Giving up sugar, chips, fast food, and pop...What have you given up and gained?

kiteflyer105

Ok, I have pretty much given up pop, I will have zero sugar Starry lemon- lime once a week. It doesn't control me anymore.

I gave up sugar free French Vanilla Iced Coffees from Mc Donald's.
I gave up drinking unsweetened tea with 2 packets of Equal daily.

I went to the grocery store to look at some old desserts I have eaten in the past, between the carbs and the calories....how many hours would that take to exercise off? It wasn't worth it. I bought a Thanksgiving mum instead. Win! I do occasionally get Wendy's Chili or Chick Filet grilled chicken nuggets, salads, or their fruit salad with a Large water.

I'm an old fast food junkie, I don't crave fast food so much anymore, I think it is way overpriced for what it is. I's rather have steak, salad, and a potato.

Candy-I used to eat sugar free candy and stopped that. I tried buying the fun size. That is a mistake for me. My go to now is dark chocolate covered almonds or a Hershey's bar with almonds. Usually I can detach 2 pieces and savor those, yet I ate the whole thing last week. My stomach, the next morning felt, very sick. I am not used to that much sugar anymore.

Ice cream-I buy the single serving Hagen Das. Sure it is more expensive, but I don't have calorie remorse. Sometimes I can eat 2 Tbsp., and be fine.

Chips and crackers-I only have chips once in a while with tuna fish. Crackers, I count them out for my soup, laughing cow cheese and 15 Wheat Thins, I used to have a problem with these.

Pizza-I eat a large salad with plenty of vegetables before going out to eat at a pizza place, and drink water. Surprisingly, two pieces are enough. Before, I would eat 4 pieces or a whole pizza. The thoughts of doing that make me sick now.

Chinese buffets-I used to get 2-3 plates and not think anything of it. Now, that grosses me out. I order off of the menu and split the entrée in half. I've been known to keep a cup and half a cup in my purse (in a Ziploc bag), so I can measure it out for portion control.

All these changes have taken time. I eat much more vegetables and fruit and I have increased my water.

Somedays, though, it seems like too much, and I get overwhelmed. I miss the chemical reaction in my brain from eating certain foods...sugar is 1 molecule away from cocaine. I do miss the high from eating sugar. I know I shouldn't eat it due to inflammation in our bodies...it gets exhausting at times.

I started drinking lemon and ginger tea at night. During the day I drink decaf with cinnamon or green tea with mint instead of pop.

With the holiday season quickly approaching before us, do you have a plan to do the least
amount of damage for the holidays? Share your strategy.

kiteflyer105

I have gained more energy, better sleep, less stomach issues, my stomach has shrank, I can move around better. It is worth it, yet sometimes super challenging.

My strategy is protein first then veggies. Save the carbs for last.

Ll0ydD0bler

I sympathize 100% with your entire post. I've been to Taco Bell once in a year. McD's maybe 4 times and only had the fries once. Wendy's was my go-to and I've eaten there twice in a year. Just too many calories to fit in the budget. I used to get a DQ Blizzard every Friday night. I've had 4 in the last year.

I found some frozen greek yogurt bars that taste great to sub out for the 20 oz of ice cream I used to eat every other night, and as a replacement for candy I freeze grapes. The cold makes you eat them slower too. As for hearty meals, Asian food has been my salvation. Teriyaki pork on rice is only like 1200 cal for a restaurant serving, and I'm stuffed after half of it! Thai is the same way. Americanized Chinese food is a little heavier but even then it's better than fast food.

As for everything else, yeah it's just portion control and knowing you will be full enough on half the food. I get a small pizza and have no leftovers now. I used to get two extra large and eat them over 3 meals. Rather than carrying measuring cups, my trick for restaurants is I just make sure I divide the meal as exactly in half as I can, and then take it home and weigh the half I didn't eat. I've become very good at estimating weight and volume after a year of measuring.

And yeah the list of benefits is long. Getting big happens so slowly that you don't realize all the things you're losing.

kiteflyer105

I have never tried frozen grapes. I eat sugar free popsicles for a treat or go to Dairy Queen for a junior kid's cone or Jr. Frosty every once in a great while.

Nice job on the fast food. I want to get to the point that I only order ice water. I am joining Weight Watchers. I need real life support too.

I already strategically planned my Thanksgiving dinner. I know I will have 2 protein shakes each with 30 g of protein. I will eat a fruit with lunch. The key for me is to savor my food slowly and engage in the conversation, and feeding the dogs turkey too. Lol. I need to get my exercise done in the morning.

There are so many changes to make on one's own health journey. I can only take one day at a time. Happy Thanksgiving for the US Residents. Think about strategic plan and execution. Good luck.

yirara

Nothing, really. I just eat less and stay within my calorie budget.

Have to say though that I only ever eat out on vacation, never liked sweet drinks, and the only ever take away I did was sushi or a kebab.

Hope_bay74

Thank you kiteflyer for sharing. This is where I aspire to be. I am turning 50 in February and am trying to break the sugar and bad food addiction. I just had a full hysterectomy in August and am starting to feel much better. Now, I need to get my eating and weight under control.

Anyone, Please feel to add me if you would like an accountability buddy.

kiteflyer105

Hope_bay74-I had a hysterectomy many years ago and gained 30 lbs. in a month; I have Binge Eating Disorder. It was very difficult to accept I would never be a mom. That was solely grief eating. I lost that weight and want to get to 190 lbs. next. My prayers go out to your heart and your current situation. Best of luck!

elisa123gal

I did it differently this time. I revisited the knowledge i had lost as i regained my weight. I looked up the healthiest foods to eat. Studied the list.. and that is what i'm eating. So, i think of what i am going to eat.. not what i can't.

..So.. yeah.. oatmeal, almonds avocado.. fish.. eggs.. green vegetables .. sweet potatoes, crucifurious vegetables, tomatos ..olive oil, green tea.

Corina1143

elisa123gal wrote: »

I did it differently this time. I revisited the knowledge i had lost as i regained my weight. I looked up the healthiest foods to eat. Studied the list.. and that is what i'm eating. So, i think of what i am going to eat.. not what i can't.

..So.. yeah.. oatmeal, almonds avocado.. fish.. eggs.. green vegetables .. sweet potatoes, crucifurious vegetables, tomatos ..olive oil, green tea.

Sounds good to me. I could live happily on that stuff!

ninerbuff

My strategy is the same I share with my clients. Figure out the way you like to eat and make sure that you at the very least meet your RDA for macro/micro nutrients and stay within a calorie range for whatever goal you're trying to achieve.
For me, NO FOOD or DRINK is off limits. I just take responsibility for the calories I take in and don't exceed my target number. Of course I'll exceed it on ocassion but by in large I stick to it daily. I've stayed within the 190lbs weight limit for a couple of decades now with the exception of a few years ago.

A.C.E. Certified Personal and Group Fitness Trainer
IDEA Fitness member
Kickboxing Certified Instructor
Been in fitness for 35+ years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition

nolongergordo

I gave up anything peanut related.
I could easily eat a 200g bag of nuts and gain 1200 kcals on top of what I've eaten.
As for peanut butter I'm terrible.

With these off my list I can eat a lot of other things in moderate quantity and still be in a deficit come bed time.

Lose the treat, gain the freedom to indulge elsewhere and still lose lbs.

kiteflyer105

Thank you ninerbuff. Your input makes sense. Thank you nolongergordo, Thank God peanut butter does not tempt me at all . I count out 12 nuts per serving though, almonds, cashews, walnuts, or pistachios. I have figured out I can have 2 pieces of pizza with a large salad and be good. Sometimes I eat less calories at breakfast and lunch to have 3 whole pieces, large salad, with clear pop. That is my biggest treat. Or 1x a month cheeseburger from a pub though.

Being a Binge Eater for years, I can abstain severely and then binge eat. Quite honesty, it is a sick cycle that needs to stop. I am relearning healthy eating again. I am working with my nutritionist to decrease bingeing. I will go to Eating Disorders clinic after my heart surgery. Moderation is very difficult for me with certain foods. I will never again bring a box of Little's Debbie's into my house ever again. That is the kiss of death of me. It is a lover that I can't rid myself of, so I don't buy it. That would be crazy making for a food addict. I am realistic with myself.

I honestly returned food after Thanksgiving, because I bought too much. I have NEVER done this in my life. I replaced the junkie food with healthy food. I felt better for it. This Christmas I will not eat my self into a food coma with cookie oblivion. I value my body more than that.

The only fast food I m going to eat is Wendy's chili occasionally. I don't like most fast food anymore, which is good. I am so ticked off at Mc Donald's for having a snack size Filet-o-fish! I know this is terrible food for anyone. In high school a McDonald's hamburger was 40 cents, now it is $1.99 for nothing.


This year I vow to make it at least 6 months without fast food. I know I can do that. I have built up my strength over time. Good luck everyone.

kiteflyer105

Repost

SherryRueter

So good!

90% no soda ... It doesn't control me anymore. It kinda makes me ill.
99% no artificial sweetener packets. (Although some skinny coffee syrups).
95% no creamer. Using Protein power, I like it so much better.
80% no fast food. I will order grilled chicken or a small chicken nugget. Rarely dipping sauce.

Working on plain water. Presently doing the powdered crystal light types.

Candy - Rarely have sugar free candy. Sometimes a little chocolate....a couple squares.
When I've eaten a lot of sugar or had a "hit" of it, I tend to go into cocaine mode. Then get very sick. it impacts my mood and my marriage. Its like introducing my family to a devil.

Ice cream-I rarely have any. a few times a year... I do enjoy putting some greek yogurt the freezer to have.

Chips. rarely. maybe 2 in a bowl of soup for fun. I use Light Laughing cow, one cheese wedge a day if it seems to fit into my meal. Otherwise - i am cheeseless on my foods. I have them remove it from salads or an occasional sandwich.

Pizza-I would rather eat a salad. Most times I don't have pizza, just the family does. In the past sure... 4 slices.... but that was forever ago. the salad only has been my thing for the past 2 years.

Chinese - maybe 1/mo. not a go to. If we have it I get the burbon chicken.

I do eat my share of veggies in a day...intentionally though, its not mindless yet. Fruit is almost mindless.

Original poster, you mention you miss the chemical reaction. I get that. I do miss the high but the crash is tearing my relationship with my spouse apart. I opened up to him about how its been an addiction to me etc. and how I need to really work on not having certain foods.

Your lemon and ginger tea - I need to do that. Thanks for the idea.

With the holiday season quickly approaching before us, do you have a plan to do the least
amount of damage for the holidays? Share your strategy.

AdahPotatah2024

Eating at restaurants for the most part..I challenged myself to only eat out if it's a social thing and then to have an appetizer and drink only. It is saving me money and a few pounds.

kiteflyer105

My strategy for the holidays was to have a half a plate of salad and focus on whole foods. I did have several Christmas cookies. Then I have stopped. I am proud of you for giving up pizza. I am not there yet.