How do you avoid temptation?

I agree that the best thing to do is to not completely avoid it. You have to learn to say no to it though. I have found that I can diet really well when there is nothing bad in the house but right when someone brings something bad I snap and eat everything. But when I have to constantly say no to temptations it makes me way stronger and eventually I don't have any problem with it.

So youll get plenty of people telling you to give up sugar completly. It never works for me it causes me to binge because my body is rediculously deprived. So Ive adopted a "sweets in moderation" rule for my lifestyle change. I will literally count out 51 Reese's Pieces to have a perfect serving so I dont eat the entire bag. I also dont buy them unless I have craved them for more then 3 hours (I dont go days or I binge) I make them fit into my normal caloric goals or excercise my butt off to eat them.

I wouldnt beable to stand an unsupportive BF. Mine has been amazing, even though he met me 55 lbs into my weight loss he see's old pictures he compliments me but tells me I dont have to try to lose, but Ill just look more amazing as I do. He also loves the healthy cooking I do.

I tend to encourage people to make cakes I dont like (either chocolate or with any form of buttercream frosting... I like whipped frosting lol) If there is a cake I like I cut a 1x1 inch square and chose a fruit or healthier side to have too. Binge on the veggies while youre there and you wont have as much room for the sweets

The only way I got rid of (or controlled) my sugar addiction was to stop eating processed foods. There are additives in processed foods that for me causes more cravings for sweet foods. The food companies know what they are doing and that is keep you addicted to sugar. Stop the processed foods and you will soon be surprised how naturally sweet things are without added sugar. Good luck on your journey.

I know that if I try to deny myself all sweet things I always fall off the wagon spectacularly, so I go the other way - making sure I get to eat something sweet every day, but choosing carefully so I don't live to regret it. And for a truly special occasion like graduation, I'd definitely eat (a small bit of the) cake.

The only way I got rid of (or controlled) my sugar addiction was to stop eating processed foods. There are additives in processed foods that for me causes more cravings for sweet foods. The food companies know what they are doing and that is keep you addicted to sugar. Stop the processed foods and you will soon be surprised how naturally sweet things are without added sugar. Good luck on your journey.

I totally agree! It is really amazing how I've stopped craving sugar since I've cut out the processed stuff.

Hey! I love cake and sugar too....This is what I do and it normally works. Get a *SMALL* piece of cake--I mean like the size of a large egg. Get a large glass of water also. Eat the cake slowly and in small bites---alternate each bite with a large swig of water. The water normally fills up my stomach and the little bit of cake will get my sweet tooth taken care of! It's really hard for me too....Youu can do it!

the key is not avoidance. You can have your cake and eat it too. It's just a matter of portion control. Instead of a great big size get a 1" by 1" small square and break it into a few bites and savor making it last. This way you won't blow your diet and you still get to have cake with your friends. A piece that size is about 100 calories unless it's a 7 layer cake.

i totally agree. i let myself have my favorite foods but in small portions. it's good to give yourself a treat as long as you are mostly eating healthy and getting exercise in, it will keep you sane. i read somewhere that the first bite tastes like the last, and it's true. you won't be totally restricting yourself and therefore craving it even more (we all want what we can't have), but this way you'll get a few tastes and just savor them

I think this is a case of knowing your downfalls. I don't believe in cutting out everything because if I did I'd end up binging and that's not very productive, but there are things that I try to avoid. For me it's things like jelly beans which are near pure sugar. I can't just eat a couple, even though if I did I could keep the calories down. I just know how I react to that much sweet, so they're one of the few things fully off my list. That may change in the future, I don't know, but for now I just avoid them.

So the question is...is cake a major trigger for you? Or can you do as others have suggested and just have a small piece to mark the occasion? Is it the cake itself or is it the icing? Can you eat the cake but not the icing and be satisfied?

Stay aware and keep drinking water, it does help to cut the cravings and keep you feeling full.

No i dont think you should give up sugar completely, but change how you get your sugar.Try having fruits that have natural sugar and see if that helps the craving. If not , then dont deprive yourself because if you do you will just eat more when you finally give in....and you will give in.Try limiting the amount of cake you eat. or what ever it is like chips or chocolate......put an amount on a plate , or bowl and when that amount is gone ...your done.....This helps for me...hope it helps for you.

You can have your cake and eat it too!! The key is portion control. Have a small piece...just enough to give you a taste. Total avoidance of foods you enjoy is a bad thing. That can very easily lead to binging on what you've missed.