Why can't I stop eating sugar??

EllieYuruker
EllieYuruker Posts: 54 Member
in Health and Weight Loss
I am currently 10st5 and 5ft4 and size 10-12. I was around a size 8 and 8st 7- 9st around 4-5 months ago.
Ive been binging most days and ive tried everything I could think of, hypnotherapy, counselling, more diets or just trying to eat when I want but I just can't stop with the sugar. Its making me so depressed to the point where I dont even want to go out and see friends because I know they'll notice how much fat Ive put on. I still go to the gym but I feel like giving that up too because its so embarrasing the staff can tell Ive gained weight :(
Any ideas, suggestions or help?
xxx

Replies

  • GauchoMark
    GauchoMark Posts: 1,804 Member
    treat it like an addiction - just go cold turkey for a while.

    the depression probably isn't helping either.
  • MoreBean13
    MoreBean13 Posts: 8,701 Member
    I would say that it's probably not the sugar specifically you need to blame, but whatever is causing your binge/purge cycle that you can't break. For someone like you, I'm not sure that sugar elimination is the right approach. In fact, I think trying to eliminate sugar completely is part of the "purge" phase of your cycle. You can't break binge/purge cycles with severe restriction.

    I would suggest focusing on making a pre-planned food log fo 2 or 3 days at a time, that is balanced and nutritionally complete. Don't incude "trigger foods", but don't completely eliminate sugar, either- I would suggest a 40carb/30protein/30 fat approach and let your sugar come from non-dessert foods. Plan your food ahead of time, and stick to the plan. If the diet is complete, you shouldn't need to reach for snacks and make poor choices. It might be uncomfortable to stick to for a while but you should be able to curb it.

    Have you talked to any professionals about the binge/purge tendencies? It might really help to see a professional.
  • Cjbiobaby
    Cjbiobaby Posts: 16 Member
    i have heard about situations where the body is constantly craving sugar... i wouldnt quit COLD turkey, but try substituting, and when you go for that sugar that you crave. STOP yourself and change your train of thought.. a piece of sugar free chewing gum? a sugar free mint? back to the body craving sugar,,,, you may want to speak to a specialist, your Primary Physician. what i saw on tv, or read somewhere i cant remember, was there was a REASON your body was craving it so badly...
    Depression is a whole nother situation...... try to get the depression treated as well. i use wellbutrin, i also have an anxiety disorder where i started taking lexapro.... i try to do positive self talk as well and rid my life of negatives and negative nancies.. its NOT easy believe me....... i am totally with you on this because every day several times a day i CRAVE reeses pb cups..... i looked in the mirror and saw my *kitten*,,,,,,, saw my belly....... and when the scale went up significantly in one week...... i now DREAM about eating a reeses LOLOL. they are my weakness...... i have dentures and EVERY kind of chewing gum sticks to them....... so, hard sugar free candies preferabbly mints work better for me...... if they are candy hard candies, then its not really pulling yourself away from the sugar addiction. good luck with all of this and keep us informed!!
  • GauchoMark
    GauchoMark Posts: 1,804 Member
    just to clarify, I am not saying to stop eating CARBS, but simple sugars (candy). And, I'm not saying forever, but just long enough to let you see that you can go without it.
  • tangerinekiwi
    tangerinekiwi Posts: 16
    The good news is.... Once you kick the sugar (if you're trying to get sugar levels really low), after a short while you really won't crave it. My mom has been on this low sugar thing for a while... I did it with her for a couple months and it was sooooo hard at first. But eventually I just didn't crave it at all. And then Christmas happened.
  • happieharpie
    happieharpie Posts: 229 Member
    Your question holds your answer. I told myself for decades that I couldn't stop eating sugar, and obviously since i COULDN'T, I DIDN'T!

    On the day I told myself I had to omit sugar from my eating plan, I omitted it. I've had sugared food possibly 4-5 times since starting my rehab, and every single time I do, I regret it.

    Feeling much better without sugar is a powerful reinforcement, and remembering that I don't have to eat sugar and don't WANT to eat sugar is a powerful habit changing tool.
  • Lesa_Sass
    Lesa_Sass Posts: 2,213 Member
    Would it surprise you to know that it is the sugar in the alcohol that alcoholics crave? That is why we are told to eat something sweet when we start craving booze when we first get sober.

    Sugar addiction is no joke, you will have to abstain from it to get it out of your system. There are a lot of recovering sugar addicts on here, find them and reach out to them for support. It will help a great deal.

    If I can give up vodka, you can give up sugar, it just takes time and a little help from your friends.

    L
  • denise032
    denise032 Posts: 108 Member
    Make sure you're getting b/t 7-8 uninterrupted, restful hours of sleep each night. Lack of sleep will absolutely make you crave sugar. I wouldn't completely deprive yourself of sugar (because it can lead to a binge), but definitely limit it by only allowing ONE serving. Up your protein intake and definitely keep working out. Exercise will release endorphins which can help to prevent depression.
  • castlerobber
    castlerobber Posts: 528 Member
    I am currently 10st5 and 5ft4 and size 10-12. I was around a size 8 and 8st 7- 9st around 4-5 months ago.
    Ive been binging most days and ive tried everything I could think of

    Can you think of anything that changed around that time? Did you start eating something new to you? Stop nursing your little one? Change your exercise routine? Move to a different climate? Start taking a new medicine or supplement?

    If you're eating a lot of wheat (can't see your diary, so just speculating), that could possibly add to the sugar cravings. Try temporarily cutting out breads and pasta, for a few weeks, to see if that helps any. Add more protein, fat, and veggies to make up the calories and keep you satisfied.
  • pbit
    pbit Posts: 10 Member
    I totally understand where you are coming from, because I have been there (many times!). I agree with GauchoMark. You need to go cold turkey on sugar. Sugar is like a drug and the more you have it the more you crave & want it. There have been studies on how Sugar can be just like Cocaine. I am an all or nothing gal when it comes to sugar. Usually if you are off it for a few days to a week, you will lose those cravings for it. I do like the idea of having the Sugar Free Gum - "Extra" makes Sugar Free Mint Chocolate Chip & Rainbow Sherbert - both are really good and do the trick for me after meals when I want some sugar. I am also in counseling for the sugar addiction; as it is a REAL Addiction, just like Alcohol, Sex and Drugs. There are so many sites you can get good useful information off of. Just Google "how to break a sugar addiction" and a lot comes up. Good Luck! You CAN do this!!
  • EllieYuruker
    EllieYuruker Posts: 54 Member
    THANK YOU ALL SO MUCH FOR YOUR REPLIES!!
    I wake up every morning telling myself "no sugar today" but I have obviously failed miserably.
    I had counselling for my depression but it did no good, I also talked about eating with her.
    I went to the drs today and told him " Im struggling with my eating habits" He completely ignored me and carried on printing my prescription for my anti depressants ( Ive been on them for about 3 years on and off)
    I just want to get better for myself and my daughter. I dont want her growing up thinking food is something to be obsessed over.
    Thank You all again so much, I really appreciate your support and non judgemental comments xxxxx
  • GauchoMark
    GauchoMark Posts: 1,804 Member
    sounds like you might need a new doctor. I dump the ones that are too busy to listen and fast to hand me a fistful of prescriptions. Prescription drugs are not the fix for most things - they just cover up the symptoms and the problem never gets addressed.
  • Lesa_Sass
    Lesa_Sass Posts: 2,213 Member
    sounds like you might need a new doctor. I dump the ones that are too busy to listen and fast to hand me a fistful of prescriptions. Prescription drugs are not the fix for most things - they just cover up the symptoms and the problem never gets addressed.

    THIS

    I had a dr that wanted to just write me a script for everything too. I eventually changed drs to one that listens to me and actually wants to see me get well. One of the best things I ever did.

    Therapy takes a while, you may want to give it another try. It helped me by leaps and bounds until I found AA. If you are open to it and have an Over Eaters Anonymous in your area, you may want to consider giving it a try. It will help you in ways you never thought possible. Everything you just described was me after a night of drinking, 12 step programs are amazing.
  • nomeejerome
    nomeejerome Posts: 2,616 Member
    OP:
    Getting a handle on depression issues is very important and it sucks that you have not been heard by your counselor or your doctor. While prescription drugs may not be the best option for everybody, they are absolutely suitable for many people. (and some it is not a good idea to stop cold turkey) Is it possible to make another appointment with your counselor and/or doctor for another referral? Or are there any community agencies available to you? As far as "sugar addiction," it does not exist in diagnostic material, but there are other diagnosis that address other issues. I hope you find a counselor that can help you through the depression issues, which will in turn help many other aspects of your life.
  • sixpacklady
    sixpacklady Posts: 582 Member
    A good read is Potatoes not Prozac
  • EllieYuruker
    EllieYuruker Posts: 54 Member
    The Dr who used to be amazing and referred me to the counsellor has now left :( All the others at my surgery are terrible! I feel too embarrassed to go again and try :(
    So when im giving up sugars, should i be giving up fruit or low fat yogurts etc?
    There are no OA near me unfortunatly. I have seriously looked in to everything haha. Private counselling is too expensive for me :/
  • GauchoMark
    GauchoMark Posts: 1,804 Member
    no, just try to avoid refined sugar at first. Fruit is totally fine, dairy is great as long as you choose options that don't have much added sugar - greek yogurt is a must in my diet!
  • nomeejerome
    nomeejerome Posts: 2,616 Member
    OP:
    Maybe try to write in a journal? Maybe try to tell yourself you can have a small amount versus the all/nothing approach? Maybe re-set your calorie goals so you do not feel deprived? Maybe try talking to your doctor again? Take little steps at a time. There is no reason to feel embarrassed, but understandably, it happens.You said earlier that you want to get better and that is a great start.
  • Guinivere
    Guinivere Posts: 357 Member
    Have full fat food (so-called low fat food is usually full of sugar to make taste ok), plenty of protein and veg to keep you actually satiated. Cold turkey worked for me on sugar. ( not the poultry kind)

    I just said NO every time I was tempted or offered. NO became my new habit.

    I eat very little fruit, no sweeteners or processed sugar and my binges have almost stopped. One wobble over Xmas, but I'm back in the zone today.

    Processed sugar is like crack cocaine to me and puts me in terrible mood swings, so your depression and roller-coaster emotions should lift too as a bonus side effect!

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