Day 5 Depression

24

Replies

  • bluworld
    bluworld Posts: 135 Member
    Depression during weight loss is common, due to a drop in serotonin (high cal foods create a release of serotonin). It can take about 2 weeks or so for everything to level out. If you find depression is lasting longer than 2 weeks, or is interfering with life functioning, please speak to your doctor.
    While people can't be "addicted" to food, they can use it to unintentionally treat underlying depression.
  • emmatrem
    emmatrem Posts: 4 Member
    Could you gradually swap for dark chocolate? Not as sweet, but has been shown to have health benefits. It's quite rich, so a couple of squares is often enough. X
  • I don't know anything about whether or not you can be addicted to sugar. It really doesn't matter to my following point:
    You have to control yourself. If you're addicted or dependent or just like sugar a whole lot and eat too much of it doesn't matter.

    FOCUS ON WHAT YOU ARE TRYING TO DO.

    Direct your energy into meeting your goals. Be proud when you make it through the day and you didn't overeat, you didn't justify your habit, you didn't compromise. The mind controls the body. Stick with it.

    Zig Ziglar said, "For most of my life, I chose to be overweight. It was a choice, because no one ever forced me to eat anything."

    You can do it. I believe in you.
    Brandon
  • lemonsnowdrop
    lemonsnowdrop Posts: 1,298 Member
    Don't come to me with an "AP lesson." In nursing school we literally just spent two weeks lecturing over alcohol and drug abuse, addiction and withdrawal, and I have several nurse practitioners who agree sugar, which we consume on a daily basis regardless of its source, cannot be addictive in the same was as alcohol.
  • Looncove_Farm
    Looncove_Farm Posts: 115 Member
    Personally, I would stick out the detox. Its uncomfortable and crappy but it will end in a short amount of time. Like anything you quit, you mentally and physically miss it.
    In the meant time, while you are waiting for this hard time to pass, walk, clean, reorganize, go for a ride, go visit a friend. ANYTHING to get your mind off the sweets. In a short amount of time you may find you feel better and dont need the sweet fix as much.
    Good luck, giving up things we love isnt easy,,,,,I hear potatoe chips call my name as I pass them in the grocery store, lol.
  • leoninhughes607
    leoninhughes607 Posts: 12 Member
    So are gambling and sex addiction not real because the withdrawal won't kill them? I'm confused.

    Anyway back to why you originally posted. I'd just say keep busy, make sure you are eating enough fat, protein and carbs, try and find other ways to treat yourself (nice bath, new makeup, time to sit and read or watch TV). Reward yourself and be kind to yourself while you ride it out.

    And be wary of comparing yourself to alcoholics. It's a trigger subject that affects a lot of people. It often leads to hurt feelings.
  • lemonsnowdrop
    lemonsnowdrop Posts: 1,298 Member
    So are gambling and sex addiction not real because the withdrawal won't kill them? I'm confused.

    Anyway back to why you originally posted. I'd just say keep busy, make sure you are eating enough fat, protein and carbs, try and find other ways to treat yourself (nice bath, new makeup, time to sit and read or watch TV). Reward yourself and be kind to yourself while you ride it out.

    And be wary of comparing yourself to alcoholics. It's a trigger subject that affects a lot of people. It often leads to hurt feelings.

    I literally said "sugar cannot be addictive in the same way as alcohol."
  • I think we just have to be careful with words like addiction, because sometimes we'll let them become a way to pass off responsibility. It's OK if I overeat; I'm addicted to food and can't help myself.

    The reasons we do things, like overeat, don't matter. It might make our endeavor more difficult, but we still have the problem. If our goal is to overcome the problem, then that's what we have to do.
  • EvgeniZyntx
    EvgeniZyntx Posts: 24,208 Member
    edited April 2015
    OK small AP lesson. For all those out there whobelieve that sugar is not an addiction I challenge you to look up the definition of an addiction and what it does to your brain. You will find that the addictions to cocaine and alcohol have the same effect on your brain that sugar does and when you grow up with having a constant influx of sugar you tend to have the same reaction as an adequate this is been scientifically proven and can have an addiction.I also find it interesting that a place where you are supposed to get support can have so much negativity.

    No, it does not. Seen the science and it's clear we do not have people on the boards pimping out their bodies or selling their house or losing their job to that der last donut. Delirium tremens for a crispy creme? Hardly.
    It's a logical fallacy to claim "science has proven it"; this fallacy is called Appeal to Authority.

    Is it difficult to cut sugar? For some, yes absolutely. Is it an addiction like cocaine or alcohol? One would have to ignorant or deluded to think that. Really, very very different processes. However, if you want to use the word "addicted" in a more open sense and intend it in a "I really can't quit the suagrz" fine by me. I see all the "gasp, ah, can't call it that, I'm so upset" people on these boards and I'd expect by now we'd reach a semantics accord. Words are fluid things and have spectrum meanings. One can understand what she intends to mean without going "can't say that word".

    As to the negativity that you perceive - it's not there. People here aren't somehow required to agree with your opinion. There is no need to go pull out exaggerated sensibilities. Opinions will differ on concepts and words. Just go with it.

    If you are having trouble with cutting sugar - and you really feel you need to cut it - buy yourself lots of vegetables, etc and munch on that. Go out and get some sun, be active. Stay off the Internet.
  • hsmith0930
    hsmith0930 Posts: 160 Member
    So are gambling and sex addiction not real because the withdrawal won't kill them? I'm confused.

    Anyway back to why you originally posted. I'd just say keep busy, make sure you are eating enough fat, protein and carbs, try and find other ways to treat yourself (nice bath, new makeup, time to sit and read or watch TV). Reward yourself and be kind to yourself while you ride it out.

    And be wary of comparing yourself to alcoholics. It's a trigger subject that affects a lot of people. It often leads to hurt feelings.

    No, they are compulsions. Compulsions based on the same things that the compulsion to eat sugar is based on. The "pleasure" factor is created in a person's brain. There is no chemical dependency involved.

    Just because there are support groups available to help a person change their behaviors does not legitimize the fact that these behaviors are addictions. Overeating, gambling, sex, etc are all compulsive behaviors that can negatively affect people's lives and in overuse need to be treated. But they are psychological at best.
  • noclady1995
    noclady1995 Posts: 452 Member
    For me, personally, it's an on-going process. There are times (usually at THAT time of the month lol) that I want to eat everything, and the other times I do pretty well. I've resolved to the fact that I have to just do my best everyday to fight off urges to eat everything. I've recently spent a lot of time on Pinterest looking for healthy treats that I can make and have on hand for little treats to myself. Hang in there. It's definitely a journey and you'll figure out what your body needs to do to get over those humps. Good luck!
  • girlviernes
    girlviernes Posts: 2,402 Member
    OK small AP lesson. For all those out there whobelieve that sugar is not an addiction I challenge you to look up the definition of an addiction and what it does to your brain. You will find that the addictions to cocaine and alcohol have the same effect on your brain that sugar does and when you grow up with having a constant influx of sugar you tend to have the same reaction as an adequate this is been scientifically proven and can have an addiction.I also find it interesting that a place where you are supposed to get support can have so much negativity.

    It really is not established scientifically. I am sorry you feel jumped on, but as someone who previously had huge sugar problems for my entire adult life, I have to say that the answer for me was in learning how to balance foods and realize I have full control over my choices. I wrote about my experience in the first thread in my profile. Anyways, I wish you luck. Cutting out sugar for a little while can be helpful, but I absolutely believe you can work it back in and that has a big advantage of giving you flexibility and the understanding that you can control any food.
  • BWBTrish
    BWBTrish Posts: 2,817 Member
    What ever you say or believe it doesn't matter

    But as long you have zero% willpower you wont succeed.
    Stop making excuses
    Bare the pain, un-comfort or whatever it takes and when it is that bad i would clean my pantry out of everything that i cant eat....for a month or so

    I like crisps. And i sure dont say i am addicted lol because i dont see it that way.
    But for some weeks i just didn't had them in the house.

    Now i do, my husband eats them I had 5 crisps in the last half year. It doesn't bother me at all anymore.

    Its habits you have to learn but also habits that you have to beat.
    Eating sweets is a habit, and not eating them too.

    So the only thing that will help you is willpower and nobody here can do that for you. YOU have to do this and when you want it bad enough you will succeed.
  • Have u tried substituting sugar for Stevia? That might help!
  • Is it sad that I'm enjoying this mini flame war over sugar?
  • BWBTrish
    BWBTrish Posts: 2,817 Member
    edited April 2015
    Is it sad that I'm enjoying this mini flame war over sugar?

    pulls out another chair, sit down....shares my popcorn with ya.
    Enjoy the coming time reading here till the post will be closed down.

  • To jasmineboyle:
    I actually thought about you during lunch. My brother took me to an ale house restaurant. Fried, fried, and fried are most of the choices. But I ordered the chicken breast dinner...supposedly 430 calories. While I'm not absolutely sure it was 430, it was a small breast, serving of potatoes, and fresh-cooked green beans. Very little salt, too, and I was REALLY impressed.

    My nephew and my brother and my brother got a cheese burger and a cheese steak sandwich. And fries. Fries used to be my killer. GIVE ME ALL THE FRIES!!! If I had potato chips in the house, I would eat them until they were gone.

    And today? Nothing. Their fried food looked good, but I didn't want it. My plate was colorful, tasteful, and my brother said, "Oh wow, I should have gotten that."

    So give it time! You'll develop better habits, and those cravings will go away. It never crossed my mind to order that. Even when my brother said he wanted something like a burger, I told him to go there because I knew they did have a few healthy choices on the menu.

    Keep it up, you'll make it!
  • megomerrett
    megomerrett Posts: 442 Member
    Linovitz wrote: »
    Hershey's kisses work best for me. One has only about 25 calories and helps with sugar cravings.
    This would definitely help me stop eating chocolate as they taste like sick to me! I go with a low cal hot chocolate.
  • kkunzler
    kkunzler Posts: 20 Member
    I cut out processed sugar in my life, cold turkey, this November. (I still eat fruit, agave, molasses, that sort of thing) I can tell you that the first bit is annoying and uncomfortable, and strange - and I can also tell you that about 6 months later, I no longer crave sugar, I don't get headaches or tummy upsets, I feel better, I look better, I've lost weight, and I am SO glad I did it.

    After about a week, I had gotten rid of everything in my home that tempted me AND replaced it with other things - fruit, honey, whole grains, and others. This way, when I wanted something sweet, I could have some raspberries with honey or sugar free greek yogurt. Just taking it out of my house would not have worked for me - I needed to replace it with something else.

    After three weeks, I didn't think about Costco cake or caramel popcorn (my biggest sugary loves), and before a month was up, I pretty much lost my cravings altogether.

    Cold turkey isn't the way to go for some people - sometimes gradually diminishing your portion size, replacing sugar with stevia, or something else works. Whatever way works best for you, I can't encourage you enough to stick with it!! Make sure you're getting enough protein, carbs, healthy fat, water, sleep, exercise, etc. etc. and keep up the good work!

    If you're having a particularly bad day, feel free to message me, and we can talk. I've found a lot of things that are sweet without using sugar, and those can help if you're craving something. I'm also nice :blush:

    If your depression gets worse, or stays a long time, talk to your doctor. They know more about it than I do, that's for sure! ^-^

    Wishing you success!
    ~Katie
  • McRhi
    McRhi Posts: 3 Member
    The depression is not fun! I understand. It's just a stage, see it through, it's worth it. I'm on a very clean diet ATM, I find really sweet fruit helps with sugar cravings; mangos, melons, bananas, Sharon fruit ... I even unpeel the bananas and freeze them, when you take them out they taste like a wholesome minimilk - good luck
  • jasmineboyle
    jasmineboyle Posts: 22 Member

    You can do it. I believe in you.
    Brandon[/quote]

    A heartfelt thank you.
  • jasmineboyle
    jasmineboyle Posts: 22 Member
    So are gambling and sex addiction not real because the withdrawal won't kill them? I'm confused.

    Anyway back to why you originally posted. I'd just say keep busy, make sure you are eating enough fat, protein and carbs, try and find other ways to treat yourself (nice bath, new makeup, time to sit and read or watch TV). Reward yourself and be kind to yourself while you ride it out.

    And be wary of comparing yourself to alcoholics. It's a trigger subject that affects a lot of people. It often leads to hurt feelings.

    I understand this for sure and I never meant to start a alcoholism vs sugar debate. In reality, I am more interested in how people get through the detox and (let me be PC) "behavior modifications and psychological symptoms".
    I'm really trying to stay active which seems to help a lot. At this point, until I'm past this hump, I can't keep temptations in the house.
    On a side note, the thing I don't understand- does anyone know or even care if I am an alcoholic? Does that give me license to compare the two?
  • jasmineboyle
    jasmineboyle Posts: 22 Member
    zyxst wrote: »

    If you want to cut out "added sugar", start with your Americano and leave out the sugar.

    The Americano is a step down from the 20 oz caramel macadamia double sweet mocha with whipped cream I normally get every day. I think I'll jump one hurdle at a time.
  • jasmineboyle
    jasmineboyle Posts: 22 Member
    So because you're a nurse you must be right? I consulted two paramedics and a nurse who all agree that sugar addiction is real. What now? Who's right?
    So you know or are an alcoholic and you're offended by my use of the comparison? What if I'm an alcoholic, does that make it ok?
    Unless you yourself have completed an extensive scientific study on addictions, I really don't think anyone has the right to slam someone as wrong and confused. There is just as much research which suggests consistent over - consumption of sugar alters the neuro - pathways in the brain as there is (I'm sure) those who believe it is a crutch for us weak people who need a label to rest on and we just need to pull up our big girl panties and take responsibility for our choices. You think I don't already tell myself that I'm weak and pathetic for not being on top of this? I don't need your negative voice echoing my own.
    You're right, I will not die if I stop eating sugar, but please don't discredit what I'm going through. It's real.
    Depression, obsessive behavior, GI upset, mood swings, anxiety, insomnia, these are real symptoms.
    The sugar in my diary is a massive cut back from what I used to consume and it was and is a battle being here so don't criticize me.
    If the label "addiction" offends you, feel free to politely give it a more appropriate name.
    I came here asking for tips on how people get through depression, not a debate on proper use of the word addict.
  • JordisTSM
    JordisTSM Posts: 359 Member
    hsmith0930 wrote: »
    I thought I was the same way. I really did think that if I had treats in the house I was doomed to eat them, and since we keep goodies for the kids I was destined to never lose weight. Then I realized I was wrong. It is MY CHOICE to eat what I want. Whether that is 15 candy bars, because I WANT to eat that, or just one or two hershey's minis. The food is not making that decision for me. And if I WANT to eat more than would be considered a typical serving, that's fine. It's my choice to do that.

    I can choose to incorporate it into my calories, and eat less of something else. Or I can choose to go over my calorie goal and accept that I may lose a little less that week, which, oh well. It's not like a race where I have to lose X pounds by a certain time. This is just how I am living my life now, so sometimes I will eat more than others and that is totally fine. It will all settle out in the long term, as long as I am making sure MOST days are adhering to my calorie goals.

    You don't have to be depressed and deprived. I understand that feeling and I've felt that feeling a lot. Then I stopped being a victim to the food and chose to be in control.

    ^This

    I always blamed lacked of willpower too. Until I realised that I wanted to be a healthy weight, and be there for my daughter, far more than I wanted a moment of gluttony.

    Now I eat what I want, in reasonable portions, and as they fit in to my daily calorie goals.
  • jasmineboyle
    jasmineboyle Posts: 22 Member
    To jasmineboyle:
    So give it time! You'll develop better habits, and those cravings will go away. It never crossed my mind to order that. Even when my brother said he wanted something like a burger, I told him to go there because I knew they did have a few healthy choices on the menu.

    Keep it up, you'll make it!

    That is awesome! Thank you for the encouragement.

  • Christine_72
    Christine_72 Posts: 16,049 Member
    It is much easier to push blame on to something, than it is to take actual responsibility for it...
  • ahoy_m8
    ahoy_m8 Posts: 3,053 Member
    To jasmineboyle:
    I actually thought about you during lunch. My brother took me to an ale house restaurant. Fried, fried, and fried are most of the choices. But I ordered the chicken breast dinner...supposedly 430 calories. While I'm not absolutely sure it was 430, it was a small breast, serving of potatoes, and fresh-cooked green beans. Very little salt, too, and I was REALLY impressed.

    My nephew and my brother and my brother got a cheese burger and a cheese steak sandwich. And fries. Fries used to be my killer. GIVE ME ALL THE FRIES!!! If I had potato chips in the house, I would eat them until they were gone.

    And today? Nothing. Their fried food looked good, but I didn't want it. My plate was colorful, tasteful, and my brother said, "Oh wow, I should have gotten that."

    So give it time! You'll develop better habits, and those cravings will go away. It never crossed my mind to order that. Even when my brother said he wanted something like a burger, I told him to go there because I knew they did have a few healthy choices on the menu.

    Keep it up, you'll make it!

    Great example. Thanks for sharing it.
  • 999tigger
    999tigger Posts: 5,235 Member
    OP have you been diagnosed as depressed? Are you on medication for it?

    Why not cut by 50% the sugar you add to your drinks and gradually reduce it to nothing or drink water? It will wean you off.
  • jasmineboyle
    jasmineboyle Posts: 22 Member
    Is it sad that I'm enjoying this mini flame war over sugar?

    pulls out another chair, sit down....shares my popcorn with ya.
    Enjoy the coming time reading here till the post will be closed down.

    As long as that popcorn is air-popped sans butter and salt, I'll pull up a chair too. :smile:
    Last night I was truly beside myself over this, today it has passed into the realm of entertaining.
This discussion has been closed.