Help, I can't quit Sugar :(

You know what the best deterrent is? Forcing yourself to log it no matter what. Doing that five times over, you start to really think about how you don't want to miss out on those calories - that donut could have been a really good piece of chocolate and a glass of wine, for example. Log it and keep going. Eventually you'll start deciding whether or not it's worth it. Sometimes it is and sometimes it isn't.

Edit: I've also never been able to stick to no sugar forever, it just doesn't seem like something that's feasible for life. I eat right now how I want to eat for the rest of my life - just less of it.

I can relate to this. I lost most of my weight when on maternity leave because when I went back to work there is so much temptation. What I do now is say I can have one thing a day at the office but only if I walk to and from work (60 minute total) otherwise its tough luck.

It has helped but not very good. The annoying thing is I was told it takes 30 days to create a habit and only 3 to break it. so basically you have to go 31 days sugar free to stop doing it but if you have some after that chances are you will go right back.

So my point is why try to go sugar free when everybody has enough cals a day for one little and I mean little treat a day. which you should have mid morning so you have all day to burn it off. If you have it later in the day you are more likely to overeat it as your energy will be depleting and sugar is good for energy peaks bad for the thighs!

So my point is why try to go sugar free when everybody has enough cals a day for one little and I mean little treat a day. which you should have mid morning so you have all day to burn it off. If you have it later in the day you are more likely to overeat it as your energy will be depleting and sugar is good for energy peaks bad for the thighs!

I agreed with you on this until

I actually find that eating my sweets (like pints of gelato) in the evening works best for me because I can portion it out, sit down and relax and watch TV. The only thing bad for your thighs is a calorie surplus.

It's really about finding out what works best for YOU. So, if that works good for you, that's great but that isn't necessarily the best or the only way to do things :P Just wanted to clarify.

Excellent reason not to cut it out completely. I always tell people not to go extreme because you can't stick to it.

I used to drink several liters of soda a day. I now drink about a can twice a week. Had I decided to cut it out completely, I would have been back to where I started.

Cut back a little and log it religously.

Portion out your favorites, plan out your day with those portions worked in.

Don't deprive yourself, just control it.

Here is where proper punctuation is helpful:

Help!
I can't quit, sugar!

Thank you!
I thought she meant Sugar from the club!!

So my point is why try to go sugar free when everybody has enough cals a day for one little and I mean little treat a day. which you should have mid morning so you have all day to burn it off. If you have it later in the day you are more likely to overeat it as your energy will be depleting and sugar is good for energy peaks bad for the thighs!

I agreed with you on this until

I actually find that eating my sweets (like pints of gelato) in the evening works best for me because I can portion it out, sit down and relax and watch TV. The only thing bad for your thighs is a calorie surplus.

It's really about finding out what works best for YOU. So, if that works good for you, that's great but that isn't necessarily the best or the only way to do things :P Just wanted to clarify.

Just so you know that was a joke, like the saying a moment on your lips a lifetime on the hips. I was just making the point you are more likely able to get a sweat item to fit in your calorie limit at the start of the day. Most sugar hits are not planned so come the evening you would most liekly of already hit your calorie limit so any sweat treat will be additional whereas if you have it in the morning you can include it in your limit and budget the rest of the day.

Everyone is different....I find that I tend to be all-or-nothing. I have cut out all "junky" carbs (no refined sugar, no white rice, no pasta, no bread), and that might be a little extreme for some people. But by doing that, I have almost no cravings for that stuff. Sugar has always been my go-to food when I start feeling snacky and now I don't struggle with that constant need for it.

Of course once in a while I will eat something sweet or have dessert (I mean, that is one of the joys of living!) But for the most part I don't think about it much. Before, when I wanted bread, I wanted to eat the whole loaf. If I ate cake, I couldn't stop at one slice. Pasta, same thing....one serving became two and three and four. It made me crazy! I would be walking around over full and uncomfortable and miserable.

By eliminating those things from my diet, I no longer crave them. I think your body adjusts. I used to wake up in the morning thinking about pancakes and syrup or donuts. Now it's different... I'm not really even sure why this has changed, but I'm not complaining!

These days most of my carbs are healthy and come from veggies and whole grains. I never thought in a million years I would feel this way and be able to say no to the things I have binged on for most of my life. But it is possible!

I agree with the suggestions to log everything, and I mean EVERYTHING. It really makes you aware. And don't tell yourself anything is off limits. If you want it, have it! Just make sure you account for it and it will all work out at the end of the day.

Good luck!

So my point is why try to go sugar free when everybody has enough cals a day for one little and I mean little treat a day. which you should have mid morning so you have all day to burn it off. If you have it later in the day you are more likely to overeat it as your energy will be depleting and sugar is good for energy peaks bad for the thighs!

I agreed with you on this until

I actually find that eating my sweets (like pints of gelato) in the evening works best for me because I can portion it out, sit down and relax and watch TV. The only thing bad for your thighs is a calorie surplus.

It's really about finding out what works best for YOU. So, if that works good for you, that's great but that isn't necessarily the best or the only way to do things :P Just wanted to clarify.

Just so you know that was a joke, like the saying a moment on your lips a lifetime on the hips. I was just making the point you are more likely able to get a sweat item to fit in your calorie limit at the start of the day. Most sugar hits are not planned so come the evening you would most liekly of already hit your calorie limit so any sweat treat will be additional whereas if you have it in the morning you can include it in your limit and budget the rest of the day.

Ah....okies!! Gotcha now. That makes more sense xD

I pre log my day, so I plan for things like that but I agree if you're not pre planning your day and just eat as you go, that could be an issue. MFP is a wonderful app

I've taken this approach to dieting in a baby step manner: I quit soda 6 weeks ago (all soda), then tuned all all sweet items this week. And I mean all, no artificial sweeteners, no corn syrup, no sugar, no fruit (except tomatoes). Since fiberomyalgia flares have been linked to artificial sweeteners and high carb diets, I've also lost the carbs for a bit. It's not easy let me tell you, I walked into work last night to find yummy looking iced sugar cookies in the break room, but I have a secret weapon, super dark chocolate. I keep a couple squares of 90% cacao chocolate in my car, for emergencies. It's not so bitter if you haven't had sugar in awhile and it makes you feel decadent and like you "cheated", even if you really haven't.