My Name is Kelcie and I'm a Sugar Addict

KShufflebarger08

For as long as I can remember, I have loved sweet stuff. Cookies, candies, cakes, ice cream, and whatever else I could stuff in my face.

In the beginning of my weight loss journey, I told myself that I HAD to cut out the sugar. It seemed like a daunting task that I never thought I could do. Week after week, I would relapse and get myself a Cosmic Brownie when I stopped into the convenient store. I'd eat it and not even enjoy it. I NEEDED it or I was irritable.

March 3rd, I started my final mission. I told myself that I wouldn't do this again. If I quit, I would just have to be fat and miserable for the rest of my life (talk about punishment). The first week challenged me and I cried almost every day. Seems far fetched, but it's like taking the dope away from the addict. VERY slowly, it got easier.

14 pounds and nearly 3 months later, I don't crave sugar. I don't wake up in the middle of the night searching blindly through cabinets looking for the first sweet thing I can get my hands on.

I'm posting this because of a few reasons. First of all, I'm so proud of myself. I never ever thought I'd get "sober". Second, I realize due to my addictive personality that I really just cannot have sugar at all. I'm scared of it, to be totally honest. Finally, 14 pounds looks really good not being on me.

Sztheday

14 pounds in 3 months is awesome! Good job!

sassyjae21

Wow

Jacwhite22

Congrats on your loss. Glad you have found a way to control yourself. I am sorry you couldn't control eating moderate amounts of sugar.

epazia

I am on the sugar smart diet trying to kick sugar addiction. I stopped all soda and obvious sweets about a year ago but now its time to get a grip on all the sneaky stuff. I am on day 4, feeling it today really cranky its like withdrawal, but I can do this! So good luck to you and I am super proud and inspired by your efforts!

KShufflebarger08

Thanks to everyone for your positive words.

@epazia I understand what you're going through. Drink a ton of water.

ValGogo

I never ever thought I'd get "sober". Second, I realize due to my addictive personality that I really just cannot have sugar at all. I'm scared of it, to be totally honest. Finally, 14 pounds looks really good not being on me.

Kelcie, this is nothing personal towards you, I'm just assuming you're being cute. But, PLEASE, don't use addiction lingo and words like "sober" to describe your choices of eating candy and sugary stuff. It actually annoys the rest of us, ie, ME, with actual addictions who do 12-step work to recover on a daily basis.

When you have traded sexual favors for cupcakes and candy let me know. Otherwise, please stop.

And I'm sorry if I offended you. That's also part of my recovery work.

AT34

Kelcie, that is awesome! Congratulations. I too am a sugar addict. I never cared about chips or other junk food, only sweets. I went off of sugar for a while, then as you know, you get hooked again, easily. Then I did something that sounded crazy to me at first - I did a session of weight loss hypnosis (on speaker phone no less!) and I am not sure what has happened, but it's so much easier for me to just walk right by the candy dish at work now. I still want something once in a while, but then ask myself, do I NEED it? And for the very first time, I can tell myself no. I actually have a say in it now. That was April 23rd and I am down 12 lbs
Best of luck to us!

sstolii123

Good for you! Sugar is a sneaky little devil isn't it! So have you reprogrammed your taste buds to not eat sweet things or do you use an all natural sweetener like Truvia?

KShufflebarger08

@AT34 -- weight loss hypnosis, eh? Whatever works!

ValGogo

I never ever thought I'd get "sober". Second, I realize due to my addictive personality that I really just cannot have sugar at all. I'm scared of it, to be totally honest. Finally, 14 pounds looks really good not being on me.

Kelcie, this is nothing personal towards you, I'm just assuming you're being cute. But, PLEASE, don't use addiction lingo and words like "sober" to describe your choices of eating candy and sugary stuff. It actually annoys the rest of us, ie, ME, with actual addictions who do 12-step work to recover on a daily basis.

When you have traded sexual favors for cupcakes and candy let me know. Otherwise, please stop.

And I'm sorry if I offended you. That's also part of my recovery work.

cool beans

im sick of people being unable to make the distinction between mild and extreme addiction. just because someone hasnt sucked a d*ck for something doesnt mean they arent addicted. how else would you describe her behaviour towards sugar?

yeah OK, keep coming back, bro. By the way, you went there. I said nothing nasty and you did, so look at yourself. And one other thing...myob, I wasn't talking to you.

Thank you for sharing. :flowerforyou:

sassyjae21

I never ever thought I'd get "sober". Second, I realize due to my addictive personality that I really just cannot have sugar at all. I'm scared of it, to be totally honest. Finally, 14 pounds looks really good not being on me.

Kelcie, this is nothing personal towards you, I'm just assuming you're being cute. But, PLEASE, don't use addiction lingo and words like "sober" to describe your choices of eating candy and sugary stuff. It actually annoys the rest of us, ie, ME, with actual addictions who do 12-step work to recover on a daily basis.

When you have traded sexual favors for cupcakes and candy let me know. Otherwise, please stop.

And I'm sorry if I offended you. That's also part of my recovery work.

cool beans

im sick of people being unable to make the distinction between mild and extreme addiction. just because someone hasnt sucked a d*ck for something doesnt mean they arent addicted. how else would you describe her behaviour towards sugar?

omgomg lolol lordy

BigT555

yeah OK, keep coming back, bro.

i will thanks. i quite like this site, great way to kill time

mhoghedin

@ValGogo

Sugar lights up the same reward pathways in the brain as any other addictive substance. When it significantly impacts your life (crying every day because you can't have it), I'd call that an addiction. Don't downplay other's struggles, you should be focused on building people up and encouraging, not breaking them down because they don't fit your definition of addiction.

@Kelcie

Good job, keep going, once you get past the initial cravings it gets a lot easier. Quitting sugar was harder for me than quitting smoking! One thing that worked for me was to try to keep the "Diet" sugar free options minimal, because all too often it will trigger cravings for the real thing.

believeinme0430

That's awesome and gives me hope because I struggle with sugar too. Thank you for sharing!!

ValGogo

@ValGogo

Sugar lights up the same reward pathways in the brain as any other addictive substance. When it significantly impacts your life (crying every day because you can't have it), I'd call that an addiction. Don't downplay other's struggles, you should be focused on building people up and encouraging, not breaking them down because they don't fit your definition of addiction.

@Kelcie

Good job, keep going, once you get past the initial cravings it gets a lot easier. Quitting sugar was harder for me than quitting smoking! One thing that worked for me was to try to keep the "Diet" sugar free options minimal, because all too often it will trigger cravings for the real thing.

I'm not breaking anyone down. I'm just calling it what it is, and THAT's not what it is. So, go ahead and make fun of it, downplay it, but I challenge any one of you to go up to an "Actual" addict and tell them that.

Oh and don't bother telling me you did. This is an on line forum and I'll just assume you're lying.

Kelcie, good job on curbing your sugar cravings. Just trying to educate you a little.

goldthistime

For as long as I can remember, I have loved sweet stuff. Cookies, candies, cakes, ice cream, and whatever else I could stuff in my face.

In the beginning of my weight loss journey, I told myself that I HAD to cut out the sugar. It seemed like a daunting task that I never thought I could do. Week after week, I would relapse and get myself a Cosmic Brownie when I stopped into the convenient store. I'd eat it and not even enjoy it. I NEEDED it or I was irritable.

March 3rd, I started my final mission. I told myself that I wouldn't do this again. If I quit, I would just have to be fat and miserable for the rest of my life (talk about punishment). The first week challenged me and I cried almost every day. Seems far fetched, but it's like taking the dope away from the addict. VERY slowly, it got easier.

14 pounds and nearly 3 months later, I don't crave sugar. I don't wake up in the middle of the night searching blindly through cabinets looking for the first sweet thing I can get my hands on.

I'm posting this because of a few reasons. First of all, I'm so proud of myself. I never ever thought I'd get "sober". Second, I realize due to my addictive personality that I really just cannot have sugar at all. I'm scared of it, to be totally honest. Finally, 14 pounds looks really good not being on me.

Congratulations! MFP "wisdom" is to practice moderation rather than abstinence for longterm success. Personally I think abstinence is the best way to get the situation under control. It's EASIER than moderation. Right now I am trying for modest moderation. I eat a Clif bar most days, for instance. I get some sweetness without the rush of an actual cookie or sweet treat. Best of luck in KEEPING it under control.

kconrad1712

Congratulations! You should be so very proud of yourself. I read somewhere that Sugar is something like 10 times as addictive as cocaine... so "sober" really fits well. 14 pounds in 3 months is awesome. Its not important how fast you lose the weight. What's important is that you keep it off! I've only lost 12 pounds in about 4 months, so you are doing so awesome!

steffi29986

Congratulations! You should be so very proud of yourself. I read somewhere that Sugar is something like 10 times as addictive as cocaine... so "sober" really fits well. 14 pounds in 3 months is awesome. Its not important how fast you lose the weight. What's important is that you keep it off! I've only lost 12 pounds in about 4 months, so you are doing so awesome!

Absolutely, exactly what I was going to say. You are doing such a good job, way to go. Keep up with the good work!!

ValGogo

Congratulations! You should be so very proud of yourself. I read somewhere that Sugar is something like 10 times as addictive as cocaine... so "sober" really fits well. 14 pounds in 3 months is awesome. Its not important how fast you lose the weight. What's important is that you keep it off! I've only lost 12 pounds in about 4 months, so you are doing so awesome!

hahaha, you're funny. Ciao, sycophants.

kconrad1712

I never ever thought I'd get "sober". Second, I realize due to my addictive personality that I really just cannot have sugar at all. I'm scared of it, to be totally honest. Finally, 14 pounds looks really good not being on me.

Kelcie, this is nothing personal towards you, I'm just assuming you're being cute. But, PLEASE, don't use addiction lingo and words like "sober" to describe your choices of eating candy and sugary stuff. It actually annoys the rest of us, ie, ME, with actual addictions who do 12-step work to recover on a daily basis.

When you have traded sexual favors for cupcakes and candy let me know. Otherwise, please stop.

How dare you? Sugar IS her addiction... not all addictions are created equal. Just because she isn't hooked on narcotics or has traded sexual favors does NOT mean her addiction is any less severe in her life. Oh, and here are some medically reviewed and/or controlled sites that provide proof that sugar IS an addiction.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23719144
http://www.webmd.com/diet/ss/slideshow-sugar-addiction

kconrad1712

Congratulations! You should be so very proud of yourself. I read somewhere that Sugar is something like 10 times as addictive as cocaine... so "sober" really fits well. 14 pounds in 3 months is awesome. Its not important how fast you lose the weight. What's important is that you keep it off! I've only lost 12 pounds in about 4 months, so you are doing so awesome!

hahaha, you're funny. Ciao, sycophants.

Here are some medically reviewed and/or controlled sites that provide proof that sugar IS an addiction.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23719144
http://www.webmd.com/diet/ss/slideshow-sugar-addiction

HeidiGrrrl

I feel you on the sugar addiction. I, too, am a sugar addict (yes, it's a REAL thing!) Mine comes about differently, though. On a regular basis, I don't eat much, if any, however, I go on what I call sugar benders. We're talking scarfing a 3 lb. bag of Laffy Taffy. THREE POUNDS! I don't want the candy. I NEED it! Afterwards, I feel like I'm going to throw up, my heart is pounding and feels like it's going to burst or burst out of my chest, I start sweating profusely, and I honestly don't think I'm going to live to see another day. I promise myself (each time) that it's going to be the last time. That I'm going to get control of it.

I'm still trying.

If that doesn't sound like addiction, then there's no such thing as addiction. Except there is. And it doesn't just come from alcohol (which is...you guessed it...sugar! or other drugs.)

Congratulations on being 3 months sober, and losing 14 pounds!

Acg67

For as long as I can remember, I have loved sweet stuff. Cookies, candies, cakes, ice cream, and whatever else I could stuff in my face.

In the beginning of my weight loss journey, I told myself that I HAD to cut out the sugar. It seemed like a daunting task that I never thought I could do. Week after week, I would relapse and get myself a Cosmic Brownie when I stopped into the convenient store. I'd eat it and not even enjoy it. I NEEDED it or I was irritable.

March 3rd, I started my final mission. I told myself that I wouldn't do this again. If I quit, I would just have to be fat and miserable for the rest of my life (talk about punishment). The first week challenged me and I cried almost every day. Seems far fetched, but it's like taking the dope away from the addict. VERY slowly, it got easier.

14 pounds and nearly 3 months later, I don't crave sugar. I don't wake up in the middle of the night searching blindly through cabinets looking for the first sweet thing I can get my hands on.

I'm posting this because of a few reasons. First of all, I'm so proud of myself. I never ever thought I'd get "sober". Second, I realize due to my addictive personality that I really just cannot have sugar at all. I'm scared of it, to be totally honest. Finally, 14 pounds looks really good not being on me.

So you went zero carb on this sugar detox, or do you just have no idea what sugar actually is and use a very very narrow definition?

stephanieluvspb

I think, and im sure most people do, that nicotine is an addiction but for the 15 years I smoked trading a cigarette for sex never crossed my mind.

Acg67

Congratulations! You should be so very proud of yourself. I read somewhere that Sugar is something like 10 times as addictive as cocaine... so "sober" really fits well. 14 pounds in 3 months is awesome. Its not important how fast you lose the weight. What's important is that you keep it off! I've only lost 12 pounds in about 4 months, so you are doing so awesome!

hahaha, you're funny. Ciao, sycophants.

Here are some medically reviewed and/or controlled sites that provide proof that sugar IS an addiction.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23719144
http://www.webmd.com/diet/ss/slideshow-sugar-addiction

Oh is the OP a rodent? and LOL WebMD as a source

ValGogo

You know what's funny....the fact that I actually knew what my comment would incite and yet I went and wrote it anyway. And, afterward, seeing that I needed to practice a third step and leave it alone. So my lesson is askign myself "what was my motive in writing what I wrote, knowing if would change nothing?" .

People have the right to be where they are at, regardless of my own experinece.

THAT's recovery, admitting your mistakes and letting stuff go.

So, I retract my sycophant comment and I let it go. Have at it and I pray that none of you actually have to know what it really feels like to be a slave to a substance. It sucks.

3 years 2 months and 27 days.

NWfluffy

@ ValGogo
A suggestion to expand your own knowledge - pls check out Overeaters Anonymous (OA). I believe they count sugar as any other addictive substance. I think they have a suggested eating program that requires one to never eat anything with sugar above 5 or 6 on the ingredient list, with the thought being that an OA cannot process sugar like other people and that it leads to addictive behavior. As for the sexual favors comment, not everyone's rock bottom is the same. Best of luck with your journey!

Biggirllittledreams

I never ever thought I'd get "sober". Second, I realize due to my addictive personality that I really just cannot have sugar at all. I'm scared of it, to be totally honest. Finally, 14 pounds looks really good not being on me.

Kelcie, this is nothing personal towards you, I'm just assuming you're being cute. But, PLEASE, don't use addiction lingo and words like "sober" to describe your choices of eating candy and sugary stuff. It actually annoys the rest of us, ie, ME, with actual addictions who do 12-step work to recover on a daily basis.

When you have traded sexual favors for cupcakes and candy let me know. Otherwise, please stop.

And I'm sorry if I offended you. That's also part of my recovery work.

This isn't anything personal towards you either: you can have an addiction to food. If you don't believe me, look for the 12 step program for over-eaters (which also encompasses problems with very sweet foods as well). I've been a part of it, and I've had an eating disorder which destroyed me life. There were points where I was consuming 5-10 thousand calories a day, and I was stealing so much food that I nearly lost my home. So please don't act as though only alcohol/substance addictions are the only ones with problems in terms of addiction, and as though they are the only ones

It's not a part of your recovery work: in 12 step programs, the recovery work includes spreading the helpfulness of the 12 step program and your experiences with it. Not invalidating people's experiences and telling people what experiences they do/do not have.

ValGogo

I think, and im sure most people do, that nicotine is an addiction but for the 15 years I smoked trading a cigarette for sex never crossed my mind.

Whatever.

ninerbuff

Question: do you eat any fruit? Because it has sugar in it. Which means you've relapsed.

I am one of the few that disagree with sugar being addictive. Highly palatable, yes, but addictive no. Because how does a person with an addiction moderate what they are addicted to? If they can, then they're NOT an addict. And since there's sugar in fruits and vegetables, then the body is still getting it which doesn't make it a physiological addiction. There's still some debate on whether it's a psychological addiction, but for now I don't think it's addictive.

A.C.E. Certified Personal and Group Fitness Trainer
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Kickboxing Certified Instructor
Been in fitness industry for 30 years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition