| |
 TOPIC: |
Cold Turkey? |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
that sounds like it works for you - I work in a care home and if I take something sweet with me, I usually eat it well before the time I'd planned to eat it. At the moment, I've been sugar-free for about 4 days I think - and have started saying to people that I don't eat sugar because it throws me off-kilter. I was at evening class on Tuesday, and there was a tin of chocolate biscuits being passed round - I just said 'no thanks' and was aware that I can build a reputation of being someone who just doesn't eat those things.
"...regardless of the short-term outcome, the very fact of your continuing to struggle is proof of your victory as a human being." Daisaku Ikeda
| current weight: 127.0 |
 |
|
|
|
 |
Hey RAWCOOKIE,
I went cold turkey on some items and allow myself other things in moderation. At first I really thought that I could eat all sweets in moderation, but I honestly can't at this point. Some food items, like cookies and ice cream, are just too much for me to only have one portion, so I've gone cold turkey on those things. Perhaps in the future I will try out a test run with these foods again, but for the time being I don't eat them at all.
However, I keep a small candy jar in my office at work and fill it with miniature sweets, like those fun-sized candy bars people usually pass out at Halloween. Most days I will eat about half a serving of candy from my jar; it gives me the little bit of sweetness that I like and keeps me from feeling like I'm being too restrictive on myself. None of the candy I have at work is also kept at my home, so I simply can't have any unless I'm at work. I've found that this has helped me make an association that I always get some sugar during my day, but only at work and almost never at home.
Depending on your situation you could try something similar, I find it especially useful because I am unlikely to totally binge on sweets at work in the same way that I might while at home without others around. I still sometimes slip up but overall I've really tamed my sugar cravings. Best of luck with whichever approach you try!!
|
|
|
|
eating sugar free jello helped me alot, black cherry, it is good
|
|
|
|
Yup, that sounds about right! So hard to stand firm in the face of encouragement to join in and say that you really can't have ANY - it seems so rude not to share a piece of someone's birthday day, or pass on the cookies when everyone else is eating them - I hate to feel like I'm making a fuss, or being 'picky' etc
"...regardless of the short-term outcome, the very fact of your continuing to struggle is proof of your victory as a human being." Daisaku Ikeda
| current weight: 127.0 |
|
|
|
|
|
Thanks JAMINURSE - yup, guess I'm one of you!
"...regardless of the short-term outcome, the very fact of your continuing to struggle is proof of your victory as a human being." Daisaku Ikeda
| current weight: 127.0 |
|
|
|
|
|
For me its cold turkey. I really do believe that some of us just lose all control when we eat sugar. That's me. Wishing you well on your journey!
I don't measure a man's success by how high he climbs but how high he bounces when he hits bottom.-George S. Patton
| current weight: 140.0 |
 |
|
|
|
|
Thank you for your encouragement RENATARUNS - that's very reassuring! "it is completely doable, and if you need to do it, you can"  Yes I can!
"...regardless of the short-term outcome, the very fact of your continuing to struggle is proof of your victory as a human being." Daisaku Ikeda
| current weight: 127.0 |
|
|
|
|
|
I went very nearly cold turkey on sweets and added sugar when I first started this in mid-December. (I still eat very little, but am not a complete abstainer -- should be close enough for these purposes though.) I found, literally, that the worst of the real cravings, the "WHERE'S MY (*&@)(#*& MUFFIN" stuff, lasted only a matter of a few days. I don't know if that's true for everyone, but for me it was amazingly short. Ever since then there's been no worse than those vague unfocused "gimme a snack" feelings, no real sugar focus at all. (If there's a sweet treat actually in my face it will occasionally get to me on another level, but not even that all the time.) It is completely doable, and if you need to do it, you can.
SW: 190+ 12/15/2012
CW: 153.5
GW: 150ish? We'll see when I get there.
5K 4/21/11: 31:55
|
|
|
|
Thanks for that comment REVSERENA - sound advice for me I think. I have some low-carb recipe books (vegetarian/vegan) - like the previous comment, it seems like it's the trick of maintaining balance most of the time, so the body can cope with the occasional bit of social sugar!
"...regardless of the short-term outcome, the very fact of your continuing to struggle is proof of your victory as a human being." Daisaku Ikeda
| current weight: 127.0 |
|
|
|
|
|
Hey SIMPLELIFE2 thank you so much for sharing that - sounds just like me. Thank you for your support. I can see clearly now that cold turkey is how I have to be too. The birthday cake, ice-cream and Easter chocolate are too risky for me at the moment - but if I work on, as you say, balancing every 'eating-event' and paying attention to not having carbs (especially simple ones) alone, then hopefully I will feel able to have the occasional thing without going off the rails.
Edited by: RAWCOOKIE at: 3/22/2013 (13:41)
"...regardless of the short-term outcome, the very fact of your continuing to struggle is proof of your victory as a human being." Daisaku Ikeda
| current weight: 127.0 |
|
|
|
|
|
I found trying to eat a diet low on the glycemic index helped me get off the sugar addiction. I do occasionally have a treat now, but I make sure it is portion controlled, and that I enjoy it while I have other low glycemic foods in my system. I don't crave sweets like I used to. But even now I recognize that a cookie on an empty stomach is an invitation to misery. Cold Turkey? Yep. Not for eternity, but I couldn't have gotten off the roller coaster any other way.
Get up offa that thing! - James Brown
"The place to improve the world is first in one's own heart and head and hands. "
- Robert M. Pirsig
"Christ has no body now but mine. He prays in me, works in me, looks through my eyes, speaks through my words, works through my hands, walks with my feet and loves with my heart."
- St. Theresa
| Pounds lost: 32.4 |
 |
|
|
|
|
I try to balance all meals -- even snacks -- with a bit of carbs, protein and fat. It really has helped me step off the roller coaster. I get the energy I need and stay full and satisfied longer. If a eat just carbs, especially simple ones, I can have trouble the entire day.
It's just the way my body reacts. I know some people can have just a bit of chocolate or ice cream and be satisfied. Me? It triggers this crazy part of my brain, although this has gotten much better. I definitely need to just be cold turkey, although I will allow myself indulgences outside of the house and when portions are controlled --- birthday cake, maybe an ice cream cone, probably some chocolate on Easter.
|
|
|
|
Thanks LVHOPEJOY - yes, I have been tested and am not diabetic and don't have heart disease etc - very lucky! But looking at a blood sugar-levelling diet like a diabetic one might be one way to plan my menus. Thank you for sharing, and for your suggestions. I'm sorry that you have those struggles - and hope you do indeed reach the point of getting off all your meds.
"...regardless of the short-term outcome, the very fact of your continuing to struggle is proof of your victory as a human being." Daisaku Ikeda
| current weight: 127.0 |
|
|
|
|
|
thanks Ashaixim - that's the bottom line - just do it! yup - I know you're right :)
"...regardless of the short-term outcome, the very fact of your continuing to struggle is proof of your victory as a human being." Daisaku Ikeda
| current weight: 127.0 |
|
|
|
|
|
I've gone cold turkey on several things, especially now I've been diagnosed with food allergies. As stupid as it may sound, the only way to do it is... to do it. It's that simple, and that hard. :S
A&I Fires of Beltane
Heather Lou
| current weight: 249.0 |
 |
|
|
|
|
No, that doesn't sound crazy - it's a good idea! Thanks Kris. And that led to another thought - for stopping smoking some people find acupoints in the ear helpful - perhaps that might be another tool for me too.
"...regardless of the short-term outcome, the very fact of your continuing to struggle is proof of your victory as a human being." Daisaku Ikeda
| current weight: 127.0 |
|
|
|
|
|
I know that this may sound crazy, but if you continue to have difficulty getting off it, would you consider hypnotherapy? Just a thought! Kris
| current weight: 151.0 |
 |
|
|
|
|
I have an addictive relationship with all sugars (except agave). I have a good understanding of where the sugars are - I am a very healthy eater otherwise. I've read books on the addictive nature of sugar etc etc. I know all the theory! I also eat a lot of fresh fruit - but it doesn't have the same effect on the brain as 'sugar'. I don't eat hardly any processed foods (except cookies!) I was raw vegan for a year and felt wonderful - then one Xmas I started thinking I could have just one or two sweets from the big tins we were given to share at work - and that was it .............. I was back into eating the stuff! I'm picking up some good tips on here though - and it is helpful to know that so many other people have the same issues with it. I need to drink more water, eat more protein etc, but mostly I need to say 'no' to sugar in all it's forms!
"...regardless of the short-term outcome, the very fact of your continuing to struggle is proof of your victory as a human being." Daisaku Ikeda
| current weight: 127.0 |
|
|
|
|
|
RAWCOOKIE,
Are you just trying to cut back on sweets or on all refined sugar ? It's one thing to cut back on sweets. It's another to try to cut out all forms of refined sugar. In fact, it's borderline impossible unless you home cook all of your own meals.
Do you read nutrition labels ? If not, you should start reading them more closely. When I decided I needed to become more healthy, I had no idea how much sugar there was in some of the foods I ate. Take ketchup. I was a total ketchup addict. I put it on everything ! I could easily down a large bottle in a couple of weeks. Not only was a consuming an enormous amount of calories, I was consuming an enormous amount of sugar too.
Sugar isn't just sugar. It's also HFCS (high fructose corn syrup), regular corn syrup, fructose, etc... if you eat things like crackers, pickles, ketchup, relish, cereal, granola bars, muffins, cookies and such; all these things are loaded with sugar too. Most people believe that just cutting back on sweets helps and believe me, it does. What these people don't realize is that sugar is in just about every processed food we eat.
So, one thing you might do is take a closer look at some of the processed foods you've been eating. Look for hidden sugars. I think you'll be surprized. I was a junk food junkie. So, yes, a person can reform their eating habits, but it does take time. And it also takes some education. The more you learn about what you're eating now, the better you'll be able to eat more healthfully in future.
One more point, our bodies do need some sugar to be healthy. Ideally, if you eat fruit on a regular basis, that will help you decrease your cravings for refined sugary treats. fruit is loaded with a natural sugar our body needs to be healthy. so, do try to eat more fruit, that will help too.
|
|
|
|
Thank you for your replies - I have read that there are two types of people - the abstainers and the moderates - whichever one you are, you'll find it very much more difficult to do the other. ie someone who finds is easy to be 'moderate' will find it hard to understand how someone else cannot! The moderate approach will not work for an abstainer, and visa versa. Nancy - thank you for the link to the article - this is basically about going cold-turkey "Week 3: Stop the Cravings Now you really start to put your plan into action. You’ve identified the sources of added sugar in your diet and replaced those foods with healthier and more wholesome alternatives. Your kitchen is now set up for success! This week’s focus should be on making a conscious effort to avoid sugary foods. When a craving strikes, try going for a walk or simply drinking a glass of water. Take a hot bath or get lost in a good book. Typically any craving will pass if you wait it out long enough. But it's important to begin understanding the difference between true hunger and food cravings. If you are truly hungry, a handful of nuts or some raw veggies dipped in hummus will sound appetizing, so go ahead and eat one of your healthy snacks. But if you're craving something sweet or a specific sugary food, use a distraction technique. The first week of saying no to sugar will be the hardest, but the more diligently you stick to your plan, the better you'll fare in the end. Even a tiny taste of sugar during this time period can lead to setbacks. After a couple sugar-free weeks, your sugar threshold will start to decrease and you will find that you no longer crave sugar or sweets as you once did. As with any lifestyle change, the first couple of weeks are the hardest. Eventually, it will become habit to reach for a mint tea or piece of fruit instead of juice and candy." Pennysaver2 - thank you for understanding how difficult it is to be moderate with sugar. Slimmerkiwi - I'm trying to abstain - because I cannot be moderate - if I allow myself one or two cookies - I'll end up eating the whole packet! But success in resisting one day seems to lead to a cave-in the following day!
Edited by: RAWCOOKIE at: 3/19/2013 (14:11)
"...regardless of the short-term outcome, the very fact of your continuing to struggle is proof of your victory as a human being." Daisaku Ikeda
| current weight: 127.0 |
|
|
|
|
|
I have not gone cold turkey with sweets (as I find having one small sweet item every day or so, helps keep me sane and has not been a binge trigger) BUT I DID go cold turkey with "fast food." It wasn't that I set out and planned never to eat deep-fried chicken and burgers and fries ever again, but they were just so high in calories (one meal = my whole allottment for the day!!), and I didn't think I would be able to eat a burger without fries, or a single piece of chicken. So I stopped going completely, "for awhile." It was not as hard as I expected. Considering how reliant my diet had been on Chubby Chicken, I was surprised that I was able to "let it go" with relatively few moments of sadness and loss. My trick was, make sure I always had lots of good healthy options THAT I ENJOYED on hand. Harder to feel deprived and missing the things I cut OUT, when I'd put so much "good stuff" IN. It has been a fair bit of work (so much more home-cooking and associated shopping, my gosh!) but I figure I am worth the trouble :) Good luck with your sugar-reduction endeavors!
Goal 1 - break 200 by my birthday (46 pounds lost by May 23, 2013)
| Pounds lost: 38.0 |
 |
|
|
|
|
I chose to go "cold turkey" six months ago with chocolate and cookies. I can NOT eat these two items in moderation. One day at a time, it's worked for me. I do allow myself to have a dessert once a month in the form of cheesecake or lemon pie.
I CAN do this ONE day at a time.
| Pounds lost: 34.6 |
 |
|
|
|
|
I haven't had to go cold turkey on anything so can't speak from experience. I went to have a peek at your nutrition tracker to see if there are any clues there, but if you use it, it isn't available for others to peak at. You may find you get good feedback if you want to open it. I suggest that you take a look and see what sort of breakfast you have, i.e., do you have a good amount of protein and fibre plus carbs from whole-grains etc.? By ensuring that you get a filing breaking and using fruit as the 'sweet' component, you might find it a little bit easier to reduce the stuff you are craving. Also, I wouldn't be inclined to go cold turkey, but rather to reduce gradually. Rather than your sticking to "no sweet stuff" in a day, just have smaller or less frequent portions, and when you are used to this, reduce it again. Make sure that you lunch also has a good mix of healthy carbs/fats/proteins and again use fruit as the sweet component. A couple dried figs or dates would be ideal - very sweet, but they have good nutrition in them. I note your comment about 'moderation' but after the comment on abstaining one day, I wonder if you interpret 'moderation' AS missing a day here and there? Kris
| current weight: 151.0 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
I've just joined the Tame Your Sweet Tooth Challenge - and I wonder if anyone here has had success with going 'cold turkey' on sugar? When you are an addict it's very hard to contemplate this - but I am finding that 'moderation' is not working - if I abstain one day, I over-do it the next day. So - can anyone inspire me to go 'cold turkey'?
"...regardless of the short-term outcome, the very fact of your continuing to struggle is proof of your victory as a human being." Daisaku Ikeda
| current weight: 127.0 |
|
|
Thread URL: http://www.sparkpeople.com/myspark/messageboard.asp?imboard=32&imparent=30485470
Review our Community Guidelines
Other Panic! Button for Immediate Help Topics:
|
|
FORUM: 
