SAA - Sugar Addicts Anonymous

Is this based on the 12 Steps? I think AA has a lock on using that term (maybe even a patent or copyright on it.)...and if people do want to get in your club, I would think you need to use the tools as described by AA and 12 Step recovery plans.

That said, there's no proof that sugar is addictive. According to the 100,000 other threads about it on this site alone, it just isn't so.

I am addicted to sugar as well. As of May of 2016 I've managed to eliminate processed sugar from my diet via combination of life choices, none of which were pleasant and continue to haunt me in this sugar saturated society. I would regularly indulge in cookies, ice coffees with caramel swirls, soda, candy, etc. I was at 225 lbs and deteriorating at 38 years old. I decided enough was enough and acknowledged that I was addicted and lacked the ability to "regulate" processed sugar consumption. I would go a few days cutting out the sugar and then binge (typical cycle). I came to the realization that I need to purge both the sugar and the triggers from my lifestyle. Every time I see a Dunkin Donuts I still salivate like a Pavlovian dog. Still, I no longer rationalize sugar consumption like I used to. There was always a birthday, a holiday, Halloween, Christmas, Easter, office party, cheat day, etc. that I could use to rationalize my sugar consumption. I came to the realization that willpower alone is insufficient and started changing behavior. For example, when I go to in-laws for a birthday celebration of a relative, come cake time, I sing Happy Birthday with the fam, then leave the room when the slices are passed out. I simply remove myself from situations that expose me to the sugar, just an alcoholic should remove themselves from bars.

Coincident with abandoning processed sugars, I increased my fitness training to six days a week, combining HIIT, weight lifting, Capoeira, and calisthenics. I took the principle of eliminating barriers to my success. I don't use a gym (no membership fees, travel time, intimidation aspects, etc.). I use limited weights and literally perform body weight exercises as soon as I get my *kitten* out of bed, right in my room. Blast through 45 minutes of intense activity. When complete I jump in the shower, eat my protein shake, and have breakfast.

The combination of a good training cycle, limited exposure to opportunities for cheating, and a commitment to eating healthy foods (including natural sugars) is a virtuous and self-sustaining cycle that I highly encourage. I couldn't envision success with a dietary change only and realized I needed to introduce other incentives to make the whole equation balanced. I went from 225 down to 185 and I'm lean muscle. I've started a program of micro-bulking / micro-intermittent fasting, strength and flexibility training, and monitoring of my progress down to the gram. Stepped up protein, enzyme, and proteas consumption to process extra protein. Still drink whole milk and burn through fat like it doesn't exist. I feel awesome, really.

Still, when I drive through Dunkin Donuts for an iced coffee with whole milk, those frackin' donuts still call to me like sirens wishing sailors to their doom.

Yes! Hi my name is Diane and I am a sugar addict. I need all the help I can get! Please let me know how to start!! It's a viscous cycle!

But I can see all your names...

The OP hasn't been back since April 6. One post. She needs a better sponsor who will push these meetings!!

Coffee and cigarettes are addictive too. Some handle quitting better than others.

...and...I'm OUT! Have fun!!

cmriverside wrote: »

livingleanlivingclean wrote: »

But I can see all your names...

I know, right? - I started to address the 12 Step and anonymity thing, but I realized halfway through writing a rebuttal post to @SCoil123 about the other 12 Step programs that I just didn't care enough to continue the post.

Refute that there are multiple 12 step programs? Go right ahead lol, but you'd be wrong and that's all I said so.....not sure why you are tagging me

I am sorry but I disagree with all the people who say sugar isn't an addiction. It very much is; as anyone who is addicted to it can tell you. It actually changes your brain chemistry which then makes you crave it more. Before the 1980's the food companies didn't add additional sugar to their foods. I.E. bread was never made with sugar. They began adding it when they realized that people would become addicted to it and thereby they would sell more bread. It worked and other companies followed suit.