Living The Lifestyle Thursday 1/27/22

imastar2

We meet here to explore, share, celebrate and (sometimes) agonize over how we do (or don't) incorporate weight loss guidelines into our daily lives. "It's a lifestyle, not a diet" is easily and often said, but sometimes not so simply put into practice.

This is a thread for everyone. If you're new to GoaD, or to weight loss, your questions and comments are always welcome. If you're maintaining, or a long-term loser, your thoughts on the topic may be just what someone else needs to hear. If you're reading this, join in the discussion!

Each weekday, a new topic is offered up for discussion.

Monday - crewahl (Charlie)
Tuesday – Wildcard!
Wednesday - misterhub (Greg)
Thursday -imastar2 (Derrick)
Friday - Flintwinch (Tim)

Topic: Sweet tooth / Sugar and Spice and everything nice.
What's your secret to controlling your sweet intake and maintaining or losing weight.

imastar2

Right now I seem to be getting through life one day at time. When I get on a sweet tooth binge you can bet the weight goes on fast. So secret ? I really don't have one except if I get a sweet tooth I have to control it or have something in moderation and move on. We keep various things in the house because we do like sweets like homemade chocolate chip cookies or a bag of kisses or something along those lines. DW loves a certain type of chocolate bar with almonds and sometimes she goes a little crazy with them and I just have to turn a blind eye to it. I know the best defense is to not keep it in the house but I can't deny DW what she wants when weight is not as huge a problem for her as it is for me. So we do stay away from baking cakes, do our best to limit the cookies. We neither consume any sugar or raw sugar of any type. We may have an occasional sweet tea out but that's rare to. We however have dispensed with any type of store bought cookies in the pack because it is just too tempting to walk by and have a couple or after supper grab 2-3 and go sit down. These items are just too temping to have in the house.

So while we know the sweet thing is off limits on a regular basis we still love to have them just in moderation.

Guys I'm sorry I have been off the last couple of Thursdays but our life has been on a very fast pace and both of us have been sick with colds off and on since January but are pretty much all over it at this point.

Al_Howard

I hear you Brother. I keep mine at arm's (short?) length with apples, and Splenda. IF TOL has brownies around, all bets are off the table.

misterhub

I don't have a significant sweet tooth. It shows up on occasion; but, those occasions are rare. Sometimes, if there is a specific temptation placed in front of me, I have an overabundance of desire for the item; but, again, it's rare.

If we're talking salty and crunchy, then I have a much more significant issue.

cakeman21k

I do not have an answer for this, the only thing I have ever done that works is to just say no to all sweets artificial or otherwise. The cravings do fade after a week or 2 but if I slip up and get into a bag of M & M's or Reeses, the cravings come back with a force! One of lifes great mysteries I guess

steve0mania

More times than not, if I really think about it, my "sweet-tooth" is related to boredom eating or habitual eating. Don't misunderstand--I definitely enjoy sweet things. However, I don't need to eat sweet things. If I'm busy I don't start snacking on things like that, for example. Or, if I am really on-my-game for weight-loss, I can avoid candy without a problem. However, if I'm bored I certainly start cruising the cabinets and seeing what's available.

One little "trick" I've used in the past for the habitual snacking is to have a cup of tea in the evening. I'll specifically plan for a cup of tea in the middle of my usual snacking time. That does two things. First, it gives me something to look forward to. Second, it replaces one habit (snacking) with a different/better habit (drinking 0 calorie tea). It's not perfect, but it does seem to help.

88olds

I’ve fought my sweet tooth to a draw. My number one thing is no sugar added ice cream. Which is apparently another way to say artificially sweetened. But its a daily thing, all measured and accounted for. But this- should I go for an unplanned sugary treat- no ice cream. Ice cream nearly always wins out. I also eat protein bars that have a bit of chocolate.

Another thing I’ve noticed is that pre WW I ate very little fruit. And when I started WW, fruit points were counted. Now I eat 2-3 servings of fruit every day.

And just got a smile recalling when WW started “Free Fruit” and how crowded the meetings were.

crewahl

88olds wrote: »

I’ve fought my sweet tooth to a draw.

I think that generally sums it up. I get urges, and it seems to come in waves - I’ll have an issue going past the “2 king-sized candy bars for $4!” at the convenience store from time to time. In reality, it’s a savings of about 40¢, but it’s oddly compelling. Those two bars are generally between 30-40 points, which is more than one days daily points. Other times, it’s “no, thanks; I’d rather lose weight.”

My best strategy, therefore, is avoidance. I don’t bring things into the house (or make things at home) that can derail me. You won’t find a jar of peanut butter in the house, because I do t do well with it. My daily snack is (at a minimum) two Healthy Choice fudge bars in the evening. It gives me some sweet and some cold, and they do taste good for 100 calories.

I’ve got no pearls of wisdom other than this - I generally don’t crave sweets that aren’t accessible.