ate it with *real* food, I find it worse when I eat sugar by itself, it really sets off uncontrollable cravings

OK. I've been having trouble with the sugar addiction so I googled the gymnema sylvestre extract which can be purchased inexpensively at bodybuilding.com. I ordered that plus CLA, 5HTP, betagen, chromium, and have a good vitamin supplement. It should be here in a few days. Because I started my morning out with 1/2 a birthday cake, I also ran to Costco and purchased premium Protein shakes with 30 grams protein and 1 gram of carbs. My plan is to eat my normal 6 meals a day, but everytime I am overwhelmed with a sugar urge, I will drink a protein drink and wait 30 minutes. If I have to I'll have another one and wait another 30 minutes until sugar cravings pass. I may end up with way to many calories, but I'm sure that birthday cake problem is much worse. Hopefully I can kidk the sugar problem and move on with my transition. Here's to being a guinia pig and I will log when I get the pills as to the effect.

I am trying the vitamins and protein drinks now. My mood has been upbeat and it seems to be helping. Bill's article on kicking up the cardio seems to help also.

I know that my free days are filled with sugar. I also know that if I eat too much I feel gross the next day. So, I'm trying to eat less of the junk and more balance with good protein and carb. Most of my free days i make a desert of my children's choice. I'm finding that I'm not into the I have to have ____________ on my free day anymore. I still love my chocolate. This is probably my biggest area of need to change. Because I still get sick about 2x's a month because I eat too much junk on my free day. But, I'll figure it out esp. with such great help. kennie

I am new and in my 2nd week. I have completely cut all sugar (that I can find) from my diet. It is amazing how much better I feel! No more blues, I am way more calm and I do not even want to eat so much! My cravings have all but vanished! I have also cut out ALL flour. I do not know if its the sugar or flower, but its amazing!
I have tried in the past to just cut sugar a little and it did'nt work. Got to go all the way! Then its amazing! 1st couple of days were crazy but then WOW!
I too enjoy RIGHT shakes. I use stevia with them, but I want to slowly wean myself from it too. I have not perfected this, but I am on to something!
I started my transformation in March............fell off the wagon, but I am now back on and feel great!
Thanks for this thread!

Quote:

Originally Posted by surfn54 I am new and in my 2nd week. I have completely cut all sugar (that I can find) from my diet. It is amazing how much better I feel! No more blues, I am way more calm and I do not even want to eat so much! My cravings have all but vanished! I have also cut out ALL flour. I do not know if its the sugar or flower, but its amazing! I have tried in the past to just cut sugar a little and it did'nt work. Got to go all the way! Then its amazing! 1st couple of days were crazy but then WOW! I too enjoy RIGHT shakes. I use stevia with them, but I want to slowly wean myself from it too. I have not perfected this, but I am on to something! I started my transformation in March............fell off the wagon, but I am now back on and feel great! Thanks for this thread!

Great job surfn of getting back on track! This sugar thing is huge with me and I like to read what others do to allviate those strong cravings. I've read so many books on the subject which helps a lot. When having a sugar craving attack I just reach for a " anti-sugar" book, sit down and start reading. It changes my mind understanding what it does to my body and how it puts me in "fat storing" mode.. Just kind of SNAPS me out of the craving....I work too hard to be a "fat burner"!!

I understand what you are saying about Stevia.. yes it is natural and better than many things but by using it, I am still giving in to a behavior I would like to stop. Oh, the price of addiction!!! Grrr..

Anyway, thanks to all of you for your posts.. they truly help me stay CLEAN

This is a very good thread. I have a sugar addiction whose symptoms parallel those of alcoholism. It took many years for me to admit this. I just could not get why I could not stop at one piece of chocolate, cookie, or cake. I did not understand why I could not be "normal" like others. After being on the starve/exercise/binge/purge cycle for most of my adult years, I entered an eating-disorder treatment modeled on the Alcoholics Anonymous 12-Step program. I learned the hard way that I just COULD NOT have sugar--even on free day. Research shows that a person’s sugar cravings/addiction is insidious; and over time, becomes progressively worse, and can lead to diabetes & obesity.

Unfortunately, the media ENABLES this addiction, and I think more people than we care to admit suffer from the consequences of ingesting it freely. Everywhere I go; people celebrate with sugar-laden food. At work, my colleagues serve pastries, cookies, ice cream, cake, chocolate during meetings, and I wonder why they cannot serve fruit, yogurt, MyoPlex RTDs, turkey slices, or hard-boiled eggs! It is no wonder that 60 percent of the American public are overweight and wonder why they cannot get off the diet cycle.

One of my goals in my transformation is to be an example of one who can be free from the grips of an eating disorder and live a life without having to seek a daily sugar high--a behavior I use to engage in to give me comfort from dealing with the daily difficulties of life.[/font]

I hope others in this T-community become more aware of this topic.

Guccis, aka Jenny