How did you give up sweets?

Quest bars
However, I don't think it's wise to completely cut out any food you enjoy, which is why I also eat the occasional skinny cow ice-cream, and frozen yogurt.

Good luck!!

I haven't given them up, I try to eat less of them. When I first started, I craved them ALL the time, that would be my "treat," for the week. I'd designate either a meal or day where I'd splurge. After awhile of doing this, maybe 3-4 months, I started craving them less. Plus I'm opting for a little better options, I've traded in milk for dark chocolate, and I couldn't stand dark chocolate, now I'm a fan.

Unfortunately, it's in your mind & your dedication to what you're doing. Occasionally I will splurge and have a few pieces of candy/chocolate, but I don't go overboard. I don't see anything wrong with indulging in a Little Debbie Snack a few times a week, just know what you're eating, and how it makes you feel afterwards.

I don't do anything extreme, if I tell myself I'm cutting something out completely, it makes me want it even more! Good luck!!

I agree, just keep them around if you can keep yourself in check! I haven't gone out and really messed myself up in the past couple of months only because I was like "Lauren, just go out and get a TON of your favorites. It will be physically impossible for you to consume all at once, and if the resource doesn't seem scarce, you won't eat it like it's going out of style!" Which was a stretch, but it's worked. I have a family size bag of M&Ms, a little tin of Piroulines, a bag of caramels, an a bag of cinnamon hard candies in my bedroom. And two bags of fun-sized Hershey bars downstairs! And I'm always baking on the weekends! Haha.

Don't give it up if you enjoy it. Moderate.

Make a rule that you can only consume a single serving (or two, or half, depending on how calorific the serving size is), in a day--and NEVER go over! Protect the rule like your life depends on it!

I didn't give them up. Just fit it into your calories and macros for the day. I don't believe in cutting things out that you enjoy, having it once in a while is fine.

That's my method as well, there is a big difference between eating responsibly and denying yourself things you enjoy... You want to change your habits for life not just until you snap and down a whole package of cookie's out of shear frustration...

Cookies and cake aren't a problem for me. Candy and sweet things in general are. I LOVE baking, so resisting the urge to eat everything if I do give into my baking urge is what gets me. I love to lick batters, and taste everything while I cook/bake... that gets me into trouble.

As far as sweets on an everyday basis, I try to keep healthier alternatives on hand. Recently I bought some dark chocolate bars for cravings. All natural fruit bars are great for summer when you crave ice cream, popsicles, etc. Frozen yogurt is good for ice cream cravings...

I'm having a tough time turning down cookies and cakes! I know the "don't keep them in the house" rule, so I do good for a couple weeks then me and hubs go to the store and next thing you know oreos and little debbies find their way into the cart. We both like our little sweet treats and I find I can't go without for too long or I break down and go buy it! Has anyone beat the sweet cravings? And I don't mean with fruit or 'frozen grapes'. Replacing chocolate or cookies with fruit doesn't curb it - they taste nothing alike and I've tried it over and over LOL
What worked for you? Are there any good alternatives?

why would i want to give them up? I may have a few hersheys kisses or a mini chocolate bar....i also have a bowl of cereal for my after dinner snack. I stay within my calories..my macro fat range etc.

Discipline is a key ingredient in the weight loss recipe

I'm having a tough time turning down cookies and cakes! I know the "don't keep them in the house" rule, so I do good for a couple weeks then me and hubs go to the store and next thing you know oreos and little debbies find their way into the cart. We both like our little sweet treats and I find I can't go without for too long or I break down and go buy it! Has anyone beat the sweet cravings? And I don't mean with fruit or 'frozen grapes'. Replacing chocolate or cookies with fruit doesn't curb it - they taste nothing alike and I've tried it over and over LOL
What worked for you? Are there any good alternatives?

WOW you said it. You and hubs have to support each other and stop it. My DH and I have agreed to Dove Dark choc. 2 or 3 a day is what I eat most everyday. The little messages make me happy too on the inside wrapper But really if you live with a smoker and you smoke the only way to quit is both have to quit. The same is true for food. You both have to agree to walk together or go to the gym together. You will both feel so much better when you get off that sugar. Good luck.

I do alot of fruit, and you are right, it doesnt cut it. So I buy those 100 calories per package of yogurt pretzels (eat alot of yogurt too) and chocolate chip cookies, my 2nd favorite are the pecan sandies. and yes only 100 calories. they are not "low" cal, just that is all that is in the package. Hope it works for you. I know its more expensive than the little debbie, oatmeal cookies, or the peanut choco bars... mmmm (my favs) but the smaller pre packs works... if my husband brings some thing that is not prepacked to 1 serving, well what can I say, I use alot of snack sized ziplocks, which I then toss into gallon zip locks..

There is a dessert my grandma used to make, with cottage cheese, pinapple, whip cream (dream whip to be exact) and citris jello. nuts, sure. Now, I am lazy, but I love this dessert. So here is my version, please do not gag until you try it: take a cup of low cal low fat yogurt, I use any citruis, stawberry, peach, lemon, lime or orange cream. I use the walmart brand 6 oz, put that in a cereal bowl, then fill the yogurt container with ( I use Viva low fat, low cal 2% cottage cheese). just mix well and eat. I swear it tastes nearly the same. not the same texture though. but I love it, eat it several times a week. yummy. Give it a try. let me know if you give it a thumbs up or down.


Good luck.

Dark Chocolate.

After years of thinking I could just "cut down" on the sweets, I realized I had a true addiction. I couldn't eat 1 cookie - I had to eat a dozen. I would have such cravings, I'd run to the store and buy huge bags of M&Ms and eat them until I was sick. When it comes to sugar, I am no more able to control myself than any alcoholic or drug addict. I had to quit - completely. I went on the 17-Day Diet to cleanse my system. The first two weeks don't allow any sugar - not even fruit. It's not easy, but once my system was clean, I didn't have the cravings anymore. After that the key was to just not have that first bite. I don't EVER eat cookies, candy, cakes, pies - anything made with processed sugar. I have found many recipes to make that are sugar free. Granted, they don't taste as good as the real stuff, but then I also don't feel the need to eat them until I'm sick. I can stop easily at one or two. I know this solution is not for everyone, but it is the only one that works for me. I have been off sugar for 1 1/2 years now. It gets easier to turn down sweets every day.

I didn't give them up either. Fiber One 90 Calorie Brownie was my savior.