Why can't I do this???

floridagirl7264

I started here a couple of years ago. I did really well. I've lost about 25 lbs and have kept them off. How, I don't know! I stopped logging for about a year. I lost all of my friends. Anyway, the problem that I'm having now is that I cannot stay on track. I start out the day good but around 4:00 it goes south. I start to crave sugar and caffeine. I love Coke, but can't control it once I have it. I'm also a big chocoholic and sugar addict. Why can't i keep staying on the right path? It's not like I'm hungry because I'm not. I am eating enough food. I just can't seem to beat it. I can keep chocolate out of the house, but not coke. Any help?

easto_79

I'm 100% the same way. I only way I've been successful is with low carb, carbs are sugar the more we eat the more people like us want. I need to get through the first 2 or 3 days without any sugars, no fruit even. Then I'm good.
Add me as a friend I'm just starting to get back on track again today. Looking for 10 pounds by Christmas.
We can help each other out.

graysmom2005

Two words. Coke. Zero. :happy:

lorieric5037

Coke Zero is great! If you want chocolate and caffeine, try a cup of hot chocolate with coffee...gives you the taste you want, plus the jolt you need to keep going the rest of the day.:drinker:

michele0101

I'm exactly the same way. A sugar addict to the core. Love carbs too. I have gotten off of sugar before and I felt better, I need to do it again. It's just so satisfying when you are eating it though!

star5785

I don't believe in depriving yourself of anything. If you want it, fit it in your cals for the day.

Or you can replace the foods with healthier options. I do this sometimes like if I'm craving coke, maybe drink a Ginger Ale instead...or whatever other healthier drink that'll satisfy the craving.

But it's mostly about willpower rather than cutting out "bad foods".

oops! just looked up ginger ale and realized it has even more sugar than coke & I always thought it was healthier.
Don't mind me...

FindingMyPerfection

I started here a couple of years ago. I did really well. I've lost about 25 lbs and have kept them off. How, I don't know! I stopped logging for about a year. I lost all of my friends. Anyway, the problem that I'm having now is that I cannot stay on track. I start out the day good but around 4:00 it goes south. I start to crave sugar and caffeine. I love Coke, but can't control it once I have it. I'm also a big chocoholic and sugar addict. Why can't i keep staying on the right path? It's not like I'm hungry because I'm not. I am eating enough food. I just can't seem to beat it. I can keep chocolate out of the house, but not coke. Any help?

You can't because you have chosen to tell yourself you are not in control. Change the bolded statement to: I can beat it I can control what and how much I consume. Give your self the power again.

dicoveringwhoIam

Spark from Advocare is a great substitute I love that stuff! I drink it 2x a day and it helps with caffeine headaches and my need for coca-cola

FYI this isn't an advertisement.. Just a product I found and luv!

srobertking

I don't believe in depriving yourself of anything. If you want it, fit it in your cals for the day.

Or you can replace the foods with healthier options. I do this sometimes like if I'm craving coke, maybe drink a Ginger Ale instead...or whatever other healthier drink that'll satisfy the craving.

But it's mostly about willpower rather than cutting out "bad foods".

This! I have treats all the time and have lost lots. If I don't add it in I'll cheat and eat it anyway. No reason to completely cut out the things you love. Just cut down the amount!

VelvetMorning

Before you are about to binge out on coke and chocolate that you don't have calories for/aren't hungry/etc, go into your bathroom, take off all of your clothes and look at your body in the mirror. Tell yourself that with the coke and chocolate it'll be like that forever (when you're over calories). Without, you'll be how you were before.

fruttibiscotti

I totally agree with Easto_79, it's the carbs and sugar doing this to you. check out the video by Dr Robert Lustig from University of California on youtube called "sugar the bitter truth". It has 4 million views! Good luck sweetheart.

MyFoodGod

Check out Overeaters Anonymous. Listen to some of their podcasts. The LA group has a ton. See if you can relate to some of the stories. Visit a meeting. You are not the only one out there who has trouble with food.

GiGiBeans

At 3pm, a good hour before your usual cravings hit, have a high protein snack, preferably with some healthy fat. Making sure not to skip meals or go too long between meals helped my binging.

When I eat sweets I avoid eating it without protein and fat, so the sugar doesn't hit me like a brick in the head.

I never tell myself I can't have a food but I will tell myself I choose to not have it yet. It took me a year to lose the weight I wanted and whatever foods I chose not to eat were all still around if I wanted them again. Most I stopped caring about.

tehboxingkitteh

Two words. Coke. Zero. :happy:

I wish they made a chocolate zero.

nancybuss

I love the stop and look in the mirror naked.

Have some water.... stop and Truly think about what you are doing and what your goals are.

If you Truly want to lose, Write it Down. Create a "Dream Board" and when that time hits. Sit down and Really look at it and get your feelings out. Do you Want that Taste more than you want your dream? Some people can then take a few sips of the pop and be good. Some can't, it will kick off the binge. Good luck finding what works for YOU!

fotofreak01

I LOVE chocolate!! I would make it my only meal if it wouldn't make me so unhealthy. I found, with me, when I tell myself, I CAN'T have something, that is all I can think about until I have it. Then I go over board with it. So I don't tell myself I can't have anything. I can eat whatever I want, in moderation. When I got this mentality, I am able to say, "I can have that candy bar but I don't really want it right now." My husband loves to bring me my favorite candy bars every day after work. I haven't the heart to tell him to stop...lol. There are currently 7 full size candy bars in my freezer right now and NONE of them have been calling my name since being placed there. Try just cutting back on the Coke. Replace one with big glass of water. Do that every day for a week. Next week, replace 2 a day with water. Before you know it, the Coke will be too sweet for you to tolerate. That is how I stopped drinking sodas. I may have 1 soda a year now and it takes me forever to drink it because it tastes so sweet. Good luck and keep on keepin' on!!

floridagirl7264

Thank you all so much for the great ideas! I haven't tried Coke Zero before. I think I'll give it a try. It might help me get off of regular coke and then maybe I can taper from that. I was able to give up drinking 3-4 cups of tea in the morning down to 1, but this Coke addiction is really bad. I didn't realize how bad it is until I tried to stop it. I think I have to try the mindset that I can have it but in a little while. Maybe I can put it off until the craving goes away. The chocolate is easier to kick. There wasn't any in the house at all until Halloween. Since then it has all been downhill. Fortunately nobody in the house eats chocolate including my 14 yo daughter. So it won't be missed. Although chocolate zero would be heaven sent! I like the idea of taking off of my clothes and look in the mirror. I avoid looking in the mirror at all because of how it makes me feel. I think I need the truth to stare at me as a reminder of why I don't need to eat or drink it. I also think that sugar is addicting as well as caffeine because when I have it I want it more. It used to be like that with fast food. The more I had the more I wanted. I stopped it all together and now I can't stand to eat it. So thanks so much again everyone!

DancingMoosie

My recipe for a coke and chocolate addiction: a little chocolate syrup in diet coke:) Hershey's works fine or I order a diet coke with chocolate from sonic. You can always ask them to put 1/2 as much chocolate in as you try to cut back.

hilts1969

I started here a couple of years ago. I did really well. I've lost about 25 lbs and have kept them off. How, I don't know! I stopped logging for about a year. I lost all of my friends. Anyway, the problem that I'm having now is that I cannot stay on track. I start out the day good but around 4:00 it goes south. I start to crave sugar and caffeine. I love Coke, but can't control it once I have it. I'm also a big chocoholic and sugar addict. Why can't i keep staying on the right path? It's not like I'm hungry because I'm not. I am eating enough food. I just can't seem to beat it. I can keep chocolate out of the house, but not coke. Any help?

It's all in your head, not much help but there you go, it is possible not to keep coke in your house just don't buy it

astralpictures

I used to drink soda all the time, usually 1-3 cans a day and sometimes much more if I was at a party or hanging out with friends. I gave it up by simply not buying it anymore, and deciding to only drink water. It's mostly about willpower - if you want something badly enough (or want to give it up badly enough), then you just need to be strong and avoid it. I didn't even bother finding a substitution since I knew nothing would be the same. After over 6 months with no soda now, I never crave it anymore. Time, patience, willpower, and not adding it to your shopping cart or carrying money for the vending machines. If that doesn't work, then you don't want it bad enough.

jofjltncb6

Is your daily calorie limit reasonable?

adorable_aly

Before you are about to binge out on coke and chocolate that you don't have calories for/aren't hungry/etc, go into your bathroom, take off all of your clothes and look at your body in the mirror. Tell yourself that with the coke and chocolate it'll be like that forever (when you're over calories). Without, you'll be how you were before.

Personally I think this is a horrible idea. Seriously, using you're body as some kind of punishment?! What happened to being accepting and compassionate towards oneself.

OP just try coke zero, or fit it into your Marcos and exercise portion control.

hwoeltjen

I have a few tips for you.

1) Take it one day at a time.

If you end up eating something you shouldn't, don't assume your day is blown. Get right back on that routine immediately. Forget about what you just ate. We all have relapses and cheat.

2) Don't set yourself up to binge.

Low calorie diets are the #1 reason people have trouble losing weight. A huge deficit is hard to maintain and leaves you wanting food constantly.

If you are having trouble, taking it slow. Cut your calories down to something you can manage. Don't worry about losing weight more slowly....you will get to your goal either way.

3) Eat Healthy....Then Look At The Cupcake.

When you get into that moment that you know you are going to eat something you aren't supposed to....realize a couple things.

You are obviously hungry......this makes temptations to eat unhealthy food difficult to overcome. Have your "go to" healthy food ready to go whenever these moments hit you. As soon as you feel like you are getting really really hungry...go eat the "go to" food. Maybe it's a veggie...maybe a pickle....and drink a cold glass of water.

Then see how bad you want that unhealthy food. It's going to be difficult trying to rationalize eating carrots over the cupcake. Don't think about it....just go do it.

4) Stop Thinking About Food

Whenever you start dreaming about that doughnut....stop yourself. Start thinking about how great it's going to be when you wake up tomorrow knowing you were strong....and didn't eat that doughnut. Try to think about other things. Keep yourself busy.

5) Drink WATER!

Drinking water will keep you full and helps with cravings. Make sure you stay hydrated. Whenever you feel like you are getting hungry.....get that cold glass of water and drink up.....and smile....this is the skinny you winning the battle.

nikilis

coke = high fructose corn syrup. its some bad ****, so quit that. go for diet coke instead.

in terms of everything else, just take 5 seconds before you grab it and try to say no.

buy carrots and eat them instead. you cant satisfy real hunger with junk food without eating like 1000calories or feeling sick. brain hunger will never be satisfied.

your brain is bored and hungry.

arc8706

There are lots of diet sodas that are zero calorie (or those 10 calorie sodas, my parents like those and I'll have them sometimes when they buy them. They taste pretty good), there are even some that are sweetened with stevia at the health food stores if you like to avoid artificial sweeteners.

As for chocolate cravings, I like to fit in a chocolate protein bar for a snack most days. The Nature Valley ones that have peanut, almond, and dark chocolate are probably my favorite. Kind bars are good, too. Those have the sweetness of chocolate for the taste and they have a good bit of protein so they are more satisfying than a regular chocolate bar would be. Also they have nuts and those are good for you, they provide healthy fats and some micronutrients.


And don't do the mirror thing someone else suggested. Don't be mean to yourself or use self-hatred to motivate. An unhealthy body image will not be cured by weight loss, anyway (once you lose the weight you will probably still not be completely satisfied with what you see in the mirror, so it's just a terrible idea). Instead I would stay positive and think about all the ways you will benefit from the hard work you are putting in now: getting healthy, moving more, having a higher quality of life, etc. It's probably not worth sacrificing all of those wonderful things to continue to go over your calories on a regular basis due to sugar cravings. Also focus on your success rather than your failures, and use that to keep you going.

Best wishes!

I_Will_End_You

Two words. Coke. Zero. :happy:

Yes! Coke Zero is amazing.

CrazyWhiskers

Well, I don't know if you're taking meds or not, but I am and it certaily makes it harder, but it doesnt make it impossible. Keep at it and try your best, it's all you can do Also I love coke zero too

mamma_nee

I can not drink anything diet - I would use seltzer with a wedge of lemon , It would probably be easier to wean off it after your sugar cravings subside.

tmauck4472

I thought I couldn't live without diet coke in my life, a year and half later I don't miss pop at all. In my heart I feel cutting back on complex carbs helped me stop my sugar cravings. I can bake all day long (and today I did) and only eat what I have to taste. Every time I go back to eating pasta's and breads, I crave sugar. I still have some but nearly as often as I used to .

NavyKnightAh13

Bump

Nana_Booboo

I THINK YOU STOLE MY STORY!!!

But once I get off sugars, including bread and pasta I do excellent.
I don't push or promote diets but to get off the "crack" or sugar it seems easy to follow a South Beach or The Sugar Solution life style.

I know from experience that sugar is addictive and its not just candy and cookies.

Hope you find your way and add me if you'd like.
Include a message, thanks and good luck!